I just came back to Toronto yesterday from a 10-day Europe trip in London, UK and different parts…read moreof France. My husband was attending a conference near the Imperial College so I was tagging along and sightseeing on my own in the city. It was my first time in London, UK.
We stayed at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Vanderbilt hotel, a fantastic hotel by the way. Most importantly, the WIFI service was swift with no hiccups. Since it's right across the Tube station Gloucester, it was relatively easy for me to get around. I was in London for a total of 3 days. I spent the first two days covering the majors attractions and shops including the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum (my favourite), the Twin Towers, the Tower of London, the Westminster Abbey, the Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden, Harrods ... I'm sure you know the rest.
I reserved my last day in London for more souvenir shopping. Before the visit, I aimed to get a couple of English fine china tea sets, one for my mother, and one for myself. Both of us are big fans of red teas. We are not coffee drinkers, so breakfast tea in the morning has been a staple for us. As a first time visitor in London, I found it difficult to find affordable English china tea sets with traditional prints. There were the overpriced ones but very pretty royal collection chinaware at the official boutique near the Buckingham Palace Gate. But I think most tourists like me would unlikely be willing to drop a few hundreds British pounds on a teapot. I started googling in the hotel for places nearby that sell affordable chinaware. I came across the Blue Door in Notting Hill.
I decided to bid on the Blue Door for my last chance to get the tea sets that I desired with the limited time that I had. The store did not disappoint and I was so glad that I found it. Most items in the store were reasonably priced. I was attracted to Notting Hill not just because of the store, but also the large number of antique shops and the flea market there. The location was also very convenient. Hop onto the Tube and get off at the Notting Hill Gate station and you'll find your way.
The staff at the store was super helpful. The lady who helped me package my teapots took great care of the merchandises. Since I bought two sets of teapots, cups and saucers, one with a traditional red & pink rose pattern, the other one with classic blue floral prints, she also tossed in a English telephone booth magnet for me. I regret that I did not get the silver plated toast holders. They were used in the hotel for serving toasts in the hotel which I thought was very British. You don't see them very often in North America so they were new to me.
If you are tired of visiting landmarks, museums and monuments, give the Blue Door in Notting Hill a try. I'm sure you'll find something you like there. It definitely satisfied my chinaware needs.
