Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? With the latest heat wave over but most people still in short sleeves, Fortnum and Mason has opened its Christmas store already. It's a modest corner and mostly are tree ornaments.
The food hall on the ground floor was bursting with shoppers as usual. I don't think they're Christmas shopping so early, and it's always so busy.
Yes, I visited Harrods' Christmas shop in August already while people were still walking around in short sleeves and still remembering the most recent heat wave. Some news reports indicated it was already open in July. It occupies a sizeable part of the Lower Ground floor in the same location where I found it in previous years.
During the summer of 2026, St. Paul's offered a special admission discount every Sunday to visit the Dome Galleries at only 12 pounds for adults. This ticket only applies to the observation area and does not include visiting the church's main floor, although you can visit the crypt.
It's a long but do-able climb up 257 steps to the interior Whispering Gallery, where there are seats to enjoy views of the church beneath you and to catch your breath, then another 119 steps up to the Stone Gallery for the first outdoor glimpses of London. The final stretch to the Golden Gallery is a further 152 steps up for the best views.
Nestled on the top floors of the Novotel Canary Wharf is a rooftop bar and terrace with both indoor and outdoor sections offering panoramic views of the city primarily facing west.
Facing north, I could easily see all the way to Stratford.
While the Novotel is close to the riverfront, its views towards the Thames might be challenged in the coming years with 2 residential projects under construction across the street.
The indoor section has a big sofa facing south towards Greenwich.
This is a pretty good space for an afternoon drink.
Located on a quiet side street close to Charing Cross station and Trafalgar Square, the British Optical Association Museum has over a hundred years' history. They're not typically open to drop-in visits but require an advanced booking for a guided tour.
However, during the Open House Festival, I was able to pop in to see their extensive collection and check out the architecture of this professional body's 2 terraced houses.
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