Charming areas to explore in London
Mar 19th, 2017, 04:36 PM
#21
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Just a warning re nini's St. Barts suggestion above: there is a lot of construction going on just next door which might detract from the experience. The Cloister Cafe which made it onto the Quiet London list is now closed M-F, given the building work taking place just outside its walls. But yes, that is a wonderful area to explore: Smithfields, London Museum, Barbican.
One of the great London markets is the Columbia Road Flower Market on Sunday. You can then walk down to Brick Lane and the market there (lots of food both places). Mind, these are neither charming nor cute! But they are vibrant and very much a London Now scene.
As you're after 'charming and cute', Hampstead fits the bill: twisty lanes to explore, great pubs, some wonderful heritage sites (Keats House, Kenwood, 2 Willow Road - though you might not be into modernism)....
One of the great London markets is the Columbia Road Flower Market on Sunday. You can then walk down to Brick Lane and the market there (lots of food both places). Mind, these are neither charming nor cute! But they are vibrant and very much a London Now scene.
As you're after 'charming and cute', Hampstead fits the bill: twisty lanes to explore, great pubs, some wonderful heritage sites (Keats House, Kenwood, 2 Willow Road - though you might not be into modernism)....
Mar 19th, 2017, 05:31 PM
#22
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Thank you everyone. I will study these at length tomorrow (bedtime here) and have a longer reply but it looks like I'm spoiled for choice. All sound wonderful. Can't wait to see how I can rearrange things in my schedule to take in so many of these great suggestions.
Mar 20th, 2017, 02:36 AM
#23
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Up and digesting all of this great information. Thank you all for such great tips. Feeling good about Shepards Market , Regent's Canal (investigating Jason's Boats) and Hampton Court. Have done Temple on a previous trip but now thinking I may need to repeat. Had stricken Kew Gardens but it's now back on the list and Columbia Rd. Flower Market looks terrific.
michael--thanks for pix of Regent's Court--and for all the rest of your pix that that window opened up, especially Hampton Court. Wow. That's a stunner.
jamikins--do you have pix of Blackheath? I know you usually have great collages from your travels. I'd love to book a small, lovely, walkable village. Unfortunately I could only bring up aerial views of Blackheath from youtube which make the whole place look sprawling with way more ground than our old legs could survive. Do you have anything showing the "interior" of the town?
Now, to work all of this into some coherent plan and combine it with everything else I'd already settled on. Thanks to all for so nicely complicating the puzzle. Love having so many ideas and places to chose from.
michael--thanks for pix of Regent's Court--and for all the rest of your pix that that window opened up, especially Hampton Court. Wow. That's a stunner.
jamikins--do you have pix of Blackheath? I know you usually have great collages from your travels. I'd love to book a small, lovely, walkable village. Unfortunately I could only bring up aerial views of Blackheath from youtube which make the whole place look sprawling with way more ground than our old legs could survive. Do you have anything showing the "interior" of the town?
Now, to work all of this into some coherent plan and combine it with everything else I'd already settled on. Thanks to all for so nicely complicating the puzzle. Love having so many ideas and places to chose from.
Mar 20th, 2017, 02:55 AM
#24
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Hampstead would fit the bill - it has in places more of a villagey feel - little independant shops and some of the more upmarket small chains, patesserie, organic beauty etc etc. Also the Heath is lovely for walks, Kenwood House etc.
I also like Regents Park Road and Chalk Farm (next to each other more or less) - again a mix of small shops (my faves Judith Michael and Daughter and Troika russian tearooms have long gone, although you still have Tann Rokka and Marine Ices) and views from Primrose Hill.
Camden Passage is also nice in parts (Paul A Young, various antique clothing places, a little gallery that sells Japanese woodblock prints, the Elk In The Woods for good grub, especially breakfast.
I also like Regents Park Road and Chalk Farm (next to each other more or less) - again a mix of small shops (my faves Judith Michael and Daughter and Troika russian tearooms have long gone, although you still have Tann Rokka and Marine Ices) and views from Primrose Hill.
Camden Passage is also nice in parts (Paul A Young, various antique clothing places, a little gallery that sells Japanese woodblock prints, the Elk In The Woods for good grub, especially breakfast.
Mar 20th, 2017, 03:40 AM
#25
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Hmmm- I dont have any that I can easily access.
Blackheath village town centre is where the train drops you. There are basically 3 roads that form a triangle with the heath at the top. If you google map it, go north from the train station. The road forks and you can go up either Montpelier Row or Tranquil Vale. When you reach the top of the hill on either side they connect on Royal Parade. The streets are lined with cafes, restaurants and (mostly) independent shops. The rest of Blackheath is a nice place to live, but these three streets are the main village. It is only I think 10 - 15 mins on the train from London Bridge but feels like you are in a country village.
Restaurants that we like include:
Buenos Aires - great steak restaurant
http://buenosairescafe.co.uk/
Le Bouchon wine bar - owned by French, great wine, cheese and charcouterie (they also do fabulous wine tasting evenings)
http://www.lebouchonwinebar.co.uk/
Chapters - good brunch and steak
https://www.chaptersblackheath.com/
There is also a brewery on Montpelier Row beside Chapters
http://www.zerodegrees.co.uk/
If pubs are more your thing there are quite a few:
http://www.hareandbillet.com/
https://www.princessofwalespub.co.uk/
http://www.crownblackheath.co.uk/
I would highly recommend reservations at all of the above if you are thinking about going on a weekend.
From the top of Blackheath you can walk across the heath all the way through Greenwich Park and into Greenwich village (all downhill). From there you can take the DLR or the overground train back into central London. This would make a nice day - coffee, shopping and lunch in Blackheath - walk to Greenwich (it takes about an hour) and then late afternoon/dinner in Greenwich.
I hope this helps!
Blackheath village town centre is where the train drops you. There are basically 3 roads that form a triangle with the heath at the top. If you google map it, go north from the train station. The road forks and you can go up either Montpelier Row or Tranquil Vale. When you reach the top of the hill on either side they connect on Royal Parade. The streets are lined with cafes, restaurants and (mostly) independent shops. The rest of Blackheath is a nice place to live, but these three streets are the main village. It is only I think 10 - 15 mins on the train from London Bridge but feels like you are in a country village.
Restaurants that we like include:
Buenos Aires - great steak restaurant
http://buenosairescafe.co.uk/
Le Bouchon wine bar - owned by French, great wine, cheese and charcouterie (they also do fabulous wine tasting evenings)
http://www.lebouchonwinebar.co.uk/
Chapters - good brunch and steak
https://www.chaptersblackheath.com/
There is also a brewery on Montpelier Row beside Chapters
http://www.zerodegrees.co.uk/
If pubs are more your thing there are quite a few:
http://www.hareandbillet.com/
https://www.princessofwalespub.co.uk/
http://www.crownblackheath.co.uk/
I would highly recommend reservations at all of the above if you are thinking about going on a weekend.
From the top of Blackheath you can walk across the heath all the way through Greenwich Park and into Greenwich village (all downhill). From there you can take the DLR or the overground train back into central London. This would make a nice day - coffee, shopping and lunch in Blackheath - walk to Greenwich (it takes about an hour) and then late afternoon/dinner in Greenwich.
I hope this helps!
Mar 20th, 2017, 03:53 AM
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You could try Barnes. It has a village feel about it with a common and a pond.
There are several pleasant pubs and a street with small individual shops.
There's a nice walk along the Thames to Hammersmith Bridge, London's prettiest bridge in my opinion.
You can walk through a woody bit as far as the bridge and return via the more built-up bit where there are pubs to refresh you after your walk
There are several pleasant pubs and a street with small individual shops.
There's a nice walk along the Thames to Hammersmith Bridge, London's prettiest bridge in my opinion.
You can walk through a woody bit as far as the bridge and return via the more built-up bit where there are pubs to refresh you after your walk
Mar 20th, 2017, 04:50 AM
#29
If you make it to Hampstead and are feeling energetic, you could walk across the Heath and visit Highgate cemetery. I once took a tour of the west side (Karl Marx is on the east).
Go here: http://highgatecemetery.org
Go here: http://highgatecemetery.org
Mar 20th, 2017, 05:21 AM
#31
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Here is the Canal Walk...it's actually longer, but this is the part we did in 2008 (may be a little out of date but still useful). Sorry, can't remember where I downloaded it, or I would give credit.
Little Venice To Camden Circular Walk
Circular route from: Warwick Avenue tube station The Regent's Canal was built in the early 19th C. to link the Thames at Limehouse to the Grand Union Canal at Paddington. One of the directors of the canal company was architect John Nash, famously commissioned by the Prince Regent (later George IV) to design Regent's park and the surrounding curved terraces. Nash's association with the Prince facilitated the Royal approval needed in naming the canal in his honour.
The Regent's Canal was opened in 1820 at a total cost of £772,000, twice the original budget. After major engineering difficulties and accusations of financial embezzlement, the Canal successfully carried 120,000 tons of cargo through London in its first year. It was deemed a success.
The Regent's Canal is 8.5 miles long and flows from Little Venice through Camden, past Islington, Hackney and Tower Hamlets before it enters the Thames at Limehouse Basin in the East End.
1. Pool of Little Venice. Take the left exit out of Warwick Avenue tube and, after climbing the stairs, walk straight ahead and take the first road on the right, Warwick Place. At the end of the road turn left and walk over Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge. On the right hand side of the bridge is the Old Toll House which dates from 1812. On the left is the Pool of Little Venice, so named by the poet Robert Browning who lived overlooking the canal.
2. Edgeware Rd. On the bridge turn left towards the slope. Here you find a footbridge back over the canal. Cross it onto the towpath opposite the Waterside Cafe and sign-posted to Camden and Regent's Park. Following the towpath under Warwick Av Bridge you reach the residential moorings of Blomfield Rd, one of the most prestigious mooring sites in London. Turn off the towpath onto Blomfield Rd for 100m. At the end of Blomfield Rd the canal disappears into the Maida Hill Tunnel and underneath the captivating Cafe Laville. Cross over Edgeware Rd into Aberdeen Place.
3. Lisson Grove. Continue until you reach the Crocker's Folly public house on your left. Once a large hostelry, The Crockers was built in anticipation of a new railway terminal which was eventually built further South at Marylebone. Continue straight ahead and along the pathway signposted Regent's Canal. Walk down the steep flight of steps and back onto the canal towpath.You have now reached Lisson Grove.
4. Regent's Park. Originally Nash intended to have the canal run through the middle of the park. He was persuaded that the bad language of the Navvies would offend the refined residents of the area. He planned to build 56 villas in the park — however only eight were completed. The beautiful white villas on the right were built to Nash's original designs during the late 1980s and early 1990s and drew inspiration from the architecture of ancient Greece, Rome and the Renaissance.
5. London Zoo. Continuing along the towpath you will pass under two bridges. The first is an aqueduct carrying the forgotten River Tyburn over the canal. The second is the notorious Maclesfield Bridge or "Blow up Bridge". Here, in 1874, a barge carrying gunpowder exploded and destroyed the bridge. Evidence of the explosion can be found on a nearby plane tree which survived the blast. Passing underneath the bridge the famous Snowdon aviary of London Zoo will come into view. Opened in 1965, the aviary was pioneering in engineering terms.
6. Camden Lock. Ahead you see the Feng Shang Chinese floating restaurant moored in Cumberland Basin. This arm of the canal used to stretch towards Euston station but was largely filled in with bomb rubble after the War. At this point the canal turns sharply to the left towards Camden. From Cumberland Basin, Camden Lock is approximately five or ten min. walk along the towpath should you wish to make a detour. Camden is best known for its alternative and vibrant market scene, which centres on a cobbled courtyard just off the canal. Camden Lock Market is particularly lively at weekends and is a great place to break from the walk for shopping and refreshments with its unique stalls, amazing smells and incredible atmosphere.
Little Venice To Camden Circular Walk
Circular route from: Warwick Avenue tube station The Regent's Canal was built in the early 19th C. to link the Thames at Limehouse to the Grand Union Canal at Paddington. One of the directors of the canal company was architect John Nash, famously commissioned by the Prince Regent (later George IV) to design Regent's park and the surrounding curved terraces. Nash's association with the Prince facilitated the Royal approval needed in naming the canal in his honour.
The Regent's Canal was opened in 1820 at a total cost of £772,000, twice the original budget. After major engineering difficulties and accusations of financial embezzlement, the Canal successfully carried 120,000 tons of cargo through London in its first year. It was deemed a success.
The Regent's Canal is 8.5 miles long and flows from Little Venice through Camden, past Islington, Hackney and Tower Hamlets before it enters the Thames at Limehouse Basin in the East End.
1. Pool of Little Venice. Take the left exit out of Warwick Avenue tube and, after climbing the stairs, walk straight ahead and take the first road on the right, Warwick Place. At the end of the road turn left and walk over Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge. On the right hand side of the bridge is the Old Toll House which dates from 1812. On the left is the Pool of Little Venice, so named by the poet Robert Browning who lived overlooking the canal.
2. Edgeware Rd. On the bridge turn left towards the slope. Here you find a footbridge back over the canal. Cross it onto the towpath opposite the Waterside Cafe and sign-posted to Camden and Regent's Park. Following the towpath under Warwick Av Bridge you reach the residential moorings of Blomfield Rd, one of the most prestigious mooring sites in London. Turn off the towpath onto Blomfield Rd for 100m. At the end of Blomfield Rd the canal disappears into the Maida Hill Tunnel and underneath the captivating Cafe Laville. Cross over Edgeware Rd into Aberdeen Place.
3. Lisson Grove. Continue until you reach the Crocker's Folly public house on your left. Once a large hostelry, The Crockers was built in anticipation of a new railway terminal which was eventually built further South at Marylebone. Continue straight ahead and along the pathway signposted Regent's Canal. Walk down the steep flight of steps and back onto the canal towpath.You have now reached Lisson Grove.
4. Regent's Park. Originally Nash intended to have the canal run through the middle of the park. He was persuaded that the bad language of the Navvies would offend the refined residents of the area. He planned to build 56 villas in the park — however only eight were completed. The beautiful white villas on the right were built to Nash's original designs during the late 1980s and early 1990s and drew inspiration from the architecture of ancient Greece, Rome and the Renaissance.
5. London Zoo. Continuing along the towpath you will pass under two bridges. The first is an aqueduct carrying the forgotten River Tyburn over the canal. The second is the notorious Maclesfield Bridge or "Blow up Bridge". Here, in 1874, a barge carrying gunpowder exploded and destroyed the bridge. Evidence of the explosion can be found on a nearby plane tree which survived the blast. Passing underneath the bridge the famous Snowdon aviary of London Zoo will come into view. Opened in 1965, the aviary was pioneering in engineering terms.
6. Camden Lock. Ahead you see the Feng Shang Chinese floating restaurant moored in Cumberland Basin. This arm of the canal used to stretch towards Euston station but was largely filled in with bomb rubble after the War. At this point the canal turns sharply to the left towards Camden. From Cumberland Basin, Camden Lock is approximately five or ten min. walk along the towpath should you wish to make a detour. Camden is best known for its alternative and vibrant market scene, which centres on a cobbled courtyard just off the canal. Camden Lock Market is particularly lively at weekends and is a great place to break from the walk for shopping and refreshments with its unique stalls, amazing smells and incredible atmosphere.
Mar 20th, 2017, 10:16 AM
#34
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Thanks again, all ! This is really starting to solidify.
Regents Canal, Little Venice and surrounds is definitely on the itinerary. Ssanders thanks for such complete info on it. Hampstead is now also definitely on the itinerary. I can use every bit of info provided and I will. Jamikins thanks for so much info on Blackheath. I'm hoping I can fit it in somewhere since it sounds quick to get to and like a real gem.
Abby, glad you can make use of the info as well. It's a real treasure trove. We will be there May 3 to 10. If you will be there during any of that time, we'd love to meet up in a pub somewhere and hoist a pint or two with you. If I recall correctly both our husbands have state college/university experience in WI and MN. Hope we can connect.
Regents Canal, Little Venice and surrounds is definitely on the itinerary. Ssanders thanks for such complete info on it. Hampstead is now also definitely on the itinerary. I can use every bit of info provided and I will. Jamikins thanks for so much info on Blackheath. I'm hoping I can fit it in somewhere since it sounds quick to get to and like a real gem.
Abby, glad you can make use of the info as well. It's a real treasure trove. We will be there May 3 to 10. If you will be there during any of that time, we'd love to meet up in a pub somewhere and hoist a pint or two with you. If I recall correctly both our husbands have state college/university experience in WI and MN. Hope we can connect.
Mar 20th, 2017, 11:26 AM
#35
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Thanks again, all ! This is really starting to solidify.
Regents Canal, Little Venice and surrounds is definitely on the itinerary. Ssanders thanks for such complete info on it. Hampstead is now also definitely on the itinerary. I can use every bit of info provided and I will. Jamikins thanks for so much info on Blackheath. I'm hoping I can fit it in somewhere since it sounds quick to get to and like a real gem.
Abby, glad you can make use of the info as well. It's a real treasure trove. We will be there May 3 to 10. If you will be there during any of that time, we'd love to meet up in a pub somewhere and hoist a pint or two with you. If I recall correctly both our husbands have state college/university experience in WI and MN. Hope we can connect.
Regents Canal, Little Venice and surrounds is definitely on the itinerary. Ssanders thanks for such complete info on it. Hampstead is now also definitely on the itinerary. I can use every bit of info provided and I will. Jamikins thanks for so much info on Blackheath. I'm hoping I can fit it in somewhere since it sounds quick to get to and like a real gem.
Abby, glad you can make use of the info as well. It's a real treasure trove. We will be there May 3 to 10. If you will be there during any of that time, we'd love to meet up in a pub somewhere and hoist a pint or two with you. If I recall correctly both our husbands have state college/university experience in WI and MN. Hope we can connect.
Mar 20th, 2017, 12:05 PM
#36
Last time I was in Hampstead I visited Fenton House and 2 Willow Road, both NT properties, and both of which I enjoyed. There's also Freud's House and Keat's House, although I haven't visited either. Definitely make time for Kenwood House - artists include Rembrandt and Vermeer. It has a cafe, too.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fen...use-and-garden
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/2-willow-road
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/v...laces/kenwood/
Of course, if you want beer instead of tea/coffee, there's the historic Spaniards Inn, although I'm not sure how easy it is to get to by public transport.
http://www.thespaniardshampstead.co.uk/
(Traveline says you should take bus 268 from Hampstead station.)
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fen...use-and-garden
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/2-willow-road
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/v...laces/kenwood/
Of course, if you want beer instead of tea/coffee, there's the historic Spaniards Inn, although I'm not sure how easy it is to get to by public transport.
http://www.thespaniardshampstead.co.uk/
(Traveline says you should take bus 268 from Hampstead station.)
Mar 20th, 2017, 02:11 PM
#39
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