London, the Cotswolds and a Proper Girls' Trip

By: Taylor Wells

I'm Taylor, Social Media Specialist here at The Spence Connection, and I've just returned from an extraordinary trip to London and the Cotswolds, and as first-timers to the UK, it did not disappoint.

My mom's 60th birthday was on the horizon and my sister and I knew we needed an unforgettable girls' trip. We threw around a few ideas, Joshua Tree, San Luis Obispo, but for Mom’s 60th we decided to go even bigger. As far as across the pond…We landed on London.

We had all just finished Bridgerton's latest season and the UK has always been on our list. Working for John and having British friends, it felt like the perfect opportunity to take a deeper dive into their home. Between Notting Hill and The Holiday, we were quietly hoping to spot Jude Law or Hugh Grant along the way. We didn't quite manage that, but we still had a wonderful time.

Exploring the Many Sides of London

Arriving in London fresh off the plane, I was shocked. There were so many people,].Growing up in North County San Diego and currently living in the small beach town of Santa Cruz, CA, I was not prepared. (I am not a big city girl — I have never even been to New York!) I was a bit intimidated by the sheer size of it all, but as soon as we began exploring the quiet side streets and finding the hidden gems, I was completely hooked.

There are tons of different neighborhoods, each with their own personality and style. It was amazing just to get a glimpse of it all, and I truly think I could spend ages in the city discovering a new spot every single day.

My biggest surprise? London's food scene. Every single meal was simply fantastic.

I always think of Italy or Spain when it comes to world-class cuisine, but London had it all and then some. We devoured a fettuccine and burrata pasta at a fantastic Italian restaurant (Faros Oxford Circus), polished off every tapa at a hip Spanish wine bar (Vagabond, the gambas and patatas bravas were incredible), ate a classic Sunday roast at Hawksmoor, and had what I can only describe as the best Indian food of my life at Dishoom.

We let our servers guide our order and every bite delivered. Between the fish and chips at the pubs and the fresh pastries in the morning, my stomach was always full and there was always a lovely drink in hand to pair with it.

We visited all the classic landmarks: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Regent's Park, Big Ben, and Tower Bridge, and they are famous for a reason. The grandeur of these historic sites genuinely take your breath away, and the royal gardens throughout were stunning.

London is also remarkably easy to navigate, which kept the trip low-stress and very manageable. We took the tube everywhere, weaving through Soho, Notting Hill, Camden, Hackney, Chelsea, and Mayfair with ease.

We visited the Amy Winehouse statue (one of my favorite artists), saw Hamilton in the West End, thrifted through Notting Hill, and ate and drank our way across the city. We hit pubs, wine bars, and never had a dull evening. 

I just absolutely adore the pub culture, the leisure of everyone standing along the street and chatting. Time flew by listening to live music, playing cards in the pub — and the locals at the table next to us even joined us for a few games. We definitely indulged and even heard the bartenders ring their closing bells a few nights…

London shapeshifts into whatever you need it to be because it  has anything and everything you could want. For a girls' trip, it was the perfect destination.

Slowing Down in the Cotswolds

After four days in London, we shifted pace and headed to the countryside.

We took the train from London to Tetbury, and it was so peaceful, watching the city fade away to rolling green hills and quaint villages from the window. We stayed in a charming, picturesque cottage that was cosy and luxurious, it even had a bathtub in the room.

It was the perfect contrast to the city. We had slow mornings with coffee and books, strolled to the local bakery for fresh bread and flapjacks (and were lucky enough to meet the baker responsible), cooked dinner a few nights, played cards, and sipped on wine. The ideal setting to slow down and enjoy one another's company.

Tetbury is exactly the classic British town you picture. Friendly locals managing every shop, no shortage of laughs, and conversations that seemed to go on delightfully forever. On my mom's birthday, we happened to meet two other women named Sally (my mom's name) right there in Tetbury. It gave us a good laugh and felt like a perfectly authentic English moment.

The town is full of antique shops, and after a full day of wandering in and out of them, we had barely scratched the surface. I walked away with a wonderful coat and a few art pieces at a bargain, and my sister found the most beautiful antique brass candlesticks. It felt like you could walk into each shop and redesign your entire home.

After two days in Tetbury, we took a day trip to Bath with a private chauffeur. A 45-minute ride, and I was very glad not to be navigating those winding country roads myself (our American driver's seat was enough adventure for me!). Bath was simply delightful. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its Roman heritage and stunning Georgian architecture. The Royal Crescent is a spectacular historic landmark with beautiful gardens and is actually where parts of Bridgerton were filmed, which was an exciting discovery for us fans. The Jane Austen Centre is also worth a visit, as Bath inspired several of her novels.

The English countryside feels like something straight out of a storybook. Quaint pubs and bookshops, peaceful parks and walkways, and lovely architecture around every corner. It feels like stepping back in time.

Until Next Time, England

I came for my mom's birthday and left genuinely surprised by everything England had to offer. The food, the hospitality, the culture, all of it exceeded expectations. I will absolutely be returning.

Thank you to John Spence and his Experts for the wonderful suggestions and help with the pacing of our trip.

If you haven't visited England yet, add it to your list. Whether you want to explore vibrant London or slow down in the countryside, John knows England well and his recommendations will not disappoint.