I first landed in London in the fall of 2014, wide-eyed and lugging a suitcase that felt heavier than the weight of starting a semester at a university abroad–from a rural college campus town. My flat was near Marble Arch, on the edge of Hyde Park. It was in one of those neighborhoods where the hum of city life felt constant—Arabic cafés lined Edgware Road with the scent of shisha in the air, red buses screeched to a halt every few minutes, and the pull of Oxford Street’s chaos felt unavoidable.
I told myself I was “living in London,” but looking back, I wasn’t. Sure, I rode the Tube daily and hunted down the cheapest curries and falafel along Edgware Road. But the city itself? The landmarks? What are the stories that have made London one of the most visited cities in the world? I ignored them. Hyde Park was practically my backyard, but I rarely wandered into it. Buckingham Palace? Never. Tower Bridge? I walked across it a hundred times but didn’t stop to admire it. The Tower of London? Please. “Too touristy,” I’d said to myself like every other broke student trying too hard to blend in.
Now, it’s 2024, and I’m back in London. This time, I’m not a frazzled university student but a visitor determined to embrace what I missed finally. A perfect excuse drew me back: the silver jubilee of The London Pass by Go City, celebrating 25 years of giving people affordable access to the city’s biggest attractions. With entry to over 95 experiences, including iconic landmarks and hidden gems, it felt like the opportunity I needed to reconnect with a city I once thought I knew.
Rewriting the Past at the Tower of London
My first stop was the Tower of London, which I’d stubbornly avoided in 2014. Back then, I couldn’t imagine paying for what I saw as a glorified history lesson. I was wrong.
As I stood beneath its imposing stone walls this time, I was immediately struck by its gravity. Inside, I joined a Beefeater tour, where our guide—equal parts comedian and historian—made centuries of dark stories come alive. He spoke of prisoners locked in its cells, queens executed on its grounds, and jewels that have dazzled the world for centuries.
I hadn’t expected the Crown Jewels to take my breath away, but they did. The sparkle and detail felt like something out of a fairytale. As I stared, I thought of my two-year-old son, Aksel. I imagined his wide eyes and endless questions: “Why are they locked up? Who wore them? Could I wear them?” It was the kind of awe I hadn’t let myself feel when I lived here before.
Finding Peace at Kew Gardens
From the fortress-like atmosphere of the Tower, I went west to Kew Gardens, another partner of The London Pass. In 2014, I’d written it off as too far from central London. Who had time for Zone 3? Now, with my schedule dictated by nothing but curiosity, I realized how wrong I’d been.
The gardens stretched out like a green oasis, a sharp contrast to the concrete and noise of the city. The Victorian Palm House was a highlight—a tropical world encased in glass, warm and humid against the chilly London weather. I climbed the Treetop Walkway, the wind swaying the structure just enough to make my legs wobble, and looked out over the gardens. It was a view that felt expansive in a way London rarely does.
Here, I started thinking about Aksel again. What would he notice? The way the light played on the leaves? The stillness of the ponds? Are the bees buzzing lazily between flowers? There was something timeless about Kew Gardens, a reminder that not every experience in London is loud and fast.
Unearthing Quirky History at the London Canal Museum
One of the best surprises of The London Pass was discovering places I’d never have considered. The London Canal Museum, tucked near King’s Cross, was one of them.
The museum tells the story of London’s canal network, an industrial lifeline that’s now more of a tranquil escape for houseboats and kayakers. The most fascinating part? The ice trade. In the 19th century, Londoners imported massive blocks of ice from Norway, storing them in deep wells below the museum. Walking through the exhibits, I could almost feel the cold air they once held.
It was the kind of odd, fascinating history I hadn’t even known I cared about. I pictured Aksel here, running ahead, peering into the displays, and asking me why London needed so much ice. I didn’t have all the answers, but it would be fun to find them together.
Finally, Seeing the Icons: The London Eye and Tower Bridge
In 2014, I rolled my eyes at the London Eye, calling it overpriced and overrated without ever setting foot in one of its capsules. This time, I made no excuses. I skipped the line and stepped into the glass pod using The London Pass.
As the wheel turned, London unfolded below me. The Thames snaked through the city, shimmering in the sun. Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Shard all stood proudly in the distance, landmarks I’d once ignored now demanding my attention. It was impossible not to feel the weight of the city’s history from this height, its old and new blending seamlessly.
Next, I went to Tower Bridge, another place I’d taken for granted. Sure, I’d crossed it, but I’d never explored it. With The London Pass, I walked its high-level walkways, where glass floors gave me a thrilling view of the river below. In the Victorian Engine Rooms, I learned about the mechanics that powered the bridge in the 19th century, and their intricate designs were as impressive as the structure itself.
These experiences weren’t just about ticking off boxes—they were about finally seeing the city in all its complexity and beauty.
Why The London Pass Makes It All Possible
Back in 2014, I couldn’t have afforded most of this. Entry tickets felt out of reach when I scraped coins together for groceries. That makes The London Pass so valuable—it lets you experience more of the city for less. One day, I visited the Tower of London, Kew Gardens, and the Canal Museum, all for a fraction of what they would’ve cost separately.
The pass also covers unique experiences like guided bike tours, entry to Queens Ice Skating, and more, making planning a day filled with variety easy. For someone like me, who’s equally nostalgic and eager to explore, it felt like the best way to reconnect with a city I thought I knew.
As I wandered through these iconic and hidden spots, I kept thinking about bringing Aksel here someday. He’s already traveled to three continents, but London feels like a place where his imagination would run wild.
I pictured us skating at Queens Ice Skating, laughing at the penguins at the London Zoo, or standing under the massive dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral. I imagined him marveling at the quirky displays of the Fan Museum or peeking into the historic stables at the Royal Mews. Sharing these moments with him would make the city feel entirely new again.
A City That Never Stops Evolving
As my trip wound down, I found myself near Marble Arch, retracing the steps of my 2014 self. The streets were just as bustling as I remembered, but I felt entirely different. Back then, I was so focused on surviving each day that I missed the magic around me. Now, with the help of The London Pass, I’d finally taken the time to experience London—not just as a place to live, but as a place to marvel at.
The city isn’t static. It changes with every visit, revealing new layers and stories. The silver jubilee of The London Pass isn’t just a milestone—it’s an invitation to reconnect, to rediscover, and to appreciate what makes London one of the most exciting cities in the world.
As the Tube carried me back to Heathrow, I smiled, already imagining the next trip. This time, Aksel will be with me, and we’ll explore it together. The best part? I know London will still have more to show us.
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