Your top tips for a visit to London!

15th March 2015

In last month’s newsletter we ran a competition asking you to name your top tips for a visit to London. We were overwhelmed by the number, depth, breadth, variety – and originality – of your suggestions… Here are ten of the ones we judged to be amongst the best:

*Buy a burger at borough market and enjoy the sheer number of different and fabulous foods. Watch the changing of the guard, touristy but fabulous. Sit next to a lion in Trafalgar Square. Peruse the food hall at fortnum and mason and ponder on who has the money to actually shop there. People watch in Hyde or Green park with a take away coffee (this is breathe time away from too much hustle and bustle). Go and watch a performance at the open air theatre in Regent’s Park. Wander around Westminster and be amazed at the beautiful buildings and sense of history. Then go home for a bit of space, peace and tranquillity.- Denise

*Walk, walk and walk. Imagine you’re in Dickensian London round Temple and sit by the fountain a while; dodge joggers along the South Bank; feed pigeons; divert into every mini-park and green space you pass; look up at the architecture; count up as many statues as you can find; eat food from a country you’ve never visited; listen to a busker and give them a quid; buy a second-hand book and read it on the train home. – Stephanie Jane

*Take time out in your busy weekend for a break in a unique cafe, previously a Victorian toilet! The Attendant (www.the-attendant.com) is complete with original porcelain urinals turned into tables (yes, really), has really friendly staff who serve wonderful coffee and fab cakes 7 days a week. You’ll never have had coffee anywhere quite like it! – Annie Thomas

*The best way to enjoy London is in the spring when all the trees are green and you can enjoy walking all over the place, as the best way to see it is on foot.  Head over to east London’s spitalfields market for some great shopping, there are lots of vintage finds to be had and the street food is highly recommended.  My favourite at the moments is St Johns Bread and Wine, the sourdough donuts are a treat.  There are great sights all around London, but parliament square has an array of impressive buildings including Big Ben and the houses of Parliament as well as Westminster abbey (get there early to avoid the queues). If you’re looking for some peace and quiet from the busy streets, head to one of the many green spaces, my favourite is St. James park, you can watch the Pelicans being fed at set times throughout the day. – Lucy Ferguson

*Wander around Borough Market in the morning and get as many free food samples as you can.  Head up to The Shard for a view over London.  Stop off for lunch at The Punch Tavern pub on The Strand and stay for a beer or two.  The Galleries will be busy so try a quieter one – Victoria Miro or The White Cube in Bermondsey.  See a show in the evening – Made in Dagenham or Bad Jews will do. – Mike Davies

*So much to see and do for free. Avoid the touristy areas except Covent Garden is OK. If it is raining- do the free museums and art galleries. If it is sunny, there are lots of beautiful parks to see. I do recommend Hyde Park. The South bank is brilliant for live entertainment and great shops and cafes- visit the British Film Institute book shop. – Julie Booth

*Rent bikes and cycle along Regent’s Canal from Little Venice all the way to East London. Grab lunch at the Towpath cafe en route. Check out the John Soames museum and have yourself a good time. – Katie

*Do the markets! Head to Borough Market and be sure to enjoy a sausage roll from Ginger Pig and a grilled cheese sandwich from Kappacasein. Go to the Spitalfields Market and definitely check out the guy who makes jewellery, cufflinks and more from old computer PCBs. And definitely visit Brick Lane, where you’ll find a fantastic market with people selling a variety of bric a brac, and – Emily Knight

*A must-visit is Camden Lock, North London, for the markets and vintage clothes, then hop on the tube, get off at Hampstead, walk across to Parliament Hill, and look at the amazing city of London from the top of the hill! – Heather Jenkinson

*Shopping in Walthamstow Market with a Manzies pie and mash for lunch, followed by a tour of Highgate Cemetery West (soak in the gothic atmosphere), A trip to see Wicked followed by supper at The Jamie Oliver take out in Shaftesbury Avenue and eat at the tables and chairs outside and watch the World go by. – Fiona Foskett

Thank you to everyone who took part! There were some really fabulous suggestions….

For a listing of all the books on the site that are set in London, please click here!

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