Magical London

Today really was magical in more ways than one. I wasn't really planning on doing anything, but I ended up taking a self-guided Harry Potter walking tour of London with 4 other girls from school. The tour took us past some places that were used in the movies, and others that simply inspired different scenes.

This wasn't part of the tour, but I thought it was a gorgeous building -- It's the Royal Courts of Justice. Just to the left of it was St. Clements Church, which we didn't get to go in because there was a wedding in progress.

Across the street from St. Clements was Gringott's Bank (aka Australia House in real life)! This building was not open to the public, as it is some kind of government facility or something.

Aldwych Tube Station is more or les abandoned and said to be haunted. However, it has been used in many movies and was inspiration for some scenes in Harry Potter apparently.

This is looking back at the entrance to the "Roman Baths." No one really knows if they're actually from Roman times, but apparently Charles Dickens used to swim in them. To get to the bath, you have to walk through a really creepy deserted alleyway behind a bunch of warehouses and other sketchy looking buildings, and then view it through an old dirty window. Not a place to go visit alone!

Our next stop was St. Mary le Strand, a small church literally sitting in the middle of the road! It was very pretty though.

The tour also led us to Somerset House, but apparently it is London Fashion Weekend, so we couldn't get in, as the square has been turned into an exclusive fashion runway.

Following the route we eventually found ourselves in Covent Garden which was bustling with activity. A street performer was playing "Imagine" as we walked in, while magicians drew large crowds, restaurants were overflowing with guests, and a lively street market boasted colorful crafts, and foods of all kinds.

As we were about to head out after lunch, we were drawn to the sound of classical music playing in the lower courtyard of the market. It turned out to be an amazing string quintet that gave us a fantastic (and funny!) performance. Just watch:

After that, we kind of abandoned the Harry Potter tour for the day. We explored Covent Garden a little more and then headed back home, deciding to resume our tour later in the week. It was a great way to see some of the more "off the beaten path" areas of London, and was unexpectedly one of the best days I think I've had here yet!