Five Days in England ; London and Newbury

Five days in England in August is a chance to rediscover London. It also means finding a few new spots, off the beaten track, all the way to Newbury.

Five Days in England

Day 1 – From Lausanne to London

Via the Sky Garden

The English capital is a long-standing favourite, already covered in a first article on London (in French). The stay begins at the Z Hotel in Victoria, a comfortable and popular address. A special feature: some rooms have no window. In the area, Market Hall Victoria brings together many food stalls. A plate of pasta serves as the first meal.

The stroll then continues in Soho, at Crumbs and Doilies (in French). This small bakery by Jemma Wilson specialises in cakes, cupcakes and cookies.

First activity: the Sky Garden, a hanging garden at the top of a tower in the City. The panoramic view over London is spectacular. Entry is free, but booking on the Sky Garden website is essential.

The Sky Garden sits at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street, nicknamed the Walkie-Talkie because of its shape. Opened in 2015, it spreads over three floors under a huge glass roof. Terraces, a bar and lush vegetation offer a green break above the City. At sunset, the view of the Thames and the Shard becomes particularly spectacular.

In the evening, it is off to Soho for a bowl of noodles at Shoryu Ramen. A cocktail at Be at One rounds off the day nicely.

Day 2 – London

Via Green Park and the Harry Potter studios

This second day starts with a stroll in town and in Green Park. London is in full swing.

Green Park and St James’s Park form a vast green lung in the heart of the capital. In St James’s Park, pelicans have lived by the lake since the 17th century. The first pair was given to King Charles II by a Russian ambassador. Walkers also come across squirrels, ducks and swans along the paths.

In front of Buckingham Palace, the Changing of the Guard offers precise and impressive choreography. The sovereign’s official residence, the palace has more than 700 rooms. The sun is out, perfect for enjoying every moment.

Next stop is Watford to rediscover the Harry Potter studios (in French). For fans of the saga, a few new features justify another visit. Each time, the world imagined by J.K. Rowling is just as dazzling. Five hours fly by in the heart of a magical world.

Back in central London, a pizza at Pizza Union ends the day. This chain offers good pizzas at low prices.

Five Days in England ; Day 3 – London

Via the streets of London

This third day begins in Soho, in the MinaLima gallery shop. This graphic design duo created many objects for the Harry Potter saga. They also reinterpret the great classics of literature.

Behind MinaLima are Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, in charge of the films’ graphic universe. Newspapers, maps, spell books and posters from the saga came from their work. The gallery displays these creations over several floors, in a colourful setting full of details. A must-see stop of these five days in England for Hogwarts fans.

The stroll continues in Notting Hill, with a stop at Amoret on Portobello Road. Along the way, the game is to spot the filming locations of the film Notting Hill. A pastel-coloured district, as romantic as ever. On Saturdays, Portobello market attracts antique dealers and bargain hunters from all over the world.

The day ends at Kennington Tandoori, an Indian restaurant booked at the last minute via the TheFork app. In London, Indian cuisine always holds lovely gourmet surprises.

Day 4 of Five Days in England – From London to Newbury

Via Highclere Castle

For this fourth day, the route heads to Newbury, a small market town just over an hour from London. The aim of the trip: to discover the famous Highclere Castle. This Jacobethan-style castle was rebuilt from 1839. It owes its fame to the series Downton Abbey, filmed from 2010 to 2015, and then to its films. The castle was used for most exterior scenes and some interior scenes.

The castle has belonged to the family of the Earls of Carnarvon for centuries. Its architect, Charles Barry, also designed the Palace of Westminster in London. In 1922, the fifth Earl funded the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt. An Egyptian exhibition, in the castle cellars, looks back on this extraordinary archaeological adventure. The park, designed in the 18th century, stretches as far as the eye can see around the estate.

A private estate, Highclere Castle can only be visited by reservation. Photos are forbidden inside, but the park and gardens can be photographed freely. To extend the experience, the Downton Abbey cookbook collection is featured in the article on English cuisine (in French).

After the visit, lunch is in Newbury, at The Elephant at the Market. The restaurant is affordable and tasty, with a pleasant atmosphere. The Downton Abbey trail then continues to the typical village of Bampton. Its lanes served as the setting for the series’ village. On the edge of the Cotswolds, Bampton has kept its golden stone houses. The village church appears in several memorable scenes, including Crawley family weddings.

Day 5 – From London to Lausanne

The last day starts with breakfast at Cheeky Scone, in Notting Hill, a café specialising in scones. A short walk later, it is off to Paddington station. The famous bear, a figure of British folklore, has his statue there.

The trip continues in Camden Town, with some shopping at Camden Market. This underground spot has, however, lost some of its charm over the years. The colourful shop To Home From London offers a nice choice of gifts. Along Regent’s Canal, the old stables now house world food stalls and vintage shops.

Last stop, a sweet one: a cupcake and a sparkling lemonade at Peggy Porschen (in French), in Belgravia. All that remains is to collect the luggage and head to the airport.

Planning Five Days in England

From Switzerland, a direct flight reaches London in under two hours. In the capital, the Tube and buses accept contactless bank cards directly. For Newbury, the train leaves from Paddington and reaches the town in about an hour. A rental car is, however, more practical for combining Highclere Castle and Bampton. The castle only opens on certain days, mainly in summer, and tickets sell fast. Booking early is the best way to make the most of these five days in England.

Five Days in England