How does London remind me of Thomasville? Let me count the ways...

Happy New Year, my friend!

It’s strange, I know (after the hoopla of autumn and the holidays), but January is one of my favorite months. Fresh starts and all that. And you know, I think we can still enjoy cozy things like spicy lattes and pumpkin scones!

Speaking of starts – oh, where to start?

My mind is still spinning from our nine-day whirlwind trip to London. Chris and I returned just a week ago, and I'm processing all that we saw and experienced and being re-inspired and newly inspired by this latest trip to England.

Did you see the recent reel that I posted to Instagram featuring just a bit of the Christmas décor and festivities that we enjoyed while walking (and walking and walking) through places like Belgravia, SOHO, Mayfair, Trafalgar Square, Picadilly, Chelsea, and Pimlico?

And yes, you saw snippets of the Tower of London because we indeed did some very touristy things (how else to learn history but to experience it in the places it happened?)

But we also savored time in the neighborhoods – the nooks and crannies of Central London.

{When we travel, I love to see not just what makes a place notable, but also what life is like for the “real” people who live, work, and play there. Don’t you?}

As you likely know by now, The Hare & The Hart was born out of a love for, and our time in, the Cotswolds – and is inspired by the area's artisan shops featuring their own designs plus local and regional craftsmanship. So, as you can guess, it was hard for me to be THAT close to the towns and villages of Cotswolds (only 1.5 hours by train) and not go!

BUT we made a concerted decision to plant ourselves in London this time, and not have it be a quick visit or a springboard to elsewhere.

You know it’s a great vacation (the root word being “vacate” – a true getaway, breaking from regular life routines) when you are refreshed and eager to return to life at home!

And home for almost 7 years now is Thomasville – this adorable, historic little town tucked into the Red Hills of south Georgia.

There were sparks of “this reminds me of Thomasville” all around as we walked (and walked, and walked, as I noted earlier) through the boroughs of London.

Yes, London reminds me of Thomasville – not, as you would think, the other way around!

How does London remind me of Thomasville? Grab a cozy drink, settle in, and let me count the ways:

1. Art and entertainment: there is art everywhere. In museums, shops, and galleries. Also, in public spaces. London may have some of the world’s leading museums and venues, but Thomasville certainly punches above its weight with the Center for the Arts, the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation, and a calendar full of events like the Thomasville Antiques Show and the Wildlife Art Festival. (See my curated event list at the bottom of each week's email!) There is public art all through downtown if you slow down and look for it!

2. History around every corner: Every week I am learning a new tidbit about the rich, unique history of Thomasville, much of it with national impact (for instance, did you know that President Eisenhower decided to run for his second term on Glen Arven’s 18th hole?) You can learn more by visiting Pebble Hill, the Thomasville History Center, and the Jack Hadley Black History Museum, or by taking the Taste of Thomasville tour. In our shop, we carry the beautiful coffee table book Thomasville: History, Homes, and Southern Hospitality, which encapsulates much of it.

3. Speaking of history, how about gorgeous neighborhoods with their historic homes? Take a spin through Thomasville’s historic district and you’ll see various architectural styles and well-preserved and restored homes. (Our own home was built in 1854 and is on the self-guided walking and driving tour!)

4. London’s parks and squares remind me of Thomasville’s parks that people use and enjoy. I love seeing disc golfers practicing and competing, as well as dogs being walked and children playing at MacIntyre Park. An exciting new project, through our amazing preservation organization, Landmarks, is the revival of historic Paradise Park.

5. Of course, it almost goes without saying, a huge similarity is the plethora of lovely shops and amazing restaurants! Favorite streets for shopping in London are Regent Street and King’s Road. At home, Broad Street (where we are located) and Jackson Street boast oodles of lovely shops and amazing restaurants – and the beauty of it is that downtown Thomasville is full of locally-owned, family-run, extremely unique businesses. No two are the same! London is chock full of international chains but also has some independent (small and large) stores here and there that inspire me. I’ll share some of my takeaways from places like Liberty London, Fortnum & Mason, and Daylesford Organic in a future letter.