If you want to explore and seek a ‘NY Style vibe in Europe,’ London is your choice!
Here’s a detailed account of our 5-day vacation – including Shabbos – in London, perfect for anyone planning a trip to the UK. If you are short on time, you can see the City in as few as 2 1/2 full days.
Introducing Metziahs Travel! We are thrilled to unveil our new feature dedicated to showcasing cities that are perfect for Jewish families seeking kosher and practical travel options.
Getting to London is generally cheapest from JFK airport with flights sometimes in the low $400’s if booked a month out and generally about $600 and change 1-2 weeks out.
Day 1 (Wednesday) landing in Heathrow airport
We landed early Wednesday morning at LHR, took a black cab, which is more expensive than Uber, but worth the experience, for the hour drive to the Jewish community in Golder’s Green.
We took a short nap and then our half day adventure began with a trip to the iconic London Eye, Europe’s highest ‘ferris wheel,’ where we soared above the city for breathtaking views and amazing pictures.
Afterward, we hopped on a boat ride – to get in the view of the London Bridge, iconic buildings and more. There are many boats to choose from and are fairly well-priced.
Afterwards, we enjoyed a beautiful walk along the River, enjoy in in the sights and watching some incredible street performers!
We used the subway system, known as the ‘Underground’ or the ‘Tube,’ which accepts credit cards and is free for kids, and is the fastest and most popular way to get around London. For easy navigation, try using Google Maps or download the TFL app.
Pro tip: Skip renting a car! The UK drives on the opposite side, which makes even crossing the street scary—let alone driving!
Pro tip: The London eye is very expensive and not that cool… If you skip it, you wont really lose out.
Did you know? ‘Black cab’ drivers have to pass a brutal test called “The Knowledge” which involves remembering thousands of London streets, landmarks, and routes.
Day 2 (Thursday)
After waking up late (severe jet lag) and grabbing breakfast from one of more than a dozen local options, We took the underground
to the famous Tower of London, (As soon as we entered the Tower, we noticed a plaque stating that part of the Tower’s funding originally came from a tax imposed on Jews!) which is a historic fortress which gives you an awesome glimpse into Britain’s royal past, from its medieval architecture to the wild torture rooms on display and the famous Crown Jewels.
The number of jewels, crowns, and treasures on display is absolutely astounding. We kept saying how this can give us a glimpse into the Keilim and royalty in the Beis Hamikdash!
The London Tower had its own mini version of the Changing of the Guards, which was pretty cool (and our 5 year old was scared) so we decided to skip the main ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
A few underground stops away followed, to a stop at Hamleys, London’s most famous toy store, before heading back to Golders green for supper.
Did you know? Hamleys is Listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s oldest toy store – more than 250 years old!
Day 3 (Friday)
We kept Friday pretty simple, starting with a visit to the local ice cream shop, Booya, which has hands down the best ice cream we have ever had!
Then we took the famous double decker buses, which accepts credit cards, for a few stops to Brent Cross Mall – an indoor mall with a small outdoor play area, and an ice skating ring – set to open in 2025, for a bit of shopping.
Pro tip: At some bus stops, you’ll see “Request” at the top, meaning the bus will only stop if you signal by putting your hand out (we learned the hard way. You’re welcome 🙂 Since multiple lines often serve each stop, it’s best to stay alert for your bus.
There is also a higher-end Kosher dairy shop ‘Kanteen’ in the mall.
This relaxed day made for the perfect lead-up to Shabbos.
Shabbos
There are literally dozens of shuls to choose from. In England it is more of a ‘Kehilla’ than a local ‘shul’, but as a tourist, there are many options. Literally from the JLE which is more Kiruv oriented, to Sadigur and Alexander Chassidus, to ‘R’ Chunas’ (the minyan factory’), and the famous ‘Munks’ yeki style shul, and more! There are a number of Eruvim spanning golders green and Hendon which many people use and a new one (‘stricter’) is being completed before 2025 for the Golders green area.
There is even a local Chabad geared for tourists providing meals!
Day 5 (Sunday)
On our last day, we visited Buckingham Palace, admiring its grand architecture and taking photos with the guards. Touring the palace took us about an hour and a half, and it’s an incredibly stunning landmark.
Pro Tip: Interior tours of Buckingham Palace are available only during the summer months.
From there you can stop over by Covent gardens, a really nice shopping and browsing area. We actually got some really well priced toys and saw an incredible street magic show there.
If you have some extra time, consider visiting Harrods, a high-end indoor mega mall filled with luxury shops reminiscent of Fifth Avenue. It has a Dubai-like vibe, and you can even try on rings valued at $500K and above. The locals suggested that men wear caps when going downtown.
Pro tip: London is not NYC, there are limited kosher options outside the Jewish areas. So when travelling around, make sure to bring along food.
Our Favorite Kosher Eateries in London
- Pita (meat) and Pizaza (dairy) – Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.
- Booya – The Ice Cream Shop – A small but delightful spot where we treated ourselves.
- Hummas bar – A well priced classy meat restaurant.
- Oven eat: Delicious bakery and perfect breakfast spot
- Poke to the people – Excellent poke bowls. Large variety and amazing prices.
- PRO TIP: Most kosher items in local supermarkets do not have a hechser. Use the isitkosher website to look items up.
Food was more affordable than expected, which was a nice surprise!
Hotels: There are a number of hotels in Golders Green, the Croft hotel (Kosher) and others. We stayed with family – so you have to google around – sorry!
Getting Around
Navigating London was a breeze thanks to the efficient London Underground and bus system. With a little help from Google Maps or the TFL app, finding the right bus or train was simple and stress-free.
All in all, London was a mix of history, culture, and delicious eats. Can’t wait for the next adventure!
We just wrapped up an exciting trip to London and we’d love to hear your thoughts on our recap! Comment below! What city should we explore next? Whether it’s a favorite destination or a hidden gem, your suggestions are invaluable to us! Please comment below! To reach our travel team, click HERE
Additionally, if you represent a business or organization in a city that wants to shine, or are an avid traveler, we’d love to collaborate! We’re keen on discovering unique destinations and showcasing what makes them special. Contact us HERE
