JulieVikmanis

We are planning a trip to London in May. We've been there on 3 previous trips but I'm still having trouble putting this one together. We have 7 full days and one half day and, are staying near Russell Square. Thinking to do day trips on 3 days which leaves us 4 and 1/2 days in the city. Markets are a big deal for us so planning time at Borough market, Leadenhall market, possibly a walk through Portobello market though we much prefer food and dining areas of markets than clothing and bric a brac, so not certain on that.

What I'd really like to clamp onto are some suggestions for little enclaves of charm and beauty in the city but off the paths between major sights and main streets One of my guides suggests Regentt's Canal, Camden Market and Little Italy. Does that sound like it might fit my needs? Another guide makes Hampstead look like it might fit the bill but it also sound incredibly confusing to get around in--or is that part of the charm?

Can those of you who know the city give me guidance on these two areas and especially some suggestions for other areas that you know of and love that will satisfy my yearning for quiet charm in the midst of the city?

All guidance appreciated.

Tulips

Portobello Road also has a food area - in fact it's there daily (opposite the Electric). Go all the way north on Portobello Rd to Golborne Road. I wouldn't call it charming, but it's not touristy. There are some funny little antique shops, and on Saturday there's the market. You'll also find some middle eastern food stands - very busy - and small restaurants.

The area of Portobello Road under the underpass has a large food section too.

The Regent's Canal area is nice for a walk, or rent bikes. Camden Market is not my thing, but if you start on Primrose Hill (lovely area, great views) and walk along the canal to Camden, it's a nice walk.

No idea what they mean with Little Italy.

Tulips

Unless you mean little Venice?

DebitNM

Taking notes for October visit.

JulieVikmanis

Thank you Tulips, for the info and Yes, for sure I meant little Venice.

Mimar

I thought Shepherd Market felt quaint and different from the surrounding city, small scale with bandbox shops, restaurants and pubs.

Little Venice is fascinates me. It's on a part of Regent's Canal where it joins 2 other canals, just north of Paddington. The surrounding canal banks are lined with live-aboard barges painted bright colors and festooned with flowers and gardens. There are restaurant boats, pub boats and even theater boats.

There's a little Italy, east of Bloomsbury. Never been there myself.

bilboburgler

I like Greenwich, the local restaurants, the park, the museum and some lovely back streets.

JulieVikmanis

Mimar and bilbo thanks much. Shepard market sounds good to me. It's going on the list. And I think I'll definitely check out Little Venice as well based on this feedback. I had been thinking of Greenwich as a day trip but also thinking about Bath, Cotswald's Moreton-in-Marsh, and Oxford and only have 3 days. bilbo, if you know all of those can you advise me which to drop in favor of Greenwich Choices, choices. Always fun, always tough.

danon

"Little Venice is fascinates me. It's on a part of Regent's Canal where it joins 2 other canals, just north of Paddington. The surrounding canal banks are lined with live-aboard barges painted bright colors and festooned with flowers and gardens. There are restaurant boats, pub boats and even theater boats. "

We stayed near the are some years ago...it is charming, easily covered in
a short time.

historytraveler

Have a look at Hampstead Heath. It took me years to get there but loved it. London Walks often have walks that take in a specific neighborhood. I did one in Clerkenwell, some years ago and loved it. Also did one touring the neighborhood around Westminster Abbey. I thought I was familiar with the place until the tour. The walks are great because they do show you areas of London you'd never discover on your own. They have one for Venice Canal which I would recommend too.

danon

I am also looking for a day ( or half ) trip suggestions .
Have a week in London in July.
Visited Bath, Oxford ,Cambridge in the past.

bilboburgler

It depends a bit on the weather, what you like to do and the day of the week.

Bath has a fine Roman building bang in its centre that is astounding and really only beaten by Trier's buildings outside of multiple colloseum type buildings and the odd palace in Split. The modern (1800s) buildings are interesting but not world class. Weekends on a sunny day can be packed.

Cotwalds; for me is pretty but the best bits are the walks, the towns are just pretty stone and tea shops and I'd not travel around half the world to visit them, I would however do the walks. The walks are never packed the towns often

Oxford; well officially the best University in the world (more Nobel prizes than most countries), in May can be a little drab and I prefer to punt in June, but many of the individual colleges are worth a visit, the Library complex/Sheldonian theatre is fun, the two world class museums are awesome, while the odd few parks, links to Tolkein, river side pubs.... you could spend a lifetime here. Even at the weekend it seems to absorb people.

Greenwich, original home of the Observatory and the British Navy (really founded just after the Dutch attacked the London Pool and by public subscription, a "bond" if you like) then ruled the world apart from the odd American giant frigate until the 1930s is kinda interesting, the park is a great way to see London, the Vietnamese restaurants are good and there is even a tunnel or ferry across the river to Docklands.

So unless you want a walk in the countryside, I'd do Oxford or Greenwich.

nini

A tourist free area in London can be found around St Bartholomew the Great Church. The church is interesting--lots of movies were filmed there and the surrounding streets seem old London and very quaint. Greenwich under whelmed--no comparison to Oxford. We were lucky to be able to tour the dining hall at Christchurch College and see it all set up for lunch.

menachem

I love Hampstead Heath on a sunday morning, then walk to Golders Green to have lunch.

JulieVikmanis

Thanks danon, historytraveler and bilbo, all of this is really helpful. At this point I'm definitely into including Little Venice in one of our in London days and doing Oxford and Hampstead Heath for our day trips. Thinking latter will give me some of the "cute, charming little town" feel I'd thought I'd have to go to Cotswalds for. Thanks all. More info gratefully accepted, but I'm feeling a bit more confident with all of this on the drawing board.

thursdaysd

If you are still interested in Regent's Canal I recommend the boat trip, whch will connect Little Venice and Camden. I went with Jason's boats, but there are other options.

Not sure why you find Hampstead confusing. I recommend Kenwood House on the Heath, and there are several house museums worth visiting in the built up area. I would not call it a day trip. It is part of London and easily reached on the Northern line. Nor would I call it "cute" (actually I don't call anything cute, but if I did I would not include Hampstead, which is now extremely expensive.)

If you are going in May and like gardens that would be a great time to visit Kew. If you have time you can get there on the river.

Some other places not on the top ten lists i have enjoyed: Leighton House, Freemason's Hall, Geffrye Museum, Denis Sever's House.

menachem

Leighton House is fantastic. They've got the big Alma Tadema show from July 2017 onwards. I saw that in Leeuwarden and it is great. Seeing it in Leighton house also puts it in context even better (Frisian context in Leeuwarden, A-T's artistic circle in London)

jamikins

Take the train from London Bridge to Blackheath. Lovely village!

annhig

One area that hasn't been mentioned and is surprisingly easy to reach is the Temple, just south of where the Strand meets Fleet street at Temple Bar [the start of the City of London too]. On the north side of the road are the Royal Courts of Justice - a mock gothic pile definitely worth looking round if you have any interest at all in the law - and on the south side is the Temple, comprising two of the four Inns of Court to which all barristers have to belong. Here you will find Temple Church, complete with mausoleums of the Knights Templar dating back at least 500 years, [and its own choir of boys and organist], Middle Temple Hall which saw the first performance of Twelfth Night, some beautiful squares and rows of buildings, and two lovely gardens.

It's possible to have lunch in Middle Temple hall [book in advance and dress smartly] or to bring your sandwiches and eat them in the Inner Temple Gardens.

http://www.middletemple.org.uk/venue-hire/lunch-in-hall

https://www.innertemple.org.uk/index...-temple-garden

http://www.templechurch.com

http://www.theroyalcourtsofjustice.com

Michael

Definitely the Regent's Canal:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...7623461378508/ and next three pictures.