When in January a friend of mine asked me to join her for house sitting in the big city I jumped at the invitation. She, just like me, loves to walk around and stand and stare at every street corner. So what was meant to be a chilled week with a couple of photowalks quiet and happily turned into a week with almost only photo walks.
Read on to find out more about the best places to stroll, where to feed the squirrels and where to find hiding should the occasional downpour come.
All of this was only possible thanks to my loyal fellow traveller and her deep love for London. Having lived there for a year and returned often, she brought me only to the most favourite places. Christina, amore, you are one of a kind! Thank you so much for this sweet week and all the patience at every mentioned corner. Another very special thanks goes out to our friend S. who made walk four possible. We got a very private and wonderful, after-all-is-closed tour of the Parliament, felt honoured like heck and walked with deep awe in this place filled to the brim with history.
Come along for hidden gems, untypical places and my favourite walks across London.
Yours, Rici.
(Unpaid ad,
all mentioned names are not sponsored, just passion)
First Walk – York House Gardens
A beautiful located garden dating back to the 17th century embedding the red brick building and sea nymph fountain. This garden is close to the Thames, so depending on which way and hour of the day you arrive you might have to jump some puddles to get there, or bring our favourite wellies. High tide watch out. This is also a good place to carry nuts in your pocket. The squirrels are awfully friendly.
Swiftest escape when the pour some is the White Swan pub, which we had to make immediate use of, shortly after arrival. Where we amused ourselves with stories and people watching till the sky cleared and we meandered north gazing at front doors and window decorations.
Second Walk – Richmond Park
We walked into Richmond along the river and across the best coloured bridge you ever did see, which was of course mint coloured. And then turning left found ourselves among picturesque bended lanes, holding historic homes and niches to our hearts content. Turning back to the river we walked along the Richmond Bridge Boathouse and water front, sneaking in and out of streets, till finally ending up in Heron Square.
Third Walk – From Notting Hill to Covent Garden
Of course, Notting Hill was not to be missed. Who did not see that film at least a dozen times? Even if I had been in London a couple of times, I never made it to that wonderful corner and was glad we had a day put aside to stroll down the colourful curves. Due to persistent drizzle, we popped in and out of stores all the while. Cutest finds are diffidently Stumper and Fielding and of course the Notting Hill Bookshop, which we absolutely had to visit. After store hobbing all the way down Portobello Road we found us a double-decker to street gaze all the way to The Royal Albert Hall. There we enjoyed some dry gazes among beautiful streets and ventured on to Covent Garden. An absolute must see indoor piazza at Londons West End.
Fourth Walk – From Greenwich to our Private Evening Tour of the Parliament
If you like street food from different corners of the world, you will like the Greenwich Market. A beautiful square suited for any weather at the feet of a hill, where there happens to be the Royal Observatory, yes, time runs here. And you will want to bring nuts, if you choose to walk down the long way. Our snuggest rain escape in this part of town was the Reddoor Café.
All thanks to Christinas dear university friend S. who gave us the most exclusive and wonderful guided tour. It was definitely a highlight of our stay and made my former Cultural Studies tutor heart skip a beat. After most of the people working inside the parliament went home we found our way to the Westminster Hall´s Christmas tree and waited to be picked up. Oh it was exciting! I could not stop staring at one historic inch after the other. Walked to the house of Commons, stared at the ceilings, art pieces, floors and doorknobs alike and finally sat in the broom cupboard where Emily Wilding Davison spent a night in order to fight for women rights in the UK. Briefly put, it was beautiful!
Fifth Walk – Old Spitalfields Market and Poplar in London`s East End
Intrigued by Call the Midwife and attracted by good hipster charm we walked our last day in London´s East End. Old Spitalfiels Market is the place for vintage vinyl among market stalls, spiced up with many brick lanes and all shades of front door, we could wish for. I think by now it is safe to say I am a wooden door aficionado, among other things. 😉 It was also the shortest walk of our stay and I hope to explore there again, next time.
Thank you for hanging out with me!
Have you been to London?
What is your favourite non-typical place to see?
All Locations mentioned:
