Jet-lag, mummies, and one miraculous library door. London greets us with caffeine, culture, and a quiet wink. In this blog we describe our first day of a week-long visit to London, UK. Be sure to check out the ending section dealing with Travel SMART (Stay, Mobility, Attractions, ROI and Transport) that has helpful advice for traveling efficiently on a budget!
Arrival
We landed at Heathrow around 7:20 a.m. – that fogged, half-dreaming hour when your body forgets what country it’s in.
After wrangling luggage and caffeine, we took the shuttle straight to the hotel. Too early to check in, too human to function. We dropped our bags, claimed the bathroom like survivors, and decided to make the most of it.
The Outernet
Our first stop: The Outernet, near Tottenham Court Road Station, where we met Rashid’s cousin and her daughter.
The immersive displays wrapped around us; light, sound, and motion in every direction – a bit like standing inside someone else’s dream.
The British Museum
From there, we walked to the British Museum. My second time. If you want to dodge the human tide at the main entrance, sneak in through Montague Place – you’ll thank me later.
We drifted through the Oceania collection before heading into Room 1, the great hall of world history (and, let’s be honest, world theft). Ten years ago, I remember thinking, Wow, they really looted a lot. Still true. Still magnificent.
Highlights
- The Bust of Rameses II – A monumental granite head from ancient Egypt’s most famous pharaoh, once part of a colossal statue at Thebes. It’s astonishingly intact, his expression still fixed in royal defiance.
- The Rosetta Stone – The artifact that unlocked the mystery of Egyptian hieroglyphs. Discovered in 1799, it bears the same decree in three scripts: Greek, Demotic, and Hieroglyphic—making translation possible. Smaller than you’d expect, but it carries the entire weight of linguistic history.
- The Tree of Life – A contemporary sculpture from Mozambique, crafted from decommissioned weapons after the civil war. It transforms instruments of violence into art—a literal act of turning war into peace.
- The Pharaohs’ Mummies – Preserved royalty and nobility from ancient Egypt, wrapped in linen and ritual. Each one carries fragments of eternity and the uneasy awareness that they were taken from tombs meant never to be disturbed.
By the time we reached the Parthenon Sculptures, I was floating, not spiritually, just sleepless. Rashid and I exchanged the universal look of jet-lagged surrender and slipped away.
The hotel finally texted: Rooms are ready. Simone and Zak went with Rashid’s cousin while I collapsed into a short, blissful nap before dinner.
And then, a small miracle: the Round Reading Room opened that day. It almost never does. Blue dome, golden hush, and a feeling like London itself had whispered, Welcome back.
Travel SMART: London Day One
S: Stay
We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Airport, about a 5-6 minute walk from Hatton Cross Station (Piccadilly Line).
On weekends, some lines close for maintenance, so if that happens, ride from Hatton Cross to Heathrow and switch to the Elizabeth Line or Heathrow Express toward Paddington.
The hotel has solid amenities, breakfast and dinner options, and rooms that feel generous by London standards.
M: Mobility
Being near Hatton Cross makes it easy to access the Tube network. The Piccadilly Line connects directly to most of central London’s top destinations, while the Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express give fast access eastward.
A: Attractions
From the Tube, you can reach nearly every London landmark with ease:
- The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern– art and culture.
- Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament– the classic icons.
- Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral– layers of history still alive.
- Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, Soho– theater, shopping, and late-night life.
- Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park– for open air and slower moments.
- Camden Town, Notting Hill, South Bank– character and color in motion.
- And if you have time to wander outward: Windsor Castle and Legoland Windsor are near the hotel, both perfect for day trips.
R: ROI (Return on Investment)
The Hilton Garden Inn offers great value: affordable rates, large rooms, easy Tube access, and the calm of being outside the tourist fray. You trade a 20-30 minute train ride for better sleep and breakfast without elbowing anyone.
T: Transport
- Piccadilly Line– direct to central London.
- Elizabeth Line / Heathrow Express– quick transfers from Heathrow to Paddington and beyond.
- Bus Connections– Heathrow serves as a major hub for intercity coaches, including routes to Oxford, Bath, Cambridge, and other countryside destinations. It’s a great alternative if you prefer watching the landscape roll by instead of zipping through tunnels.
- Within London, buses are reliable and scenic, offering views you’d miss underground.
All Around The World 