So it has officially been a week and three days since my departure from London, England.
Following that, I had a quick stop in Massachusetts for my friend's graduation at Mount Holyoke (Hey Guys!), then a 5 hour flight from JFK to wonderful Los Angeles. Upon my arrival back to the City of Angels, I was swept away from the traffic and craziness of LAX to the delicious and calming atmosphere of California's most priceless gem: In-in-Out Burger.
Over the course of the week that I had to adjust to West Coast time, and preventing myself from saying, "pounds" instead of "dollars" whenever I would ask someone how much a dress was at H&M, I reflected back on my time in good old London and reminisced over the handful of small but meaningful places that made my trip abroad memorable.
Now that I had survived London's nightlife, its arts and leisures, sights and museums, I can safely say that there are a few places within the city that are worth visiting for anyone. Especially my friends who are JUST gearing up to go abroad to London themselves.
Whether you are looking for that special place to experience a real British Afternoon Tea, an English pub that serves the best drinks in town or just some plane old good restaurants or landmarks to check out, London is stock full of gems that are definitely worth seeing.
Below are some of my favorite London treasures off the beaten-track, just to name a few for your own interest:
Following that, I had a quick stop in Massachusetts for my friend's graduation at Mount Holyoke (Hey Guys!), then a 5 hour flight from JFK to wonderful Los Angeles. Upon my arrival back to the City of Angels, I was swept away from the traffic and craziness of LAX to the delicious and calming atmosphere of California's most priceless gem: In-in-Out Burger.
Over the course of the week that I had to adjust to West Coast time, and preventing myself from saying, "pounds" instead of "dollars" whenever I would ask someone how much a dress was at H&M, I reflected back on my time in good old London and reminisced over the handful of small but meaningful places that made my trip abroad memorable.
Now that I had survived London's nightlife, its arts and leisures, sights and museums, I can safely say that there are a few places within the city that are worth visiting for anyone. Especially my friends who are JUST gearing up to go abroad to London themselves.
Whether you are looking for that special place to experience a real British Afternoon Tea, an English pub that serves the best drinks in town or just some plane old good restaurants or landmarks to check out, London is stock full of gems that are definitely worth seeing.
Below are some of my favorite London treasures off the beaten-track, just to name a few for your own interest:
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When sitting on top of the summit of Primrose Hill, you have the opportunity to witness a clear panorama view of the city of London. Located on the Northern side of Regent's Park, the hill is perfect for picnics on a warm and sunny day. Its location is great just to take a stroll through or even for workouts with its steep slopes. The rewards that each visitor witnesses when they climb to the top of Primrose Hill are the well-known London landmarks such as The Shard, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Telecom Tower, and many more fantastic sights. It's one of London's finest treasures, especially when the weather is on your side.
Calling all tea lovers who are coming to London to experience their first taste of authentic English tea, Twinings is the one place that you cannot miss. Located on The Strand, the Twinings name is renowned for their world-class teas. Inside, shelves upon shelves of every Twinings brand tea is packaged and sealed. Furthermore, in the back of the shop is a tea bar where you can sample any of the Twinings's tea that you desire. Alongside the bar is a small museum that catalogs the history of the Twinings family and their success. Though the shop is small, their selection of teas is extensive. Take a moment to relish in the fresh, aromatic smell of every type of tea in the shop. You might just want to bring it back home with you.
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The notorious and celebrated graffiti artist, Banksy has numerous artworks hidden all over London. One of his most famous pieces is the "Falling Shopper" which can be found on an abandoned building in upmarket Mayfair. The graffiti shows a woman and her shopping chart plummeting from a great height. Painted a couple of floors up with an elegant drop shadow, this piece has survived much better than Banksy's other artwork in the city. From outlaw graffiti rebel to respected artist of the fine arts, Banksy's "Falling Shopper" is a type of artwork that you cannot find anywhere else inside a museum. It needs to be appreciated outside in the open air.
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Although the best pubs in London are usually the ones that date back to the 17th century, The Understudy (circa 2014) is the type of pub you would go to with a relaxed atmosphere. As part of the National Theatre's renovations, you can grab a quick pint of beer at The Understudy before heading over to enjoy a performance at the theatre next door. Or, if you're just there to chill on one of the many sofas or armchairs inside the pub, you can take your pint and grab a seat on the river terrace. The prices aren't outrageous – two pints for £9.50, what a bargain! – and the staff are more than happy to indulge their customers with tasters on their tap. It's the perfect stop to refuel after a long riverside walk up and down the Thames. Plus, you'll be able to watch the sun go down over a leisurely glass of whiskey, cider, beer, or maybe all three together.
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London may have a lot of street-side crêpe stands, but one of the best ones in the city is on Portobello Road in Notting Hill. This sweet treat alone conjures up long lines around the corner of the world famous street market. Portobello Road not only hosts very popular antique shops and stall, but also shares the street with a vast array of stands selling freshly made food, each with its own atmosphere, selection of drinks and live music. So if you're looking for a quick bite – for a crêpe that is – Portobello Crêpes will offer you a selection of Nutella with bananas, strawberries or even both with a small additional price. Their mouthwatering crêpes will be worth every penny.
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Tower Bridge is one of London's most well known landmarks in the city and is home to a very extensive Exhibition right at the top. Visitors are invited to step inside London's famous bridge to observe the spectacular London view, the Victorian Engine Rooms, and the Exhibition's newest popular attraction, the glass floor that looks directly down over the bridge. This see-through walkway was unveiled on November 10th, 2014, revealing the world of the Thames, and the road and pedestrian life just 138 feet below. You can finally have the city of London literary beneath your feet.
For any fans of Dickens who took the time to read A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens refers to this very pub in his novel. Pillars of Hercules was established in 1733 and then renovated in 1910. It has been a favorite pub among many literary London figures. Dickens himself spent some time at this pub as well as Ian McEwan (Atonement) probably either to write or just to enjoy a nice pint as they people watched from outside the pub's timber framed windows. A visit today at Pillars of Hercules will grant you a laid-back mostly quiet pub. But if you ever find yourself debating on what to get at Pillars of Hercules, go try Old Mout Cider, a New Zealand sweet cider that is every bit tasty.
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For any fans of Dickens who took the time to read A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens refers to this very pub in his novel. Pillars of Hercules was established in 1733 and then renovated in 1910. It has been a favorite pub among many literary London figures. Dickens himself spent some time at this pub as well as Ian McEwan (Atonement) probably either to write or just to enjoy a nice pint as they people watched from outside the pub's timber framed windows. A visit today at Pillars of Hercules will grant you a laid-back mostly quiet pub. But if you ever find yourself debating on what to get at Pillars of Hercules, go try Old Mout Cider, a New Zealand sweet cider that is every bit tasty.
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The V&A without a doubt one of the best places to visit in London. But if you're still looking for a nice place to have Afternoon Tea – and you're kinda on a budget – the V&A Café offers a wide selection of all kinds of food. Set in 3 beautiful rooms, the V&A Café has high stained glass windows, gorgeous paneled walls and chandeliers, making you feel like you've been transported back to the Victorian era. You can either buy yourself a meal at the V&A, or you can pick and choose what you would like for your Afternoon Tea. A full pot of tea to yourself is £5 and from there you can select pastries such as millionaires shortbread (£2.75) or scones with jam and butter (£3.15). All together is roughly an easy but delicious £10 Afternoon Tea in one of the first cafés in any museum in the world.
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The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It provides over 150 million titles in most known languages for research and exhibition. It's the perfect literary haven for every bookworm out there in the world. It's stock full of rare collections, serene reading rooms and exhibits. But what the British Library is famous for, is its six-story glass library of all the manuscripts, maps and literature that used to belong to King George III. If that's not enough to get a book-lover hooked, a stunning free exhibition showcases all of the original written works of numerous famous British writers. You can see with your own eyes rough draft lyrics written by The Beatles, Jane Austen's lap desk, first editions of Shakespeare's plays and annotated notes from Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales and Jane Eyre. Even the Magna Carta is there!
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One of London's best kept secrets, the Southbank Centre Book Market is tucked underneath Waterloo Bridge on Queen's Walk. It's one of the only outdoor second-hand book markets in southern England and is open daily. Rain or shine, the Book Market holds a wide selection of novels to choose from. You can find hard or paperback versions of the classics, contemporary titles maps and posters. It's seriously one of the places in London where you will find yourself browsing every book spine for hours. It's an enjoyable stop full of cool finds.
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If you never thought that a restaurant would mix gourmet hotdogs together with sparkling champagne, Bubbledogs will pleasantly – if not, deliciously – surprise you. You get to pick your own dog (pork, beef or veggie) and then select from a dozen styles from plain "naked" to the more adventures toppings such as mac 'n' cheese, sloppy Joe's, or fried egg with tomato relish and black pudding. While the hotdogs on their menu might sound like an abominable Frankenstein creation, it is sinfully delicious. If that's not enough to satisfy you, Bubbledogs' champagne selection are the perfect foil for the greasy but delightful meal. But get there early, because a line starts forming at the front door before it even opens.
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Although the building is small, Yumchaa is the perfect place to sit down, enjoy a cup of tea and get together with friends. But what makes Yumchaa so unique compared to other tea stops is that they create their own tea flavors for their customers to enjoy. As their website states: "Yum + Chaa = Tasty Tea." By using their recipe for loose leaf teas, Yumchaa blends new excellent teas that are both creative and experimental. So if you only enjoy a standard Earl Grey or Green Tea, Yumchaa has you covered. But if you feel like being daring, you can try one of the many indulgent tea leaf mixes such as Carmel Sweetheart (a black tea that contains caramel chunks and white chocolate that melts in your cup), or Wild Rose (a white tea that mixes together rose petals and mint to create a smooth sipping tea). While the tea is the main attraction at Yumchaa, you can also enjoy their pastries, sandwiches and salads along with your drink. In addition, if you happen to love one of Yumchaa's tea blends you can purchase a bag of their tea leaves for you to take back home and brew yourself.
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A good mojito can sometimes be hard to find around London. But if you're looking for an excellent cocktail with a Latin-American vibe, Cubana is the place to be. You'll know you've found Cubana by its gigantic mural, which dominates the entrance to Lower Marsh, and once you've found it you'll be swept away into Mojito-madness. As their website claims: they are the "Home of mojitos" and have introduced the drink to the UK in the 1990's. Inside, Cubana's bar resembles a pre-revolutionary Havana, offering the best fresh cocktails and smoothies alongside their Cuban and Latin-American dishes. They are open seven days a week with live Salsa music most days, and from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. cocktails are 2 for 1. You'll definitely come back for more.
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Protected by The National Trust, the George Inn is the last remaining galleried inn in London. Established in the medieval period, the George Inn is one of the oldest and most historic pubs in London. Writers such as Shakespeare and Charles Dickens used to visit. In 1677, the George Inn was rebuilt after a fire destroyed most of the medieval architecture in Southwark. Mentioned briefly in Dickens's novel, Little Dorrit, the George Inn is divided into a number of connected bars: The Parliament Bar, the Middle Bar and the Coffee Room, which Dickens visited frequently. Today, the George Inn holds a great selection of ales and food, all of which you may either enjoy inside or outside in the cobbled courtyard.
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The Royal Botanical Gardens is not only the home to Kew Palace and Kew Gardens, but also the breathtaking landscapes. Founded in 1840, Kew Gardens in the world's largest collection of living plants and stretches over 300 acres. You will need a full day to explore this grand garden, as well as a sunny day. Wonderful for picnics or for lounging on the grass, the gardens instantly capture your attention with its immense beauty. And if that's not enough, you can go inside and visit the historic Kew Palace. Once used as a family retreat for the Hanoverians, Kew Palace is a large manor house made out of bricks with a spellbinding garden. Also, keep an eye out for any peacocks roaming about.
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Just a few steps from the Houses of Parliament, The Cellarium is the type of restaurant that has been touched by history. Set within the 14th century store house of Westminster Abbey, The Cellarium has a wonderful Afternoon Tea service underneath the abbey's graceful steeped arches. The wait for a table can sometimes be long, especially with the flow of visitors coming in after their tour of the abbey. But it's worth the wait. Serving finger sandwiches, savory scones, finger-licking pastries and a pot of loose leaf tea of your choice, you will feel satisfied and relaxed after your long trek around London. Or, if you're looking to celebrate, there is also an option to have your Afternoon Tea with a glass of Prosecco or a glass of champagne.
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Make sure you're not afraid of heights before you take on the climb up on the O2 Arena. This attraction gives visitors a chance to go on a guided expedition across the roof of the arena via a fabric walkway. Right up at the summit is an observation platform that displays a 360 degree view of London's landmarks. Before embarking on the climb, jumpsuits, shoes and safety harnesses will be provided for visitors. In addition, there are different climbs at different times that you can select on going. Trek up the O2 during the Sunset Expedition and witness the backdrop of London under the auburn sky, or even the Twilight Expedition where the city of London will light up before your very eyes. Bring on the adrenaline rush.
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One of the best tea rooms in the United Kingdom, Bea's of Bloomsbury provide their customers the essence of what Afternoon Tea should be. Set in a casual café setting with an open-air pastry kitchen, Bea's is a mini-chain of cafés near St. Paul's Cathedral and in Farringdon. The original Bea's – and the best of the Bea's chain – is in Bloomsbury. Compared with the other two locations, the Bea's on Bloomsbury is small and quaint with a very friendly staff. Known best for their famous service of Afternoon Tea, Bea's offers crumbly scones, full on sandwiches and of course, Bea's world famous moist cupcakes. All made impeccably and tasting divine. And once your done licking your plate, you might also want to consider taking home one, two, maybe six of those glorious cupcakes.
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If you're tired of the standard scones, finger sandwiches and English pastries that you have with every Afternoon Tea, Daawat will pleasantly surprise you. This restaurant not only serves one of the best Indian foods in London, but their Afternoon Tea is tailored to their cuisine. They serve Indian Afternoon Tea, which consists of small finger foods such as Bombay chicken, seasonal vegetable rolls, lamb wraps and punjab pasties. For dessert try the Chocolate Samosa with mango purée or the Chocolate Éclair. But of course, no Afternoon Tea would be complete without a scone or two. This will definitely be one of the best Afternoon Teas you will ever have.
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Look familiar? If not, then this might help a bit:
Now starting to look familiar?
Yes, that is indeed the one and only Speedy's Sandwich Bar & Café that appears on the BBC hit show, Sherlock.
And yes, this place is very much real.
Having been featured in all 3 seasons of Sherlock, this small but charming café on North Gower Street – not Baker Street! – has now become a pilgrimage for all fans of Sherlock. The staff inside is beyond nice and are very courteous to their customers. You can order the one and only Sherlock & Watson wraps or select among their delicious pastas or omelettes. Keep an eye out for the distinctive red canopy and grab a seat right outside Speedy's where you can have lunch next to Sherlock and Watson's home.
Yes, that is indeed the one and only Speedy's Sandwich Bar & Café that appears on the BBC hit show, Sherlock.
And yes, this place is very much real.
Having been featured in all 3 seasons of Sherlock, this small but charming café on North Gower Street – not Baker Street! – has now become a pilgrimage for all fans of Sherlock. The staff inside is beyond nice and are very courteous to their customers. You can order the one and only Sherlock & Watson wraps or select among their delicious pastas or omelettes. Keep an eye out for the distinctive red canopy and grab a seat right outside Speedy's where you can have lunch next to Sherlock and Watson's home.
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Despite its massive size, London is a city where straying from the tourist's path my be a little difficult. London is chalk-full of tourists attractions, and I mean good ones. There are just some places around London that you HAVE to see for yourself before you head home to the states. But despite your friends always telling you, "Go to the Shard" or "St. Paul's Cathedral," that is all well and good, but you might be missing out on all of the hidden treasures scattered around London. Those small little gems might just be as equally amazing as going up on the London Eye. So uncover the city's hidden spots; and because you are in the middle of London, you're bound to stumble across something spectacular.
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