Charming areas to explore in London
Mar 25th, 2017, 06:03 AM
#62
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,813
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We may be in London in late Sept (jamikins, I'll let you know!) and I'm bookmarking this thread for sure.
I can't remember if anyone's mentioned it in the wealth of information above but another very charming street to walk is Marlybone High Street. Lots of cafes and restaurants and nice shops as well as the beautiful Daunt's Bookstore. It runs from Euston Road (near the south end of Regents Park) down to Oxford Street. I believe it changes names around St. Christopher Square down there but it's pretty much a straight street.
If you haven't already taken them, you should look up London Walks.
www.walks.com
They're small group (about 8 or so) guided walks in various neighbourhoods and they're very inexpensive. I did many of them when we were in London on an extended stay some years ago and I loved them all with the exception of the Kensington walk but I think that was just the guide I didn't care for. The ones I liked best were the Mayfair walk, Marylebone, Hampstead and Jewish London. At the very least, you get to some interesting neighbourhoods and learn a few things that will make you say, "Really? I didn't know that!"
Oh, and my favourite market it Spitalfields. If you're going to be there at lunch time, forget about the restaurants in the market and go to the long line-up of food trucks and tents on the outside.
Here's a great 'map' of the markets. It shows you what's open which days and what kind of market it is:
http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/markets.htm
I can't remember if anyone's mentioned it in the wealth of information above but another very charming street to walk is Marlybone High Street. Lots of cafes and restaurants and nice shops as well as the beautiful Daunt's Bookstore. It runs from Euston Road (near the south end of Regents Park) down to Oxford Street. I believe it changes names around St. Christopher Square down there but it's pretty much a straight street.
If you haven't already taken them, you should look up London Walks.
www.walks.com
They're small group (about 8 or so) guided walks in various neighbourhoods and they're very inexpensive. I did many of them when we were in London on an extended stay some years ago and I loved them all with the exception of the Kensington walk but I think that was just the guide I didn't care for. The ones I liked best were the Mayfair walk, Marylebone, Hampstead and Jewish London. At the very least, you get to some interesting neighbourhoods and learn a few things that will make you say, "Really? I didn't know that!"
Oh, and my favourite market it Spitalfields. If you're going to be there at lunch time, forget about the restaurants in the market and go to the long line-up of food trucks and tents on the outside.
Here's a great 'map' of the markets. It shows you what's open which days and what kind of market it is:
http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/markets.htm
Mar 25th, 2017, 06:19 AM
#63
People interested in Spitalfields might want to take a look at this blog:
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2017/03/
And of course, while godesstogo's London TR is now seven years old, still well worth reading.
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2017/03/
And of course, while godesstogo's London TR is now seven years old, still well worth reading.
Mar 25th, 2017, 10:03 AM
#65
You're welcome, gtg!
BTW, was it your TR where I found this outfit?
http://www.open-city.org.uk/activiti...turetours.html
I did their King's Cross Renaissance tour last year - very interesting.
BTW, was it your TR where I found this outfit?
http://www.open-city.org.uk/activiti...turetours.html
I did their King's Cross Renaissance tour last year - very interesting.
Mar 26th, 2017, 01:38 AM
#67
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another charming area to visit is Chelsea. King's Road, Chelsea Physic garden and Royal Hospital; start at Sloane Square, perhaps take in the Saatchi Gallery, continue on towards Royal Hospital Gardens, Physic Gardens, Cheney Walk and back up Oakley Street to get back to Kings Road. Chelsea Farmers Market on Sydney Street (which is not a Farmers Market), and through St Lukes Gardens to Cale Street/Chelsea Green/Elystan Street, where you'll end up at the Conran Shop. Would be a lovely walk on a sunny day, through some nice residential streets and gardens. Stop for lunch at the Ivy Chelsea Gardens - in the garden when it's sunny.
If you're looking for quiet charm in the city, that would fit the bill.
If you're looking for quiet charm in the city, that would fit the bill.
Mar 26th, 2017, 02:21 AM
#68
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And another big thanks to all of you for even more suggestions. This really took off. So glad it will furnish ideas to so many of you and not just me. In fact I was traveling in Disney World with grand children for 3 days and not even watching the thread while even more great suggestions piled up.
Tulips, thanks for suggesting not just a spot, but a whole neighborhood to explore along with a walk through it all. Sounds like bags of charm.
Nice to get so many suggestions for pubs to stop at along with several of the suggested areas. DH will be all over that. Now off to read goddesstogo's trip report and check out spittalfieldslife site.
Tulips, thanks for suggesting not just a spot, but a whole neighborhood to explore along with a walk through it all. Sounds like bags of charm.
Nice to get so many suggestions for pubs to stop at along with several of the suggested areas. DH will be all over that. Now off to read goddesstogo's trip report and check out spittalfieldslife site.
Mar 26th, 2017, 04:05 AM
#69
If you like walks and want to go on your own, pick up a copy of Andrew Duncan's "Walking London". I did a couple of his walks way back when - I think one was Chelsea - and see that there is an updated edition.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/walk...=9781504800181
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/walk...=9781504800181
Mar 26th, 2017, 06:55 AM
#72
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Julie:
I second Blackheath/Greenwich. Here us my 'trip report' from yesterday's walk - with photos.
regards Ger
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...march-2017.cfm
I second Blackheath/Greenwich. Here us my 'trip report' from yesterday's walk - with photos.
regards Ger
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...march-2017.cfm
Mar 26th, 2017, 08:27 AM
#73
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agree about the "Walking London" book. I have done many of those walks and loved them all. Also, many of the London Walks, which were very worthwhile.
I stayed in Bloomsbury near the British Museum on most of my London trips. So convenient for so many things! London is fantastic and you can't really go wrong with anything you decide to do, or explore. Have a great trip.
I stayed in Bloomsbury near the British Museum on most of my London trips. So convenient for so many things! London is fantastic and you can't really go wrong with anything you decide to do, or explore. Have a great trip.
Mar 28th, 2017, 01:57 AM
#75
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To any of you who have followed this thread, If you haven't clicked on the link Ger (OReilly) provided for her trip report on her walk through Greenwich and Blackheath, I highly recommend it. It's as well done as any walk you will find in a guidebook, richly illustrated with pictures of her own and from other websites and accompanied by links to many useful sites with invaluable information.
Mar 29th, 2017, 07:26 PM
#76
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,386
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AGM cape cod - we did the Chelsea flower show 2 years ago and there was so much walking and very few places to rest we couldn't have walked another step on that day . Might have to do walk another day - could combine with s visit to Physic gardens
Mar 30th, 2017, 03:57 AM
#77
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mar 30th, 2017, 07:26 AM
#79
AGM - i would definitely have a lazy morning if you are going to the Chelsea Flower show in the afternoon. also have an idea of what you want to see - it's vast [or it was when we last went 20+ years ago and i don't suppose that it's shrunk in the intervening years!] so you won't see it all and having a plan and a route can only help. And dress for comfort - with the most comfortable shoes you've got.
Mar 30th, 2017, 02:30 PM
#80
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,386
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Did enjoy the flower show particularly enjoyed the tv shows on in Uk before it . If you get a chance watch them - if still on. We knew lots of what we wanted to see beforehand. We were with a London friend who also knew different gardens.
I must admit though for me it was a once in a lifetime joy and I wouldn't go again. When you find a place to sit do cause they are few and far between.
I must admit though for me it was a once in a lifetime joy and I wouldn't go again. When you find a place to sit do cause they are few and far between.
