Day 1: Tower of London, Sunday Roast
Fox & Anchor, London
When we arrived in London, we checked into the Fox & Anchor, a historic pub with just a handful of boutique-style rooms above. It was the perfect place to stay—cozy, full of charm, and conveniently located for exploring the city.
Atmosphere & History
The Fox & Anchor first opened in the late 19th century, and it still carries that Victorian pub character: dark wood paneling, vintage tiling, and glowing brass fixtures. During Christmas time, it felt even more magical—garlands, twinkle lights, and a warm buzz from locals stopping in for pints after work.
Food & Drink
The food was everything you’d want from a traditional English pub but elevated:
- Sunday Roast with tender beef, crisp potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding.
- A hearty Full English Breakfast that set us up perfectly for sightseeing.
- A rotating selection of ales, beers, and whiskeys, which made John’s birthday dinner extra celebratory.
What stood out most was the care in sourcing: menus listed the farms or regions where ingredients came from, which made every dish feel authentic and fresh.
Rooms & Stay
The rooms above the pub were surprisingly quiet and well-appointed. Our favorite detail? A clawfoot bathtub, perfect for soaking sore legs after miles of walking across London. With plush bedding and little touches of old-world style, it felt like staying in a piece of history without sacrificing modern comfort.
🇺🇸 American vs. 🇬🇧 British English
A quick guide to everyday words that can trip you up when traveling in England.
| American English | British English |
|---|---|
| Chips | Crisps |
| Fries | Chips |
| Cookies | Biscuits |
| Biscuits (bread) | Closest = Scone |
| Sweater | Jumper |
| Undershirt | Vest |
| Vest (formal) | Waistcoat |
| Elevator | Lift |
| Apartment | Flat |
| Truck | Lorry |
| Trash Can | Bin |
| Stroller | Pram |
| Pacifier | Dummy |
| Diaper | Nappy |
| Candy | Sweets |
| Dessert | Pudding |
Day 2: London Pub Crawl & Literary Landmarks
After a delish breakfast at the Fox & Anchor, we joined a guided pub crawl through London. Our guide, a lively Irishman with a gift for storytelling, led a group of mostly Americans (plus us) through the city’s winding streets, stopping at some of the most historic and atmospheric pubs.
Pubs with History & Literature
As a literature lover, I was especially excited whenever we stopped at places with ties to famous writers and thinkers. London’s pubs aren’t just watering holes—they’re little time capsules where history and lit meet.
- The Cockpit — Tucked down a side street, this small, round pub is said to have been a cockfighting pit centuries ago. Today it’s cozy, intimate, and full of character.
- The Black Friar — An Art Nouveau gem with intricate carvings, mosaics, and a monk-themed interior that feels like drinking inside a piece of art.
- Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese — My favorite stop. This pub dates back to the 1600s and has welcomed countless writers through its doors, from Charles Dickens to Mark Twain. The thought that Shakespeare might have drunk nearby during his lifetime gave me goosebumps. Wandering its maze of dark wood rooms and low ceilings felt like stepping straight into literary history.
Whiskey, Beer & Atmosphere
At each stop, we tried something different—from sharp, sour beers that puckered your mouth, to smooth whiskeys that warmed us against the damp December air. What really surprised me was how many pints were served at cellar temperature—not ice-cold like in the U.S., but gently cool or even warm by comparison. At first it felt unusual, but it’s the traditional way, and by the third pub it actually felt right—comforting, almost like the beer matched the cozy old wood-and-stone surroundings.
By evening, all the walking (and drinking) caught up to us. Instead of a fancy dinner, we grabbed something quick from a corner market before heading back to our room. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was exactly what we needed after a long day of exploring.
