As a gift for my confirmation my parents took me to London back in 2002. That was when I fell in love with the world city that still is so British! I have been to London by plane and by car but this time we wanted to go there differently – by train.
Our journey started on an early sunday morning in the heart of Stuttgart. We took the Intercity Express to Mannheim, swapped trains and were off. Next stop Paris. As the wide fields of the Champagne flew by we had coffee and croissants and after just three hours we arrived at Paris-Est. We had a little less than three hours to get to Paris-Nord and catch the Eurostar. So why not make the most of this stopover and do some sightseeing?
Paris-Nord
It was just a short walk to Montmartre. A feel of laissez-faire in the air made the luggage a little lighter and the hill to the station of the Montmartre Funiculair a little less steep. Thanks to the wheelchair we didn't have to wait in line.
Sacré-Coeur
Montmartre Funiculair
At the top of the hill you can enjoy beautiful views of the city...
Paris Skyline
...and of course see Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre. Ah right, we actually wanted to go to London.
Sacré-Coeur
Montmartre Funiculair
Montmartre's carousel
Before you get to the platform you have to go through passport control and baggage check similar to the procedure at the airport.
Paris-Nord Eurostar platform
Everybody was quite nice and helpful and we were even able to go to the Business Premier lounge – which normally isn't possible with the ticket we had. We had tea there before we boarded the train.
Business Premier Lounge Paris-Nord
The wheelchair spaces on the Eurostar are in Standard Premier and Business Premier. They offer lots of space...
Eurostar wheelchair space
...and are near an accessible toilet.
Eurostar accessible toilet
In addition you can enjoy a light meal. Especially the rich indulging chocolate something for dessert made us happy.
Eurostar Premier meal
And of course there is the Eurotunnel. Sure it is just a pitch-black tunnel and there is no Sebastian the crab that sings to you but I simply like the idea of entering the tunnel in France and exiting it in the UK. After another two and a half hours we arrived at London St. Pancras.
Eurostar train at St. Pancras station
My friend and I never had been to Cambridge before. That is why we booked our first night of our London trip there. From platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross station we took the last train of the day to get to the university city.
King's Cross station platform 9 3/4
The first impression of Cambridge was a little bit underwhelming. The area around the station is faceless and modern. We checked in to the Premier Inn Cambridge City East...
Premier Inn accessible room
Premier Inn tea and coffee making facilities
Premier Inn accessible bathroom
Premier Inn wheel-in shower
...and had dinner at the Corner House just across the street. I am not a chips person but those chips were hot, crunchy and yummy! The owner was really friendly and put a ramp over the steps at the entrance, too.
Fish pies, chips and mashed peas at the Corner House Cambridge
Strenghtened by hearty and yummy food we decided to take a walk to the river Cam and the city centre. It was the right decision. The historic district turned out to be much nicer than Cambridge's newer part and was the perfect spot for a nightcap. Continue here.
Evening view of King's College Cambridge
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