By Hannah Dourgarian

Layovers in a fabulous city can be daunting. If you’re like me, you admittedly find the business of traveling — especially flying — exhausting. From the planning to the packing to the triple-checking that you haven’t forgotten anything important, traveling can feel like a series of obstacles that must be overcome before you’re finally able to enjoy your desired destination.

If you have a short layover, it can, however, be a relief; a brief period of time to catch your breath and stretch your legs before you need to cram yourself back into a claustrophobic airplane seat.

If your layover is in London, it can be tempting to hide in Heathrow, which promises comfort and convenience, especially during the dark, stereotypically depressing, post-holiday season. After all, Heathrow makes it easy to imagine you’re experiencing everything London has to offer, given all the souvenirs you can buy in the (frankly, way overpriced) gift shops, like chic Harrods mugs, high-end Fortnum & Mason tea, beautifully designed Victoria & Albert notebooks… and the list goes on.

But the real London awaits you, and it is best not to let her down, especially during the post-holiday season, when her weather gets a terrible rap for being cold, gloomy, and downright miserable.

The truth is that this time of year is brimming with potential for a truly quintessential London experience, even if your hours of daylight are limited. Given the bustling nature of both traveling the world and day-to-day life in London, I propose a relaxed approach to the ordeal of “making the most of your time” during your layover in this culturally rich city. In other words, rather than pressuring yourself to see as many main attractions as you can, strive to capture a feeling: one of coziness, or one of awe. Once you’ve decided on which, the rest is a piece of cake.

Cozy spots in London
London is a vibrant city, but it also offers plenty of opportunities to curl up in a warm space and let the rest of the world melt away.

A crucial factor in achieving this cozy feeling is a comforting meal. Despite the misconception that London has terrible food, these are easy to come by. In reality, there are a plethora of great dining options available regardless of your budget.

Indian cuisine is notably popular and is worth seeking out. Though I had never tried Indian food before traveling to England, it quickly became one of my favorite cuisines, especially after I tried lamb biryani, a savory rice dish that is often served with vegetable curry. I now always gravitate towards Indian food when I’m in London because, given that I am gluten-free and don’t drink, it appeals to my dietary preferences. While the quaintness of many British pubs makes them ideal spaces to escape to when it’s gloomy, most of the traditional food served, such as steak pies or fish and chips, will likely include pastry dough or bread crumbs (ie, not gluten-free). Alcohol and drinking are also a defining feature of frequenting a pub, although it is not a notable part of enjoying Indian cuisine. As such, my personal biases play a contributing role in my wholeheartedly recommending that you try Indian food during your time in London. If it meets your dietary needs, it is always a hearty choice and will fill you with the warmth you need before you venture outside to wander for a bit, if you have extra time.

In the interest of convenience, I recommend that anyone hoping to find some Indian food hops on the Elizabeth Tube line from Heathrow to Paddington Station, which takes a little over 30 minutes. There are several restaurants of various cuisines near the station, including The Mughal’s Indian Restaurant, which is only a few minutes’ walk away. Having recently visited The Mughal’s Indian Restaurant after a long day of travel with my boyfriend, I can confirm that this is a great place to try, characterized by generous portions, delicious food, a relaxing ambiance, kind staff, and reasonable prices.

If you have time after your meal, Hyde Park is only a few blocks away and is lit at night with street lamps. Known for its wide, open spaces, it is an ideal place to seek a few last moments of peace before you return to the airport. And if you walk far enough into the park, you will reach the Serpentine Bridge, which connects Hyde Park to Kensington Gardens. The bridge is about a 20-minute walk from The Mughal’s Indian Restaurant and crosses over the Serpentine, a narrow, shape-snaked lake. An evening spent enjoying a lovely meal and wandering through the expansiveness of Hyde Park is an intimate way to feel closer to the city, especially during the dark season.

And if you’re traveling with a partner, I may even go so far as to endorse the romantic nature of this particular itinerary.

Luxurious places in London
If you’re feeling more ambitious and are willing to brave the longer and slightly more complicated Tube ride (which will take anywhere from 45-55 minutes and require transferring lines), it is a given that you should head to Westminster, where many of London’s most iconic attractions are located.

Upon arriving in Westminster you will come across Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, both of which are brightly illuminated at night. It is worth noting that this area tends to attract larger crowds — especially tourists — than that surrounding Paddington Station.

There are several Tube stops in this area, meaning that when leaving Heathrow you can take either the Elizabeth or Piccadilly line. You will have to make a transfer, but the District, Jubilee, or Circle lines will all bring you within a short walking distance of Parliament Square.

On the edge of one of its perimeters is Westminster Abbey, an imposing, Gothic-style structure founded by Benedictine monks in 960 AD. The Abbey is where all of the British monarchs have had their coronations since 1066, and it is also a burial ground and commemoration site for several notable historical figures. On another perimeter of Parliament Square is the sprawling Palace of Westminster (often referred to as the Houses of Parliament) and Big Ben (the name for the tower’s bell and clock), both of which cast a golden reflection on the River Thames when they are illuminated in the evenings.

From Parliament Square onwards, you can choose to spend more time by the river or walk towards Buckingham Palace, which is the King’s official residence.

Crossing the River Thames on the Westminster Bridge will bring you to the Queen’s Walk, which is a promenade along the river’s South Bank where you can admire the city’s skyline and the reflections in the water while being in close proximity to a number of popular restaurants. The Queen’s Walk will also lead you to the London Eye, the city’s infamous ferris wheel and the largest cantilevered observation wheel in the world. The Eye, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is also illuminated at night in varying colors. While perhaps not as grand as the Palace of Westminster or Westminster Abbey, the Eye’s lights certainly create a festive, perhaps more modern, atmosphere.

If you rather see a more regal, historical sight, Buckingham Palace — which is also lit up at night — is in the opposite direction from Parliament Square than the Eye, and is only about a 20-minute walk away. Finding your way to the Palace requires either a stroll along Birdcage Walk (less than a mile) or cutting through St. James’s Park, which is considered “the most royal” of London’s Royal Parks. The space boasts lovely foliage, a lake, and a large population of ducks, geese, and pelicans. That being said, Buckingham Palace is a popular destination, so St. James’s Park likely won’t offer the same sense of escape from the city’s hustle and bustle as Hyde Park. For anyone hoping to prioritize the “must-see” London sights, however, a quick visit to Westminster and its neighboring attractions — all of which are bright enough to help you forget your post-holiday slump — is a perfect way to make the most of your London layover.