SEP 26, 2022
London’s calling ~ A weekend in London
by Anne-Marie Leduc
London is one of my favorite cities in the world. The architecture, the gigantic parks, all the different neighborhoods, the musicals, the pubs and the London feel in general. There is so much to do and see, I love it! This big city is beautiful, hectic, vibrant, unique and fun. Here are the places I like to go whenever I’m in London.
Marylebone for shopping & cafes
Marylebone is well known for its fashionable shops and fine cafés. It is always my first stop when visiting. If you like books, head to Daunt BookStore. It is the most beautiful bookshops I have ever seen. They also have a Mejuri store which is one of my favorite jewelry brands. The Marylebone pub is a nice place to have a drink. I also love the Donostia restaurant for a delicious dinner date or with friends.
Shoreditch
Shoreditch is a very trendy area for good restaurants and cool places to go out. One of our favorite restaurants is Dishoom (they have multiple locations across London). They have a great selection of Indian food and cocktails and the atmosphere is always buzzing. You don’t need to make a reservation, but you will probably wait around 30 minutes depending on how huge the line up. Another cool place is the speakeasy Nightjar cocktail bar/Jazz Club. They have live bands and amazing cocktails. I absolutely want to go back next time we’re in London.
Notting hill
I dream of one day living in one of the pastel houses of Notting Hill (I wish). It is one of London’s most stylish districts. Seeing the colorful houses is a must when in that neighborhood, but my favorite part is the streets near Ledbury road and Westbourne grove. It is less touristy than Portobello road and you can really feel the local vibe. There are beautiful shops, mews and pretty cafés in that area. Talking of mews, St Luke’s is the most iconic and is totally worth seeing if you liked the movie Love Actually.
Janset Fashion
Every time I’m in Notting Hill I go to this cute little shop to buy some tote bags, essentials reusable alternatives to plastic shopping bags. It is also a little souvenir.
Hampstead heath and Primrose Hill
Get some English countryside feels but in the city. These parks and the streets surrounding them are incredible. You will see plenty of historic houses and humble Victorian cottages. These areas are home to many celebrities. I once saw Helena Bonham Carter (aka Bellatrix Lestrange for Harry Potter fans like me!) near Primrose Hill. Speaking of Primrose Hill, I recommend going for a picnic in the park. You will have a beautiful view of the city. Hampstead Heath is my favorite park to have a long stroll in the forest (yes, it’s that big). They also have famous ponds open year-round if you want to take a dip.
Mayfair
Mayfair is an upscale district andone of London’s most luxurious shopping areas. The Liberty department store is worth seeing. This Tudor-revival building is just stunning. Savile Row street is also a nice place to pass by. It is known for traditional men's bespoke tailoring and I was surprised to learn it is also where the Beatles performed their final concert from the rooftop of 3 Savile Row. I like to venture in other streets where it is less crowded. The buildings and houses are so beautiful. There are plenty of cute cafés and restaurants around.
The Wolseley for an Afternoon tea
What would a visit to London be without an afternoon tea? At the beginning of our relationship, my partner surprised me with an afternoon tea at the Château Laurier in Ottawa, Canada on one of our weekend trips from Montreal and I loved it so much. This was the first thing I wanted to do on my first trip to London. There are a lot of options, but I can confidently recommend the Wolseley after a great experience there. It is not cheap, but definitely not one of the pricier too. The scones were heaven! This is also a great place to ask for your favorite fancy cocktail. Mine is an aviation cocktail and it was done to perfection. I heard their brunch is really good too.
Aqua Shard Bar, London Bridge
For an amazing panoramic view of London, skip the London Eye and just go to the cocktail bar on the 31st floor of TheShard at London Bridge. If it’s sunny, I recommend making a reservation at the bar area right before sunset. You will then be able to have a nice day and night views of the Tower Bridge.
Eccleston yard
Called One of London's best-kept secrets, this fun buzzy open-air market is a popular hub for independent businesses, fashionable restaurants, bars, creative spaces as well as fitness and wellness. You can go to the beautiful Drink ami wine bar/shop for a glass of wine or at Barry's Bootcamp if you want to break a sweat (maybe not in that order). They often have events happening in the courtyard.
Chelsea for its beauty
This is one of the chicest, posh and most expensive areas of London. It is worth a visit just to see the iconic houses. You can also find hidden garden pubs and cool restaurants like the Stanley's, a restaurant serving British cuisine. We only went for a gin and tonic in the garden and it was great. For a cool and more affordable place to lunch try the Phat Phuc Noodle Bar. It is a simple Vietnamese restaurant serving traditional pho soups and noodle dishes. It is very popular and packed with locals.
Green Park, Buckingham Palace, St-James Park to Big Ben
Green Park is one of the Royal parks of London. It is a quiet retreat from city life but still very central. It will lead you to Buckingham Palace which was the home of the Queen. It is a must see when visiting London for the first time. The changing of the guards is a fun thing to witness too. It happens almost every day depending on the month. St-James Park is right across the Palace and will lead you to Big Ben
West end for musicals
I know it will sound childish, but you have to go watch Frozen at Theater Royal Drury Lane. It is the most spectacular musical I've ever seen. It is for all ages, but if you avoid a weekend matinee there will be more adults than kids. This is one of my favorite memories of London. The theater is beautiful and you can enjoy wine or a G&T during the show which is not something I expected. London has some of the best plays and musicals in the world.
Bar nightjar
this is a very cool speakeasy bar with live jazz and amazing cocktails. A gem in the city. One of my favorite memories from London. you might want to make reservations so you do not have to wait for a table.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub in City of London
You can’t go to London without having a pint in an old pub. My favorite one so far is the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in the Historic Financial district. The decor is so beautiful you will feel like you went in a time machine. There has been a pub at this location since 1538, but it was rebuilt in 1667 after being damaged in the Great Fire of London. The vibe is cooler during happy hours when nearby office workers gather
