An Uncaged Mind

London is a city of opposites. It has the ability to be both beautiful and ugly; noisy and quiet; and wonderful and terrifying all at the same time. I was very fortunate in being able to find some beautiful, quiet and wonderful spots hidden throughout this gargantuan concrete jungle, and spend some time enjoying the serenity and cityscape that surrounded me.    Hampstead Heath Located a ways outside of Central London is one of the city's numerous green spaces (I personally find they get better the further out you go) that's home to wildlife, ponds, trees and trails.  Surrounded by stunning examples of 1800s architecture, the area itself is very lovely and peaceful to visit. When you enter the Heath and walk amongst the thick, tall trees you do actually forget that you're still in the middle of the city because it's so quiet and natural-looking; however, you do get reminded of where you are when you catch glimpses of the tall metal buildings within the city's centre ...

Of course this post was inevitable, because you cannot talk about the UK without referring to Harry Potter. Virtually every major tourist city will boast that a certain location, building or monument inspired J.K. Rowling in creating something related to the wizarding world; and as a tourist, you can bet I've been there. As these locations and places are too numerous to mention, I will just focus on the most memorable aspects for me.  Edinburgh, Scotland In my opinion, Edinburgh has topped the other cities when it comes to anything 'HP'. It was where the author lived when writing the stories; and also visited later during her success, to finish the series (in the luxury Balmoral Hotel where you can stay in the same room). Funnily enough, the hotel does offer (at an extra cost) you the chance to sleep in the same bedsheets that J.K. Rowling used while she stayed there.   You can also visit the Edinburgh City Chambers, which features a Hollywood-style "walk of fame...

The  Beefeater Gin Distillery Gin The English love their G&Ts (and many also have a strange obsession with espresso martinis, according to Bumble profiles), and Beefeater Gin Distillery in London is sure to please! Personally, I'm not much of a drinker; however: when in London, do as the English do! I've certainly sampled a few different alcoholic beverages during my time in the UK.  As with many things that are quintessentially "English", gin wasn't originally invented in the country but has origins as far back as 70 AD. If you'd like to learn more about the invention of gin and its growth in England, take a gander here .  Nicknamed 'beef-eaters' because part of their wages were paid in beef, Beefeater Gin was named after the Yeoman Warders who served and protected the royals in the Tower of London . Part of the distillery tour starts with a self-guided walk through the history of gin in London with amazingly created exhibits that takes you throug...

The View from The Shard The River Thames is a staple of London, as the city was built around it when it was established as the Roman settlement of Londinium. The Thames has played a major role in the city's evolution since, as well as the manmade canals that run throughout London and the UK as trade routes.  Narrowboat of London The buildings surrounding the Thames are testaments to just how old the city is, and as are the hundreds of narrowboats that are moored along docks and marinas throughout London and the UK. Before the invention of cars and motors, narrowboats served as the only means of transport of goods, and served as a home for many people (even to this day as houseboats - like North American trailers).    The "house" part of a narrowboat Men would tie ropes around horses to guide the engineless narrowboats full of products and walk along the canals to their destinations. All of the tunnels still show the groove marks left from the constant rubbing of the ropes...