18 | LONDON AND WINDSOR
WHEN HEIDI MET HARRY...
AND MEGHAN TOO
Prompted by the recent passing of HM The Queen and subsequent pomp and pageantry showcasing London and Windsor, Heidi McAplin pulled together a last-minute family trip to discover more about these very royal destinations
Scarlett and Freddie and, five years later, a return trip was long overdue. This time, our itinerary included the London Eye, Madame Tussauds and a free tour of the Houses of Parliament courtesy of our constituency MP, Gavin Robinson. This is something all UK residents can arrange with their sitting MP or, alternatively, UK book free online (or a fee for non-UK residents) via official website
www.parliament.uk/visiting/ visiting- and-tours. Our tour confirmed, I wanted to find somewhere to stay not too far from the Palace of Westminster and surrounding city sights. London’s hotel scene can be quite overwhelming, but I discovered an absolute peach of a place close to Victoria Station and within walking distance of Westminster. The 4-star Wellington Hotel by Blue Orchid is situated in leafy Vincent Square and surrounded by a private garden bejewelled with light- strewn trees. The elegant stone and red brick façade opens into an oasis of comfy sofas in calming grey and blue. With two children well into
BY HEIDI McALPIN
HOLIDAY inspiration can come in many forms. Whether reliving happy childhood trips, seeing somewhere amazing on the big screen or flicking through a friend’s Facebook snaps, that must-visit moment is like an itch that needs scratched, a dream longing to become a reality. For
me, the recent passing of HM The Queen and subsequent pomp and pageantry showcasing London and Windsor in all their majesty prompted me to pull together a last-minute family trip for November half term to see both. First stop was two nights in London, a
city that never fails to impress no matter how many times you visit. I’d last been there in 2017 with husband Ray and kids
and approaching their teens, for the first time ever on hols we treated ourselves to separate rooms, and the kids really enjoyed wallowing in their own mini apartment as much as us oldies’. Each en-suite room - larger than many in the area – contained a double bed, sofa bed, seating area and kitchenette, with several large windows providing verdant garden views to enhance the tranquil vibe. A more blissful overnight in this location and at a good price point we couldn’t have wished for. After a hearty cooked buffet breakfast, we made our way to Westminster, well-fuelled for our tour of the Houses of Parliament. Negotiating the warren of narrow corridors and into the House of Commons, I was surprised at just how small it seemed compared with seeing it on TV. And apparently, I’m not alone – it’s a familiar response. Apparently after WW2, when the building was bombed by the Nazis, Churchill refused to rebuild to a larger scale, instead preferring to keep the tight, almost gladiatorial scale that continues to keep politicians on their toes and provide plenty of theatrical moments during Prime Minister’s Questions. Visiting on the morning of
that weekly tussle, we saw the Speaker’s procession starring main man Sir Lindsay Hoyle and his be-robed entourage marching sedately to the chamber to start
proceedings. A police inspector followed the call “Speaker” with the wonderfully archaic “Hats off, Strangers” as Sir Lindsay smiled and nodded at those of us witnessing this curiously British tradition. A glimpse of instantly recognisable
Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg added to the surreal scene as the tour continued into the gloriously ornate House of Lords and expansive Westminster Hall where HM The Queen’s Lying-in- State precipitated that queue. The expert tour guide packed a lot of political history into 75 minutes, providing a tangible insight into our democratic system. A must for anyone with even a passing interest in what makes the nation tick. The tour was a tad
‘educational’, so it was time for the kids to give their brains a break with a burl on the London Eye. Strolling across Westminster Bridge, stopping only to gaze up at Big Ben (aka Elizabeth Tower, Big Ben being the famous bell), we soon
arrived at this London skyline superstar. Joining a gaggle of tourists in one of the 32 capsules, we posed for pics and pointed out yet more iconic London sights as the 135m tall Thames-side Ferris wheel took us on a sedate 30 min spin. Back at the hotel, a Harry Potter Afternoon
Tea of wizardly sandwiches and treats had been conjured up alongside spectacles, wands and stripey scarves poised to
www.nitravelnews.com
January 2023
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