This was my view in the AM from the hotel. I knew it was going to be a solid day when I saw sun peaking out!
We spent time walking around the area before making our way up the bridge. There was a nice port with great views and some random sculptures.
The Tower Bridge Exhibition has a few major selling points: traveling up the bridge, the glass floor & inside the Engine Rooms. An elevator takes you up to the top of the towers and the glass floor.
A friendly guide was there with an iPad and a wealth of information on the thickness of the glass and other fun facts something like 'it would take the weight of an elephant to crack just one layer'.
It was a really unique experience seeing the concepts of the constructing of the bridge and the videos they played along the tour. We really enjoyed being up top and the glass floor was a eerily unique experience!
We walked across the London Bridge to get back towards our drop off location from the hop on hope off bus. It is a basic bridge but still really cool when you learn about all its history! But no time for that, my man was thirsty and he needed a pint!
Antonio & I stopped in the Ale & Pie Shop right at the entrance/exit of the London bridge. It's a really big old pub & eatery with a lot of history inside! The place used to be a bank and the brewery is in the old bank vault areas down below. Lots of coolness to this Pub!
Our favorite part: Fullers London Pride beer and the Pies! Oh my goodness. If you're really feeling like enjoying some grub with your beer but just a snack order some chips & gravy! It's not a London thing so we turned quite a few heads in the kitchen and had some visitors come by to ask where were from. When they realized we were American they asked where we heard about it. Chips and gravy is just French Fries with a side of gravy! It's almost like mashed potatoes and gravy but an easier pub grub because you dip your individual fries in their amaaaazing gravy! We got a special visit from the sous chef when we got a 2nd order on our visit back here on day 3! 😄 They loved it! I guess it's a Northern UK thing? Any who, life changing foodie experience: Ales & pies! The sampler had 3 mini pies and every one was a warm delicious unique experience it was hard to choose a favorite. I'll never think the same about a pot pie again.
Full and happy we hit The London Bridge Experience next. Another London Pass attraction that was close and convenient. I had no idea it was a haunted house type place but I figured that out quickly. The beginning of the "experience" explained a lot of history. Did you know there has been 4 London bridges? This has to be new news to most of our 6 pack! (My girls from high school & I visited this place in Havasu)! Anyway I hope someone finds this as interesting as me...
It was really neat! I took a bunch of pictures in the mini museum and I was telling Antonio about how in high school we took pics in Lake Havasu at this bridge and I had no idea it really was an original! I'm not sure how many of us back then did!
They numbered and moved each piece brick one by one and reconstructed it. Anyway check out the photos below. I learned a lot & was very interested to connect my past experience with this history.
So a small tid bit about the actual 'London Bridge Experience': it was scary and my nightmare! There is a fake elevator crash, its pitch black, claustrophobic and there is clowns!!! My NIGHTMARE!!
I couldn't take photos to explain but I wish I could.
Overall the staff is in character, dress and appearance as a stage play that lived and told stories of the time when the bridge was going up and being torn down, it was very educational and entertaining! We liked that part a lot. The rest, not so much ...unless you enjoy clowns and being squeezed between giant inflatable black walls in a pitch black room! Uh no thanks!
Next we cruised through M&M World. It was packed with people but it was a huge awesome store and we found a great gift for my Mother In Law so that was a win. She loves that brown sassy female m&m! 😄
Dinner followed and was at the Golden Union Fish Bar.
After my solid Google research on some of the best fish & chips in the greater london area. We grubbed hard with sides of homemade tartare & curry sauces. This place is apparently exceptional for freshness and non greasiness. One review explained they completely change out their oil 4 times a week. Apparently this is a big deal. I'm glad I read up a little because now I don't want to know how often the other fish & chips places change out their frying oil. Ew!
But this fish and chips place was awesome. Definitely a locals spot, not so much a tourist spot. Down a side street and well worth the hunt to find it. We didn't travel too far from the tube stop to get to the place either. The fish tasted fresh, flakey, and made to order! The fries were huge and amazing! The tartar sauce was amazing also! Everything about this place delivered on quality. Well worth the expensive over priced costs of UK food! We were full and happy again! 😄 aaah on to day 3!..
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