Soooo... London is a pretty well known city of mine as my boyfriend is quite often sent there to work. I'll try to be the most concise possible but London is so full of treasures that it'll be hard !
Old Spitalfields Market
Last time we went to London we slept at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street which is very recommended (except for the restaurant, I usually never complain when travelling, but ugh, I wouldn't advice you to have dinner there, #sorry). The fantastic positive point about this hotel (excluding the AMAZING comfort of the bed) is its location : Bloomsbury is such an adorable and quiet street yet literally 2 minutes away by foot from Oxford Street, 5 min from Tottenheim Court Road tube station.
Deluxe King Size bedroom
One of the place we prefer wandering in is Notting Hill and especially, Portobello Road and its market. The atmosphere is so joyful and authentic, and I cannot forget to mention the charm of all the coloured residences there. I've been recommended to try Lowry & Baker restaurant on Portobello Road, and I doubtlessly didn't regret (if you like handmade healthy food, then this place is made for you !)
Portobello Road Market
Lowry & Baker
We also like having a walk in Camden Town, such a unique area, where you can find the most unexpected street art and shops.
Neal's Yard is a super cute and very "instagrammable" passage mixing London's typical bricks with adorable "countryside" style houses.
Bricklane and the Old Spitalfields Market are so gorgeous. I love Shoreditch, which is an ancient factories district reconverted in super young and cool area.
Inside OS Market you'll find any type of food but I need to tell you to try Blixen; you might need to book your table the day before but the food is sooo delish and the inside is lovely (all covered with plants, wood and little lights).
If you also love the brand Anthropologie you'll then have another motivation to have lunch at Blixen as they're 2 minutes walking distance one another.
Shoreditch District
Blixen Restaurant
I have no words describe how much I adore Victoria's district, its placidity and its grace can't find any equivalent. I know you most probably heard about this bakery already but Peggy Porschen is definitely a place to sit at (especially at Christmas period, cause it's the cutest). Everything is pink, their silverware is so well chosen and their pastries are excellent. I mean, what else do you need to be happy ?
Cutest bakery : Peggy Porschen
Covent Garden is one of my fave place too. This place looks like nothing else, you will find all price range products as well as all merchandises types : from food to clothes to make-up, everything exist in such a small space !
Don't miss two shops : Whittard of Chelsea, I swear that even if you don't like tea, you'll go out with some cause the packagings are just the most poetic ones (you can also get hot chocolate, shortbreads, candies or have a snack in their little cafeteria) . The second one is Petersham Nurseries; this is for sure the most beautiful interior decoration boutique I have ever seen. This is not the most affordable shop in England but I swear that during sales period I found some wonderful pieces there. Make sure that you head back home passing by Monmouth Street which is the loveliest one.
Petersham Nurseries
If you are a shopping addict as I am, then I have no other advice than taking a whole day devoted to Oxford and Regent Streets : Urban Outfitters, Topshop, Miss Selfridge, New Look, Zara, Forever 21, & Other Stories, H&M, Mango and basically any brand you'll search for is undeniably there.
Just for the beauty of it, go have a look at Liberty London, an old traditional architecture luxury department store in which you'll have any high standard brand from leatherwork section to haberdashery.
Last but not least, Carnaby Street is such a fun street to walk in. It is also great for shopping but the setting is so surprising that it makes it a must see. Remember to stop at The Good Egg in Kingly Court for lunch or dinner.
Carnaby Street at Christmas time
If you like visiting original places, I'd tell you then to run to Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Indian Temple. I admit it isn't the most central monument in London but Gooosh the inside AND the outside are so stunning.
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
The last place I'd evidently suggest is Sketch.
I knoooow this place is so famous but I swear you guys saw nothing if you haven't tried it (I went for breakfast and it was delightful). Everything, EVERY SINGLE THING in this restaurant makes you fall in love : the 3 different atmosphere dining rooms and the 2 gorgeous bathrooms (you all know about the eggs bathrooms, right?) are so worth to be visited. Believe me, even for a drink, it's worthy.
Prettiest dining hall in Sketch
Sketch's eggs bathroom
SUMMARY :
Where I slept :
Where to have a snack :
- Peggy Porschen
- Petersham Nurseries Delicatessen
- The Hummingbird Bakery
Where to have a meal :
- The Good Egg
- Lowry & Baker
- Blixen
- Fumo Martin's Lane (the best best best Italian restaurant I ever had, even better than in Italy haha)
- Ugly Dampling
- Pastaio
- Shoryu Ramen
- Myung Ga Restaurant
- Daisy Green
Where to do shopping :
- Oxford Street & Regent Street
- Liberty London
- Petersham Nurseries
- Covent Garden
- Carnaby Street
- Old Spitalfields Market
Where to have a drink :
- Sketch
- The Bloomsbury Hotel Great Russel Street
Where to wander :
- Carnaby Street
- Notting Hill & Portobello Road
- Shoreditch & Brick Lane
- Victoria District
- Camden Town
- Neal's Yard
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