Harry Potter things to do in London

London is full of magical spots and things to do. I have put together a little

list here: 

First up are three fab stores and shops, who also have fabulous displays. 

- The House of Mina of Mina Lima

It just celebrated the third birthday and is a little store on a few floors right behind the Palace Theatre in London. It's full of designs by Eduardo Lima and Miraphora Mina. They designed The Marauders Map, the Hogwarts School books, the Dialy Prophet and so many other things. It's a must-see for every fan, they have wonderful prints as well. 

- The Noble Collection

This store is located in Covent Garden and is full of replicas and other Harry Potter merchandise. You can get a time-turner, the Philosopher's Stone, all the Horcruxes, house related items, plushies, wands and so much more. I love the way they displayed everything, so pretty. 

- Platform 9 3/4 store

This one is obviously located at King's Cross station and has so many things. Shirt, house related items, bookmarks, notebooks etc. A dream come true for every potterhead. 

Now let's continue with other activities and places. 

- King's Cross and St. Pancras

These two stations are right next to each other. You can take a photo in front of platform 9 3/4 and of course visit the shop as well. 

- Warner Bros Studio Tour

The obvious must for every fan. The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour is located in Watford and can easily be reached from London by train. It's a unique experience to visit the  Harry Potter film set. You can walk through the great hall, see the Gryffindor common room, walk through the Forbidden Forest, see the Hogwarts Express, Gringotts, Privet Drive and so much more (will publish a separate post). The store, in the end, is paradise. 

- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Go see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, it's amazing!

Read my review here. 

- Millenium Bridge

It played an important part in the beginning of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. 

Other places: Piccadilly Circus, Tower Bridge, Grimmauld Place (houses and Claremont Square), Diagon Alley (Cecil Court and Godwin's Court). 

Of course there are also several walking tours you can do through the city.

From one Harry Potter city to another. London calling...

On Monday, April 15 I took the train from Edinburgh to London Kings Cross. The whole journey took 4 hours and 40 minutes. On the way I looked at the lovely scenery, listened to music, wrote some blog posts and read Lindsey Kelk's newest book. At Kings Cross I took the underground to Covent Garden and checked in at my hotel.
After that I immediately left the hotel again and walked around the Covent Garden area (one of my faves). My first stop was The Noble Collection store, they have all the official Harry Potter merchandise, as well as other movies like Fantastic Beasts, Lord of the Rings, The hobbit etc. I was in there last time we were in London as well, but i wasn't feeling well and didn't have the energy to properly look around. So this time I really took my time looking at every single detail. They have all the wands, plushies, replica of the Philosopher Stone, the Rawenclaw Diadem, the Grindlewald pendant, the Triwizard cup etc. they also have brooms, arteft boxes, house related things etc. you can definitely spend hours in there. The way they display things is brilliant, so pretty!!! I didn't bux anything yet, but definitely kept some things in mind. Then I just went into some stores: French Connection, Karen Millen, Ted Baker, Kurt Geiger, & other stories etc. I also walked around covent garden looked at the beautiful flowers and enjyod the su shine, before having dinner at the hotel restaurant Monmouth Kitchen. The have a tapas style menu, which is fab. They have changed it a little bit, so I tried some new things and had my beloved Chardonnay from Chile. The rest of the evening was spent in the room and I went to bed early, because...

...Tuesday meant an early start. I gave myself enough time to get to the Harry Potterr studio tour in Leavsden. I got a coffee and ate breakfast on the train from Euston. Then of course I took the bus and collected my ticket. My time was at 10.00 am, but I took some tiemto look at the new entrance first. The huge dragon is very impressive, die hen there are all the oictures from the characters ariznd the dragon, plus the castle and some ither details. There are also costumes and windows with some nice details. Completely new is also the chocolate frog café, the marauders map around it and part of the enchanted ceiling. The whole entrance to the cinema room is different, covering all eight movies. From the cinema room, you go to The Great Hall and then the room with all the props and sets. Then comes the Forbidden Forest and Platform 9 ¾, both have a shop. After that comes the Backlot Café and then the whole exterior area with The Knight Bus, Privet Drive, the bridge and more. From the creatures area, we see all the goblins, which afterwards leads to Gringotts (the new part). What they did there is fabulous, the main hall of the bank is great and I really liked the Lestrange vault. When you come out of Gringotts you walk through Diagon Alley, the the model section and the the Hogwarts model, before stepping into the wand shop and then the actual shop of the tour. I spent a really long time in the shop and walked home with quite a few things (details in my studio tour post). I had lunch at the studios as well and enjoyed a coffee from the Chocolate Frog Café, before taking back the train to central London. From Euston station, I went to Kings Cross and headed to the 9 ¾store, I had to stand inline to get in. I couldn’t resist buying some little things. Then I took the time to relax at the hotel, get changed and have ddinndinner there 

Dinner there again. They have a fab menu, so I had to try other things. Before going to the theatre I went to Trafalgar Square ad took some phtos there and looked at the London Eye. Fiddler on the Roof was playing at The Playhouse theatre and I really enjoyed the show. Great story, fab acting, wonderful voices (read my musical review to know more). 

Wednesday was another Harry Potter day, but I started with a yummy coffee from Monmouth Coffee and some shopping on Regent Street. I bought some summer shorts at Abercrombie and Fitch and just browsed through my fave stores. At 12 I headed tob e beloved restaurant in Carnaby Street called Dehesa, another Tapas place. I had to rush a bit and eat fast, because I had to go back tot he hotel ,leave my tjings there,pick up my ticket and go to the theatre. Luckily, the theatre was on the way back, so I got my tickets before going tot he hotel. I quickly freshened up and walkedto the thatre, it was just a three minute walk. I took some time to take photos in front of the theatre, with the ticket, without, me standing in front etc. Then I had to stand in the queue to get in. They tell you tob e there an hour early, because they take their time checking bags and tickets, the line actually goes around the theatre. The momentI got in, I checked out the store first to see what they have, bought a program, got a coffee and chilled at the bar. Then part one started and I actually had tears in my eyes, a very special moment (more details in my review, soon). After part one I went to the Mina Lima store and actually ordered two very special prints. I then had dinner and enjoyed a little drink at the hotel, before going back tot he theatre for part two. It was amazing, just incredible!

On Thursday I took my time in the moring and I had to pack, which wasn’t easy, because I bought some things ;). After checking out I got my coffee first and walked to Piccadilly Circus, where I went to Tesco first ad then to Waterstones, a must of course. Then I did the res of Regent Street, especially Ted Baker, where I bought some culottes. I had to go back to Dehesa for lunch, because it was justso delicious and I wanted to take my time. The afternoon was spent in Liberty, Starbucks (outside in the sunshine), Mina Lima again and Foyles. Sadly, it was time to say goodbye to London after that, I took the underground to heathrow airport.

London really is a home away from home, I miss it already and want to go back. 

Musical Review - Company

About the show: 

Company is a 1970 musical comedy with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. The original production was nominated for a record-setting fourteen Tony Awards and won six.

Originally titled Threes, its plot revolves around Robert (a single man unable to commit fully to a steady relationship, let alone marriage), the five married couples who are his best friends, and his three girlfriends. Unlike most book musicals, which follow a clearly delineated plot, Company is a concept musical composed of short vignettes, presented in no particular chronological order, linked by a celebration for Robert's 35th birthday.

Company was among the first musicals to deal with adult themes and relationships. As Sondheim puts it, "Broadway theater has been for many years supported by upper-middle-class people with upper-middle-class problems. These people really want to escape that world when they go to the theatre, and then here we are with Company talking about how we're going to bring it right back in their faces.

My own opinion: 

I saw Company once before, 20 years ago (I was about nine years old), when my theatre group performed it. My mum was in it and since I was still quite young, I only allowed to watch the dress rehearsal. It’s not really a show you would take your children to, because of what it is about. 

Anyway, here we are in 2019 and I finally got to see a West End production of this fab show. Stephen Sondheim is one of my fave musical composers and I just love the songs from Company. I also think the story is fun and entertaining. The lyrics are absolutely brilliant!

The special thing about this production was the transgender aspect of it. The main role Bobbie is originally played by a man, but they did it with a woman this time. They also turned some other things around. It worked really well and made it special and unique. 

The production and the staging were brilliant!!! It’s a very lively show, there are so many things going on, but they did an awesome job with all the scenes, as well as the choreography for the songs. The show is so much fun to watch, I would go again immediately!

London – Travel Diary

After almost two years I finally made it to London again. 

This time I went with my mum, so that meant a lot of shopping and musicals, yeahi!

On Monday we had our flight at 10 am, that meant landing in London after 11 am. The landing was fabulous, great views over the whole city. We took the underground into central London and headed to our hotel in Seven Dials. We have been staying at the same hotel for years, it’s just the perfect location. We had lunch at the hotel restaurant (Monmouth Kitchen), where they served yummy tapas. It was delicious. Then we explored the shops in and around Covent Garden. Reiss, Ted Baker, Karen Millen etc. We were surprised to see a lot oft he shops gone. I found some lovely things at Karen Millen though. Covent garden is always a great place to explore, take pictures and just enjoy. At 5 pm we went back tot he hotel and got changed, before heading to Rosso Pomodoro, one of our fave restaurants. Then it was time fort he first musical: Company at the Gielgud Theatre. It was an amazing show! The main character Bobbie was done by a woman and they turned some other things around as well, it was absolutely fantastic. 

On Tuesday, our path took us down to Knightsbridge and the South Kensington area, after having the best coffee I’ve ever had at Monmouth Coffee. I love this area. We first headed to the Victoria and Albert Museum, because we really wanted to see the Dior exhibition. The first open spot was at 3.15 pm, so we changed our plans and went to Harrods and the surrounding shops first. Time passes so quickly when you’re having fun, so we found ourselves hangry in Harrods, not really in the mood for shopping. I bought a pretty Apron, but then we want to the restaurants down there to have some chicken. It was sooo good. Then we continued to check out some shops, before stopping at Caffé Concerto for a smoothie and a tea. Then it was time for the museum and the exhibition. It was fascinating to see all these dresses, by all the different Dior designers, to see how it all developed and of course picking a favourite. It was very interesting. After the exhibition it was already time to head back to the hotel, have a quick nap and then get ready. We had dinner at Monmouth Kitchen again and then went to the Adelphi theatre to see Waitress with Katherine McPhee. I loved her from the first moment I saw her in Smash (a fab tv show) and was so excited when it was announced she is coming to London. She was absolutely brilliant in the role of Jenna, her voice is amazing! The show was awesome on so many levels, I would go and see it again any time! 

Wednesday was another shopping day. We walked down Shaftesbury Avenue to Piccadilly Circus and then browsed through the shops on Regent Street. There are just the best shops there and the buildings are so pretty. I bought some sneakers at Pepe Jeans (on sale), a shirt in Massimo Dutti and my mum bought things too. In between we headed to Carnaby street, looked at the shops there and had lunch at Dehesa, one of our faves. We spent a long time in Ted Baker, where we even met some people from our home town and then Karen Millen again, I found a fab wallet. We even got served Prosecco. After walking through Liberty, it was time to go back tot he hotel, get changed and go to the National Theatre. Third night and our third musical. We booked a package to have dinner as well, it was at the Terrace restaurant, a kind of Tapas menu again, but the food was terrible. We left as fast as possible and ate some snacks we brought. At the Olivier Theatre we then got to see Follies. It’s a very modern theatre and it looked great with the scenery and everything. Even though the songs of the musical are great, the spark didn’t fly. I just couldn’t connect to the way they did it. The orchestra and the singing were not one and some oft he actors didn’t really meet my expectations. That was a bit of a disappointment. We had a lovely wine at the hotel afterwards, so we still had a great evening. 

Thursday was already our last day, I wasn’t feeling too well though, so we didn’t do much. We checked out some more stores in Covent Garden (didn’t have enough time the first day), enjoyed Neal’s Yard and just chilled, before heading to Heathrow airport, where we did some more shopping. 

There were many more things we wanted to do this time, like going down to King’s road and Sloane Square and other things, but there is never enough time. We had a fabulous few days though and London always feels like going home, I can’t wait to get back again. 

London with my bestie

Thursday, May 25: The day is finally here! I'm going to see my bestie Maryline after over a year.
I had to get up at 4.45 am, to catch the furst bus at 6.00 am. I met an old colleague at the bus stop, which was great, we were able to catch up and I forgot about my only 5 hours of sleep. Then I wanted to get a coffee. Unfortunately, because kf the bank holiday no coffee shop was open yet. So I took the train to the aurport and checked my luggage. That's when I was told why I didn't get a sign when checking in the day before. I was on standby, because they overbooked the flight. I went to the gate immediately, but I was told I had to wait until boarding. Then they were looking for five people to take a later flight, they were given 274 swiss francs. I didn't take the offer, because Mary was arriving around the same time. On top of that it was also delayed, so I got to Russell Square station at around 11.30, where Mary was already waiting for me. So nice to finally hug each other again. We walked to the hotel (Goodenough Club) and checked in. My room was ready, so she came with me and we started catching up and I told her about my surprise (coming later). Then we headed to the Brunswick close by to get some lunch and then drinks at Starbucks and found a quiet place in the park. Mary then showed me her wedding book, which was really exciting. So great to finally see everything together and not just through what's app messages. Back at the hotel at around 3.00 pm, we freshened up, got changed and then took the underground to Covent Garden. Mary wanted to find ties for her future husband, as well as the two best men. We of course also explored Covent Garden, I bought some earrings for the wedding and we spent quiet some time in Jack Wills, Mary's fave new store 😉.
After that dinner was calling, we went to Rossopomodoro and both had a yummy courgette pasta. Back to the surprise: I got us tickets for Matilda and ut was absolutely amazing, Mary loved it too. A review will follow. Due to delays on the underground we walked back to the hitel, which was a test on my new high sandals, they passed the test. I was exhausted by the end of the evening and was glad when I was able to go to bed.

We got up at 8.00 am on Friday and had breakfast at the hotel. Then we started our shopping tour at Piccadilly Circus/Regent Street. I bought some stuff at Abercrombie and Fitch and then we continued our search for ties and we were successful in the first store. We then went to Anthropologie and headed to Carnaby Street. Last year I bought a silver watch at the Storm store, ai now wanted to get the same in gold for Mary's wedding. Unfortunately, they didn't have the model anymore, so I went for another one. Everytime I go to London, I go to Carnaby street, but I have alsways missed this cute little court called Kingly Court. It's full of restaurants, bars, we enjoyed a yummy smoothie there. It even seemed like being by the beach, it didn't feel like being in a big city. For we didn't go far, I took Mary to Dehesa, a lovely Tapas restaurant in the Caranby area. We took quite a while to just wander arohnd Liberty, live that store. Afterwards we walked to The House of Mina Lima. I was there last October, but Mary had not been yet and as a big Harry Potter fan I didn't say no of course. There were even new things to see: Fantastic Beats art, so fab! A stop in front of the Palace Theatre was a must of course as well. We quickly went back to the hotel and then headed to Euston station and ook a train to Watford Junction, where the Harry Potter shuttle bus was taking us to the studios, so exciting!!! We arrived half an hour early, so we had a little dinner before conquering the studios. It was absolutely awesome, a dream come true! I lived every single second, I want to go back please!!! If you want to read more about this fab experience, you will find a blog post about it here soon. I git a bit crazy at the store in the end, but oh well... After the studios we only went back to the hotel and then to bed.

Saturday was an easy start with breakfast. Mary then checked out of the hotel and we had a coffee at Starbucks. Around 11.30 we slowly headed to the Big Chill House for the blogger/author meet up. Kim and Holly arrived shortly after us, we went straight to the rooftop terrace and some more arrived. We stayed up there the whole afternoon and had a great time. There were mostly authors there and only some bloggers, but it was still so much fun. I will write a seperate post about the event, but I was very excited to see Holly Martin again and finally meet Heidi-Jo Swain, we have known each other online for so long and Inlive her books, so yay! Carrie Elks was there as well and many more. Afterr the event I went to King's Cross with Holly, Kim and Fiona and bought some more Harry Potter stuff 😜. I quickly caught up with a friend at Covent Garden, we walked around and enjoyed the view of Thames River, the London Eye and Big Ben on Hungerford Bridge. Then I got myself some sushi and a Peach Green Tea Lemonade and had dinner at the hotel, watched The Day After Tomorrow, packed and read a little bit.

I couldn't really sleep that night, because I was nit feeling well, so I took it very slowly in the morning. I only checked out shortly before 11 am. The I went to the Brunswick, got myself an Ice Tea and just relaxed. Before 12 I headed to Piccadilly Circus, right in time for Waterstones to open. Afterwards I did the stores we didn't do on Regent Street and Carnaby Street. I had another Starbucks Peach Green Tea Lemknade and then went back to the hotel to get my suitcase. I relaxed a bit in the park and then took the underground to the airport, which was not so clever with a heavy suitcase 😜. I made it really early and was told at check-in already that the plane was going to be delayed. It seems like whenever I fly to London there is a delay. I had a little dinner and started writing so e blog posts, before boarding the plane. In the end we had a delay by an hour, because of that I was home at midnight. 

The highlight of this weekend was obviously seeing Mary again after such a long time. The catch up was long over due and it was just wonderful to see her again. We had so much to talk about and since her wedding is coming closer we also talked about that. I can't wait to get to Belgium and be her bridesmaid.

Fabulous days out in London

Most of you have probably already seen my write up of the Lindsey Kelk event, here is what I did other than that in London.

Tuesday morning, October 11, 10.15 am: Arrival at City Airport with a delay of an hour. I took the train out to the airport in Zurich, had coffee and a croissant wirh a great plane view and was at the gate right in time. Well, the plane had technical difficulties, so we had to get another one. Luckily, I booked a morning flight with enough time until the event in the evening. After arriving I took the DLR into the city and then a taxi to the hotel. Check-in was fast and the room was ready too! I unpacked and then went out for lunch at Jamie's Italian (the Covent Garden one), which is a two minute walk from my hotel. Beer and yummy pasta was just what I needed. Then I walked down to Trafalgar Square and just stayed there for a while, before beginning my shopping spree at Covent Garden. I bought two pairs of jeans at Jack Wills (the place for me to buy jeans) and went to stores like Massimo Dutti, Cadenza, Reiss, Banana Republic, Karen Millen, Mango, Ted Baker etc. I bought nothing else though. At Pret a Manger I bought myself a little dinner and breakfast for the next day and then headed to Starbucks. It was actually a very special Starbucks, with a different design and system... I got a latte and a Peach Green Tea Lemonade (obsessed with them). Back at the hotel I first took a nap (I was so tired), then enjoyed my drinks and dinner and git ready for the author event in the evening. I then took a taxi to the event, which took forever, so I walk over London Bridge to the News Building abd got a sunset view with the shard, tower bridge etc. if you want to read more about the event, click here.
After the event I went back to the hotel and just chilled.

Wednesday morning, October 12 at 8.30 am: shower, tv, breakfast in bed. Let's not forget getting ready. At 10 am on the dot I left my hotel and got a coffee, before taking the tube to St. Paul's. I walked around there and then went over Millenium bridge and back. The view onto St. Paul's is absolutely stunning. Rhe tube then took me back to Soho, where I spent a long time in Foyles before heading down to the Piccadilly waterstones. Welcome to my world of books 😜. I then enjoyed a nice lunch at 5th view and was ready to hit Regent Street. Like the day before not to much damage money wise: a shirt at Abercrombie and Fitch and a Gigi Hadid jumper at Tommy Hilfiger. After Regent Street I went to Liberty and then Carnaby Street. I also stopped at Starbucks for a coffee, before walking back to Piccadilly Circus and up Shaftesbury Avenue. There I stopped at the House of MinaLima. It's an exhibition of the artists Mina and Lima, who did all the art work for the Harry Potter movies. 3 floors full of Harry Potter magic: the Marauders Map on the floor, the chimney with the letters and so much more, loved it. I also bought some lovely postcards. Then I bought dinner and a Peach Green tea Lemonade before heading back to the hotel. That gave me enough time to eat, relax and get ready for the show. In the evening I went to see Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, what a great show, a musical review will follow shortly. 

Thursday morning, October 13 at 8.30: shower, tv, breakfast, packing and then checking out. The first thing I did after that was getting a coffee, before heading to regent Street again, to do the rest of the shops there and start with the shops around Oxford Circus. Then I went back to Carnaby Street to eat at one of my fave restaurants: Dehesa. After lunch I headed back to Oxford Street and did a few shops there. The last stop was primark. I usually don't go in there, because there is chaos and the store is too cheap for me. However, I wanted the Harry Potter pjs for a while, so I got them. Before heading back to the hotel, I had a coffee at Starbucks. At the hotel I picked up my luggage and changed bags, before heading to the tube and then the DLR to City Airport. Check-in was really quick, but now starts the rant: Security at the airport, because of my liquids. At the beginning of the year I bought a transparent bag for me liquids and since then I have only used that, it was never a problem in Zurich, nor in the Sates, nor at City Airport last time, but this time it was! So you can imagine I got angry! I had to transfer my liquids into one of their bags and then they said it's too full, so had to throw things away. Anyway, afterwards I just had dinner and then I boarded the plane. 

Thank you you for having me once more LONDON, can't wait for the next time!!!