What do you do when you travel to a city you love for a hundredth time? London is one of my favorite destinations with so many things on my to-do list (having accommodation in North London helps) so I've been travelling over there with every chance I get. On my last two visits - one before COVID, in 2020 and one part of my Mini Eurotrip in 2022 - I tried to include more alternative and free spots. This post is a combination of those two visits.
God’s Own Junkyard
If you’re looking for a unique art space, make sure you visit God’s Own Junkyard.
It’s a funky art store and space featuring colorful neon and lightbulb signs among others. If you love neon signs as much as I do, this is a must, and it has free entrance. You can wander around as long as you want until you get the picture you want and enjoy the signs (pretty captivating, let me tell you) and then there's a small café at the back where you can enjoy coffee or a snack.
If you’re looking for a unique art space, make sure you visit God’s Own Junkyard.
It’s a funky art store and space featuring colorful neon and lightbulb signs among others. If you love neon signs as much as I do, this is a must, and it has free entrance. You can wander around as long as you want until you get the picture you want and enjoy the signs (pretty captivating, let me tell you) and then there's a small café at the back where you can enjoy coffee or a snack.
Notting Hill
Who doesn’t love Notting Hill?
It's a district made famous from the movie ''Notting Hill'' but it's not just another movie location that movie fans visit. Notting Hill is a place that can make your day just by walking around as its filled with color, markets and nice cafés and restaurants and since 1870 its been associated with art and artists.
If you walk down towards Portobello Market you will come across various small shops with antiques, souvenirs and books, most of them houses in colorful buildings (something that Notting Hill is known for). There are a few roads with colorful houses for your next Instagram post but Lancaster Road is probably one of the best. Crayon colored houses (red, yellow, purple) look great, you will just need to be careful of the cars and buses that pass from the busy road, and also keep in mind that these are houses where people live in.
When you're done, visit the market and have lunch (or waffles) at Electric Diner, which is a French-style American diner next to the Electric Cinema, one of the oldest working cinemas in Britain.
Who doesn’t love Notting Hill?
It's a district made famous from the movie ''Notting Hill'' but it's not just another movie location that movie fans visit. Notting Hill is a place that can make your day just by walking around as its filled with color, markets and nice cafés and restaurants and since 1870 its been associated with art and artists.
If you walk down towards Portobello Market you will come across various small shops with antiques, souvenirs and books, most of them houses in colorful buildings (something that Notting Hill is known for). There are a few roads with colorful houses for your next Instagram post but Lancaster Road is probably one of the best. Crayon colored houses (red, yellow, purple) look great, you will just need to be careful of the cars and buses that pass from the busy road, and also keep in mind that these are houses where people live in.
When you're done, visit the market and have lunch (or waffles) at Electric Diner, which is a French-style American diner next to the Electric Cinema, one of the oldest working cinemas in Britain.
Tate Modern
Of course, and always. Tate Modern is a favourite stop for its exhibitions. If you walk out on the balcony, you can enjoy the view of Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Before visiting, make sure you check the temporary exhibitions. There is the Cecilia Vicuña's Brain Forest Quipu taking up the entire height of the building and consists of fraying wool, knotted rope and debris. Find it drifting under the Turbine Hall.
We managed to book tickets for the special (and often, sold out) Yayoi Kusama exhibition. We basically kept refreshing the website until the tickets went on sale and waiting for a bit in the queue but it was worth it. The Infinity Mirror Room is a room full of mirrors and lights that make you feel like you're floating but there is also a nice exhibition of photographs from Kusama's life. It has been extended until August 2023 and more tickets will be released in March 2023 for dates beyond 2 April 2023.
Of course, and always. Tate Modern is a favourite stop for its exhibitions. If you walk out on the balcony, you can enjoy the view of Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Before visiting, make sure you check the temporary exhibitions. There is the Cecilia Vicuña's Brain Forest Quipu taking up the entire height of the building and consists of fraying wool, knotted rope and debris. Find it drifting under the Turbine Hall.
We managed to book tickets for the special (and often, sold out) Yayoi Kusama exhibition. We basically kept refreshing the website until the tickets went on sale and waiting for a bit in the queue but it was worth it. The Infinity Mirror Room is a room full of mirrors and lights that make you feel like you're floating but there is also a nice exhibition of photographs from Kusama's life. It has been extended until August 2023 and more tickets will be released in March 2023 for dates beyond 2 April 2023.
|
Camden Town
I couldn’t leave this out, I absolutely love Camden Town. I'm not sure how popular Camden is among tourists or in how many must-visit lists you will find it in, but the area has a famous market that you really should visit if you haven't already. You just wear whatever feels more comfortable and walk around Camden Market, between the stores, going through the goodies and trying street food. Definitely something I love too much, even when I'm not buying anything. So, on my last visit we discovered the popular Umbrella Street, with colorful umbrellas hanging above you, and of course I had to take a picture. The Connaught a.k.a. one of the best bars in the world The bar of the Connaught hotel has a permanent spot in the annual list with the best bars in the world, so why not check it out? We did not know what to expect. It's part of the 5-star Connaught Hotel, in the heart of Mayfair, our expectations were high. For the first time in my life I did an outfit change on the street (taking off my hoodie for a more formal shirt) so we could fit in with the crowd we expected. But we were caught by surprise. You can go with or without a reservation and, surprisingly, without a dress code. We visited early in the night and we saw people dressed in hoodies, sweatpants, suits and dresses, way more casual than we anticipated. It has an eclectic list of cocktails and drinks, the cheapest being around £15, and they give you the recipe too. St Dunstan in the East Church Garden On my lookout for free, Instagrammable spots I thought I'd give St. Dunstan in the East which was, as far as I could tell, a garden in the ruins of a church. It's located halfway between London Bridge and the Tower of London and it kinda is what I expected it to be, only better. It's in the middle of a very urban area, with the stone walls enclosing a truly beautiful park. The Church of England parish church was built around 1100 on St Dunstan's Hill but was largely destroyed during the Second World War. It now serves as a public garden, open for everyone, with stunning arches and plants everywhere, making up stunning frames for pictures and for when you need a break from the city noise. If you're planning on setting up your spot for a picture, keep in mind that if you want to sit on one of the windows you will have to hop on the cobblestone terrace so dress accordingly. |
|
|
Big Ben photo spot Now if you want a good shot of the famous clock tower of London, there is a ''hidden'' spot to give you a beautiful frame. When you get out of Westminster tube station you're right in front of Big Ben. All you have to do is cross Westminster bridge and go down the stairs to the pier. There, there's a passage that ends in an arch, facing the bridge, Big Ben and the parliament, not very widely known to people (although you will find some photographers taking pictures and, of course, people passing by). Keep in mind, the smell is a bit funky so it's better if you're quick. |
Greenwich
Prime Meridian
Go up (walk or drive) to the Greenwich Park so you can enjoy a stunning view of the city from above. Truly a wonderful spot to relax and recharge and if you’re fascinated by fun facts, there’s a small bit of the meridian line. It represents the Prime Meridian of the world, Longitude Zero (0° 0' 0"), so basically if you stand facing the wall with the line between your legs, your right foot will be on 360° and your left on 0°.
All these are free of charge, unless you want to enter the Royal Observatory (£16 for adults and £8).
Prime Meridian
Go up (walk or drive) to the Greenwich Park so you can enjoy a stunning view of the city from above. Truly a wonderful spot to relax and recharge and if you’re fascinated by fun facts, there’s a small bit of the meridian line. It represents the Prime Meridian of the world, Longitude Zero (0° 0' 0"), so basically if you stand facing the wall with the line between your legs, your right foot will be on 360° and your left on 0°.
All these are free of charge, unless you want to enter the Royal Observatory (£16 for adults and £8).
The Old Royal Naval College
This World Heritage Site holds a few gems if you’re an art and architecture junkie, besides being a wonderful block of buildings itself.
You definitely must visit the Painted Hall, which is often described as the Sistine Chapel of London. The paintings on the walls and ceiling of this baroque masterpiece was conceived and executed by British artist Sir James Thornhill. The room was intended as a dining room for the naval pensioners but it soon became ceremonial space for paying visitors.
Now it’s a wonder to look at and they even have cushions so you can lie down and observe the ceiling.
The fee is £12.50 (or £11.50 online) and it gives you access for one year.
This World Heritage Site holds a few gems if you’re an art and architecture junkie, besides being a wonderful block of buildings itself.
You definitely must visit the Painted Hall, which is often described as the Sistine Chapel of London. The paintings on the walls and ceiling of this baroque masterpiece was conceived and executed by British artist Sir James Thornhill. The room was intended as a dining room for the naval pensioners but it soon became ceremonial space for paying visitors.
Now it’s a wonder to look at and they even have cushions so you can lie down and observe the ceiling.
The fee is £12.50 (or £11.50 online) and it gives you access for one year.
Tulip Staircase
If you’re looking for a free and Instagrammable spot in Greenwich, head over to the Queen’s House. There you will find the first geometric self-supporting spiral staircase in Britain, which will make you stop and stare.
Palmers Green + Stage Café
Staying in Palmers Green, Enfield is already an interesting option, but it’s beautiful and peaceful without feeling excluded from civilization. Broomfield Park is a huge public space full of green and a big lake with ducks. Definitely a place to clear your mind. While you’re at Palmers Green, enjoy brunch at Stage Café. Satisfying portions and reasonable prices.
Staying in Palmers Green, Enfield is already an interesting option, but it’s beautiful and peaceful without feeling excluded from civilization. Broomfield Park is a huge public space full of green and a big lake with ducks. Definitely a place to clear your mind. While you’re at Palmers Green, enjoy brunch at Stage Café. Satisfying portions and reasonable prices.
Stonehenge
Here is one destination straight from my bucket list. Stonehenge is just a few hours away from Palmers Green and thankfully I had friends willing to do a road trip with me. The best option is to drive but if you're unable to, if you visit the English Heritage website it has everything you need to know on how to get there. Once you arrive, you will notice that the visitors' center is still far from the main attraction. The entrance fee is £24.00 with a few discounts available and a bus will take you to the stones. Stonehenge is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. You can walk around it and learn of its history through the signs.
Archaeological evidence support that Stonehenge was used as a burial site but most scholars believe it had other other functions as well (either a ceremonial site, a final resting place for royalty or a memorial).
There is also a cafeteria and a very nice shop with souvenirs and books you might enjoy.
Here is one destination straight from my bucket list. Stonehenge is just a few hours away from Palmers Green and thankfully I had friends willing to do a road trip with me. The best option is to drive but if you're unable to, if you visit the English Heritage website it has everything you need to know on how to get there. Once you arrive, you will notice that the visitors' center is still far from the main attraction. The entrance fee is £24.00 with a few discounts available and a bus will take you to the stones. Stonehenge is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. You can walk around it and learn of its history through the signs.
Archaeological evidence support that Stonehenge was used as a burial site but most scholars believe it had other other functions as well (either a ceremonial site, a final resting place for royalty or a memorial).
There is also a cafeteria and a very nice shop with souvenirs and books you might enjoy.
Let's be honest, London is a big tourist city but you can still avoid huge crowds by staying away from the biggest landmarks while also visiting interesting and / or famous locations. I will definitely visit again (big must-visit list) so this article will only get bigger in time.
If you visit one of these, hit me up on Instagram, I would love to hear your comments.
If you visit one of these, hit me up on Instagram, I would love to hear your comments.
