A trip for my 74 year old mother that loves the London of Dickens she read about in her youth.
My 74 year old mom has never been to London (neither have I). She has always dreamed of going. On a whim, I bought tickets before they sold out (before the extension) to one of the last October dates for the Queen’s clothing exhibition at the King’s Gallery. (My mom adores the late Queen) We will be in London from Monday - Thursday, and the only thing on the calendar is the exhibition. Things my mom loves: books, flowers, second hand shops (the real ones). She wants to see Chinatown, which I think is cute but inexplicable. She’d like to have a meal there.
She is massively well read. Dickens is what really ignited her imagination for London. When she moved in with my dad, the one book she chose to pack in her bag was a book of Shakespeare’s sonnets. Translated into Serbian.
I think she’d absolutely love to visit a real British charity shop, somewhere she could find an old pepper mill, vintage cardigan, tea cup or a tray with the Queen’s face on it and be absolutely thrilled with her find. She could browse a charity shop for hours. She has an amazing eye for treasures.
She would like to do a river tour and see the city from the water (any particular recommendations?). She says she just wants to smell and hear London.
Anything very expensive would turn her off. She’s the type of person that if she got told off by a London bus driver she would find it humorous or charming and call it the highlight of her trip. She finds beauty in the every day.
What are some of the special corners of London that have a place in your heart and give meaning to the city you love?
My sincerest thanks to any replies and considerations ❤️🙏 and yes, I’d love to come back with her again next year. I don’t want this to be our only trip.