London (CNN) Nearly two weeks on from the suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena, there was a sense in Britain that -- at least for those not directly affected by that attack -- life was slowly returning to normal.

Landmarks in London and across the UK had been on a heightened state of alert, as the country's terror threat level was raised to critical in the aftermath of the bombing.

But as of last weekend, that threat had been reduced one level down to severe, and attention was shifting back to everyday life.

On a beautiful sunny Saturday at the end of a mid-semester school holiday, London had been as busy and thriving as it always is.

Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Forensic officers work at the scene of a terror attack at London Bridge in London on Sunday, June 4. At least seven people were killed in attacks late Saturday as a van mowed down pedestrians on London Bridge before attackers then stabbed victims at nearby Borough Market. Hide Caption 1 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Counterterrorism officers patrol near the scene of the attack on London Bridge. When speaking to the media on Sunday, British Prime Minister Theresa May did not announce any increase in the UK terror threat level. Hide Caption 2 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A woman reacts after asking a Police officer to lay flowers near London Bridge as a tribute to the victims of the attack. Hide Caption 3 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack UK police officers on Sunday continue their investigation into the terror attacks on London Bridge and in a nearby restaurant district. The attacks on June 3 came days before a general election and two weeks after 22 people were killed when a suicide bomber targeted an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. Hide Caption 4 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement at 10 Downing Street, following a Cobra security meeting in response to Saturday night's terror attack. Violence must "never be allowed to disrupt the democratic process," May said, adding that Thursday's general election will go ahead. Hide Caption 5 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Abandoned buses line London Bridge as the scene remains under investigation following the attack. Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said in a statement Sunday that a white van struck pedestrians on London Bridge. Attackers then left the vehicle and "a number of people were stabbed, including an on-duty British Transport Police officer who was responding to the incident at London Bridge," said Rowley. The officer received serious but not life-threatening injuries. Hide Caption 6 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Counter terrorism officers move up an escalator under The Shard, an iconic highrise near the scene of last night's London Bridge attack. Hide Caption 7 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A group of police forensic officers walks in the street outside Borough Market. Hide Caption 8 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack People lie on the ground after being detained by police at Elizabeth Fry apartments in Barking, east London, which officers raided Sunday, June 4, following Saturday's terror attack at London Bridge and Borough Market. Hide Caption 9 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A bouquet of flowers left near the police cordon at London Bridge on June 4. Hide Caption 10 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A view from above shows where a van struck pedestrians on London Bridge -- and then crashed into a barrier. Hide Caption 11 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack This image, from London's Borough Market, shows two of the attackers after they were shot by London police. The attackers drove a white van into pedestrians on London Bridge, leaving bodies lying in the roadway, a witness to the incident told CNN Hide Caption 12 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Armed police patrol near London Bridge on Saturday, June 3. Mayor Sadiq Khan said it was a "deliberate and cowardly attack" on Londoners enjoying Saturday night out. Hide Caption 13 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack The white van used in the attack is seen near London Bridge. Hide Caption 14 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Police carry out a search near empty buses on London Bridge, Saturday, June 3. Hide Caption 15 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A person is treated for injuries near London Bridge. Hide Caption 16 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Members of the public flee after reports of the incident involving a vehicle and pedestrians. Hide Caption 17 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Police and emergency responders attend to an injured person. Hide Caption 18 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack An armed Police officer gestures after the attack in central London. Hide Caption 19 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Guests from the Premier Inn Bankside Hotel are evacuated following the attacks. Hide Caption 20 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A woman wearing an emergency blanket talks on her phone at London Bridge train station. London Bridge Tube station was closed and London Bridge was closed in both directions. Hide Caption 21 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Armed police raid The Blue Eyed Maid on Borough High Street. Hide Caption 22 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Debris and abandoned cars remain at the scene of one of the incidents. Hide Caption 23 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Police sniffer dogs are seen at London Bridge. Hide Caption 24 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A helicopter flies near London Bridge. Hide Caption 25 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack People are led to safety on Southwark Bridge, away from London Bridge. Hide Caption 26 of 26

Borough Market, a popular destination for food-lovers, is packed with gourmet restaurants and old fashioned pubs centered around a vibrant food market to the south of London Bridge, right next to the River Thames and in the shadow of the UK's tallest building, the Shard.