England – March 2016
Having spent 6 months working in London, exploring the city at every chance I got, I could fill pages with recommendations on things to do there. But let’s start with a few favourites of mine.
Morning: Portobello Road Market
The market is – as the name suggests – located on Portobello Road in Notting Hill. The upper-class neighbourhood is home to pretty streets lined with townhouses and blooming trees. Monday to Thursday it is a regular food market, on Friday additionally you’ll find many stalls selling antiquities and on Saturday – the main market day – an abundance of different products. I highly recommend skipping the hotel breakfast and instead buy Crêpes or doughnuts at a street stall or check out the Hummingbird Bakery for delicious Cupcakes.
From Notting Hill, you take a red double-decker bus #27 or #31 to Camden.
Lunch: Camden Lock Market
Camden has to be my favourite borrow. To me, this is authentic London. A melting pot of people and cultures, pubs, street fashion, piercing & tattoo shops, and futuristic art. And of course, there is the awesome street food market. I recommend taking a stroll around the different areas and try bits and pieces whenever the stall owners offer it to you. My personal favourites are Piadina, Falafel, Fish & Chips and Mac&Cheese. You can sit down at the tables set up throughout the market area, or sit down at the river close to the locks.
After lunch, walk south along Camden High Street and take the tube to Oxford Circus.
Afternoon: Stroll through Soho, Covent Garden, The Strand
Once you arrive at Oxford Circus, walk south past Liberty London to Carnaby Street. Now you are in Soho. This is the hip area with the latest fashion stores, lots of bars, tattoo shops and alternative restaurants. Continue to walk east until you reach Chinatown and Leicester Square. From here you just have to cross the street and you are in Covent Garden – prepare yourself for window shopping unless you can afford all of the designer goods you’ll want to buy. Stop here for a well-deserved ice cream break.
All fueled up? Great, now head south towards the Thames until you reach the main street “The Strand”. Follow the street east to St. Pauls Cathedral. The church is very pretty from the outside, but even more stunning inside. Head up to the whisper dome and out on the viewing platform if you are brave enough.
Sunset: Skygarden
Instead of paying high sums for an elevator ride up the Shard, enjoy the London skyline at sunset for free at Skygarden. The only thing you need to do is registering in advance. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere or even drink and something to eat if you fancy.
Night out: Pubs, bars, clubs
After a day of eating and walking, you might want to take it a little slower and relax at your hotel. Or you feel like enjoying some culture and go watch a musical. If you are still up for an unforgettable night out tho, head to Shoreditch. Only a 15-minute bus ride north from Skygarden, you find any night owl’s paradise. The area is famous for the countless bars and clubs. One of my favourites is a Circus themed pub with a stage where they hold live performances. I once joined a pub crawl there which was lots of fun too!
By no means is this the only nightlife area in London. You can visit any pub in the city centre and I guarantee you, you will have a great time and possibly meet some locals who are willing to show you the best clubs in the area.
thattravelstory 
One thought on “A day in London”