With an incredibly rich history and a fusion of cultures from around the world, London has so much to offer. There is always something to discover and find. So, we’ve made it easy for you too, with an area guide to Stay and Escape’s favourite London locations.
Wandsworth
The first of Stay and Escape‘s favourite London locations is Wandsworth – one of its most undiscovered, affordable and safest boroughs. The parks here are nothing short of spectacular. Clapham Common and Wandsworth Common are great for picnics and ball games, but hugging the river is the picturesque Wandsworth Park and Battersea Park. The latter is one of the best in London, with ponds, trees and beautiful monuments. Wandsworth is home to London’s first purpose-built mosque, which opened in October 1926, and London’s oldest brewery, Young’s. Catch a show at Battersea Arts Centre, housed inside the original, Grade II listed town hall and visit Wandsworth Museum to uncover its past. When it comes to shopping, Wandsworth Village is the place for independent shops and the Southside Shopping Centre, is one of the largest indoor shopping centres in the capital, complete with high street stores, chain restaurants and a cinema. So what’s stopping you – go shop till you drop!
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Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is one of the prettiest places to stroll around with Chalcot Square and Chalcot Crescent being some of London’s most colourful streets. From the hill itself, The London Eye, The Shard and The BT Tower can all be spotted. If you find yourself here on a Saturday then the vibrant weekly farmers market is a wonderful pitstop. As well as organic fruit and vegetables you can indulge in some beer, wine and coffee – depending on your vice. If you really want to get the steps up then follow the canal here from Camden Town, where you will stumble across the floating Chinese pagoda restaurant and London Zoo. Just watch out – you don’t want to become someone’s lunch.
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Notting Hill
Alright, we can’t guarantee you’ll bump into a floppy-haired Hugh Grant, but we can guarantee picture-perfect houses and cute side streets. Notting Hill’s main appeal has to be the markets selling vintage clothing, antiques and food. Visit on a Friday if you can, when Portobello and Golborne Market will be in full swing. Acklam Village is worth visiting with live music throughout the day and every kind of street food you can imagine. If the shopping crowds get too much, you can take cover and watch a movie in England’s first purpose-built cinema Electric Cinema, but if you want stick to the outdoors, then visit the rare nineteenth-century bottle kiln on Walmer Road or head to Holland Park to see the Kyoto garden, woodlands and exotic wildlife.
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Borough, Southwark
As the gateway to South London, Borough and the surrounding area are exciting places to be. If you love food, Borough Market will be your heaven, with more market stalls than hairs on Gerard Butlers’ chest. Some of London’s most popular landmarks sit within Southwark, like Tower Bridge, The Shard and Westminster. The Tate Modern and the White Cube will bring out the art lover in you, and the Old Operating Theatre Museum, found in the attic of the church of the old St Thomas’ Hospital, is great if you’re after something gruesome. A walk down Bermondsey Street, with its independent coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques, will complete any afternoon. If you’re looking for some hustle and bustle in the evening then head to Flat Iron Square. With its street food and music, it’ll will make you wanna’ shout louder than Lulu.
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Do you have a favourite area of London? Leave your suggestions in the comment box below!
Article written by Lindsey Isla Henderson from Tuck In blog
I love Wandsworth Town! Old York Road is really cute with it’s little independent restaurants. I also used to live in London Fields and love that area too.