London, at Full Tilt (and Slightly Underfed)

I’ve just landed back from a flying visit to London, it was a day of immersive experiences and, bizarrely, very little food. Not even a slice of cake. Who am I? Lucy and I recorded a podcast about it (do have a listen), but I wanted to jot it down too, because I know there are some things that I forgot to mention.

We flew out of Ireland West Airport (I love this airport, it’s so handy) and landed into Stansted about an hour and twenty minutes later. I’d pre-booked the Stansted Express, I’d recommend you do this. It’s cheaper, and more importantly, it avoids those horror stories of accidental £70 tap-and-go journeys.

We arrived into Liverpool Street, hopped on the tube to Oxford Circus (Bond Street would have been smarter in hindsight), and dashed into Selfridges for what can only be described as a blink-and-you-miss-it visit. Ten minutes, max. We did get to marvel at the very expensive chocolate though. Random question: Did Selfridges ever sell fridges?

Then it was straight to Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds immersive experience, where, we had planned to eat. Planned being the operative word. Lunch never arrived (a saga for the podcast), and we survived instead on chocolate-dipped strawberries that we had outside Selfridges. Not ideal.

The experience itself? Incredible. Properly immersive: actors, VR, heat rays, jump scares – the lot. You move through different scenes, meeting characters and essentially living through a Martian invasion. It’s theatrical, chaotic, and great fun. I have very few photos, because you aren’t allowed to take photos on the experience itself.

I was slightly wary of the VR (motion sickness and I are not friends), but armed with two Kwells and sea bands, I powered through. The highlight was a boat sequence – waves crashing, the Thunder Child under attack, Lucy turning into an unrecognisable character – it was genuinely thrilling. There was a fair amount of screaming. Mostly mine.

Halfway through, we stopped at the Red Weed Bar for a cocktail (research purposes), before heading into part two: more VR, a slide (unexpected), a confessional scene – where the tripod got me (more screaming!), and a hot air balloon ride over a devastated London. It’s about two hours in total, and worth every penny. Only minor downside: one slightly irritating fellow guest. There’s always one.

By 5pm, we were back out into the real world with just enough time to get to our hotel before the next event. We travelled from Leadenhall Street (do look up Leadenhall Market, it’s stunning) to West Brompton, where we checked into the Mercure Hotel. I’d normally be a Premier Inn gal, but there nearest one only had double beds. The Mercure is a gorgeous hotel, we had a quick drink, and then straight back out again. Still running, still underfed.

Next up: Come Alive!, inspired by The Greatest Showman. You’re encouraged to arrive early, and it’s worth it – there’s a whole pre-show “behind the scenes” circus world to wander through. Performers, little acts, atmosphere… and finally, food. Glorious, actual food.

The show itself takes place under a Big Top and is less “musical retelling” and more full circus spectacle – fire dancers, trapeze artists, tightrope walkers, the works. A live band carries the soundtrack, and audience participation is very much encouraged. Some people fully dressed the part, which added to the fun.

It’s not the film’s storyline (we get into that more on the podcast), but it’s lively, colourful, and well done – if a little short at about 90 minutes including interval. That said, there isn’t a bad seat in the house, which softens the blow if, like me, you went for the cheaper option.

Back to the hotel, only a three-minute stroll, as our feet were feeling it after dashing around London all day. We were on the top floor with a fantastic view, and for once, we both slept like logs.

I was up early the next morning and wandered over to Brompton Cemetery. Completely peaceful – sunshine, birdsong, squirrels darting about like they owned the place.

Over 200,000 people are buried there, including suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and Dr John Snow – who discovered what caused the cholera epidemic. If you like a good cemetery (and I do), it’s well worth a visit – they even run tours, including the catacombs.

Then it was time to head home – tube, Stansted Express, done. London really is easy to get around; just tap your card and go. There’s even a daily cap, so you won’t accidentally bankrupt yourself mid-commute.

And that was our trip – short, slightly chaotic, but absolutely brilliant. I hadn’t been to London in years, and I’ll admit, I half-expected to feel uneasy. But I didn’t, in fact it was quite the opposite. It felt easy, lively, and surprisingly welcoming.

Would I recommend it for a quick getaway? Absolutely.

Just… maybe stop for food. Thanks to Lucy for the company, I’ve probably put her off coming with me for life now!