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Springtime in London: From Regent’s Park to St. Luke’s Gardens

Ah, sun! These are the days when the winter chill starts to unhinge itself from the London air, the days when you still shiver in the shade but could sit on a bench for ages with the sun against your face. Who else has crossed the street to walk on the sunnier side this week?

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Jorge was off this weekend so we decided to go out for a walk. We started in Chelsea, passing bright yellow houses, tacky pink flamingos and beautiful flowers in full bloom.

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

South Kensington was milling with tourists heading to and from the museums, pulling suitcases, wearing sunglasses and shorts or winter coats and boots.

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

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(Speaking of museums, we just went to the Hermes exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery. If I have time this weekend, I’ll go back and take photos to share. It’s well worth a visit though. It’s almost like a funhouse for adults. Everything moves and spins. The set up is phenominal with an amazing attention to detail.)

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

We hopped on a bus to Baker Street where we walked up to Regent’s Park (past Sherlock Mews which I was excited to walk down until we passed it and realized it has got to be just about the most boring looking mews ever).

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

I don’t think I’ve ever entered the park via York Gate before, but I was amused by the gold crowns on top of the entrance gates to a grand avenue that led from the busy Marylebone Road to the Outer Circle that wraps around the edge of the park.

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

 “Life itself, every moment of it, every drop of it, here, this instant, now, in the sun, in Regent’s Park, was enough. Too much, indeed.”
– Virginia Woolf

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

We walked under the cherry blossom trees. It was a perfect day for it with one of the most vibrant blue skies I’ve seen in this city – hardly a cloud in sight at certain moments.

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Besides Regent’s Park, the best place I’ve found for spotting cherry blossoms in London is quite hidden and right near our flat. Right now, all of the pink trees are stunningly full on Dovehouse Street, SW3. If you have a chance this week, don’t miss a walk that way!

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

We wandered around the park for a while, past the rose gardens where empty stems stood in the ground next to creative names on black markets, waiting for their turn to flower later in the year. We passed the paddleboats and the empty stretches of grass where stacks of green and white striped chairs waited for visitors. We saw screaming children, a pregnancy photoshoot and a bench of elderly couples all wearing sunglasses and sitting in silence enjoying the day.

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

One of my favourite parts was spotting the black swans – one in a nest and one digging around underground moving leaves and twigs toward the nest to continue to build it. Another bird was nesting nearby too.

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

On our way out of the park, we followed the Grand Avenue out toward the Regent’s Canal where we saw a houseboat being repaired and a teenager fall out of a kayak before finding our way to Great Portland Street and home from there.

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

We stopped in Paul for pizza and tea to take to our favourite tiny park which I spend so much time in when the weather is nice – St. Luke’s Gardens. It’s so cared for by green-thumbed volunteers and always looks immaculate no matter what time of year.

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Right now, there are colourful rings of tulips wrapping around the trees and cherry blossoms shedding petals on the pathways.

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

I decided that it would be a really great idea to take 5,000 photos of the tulips (I know, I exagerate) and share them with you, so here they are. Hope you like tulips!

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

We can all use more tulips in our lives, right?

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

And my favourite for last.

Spring in London by Stephanie Sadler, Little Observationist

Hope you’ve been out and about enjoying Spring wherever you are too!

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10 Comments

  • Reply
    travellousworld
    April 15, 2015 at 2:09 pm

    I could stare at this London spring scenery for ages!

  • Reply
    Kristin Sadler
    April 15, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    Inspiring and uplifting, especially since we are not as much “in bloom” yet across the pond!

  • Reply
    Ella Jakobson
    April 16, 2015 at 5:45 am

    Such a lovely post, thank you!

  • Reply
    frecklenz
    April 19, 2015 at 5:54 am

    These pictures are beautiful! Its nice to see another side to London as well, not all grey and gloomy.

  • Reply
    Art Farm
    April 24, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    Photos of tulips never get old! Bring ’em on!! 🙂 Such a lovely walk around London and such beautiful photos as always.

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