Karen Creed relishes London for its eclectic mix of trendy bars and cultural hotspots
Too many tourists, expensive and too much traffic – that was always my impression of London. Numerous visits later, however, and I am truly converted. From the eclectic markets to the feel good entertainment, the list of things to do in London is endless. Often with no specific itinerary in mind, I relish my ‘go with the flow’ weekends in this vibrant capital.
Getting Around
London is not exactly cheap but a weekend break doesn’t have to be hugely damaging to your credit card. A day’s Travelcard (www.londontravelpass.com) should be your first purchase if you intend on doing a lot of touring. The sheer number of museums, galleries and places to see can be overwhelming, especially if you only have a weekend, so my advice is when planning your London itinerary, keep in mind that proximity is key. Save time by visiting attractions located in the same general area. But do allow for several serendipitous diversions.
Angel Delight
London boasts many charming suburbs and Angel is one of them, a short tube ride away from the main tourist zones. Angel holds plenty of hidden jewels in the form of boutiques, bars and restaurants. Despite its charisma and eclectic atmosphere; you can still have a two course lunch for less than €15. You can also indulge in one of the best English breakfasts in the assortment of fancy cafes, soak up an infinite number of secluded canal views and relish a lively pub scene away from high prices, rushed service and crowds. South Kensington is another stunning location to spend a lovely day in London, as it is close to the splendid stores on Sloane Street and the enigmatic Hyde Park.
Shopping Time
There is no doubt you need a good amount of cash in your pocket to shop in London city but don’t feel obliged to pick your purchases exclusively on Oxford or Bond Street. The markets are not only more diverse but you can haggle for bargains with the stall holders. There is the infamous Camden market, Portobello and my favourite, Spitalfields Market near Liverpool Street. Crammed with every household item and designer fashion, I was more than satisfied with two recent purchases – a dress for £20 and a designer duvet for £15. For a step back in time Grays Antiques Market offers plenty of cheap stuff from dolls’ houses to samurai swords. Those with a shoe fetish and cash to splash don’t have far to totter if they are in the Knightsbridge area. There lies the stylish Christian Laboutin store and trendy neighbours include Harvey Nichols, and Harrods.
Where to Stay
Unsurprisingly the centre of London is the most expensive area to rest your head. There are, however, regular deals with www.1800hotels.ie that cover a range of budgets from lavish five star abodes to modest accommodation. An alternative to city centre hotels is to stay in one of the suburbs which are easily accessible by both bus and tube. The Underground means you can stay outside the main tourist zone but yet still be within minutes of the main attractions. For the budget conscious tourist, Kings Cross, Paddington and Hyde Park offer a range of reasonably priced accommodation while a special weekend in a splendid location look no further than the charming areas made famous in the movies. For hotel deals visit www.1800hotels.ie
After Dark
Many Londoners would recommend avoiding the tourist traps of Leicester Square. But this central part of the city is unavoidable if you want to experience the West End or some popular bars. I rarely visit London without taking in a West End Show, and there is always an impressive line up, including the long running Fame, The Lion King and Mamma Mia. If you are on a tight budget you can purchase tickets for some of the lesser known performances for a fraction of the price. Visit www.whatsonstage.com www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk or the official ticket booth in Leicester Square, which often offers half-price tickets. For bars and clubs, London’s trendy Soho area should be considered. The chic part of the city is best seen on foot, particularly in the evening when restaurants and bars spill out on to the pavements. The area is not for everyone, but luckily there are parts of the city that cater for all tastes whether you are into a cultural or clubbing weekend.
Eating Out
Visiting London and not having fish and chips is considered a crime. That is unless you tuck into a curry instead. Both dishes are national institutions and can be tasted in many high end restaurants and cheap eateries across the city. Dining in the typical tourist spots can be expensive and while those linked with a celebrity name should guarantee a more than average restaurant experience, be prepared to pay. A perfect food inspired weekend would encompass afternoon tea in Claridges followed by an evening meal in Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen www.fifteen.net Chinatown is reliable for oriental cuisine, and some excellent lunch and early bird meals are available in Convent Garden, where you can sit outdoors in the cobble stone square and be entertained by the many street performers. Some of the best restaurants can be found in Bayswater and Earls Court and South Bank is lovely for outdoor eating with its selection of international restaurants and bars. For excellent night dining visit Fulham Broadway and try out one of their eclectic restaurants. The Blue Elephant is a particularly delightful, set in its own Thai style garden www.blueelephant.com/london
London for Free
London leads the world when it comes to top museums with free entry. Among the finest: British Museum, Natural History Museum, and Tate Modern. Entry to the beautiful Westminster Abbey is also free. Free music in the form of concerts, street performances and theatre are also available right across the city. You can listen to lunchtime recitals at St James Church in Piccadilly every day starting at 1.10pm. They are free but a donation of £3 is suggested. If you have the time, visit one of London’s beautiful parks, like the Queen Mary’s Rose gardens in Regent’s Park or the sprawling Hyde Park which includes the Diana Memorial Playground and the Peter Pan statue. See the famous Queen’s Guard in London change inside the gates of Buckingham Palace at 11.30am. If you want to get lost in a bookstore for a few hours then Borders off Oxford Circus has four floors of reading material to delight. For free walking tours of London you can download them at www.southbanklondon.com/walkthisway
LONDON TIPS
Useful websites for London visitors include www.londonattractions.com, www.visitlondon.com www.londontown.com and www.londontourist.org
Get the best snapshots of the city at the London Eye, Big Ben, Downing Street, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London.
If you plan to do a lot of touring and want to find specific places, then “A-Z London” is your best purchase. You can find it in almost all souvenir shops around the city.
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