Throwback Thursday: London, United Kingdom

This week, as I continue my travel photo throwbacks, I’m going to take you back to 2012 when I visited London England on my United Kingdom adventure. I stayed in the UK for about two weeks, and while I was there, I visited Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

This trip was the first time I traveled alone (on a plane). I stayed with my good friend, Lisa, in Luton for the majority of it. I also ventured out on my own on a few excursions, including Abbey Road, and Windsor Castle.

I shared the original posts many years ago, but I will be re-sharing in the coming days with freshly edited material. Until then, here is a refresher – some images from London, England.

London, England London, England London, England London, England London, England Big Ben, England London, England Kensington Palace

United Kingdom: Diagon and 10 Bells

Two very famous sites I visited while in London included Diagon Alley and the Ten Bells pub, both located in the East End of London, England.

Harry Potter fanatics will recognize Diagon Alley as the famous cobbled wizarding alley and shopping area featured in the novels. One must enter Diagon Alley through The Leaky Cauldron to a rear courtyard and tap a brick in the wall. Given the busy nature of the area, travelling to and from Diagon Alley is likely typically done by more magical means.

Diagon Alley

The Ten Bells pub is located on the corner of Commercial and Fournier streets in Spitalfields. The now lively, booming and trendy pub was once known for its association with two of Jack the Ripper’s victims: Annie Chapman and Mary Kelly. The Ten Bells pub has existed since the 18th century. It was recreated in Prague for the feature film, “From Hell” with Johnny Depp and has been reputed to be haunted, with reports of paranormal activity continuing to this day.

Ten Bells pub

United Kingdom: Windsor Castle

Among the many adventures I took while in the United Kingdom, Windsor Castle was one of the most memorable. It’s grand structure, beautiful landscape and breathtaking surroundings are a photographer’s utopia.

Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor, located in the English county of Berkshire. The castle survived a tumultuous period during the English Civil War, where it was used as military headquarters for Parliamentary forces.

Just over 20 miles west of Charing Cross, Windsor contains some of the most expensive and desirable housing in the UK. It was in this town that I purchased my first souvenir of the trip, a silver “Team GB” Olympic bracelet.

Windsor Castle Windsor Castle Windsor Castle Windsor Castle Windsor Castle Windsor Castle