From Friday, September 20th to Saturday, September 28th, I journeyed across the UK by train, stopping in London, Windermere, and Edinburgh. In this introduction, I will focus on London, the initial city on my trip.

September 20th(Fri)
I traveled to London via Haneda Airport on flight JL043, followed by a ride on the Heathrow Express to London Paddington Station. After arriving, I checked into the Hilton London Paddington hotel and rested briefly. From my room’s window, I had a view of the London Paddington Station roof. The hotel offers the convenience of a direct connection to the station.

Within the station, you’ll find a Paddington Bear store, a supermarket, and a pub. After browsing the shops, I enjoyed dinner at the Mad Bishop & Beer pub, savoring a pint of beer with the traditional fish and chips.

September 21th(Sat)
I’ve visited London on numerous occasions for both business and leisure, but this time I opted to explore previously unseen sights due to past brief visits. Today’s first stop was Westminster Abbey, which I hadn’t managed to see from the inside before. I traveled on the Circle Line from Paddington Station to St. James’ Park Station. At the station, I purchased an Oyster card from the ticket machine and boarded the subway. With a daily fare of 8.5 pounds for zones 1 and 2, it seems like a bargain.

The walk from St. James’ Park Station to Westminster Abbey took approximately eight minutes. Although there was a lengthy queue at the ticket counter, my advance online ticket purchase allowed for a seamless entry.

I rented an free audio guide to look around inside, and there was a lot to see, so it was well worth it.

Underneath the abbey’s floor lie the graves of notable individuals, which visitors may walk over, with the exception of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a sacred place where soldiers who perished unidentified in World War I are interred.

After visiting Westminster Abbey, we walked to Buckingham Palace.

After that, I walked to Big Ben. There was a magnificent bronze statue of Churchill in the square in front of it, and it was crowded with people.

Subsequently, I traveled by subway from Westminster station to Monument station and visited Leadenhall Market, known for its heritage that stretches back to the 14th century.

On Saturday, clothing and other stores were closed, yet restaurants remained open and bustling. In “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” the pub known as “The Wet Pot” and Diagon Alley served as backdrops for London. These locations appear to have been featured in numerous other films as well.

After having lunch at an Italian restaurant in Leadenhall Market, I headed from Banks Station to St. Paul Station and went to St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Upon entering, I bought a senior ticket priced at £22.50, which is available for individuals over the age of 65, and proceeded inside.

You can climb to the top of the dome by stairs, but I gave up because there are 528 steps in total. I believe the view of London from the top is amazing.

In the crypt, you can also visit the tomb of Admiral Nelson, famed for his victory over the Spanish and French fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar.

I completed the day’s sightseeing and then took the subway back to Paddington Station.

September 22nd(Sun)
After breakfast, I rode the subway to King’s Cross Station, a major railway hub in London. This station is renowned for its depiction as Platform 9-3/4 in the Harry Potter series.

Platform 9-3/4 is situated at the rear of the station’s platform, complete with a Harry Potter shop that often has a line of tourists waiting out front.

The station building, completed in 1852, is a Grade I listed building in the UK and a cultural asset.

St. Pancras Station, located to the left of this station, opened in 1868 as the terminal for the Midland Railway and is a stunning example of Victorian neo-Gothic architecture. It now serves as the terminal for Eurostar services.

From here, I proceeded to Tower Hill Station, which is located near the Tower of London.

I hadn’t purchased my tickets ahead of time, so I was concerned the ticket counter might be busy. However, I managed to buy them easily without any wait.

There was a long line at the Crown Jewels so I gave up, but there was plenty to see and I was very satisfied. You can also see the Tower Bridge in the distance.

I made my way back to Tower Hill Station, took the subway to Euston Square Station, and proceeded to the British Museum, which was my final destination for the day. Although entry is free, the security checkpoint had a lengthy queue. Having missed lunch, I opted for a hot dog and coke from a food truck in the square, costing around 12 pounds—a price that felt steep. Inside the museum, a sizable food court offered what might have been a more affordable and diverse selection.

The museum’s interior is segmented into galleries based on regions and civilizations; however, due to time limitations, I primarily explored the Greek and Egyptian sections.

I had not anticipated that the hieroglyphic inscriptions on the Rosetta Stone would be so diminutive.

Initially, I intended to return by subway, but fatigue from walking prompted me to opt for a taxi back to the hotel. Although I’ve spent two days in London, the abundance of sights demands a few more days for a comprehensive tour. My plan for tomorrow is to visit Windermere and explore the Lake District.