100 Things Before Leaving London: What I’ve Crossed Off So Far
I knew my time in London was on a countdown. And that meant one thing: ticking off all the top things left on my list before I go.
Since I first moved to London, I’ve always had some kind of list. At the start, it was the classic tourist musts: Tower of London, Big Ben and afternoon tea. Then came the Instagrammable spots: pastel houses, neon signs and scenic rooftops. Eventually, I started chasing castles, palaces, and stately homes. And more recently? Walks, hidden architecture, and places I always said I’d go “one day.”
When I signed the contract to start building a house in Croatia, I knew my time in London was on a countdown. And that meant one thing: ticking off all the top things before I go. Here’s the big hitters I’ve managed so far.
THE BIG ONES ON MY LIST
Going to the Top of BT Tower – For more than ten years, the BT Tower had been firmly at the very top of my bucket list. I’d applied for every Open House ballot and finally, this September, I got lucky. Stepping inside and seeing London from that iconic view was unreal – a true top three moment, and one I’ll never forget.
Climbing the Rigon the Cutty Sark – This one scared me – I’m not great with heights – but climbing up the rigging of a historic ship was something I couldn’t pass up… the adrenaline, the view. The best part? You also get a tour of the ship afterwards, so once the nerves calmed, I could enjoy the history at my own pace.
Silent Disco at the Natural History Museum – Dancing under the giant blue whale skeleton in a Victorian palace on a summer night with my best friends, who came all the way from the Netherlands, was very surreal. Music, laughter, and one of those “only in London” nights.
Solo Swim at Brockwell Lido – I did a solo swim here on the hottest day of the year. I was intimidated at first, but once I was in the water, with a trusty magazine to read on land, and plenty of hydration breaks, I realised there was nothing to be scared of. Ultimate cooldown.
Revisiting Ham House – I’d been before, but this time I made a point to see the basement kitchens that were not open the last time I visited. And I loved it! The gardens there are great too (for birding and strolling in the late summer), plus the kitchen and cafe are cozy spots too, so it was a well spent morning all in all.
Going to V&A Storehouse – Exploring behind the scenes of the V&A Museum on its opening day, in a way, was fascinating and looking at a different side of the collections usually hidden away and a reminder that London’s museums never stop evolving. I’m also proud of myself for braving the towering glass walkways.
Exploring Leighton House – I finally stepped into the Arab Hall this year, tiled and glowing, and it was as dramatic as I’d hoped. It’s one of the few last attractions of its kind that I have not visited, and I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t also give a shout out to Mr Leighton’s impressive facial hair game (if you know, you know).
Micro Adventures in the City
Not every bucket list item has to be big. Some of my favourite memories are from sneaking in little adventures during my lunch break. I challenged myself to go looking for the oddities scattered across the City of London: the remains of the Roman wall tucked between office blocks, a random cat statue, the very first public drinking fountain, and even the oldest tree in the City. Tiny discoveries that reminded me how many layers of history London holds.
Things I Didn’t Plan, But Did Anyway
Some of my favourite London moments weren’t planned at all. They just appeared, often when I had an unexpected free evening or stumbled across something by chance.
I ducked into Westminster Abbey’s cloisters, a part of the city I’d walked past for years but never really entered, and found myself in a quiet space that felt centuries away from the noise outside. On another evening, I slipped into St Paul’s Cathedral during a rare free late opening – no crowds, just the hush of the dome at night, and it felt like I had the whole place to myself.
A trial run of the Art Pass turned into a whirlwind of seven exhibitions, the Yoshitomo Nara show easily becoming my favourite in years. Around the same time, I found myself at the Tarot exhibition at the Warburg, which was as niche as it sounds but opened up a whole new way of looking at something I’d only ever seen on the surface.
There were surprises closer to the everyday too. I climbed up to the One New Change mall rooftop as it finally reopened and was rewarded with that unbeatable St Paul’s view, and I returned to my beloved Chelsea Physic Garden for their summer lates, where the golden light made the whole place glow and even the robins came stayed up late to sing. And, because I promised myself to try things outside my usual lane, I found myself at a Nier piano concert and an immersive Hampton Court Palace experience, both on a school night!
None of these were on the original bucket list, but together they’re some of the best memories that have defined this final lap of my London years.
The bucket list isn’t done – it’s just moving into its next chapter, or even a bigger bucket! With a year and season season ahead, I’ve already got my eye on a handful of places and experiences I still want to squeeze in. One thing’s for sure: as long as I’m here, I’ll keep going, one tick at a time.
