September 2025
Traveling with family means packing not just suitcases, but also a mix of personalities, dynamics, and quirks. At first, it felt like we were still finding our rhythm, but once we settled in, the trip took on a groove of its own. Ten days was just the right amount for London and Oxford. While I loved the beauty of Oxford, my heart belongs to the city. London has a pulse that just doesn’t compare.
Day 1 – Friday: Arrival + Notting Hill
We arrived at Heathrow and took the Heathrow Express to Paddington. Pro tip: you can take a black cab or the tube from there, but the tube itself is such an easy way to travel.
Once we settled into our house for the week, our first real outing was Notting Hill — colorful streets, tote bags, quilted jackets, and those dreamy storefronts you see in movies. It was a “pinch me, I’m here” kind of afternoon. We ended the day with dinner at Sunday in Brooklyn, easing into London with good food.
Day 2 – Saturday: Westminster & Shopping
We jumped right into sightseeing with a tour of Westminster — seeing Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament up close was a dream.
After lunch at a café, we stopped at Blank Street Coffee for a caffeine boost before a shopping adventure around Bond Street, Oxford Circus, and Piccadilly. London’s shopping scene is unmatched — even browsing feels like an event.
Day 3 – Sunday: Towers, Markets, Bridges
This day was stacked. We started with breakfast at Mulberries (our fave cafe) before heading to Tower Bridge for sightseeing and a tour then walking across to the Tower of London and Crown Jewels.
After seeing these sites, we wandered through Borough Market for lunch (a food lover’s dream – get the chocolate covered strawberries) and spent the afternoon at Camden Market. The markets are busy, eclectic, and full of personality — just like London itself.
Day 4 – Monday: Buckingham, Windsor & Soho Nights
This was an early start: up at 6:30 AM for a Buckingham and Windsor Palace tours.
Later, we explored Soho, shopped, and had dinner at Dishoom — one of those meals you keep thinking about later. We capped off the night with drinks at Gordon’s Wine Bar, London’s oldest wine bar. Dark, cave-like, and buzzing with energy — this ended up being my favorite food-and-drink memory of the whole trip.
Day 5 – Tuesday: Marylebone, Parks, & Notting Hill Again
Breakfast at The Monocle Café started the day right, followed by coffee at Boxcar and browsing Marylebone High Street. Sézane, Caroline Gardner, Daunt Books, and Le Labo (get the London perfume) — this neighborhood stole my heart.
We strolled past Regent’s Park and Hyde Park, taking in greenery and quiet moments before heading back to Notting Hill for another dose of charm. Lunch at Farm Girl, wandering Westbourne Grove, and later dinner at The Ned, a stunning historic bank building turned dining spot, made this day feel like the perfect blend of city bustle and cozy escapes.
Day 6 – Wednesday: To Oxford (Woodstock)
We left London and moved into the countryside, staying at a cozy house in Woodstock. The vibe shifted immediately — slower, more local, surrounded by history.
We explored Woodstock, grabbed coffee at Missing Bean, had wine at The Tipsy Palace, and dinner at Brothertons Brasserie. After the fast pace of London, this felt grounding and calm.
Day 7 – Thursday: Walking Oxford
Our walking tour with an Oxford alum went through the Covered Market, Radcliffe Camera, Bodleian Libraries, Hertford Bridge, and the Bridge of Sighs. The mix of students, history, and architecture made Oxford feel alive.
Lunch at the a local pub, then climbing St Mary’s Tower for views of the Radcliffe Camera was another standout.
We ended with book browsing at Blackwell’s before dinner at The Ivy.
Day 8 – Friday: Cirencester & Bibury
A countryside day trip! Cirencester was full of charming shops — I picked up a new sheep fur and found a lovely little organic skincare shop. Bibury was as picturesque as the photos suggest. Arlington Row looked like something straight from a postcard. To be honest, 30 minutes was enough there, but it was worth the stop.
We wrapped the day with tapas and wine at the local tavern — one of those slow, cozy evenings where nothing is rushed.
Day 9 – Saturday: Blenheim & Woodstock
We walked through Blenheim Palace and Park, then back to Woodstock for coffee and crepes at the High Street Cafe. The countryside rhythm had set in, and the day was more about wandering than ticking off lists.
Day 10 – Sunday: Home Again
Time to head back. The trip felt full but not overwhelming — a balance of city buzz, countryside calm, and family moments that became inside jokes (like my grandma unknowingly wearing my mom’s shoes for an entire day).
Reflections & Takeaways
London reaffirmed itself as one of my favorite cities — Marylebone and Notting Hill charmed me most, Gordon’s Wine Bar won my heart, and the Tube was the unsung hero of the trip. My biggest regret was not staying closer to the city and not catching a West End show. Next time, those are at the top of the list.
Oxford and the Cotswolds brought slower, cozier moments. Woodstock felt wonderfully local, Bibury looked like a fairytale, and Cirencester surprised me with its shops.
Traveling with family always brings a mix of chaos and closeness, but it’s those quirks — like the shoe swap mishap — that make the memories even sweeter. Ten days was just enough, and if I had to pick one favorite: it’s London, always London.
Gifted with Grace 