Suggestions for visiting London?

[lala646]

Friends, DH and I are off to London next week. I haven't been since 2014, and he's never been. Any fun suggestions? We're staying in Southwark, near Borough Market. We plan to do a lot of walking, and my musts are V & A, British Museum, Tower of London, Liberty, and Grays Antique Market. Anyone have suggestions for a great Sunday Roast, or great Indian food? And any cute antique jewelry shops that are at least semi-budget friendly? I'm very much into earrings and charms/pendants these days. Cheers!

 

[Austina]

You can get great Indian food everywhere in London! You don’t necessarily have to go to the well known places. Borough Market is a good place to walk through. It’s been years and years since we’ve been, but the Tower Hotel used to do a lovely carvery.

 

[dk168]

Look up Dishoom's restaurants, I like the one in Covent Garden, however, be prepared to queue at busy times. Not 100% certain if they accept bookings, sorry!

For Sunday Roast, you could try and book the seats at the bar at the original Ivy. I finally got round to dining there recently after reading about how good it was etc., and it was worth it.

I used to love window shopping at Burlington Arcade and ogle at the jewellery as there used to be a number of grand antique jewellery shops. Sadly, some of them did not survive Covid. However, it is still worth a look.

There is another antique jewellery shop near by, can't remember its name, however, it loaned some of the pieces that were worn in Downton Abbey.

I tend to go into Burlington Arcade from Piccadilly end, then walk along the Bond Streets where one can find the big jewellery houses and ogle at the jewellery on display.

Not sure if I would bother with Liberty to be honest, however, each to their own.

Enjoy London! I relocated away from the centre of the Big Smoke in 2006 and go up there a few times a year to see shows etc...

DK

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

I always found great vintage jewellery at Portobello Market, Saturday staple. You’ll have a great time!

 

[jaaron]

Hi,

I'm sure I'll think of more later, but a few ideas off the top of my head -

Hatton Garden is the 'diamond district' in London. Most of the shops aren't hugely interesting, but there are definitely some that deal in antiques. Although I'm guessing not too many bargains, it might be worth a nose around. It's a nice neighbourhood to walk around in, and very close to Exmouth Market, which is a small but nice little market with lots of restaurants.
Clerkenwell is close by and is also a nice wander
There's a really lovely little modern British restaurant close by

Anglo Restaurant | 30 St Cross Street, Farringdon, EC1N 8UH

And this is a nice place to have a cocktail

Cocktails At Wilhelmina Lounge | The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell

Feeling more like the private residence of a most beloved and eccentric Great Aunt, Wilhelmina Lounge is a sumptuous and intriguing place.

thezetter.com

If you feel like a walk, it can be a fun stroll to walk the canal. I think the most interesting bits are between Islington and Hackney Wick - we sometimes start or end, depending on which direction we're going, with a meal here

Barge East- Floating Bar & Kitchen in Hackney Wick

Barge East is a unique new bar & restaurant on a 118 year old dutch barge on the canal in Hackney Wick overlooking the beautiful London skyline.

www.bargeeast.com

The Inns of Court are also nice to walk around and Temple Church (built in 1185) makes an interesting stop. They sometimes have lunchtime concerts, so worth looking at their website

This is a very cool stop (if you can ignore the instagrammers)

The Ruins of St. Dunstan-in-the-East

One of the few remaining casualties of the London Blitz, this destroyed church has become an enchanting public garden.

www.atlasobscura.com

We live in Notting Hill and I have to confess, I pretty much never go down Portobello on a Saturday if I can avoid it, so I can't speak to the jewellery situation, but it's certainly an outing I'd recommend to anyone visiting. Just be prepared for crowds (and make sure your valuables are safe - been hearing reports of pickpocketing, etc. recently).

I agree with the Dishoom recommendation. It's very high quality. They actually have a branch just off of Kensington High Street that doesn't tend to get as wildly crowded as the others, and it's easy to combine that with the Portobello Market trip. It's about a 20 min walk down Kensington Church Street to Kensington High Street (a little longer if you're having a meander and browsing the fabulously expensive antique shops) and then the restaurant is just off Ken High.

My family also loves this place which is very far east, in Whitechapel.

Tayyabs

Tayyabs is a family-run institution that's currently plating up the best cheerfully cheap curry in a riotous BYOB restaurant in Whitechapel.

thenudge.com

You can combine this with Spitalfields Market (check out the food hall) and/or Brick Lane, which is an interesting area, although I recommend avoiding the restaurants which are mostly not very good. This is a cool little museum nearby

Dennis Severs' House

Not sure how hard it is to get tickets at the moment, but this is a fun thing

Booking your visit - Sky Garden - London

Access to the Sky Garden is free of charge. A limited number of tickets are available each day, please book them through our booking system.

skygarden.london

 

[LTCT814]

@lala646 June is a wonderful time to travel to London! Here are a few recommendations from our travels - I hope you have a wonderful time!

Dukes Bar - https://www.dukeshotel.com/dukes-bar/
Famous for their classic gin martini's using their propriatary house vermouth garnished with lemons flown in from the Amalfi Coast. The head bartender, Alessandro Palazzi, has been with Duke's since 1975 and is such a joy to talk to. They don't take reservations for the bar unless you're staying at the hotel so I recommend going a little early to secure a table (ideally 5:30/6 pm) - you will want to stay awhile! Just a warning, two martini's max (they won't serve you more than that) but they do have other cocktail options if you favor something lighter. It's quite a treat!

Gymkhana - https://gymkhanalondon.com/
A Michelin star restaurant since 2014 has both classic and contemporary Indian food. Typically you need to make reservations well in advance, but they do have cancellations occasionally. You could also go there for lunch which may be easier to get a table. If you decide to give it a try, I would ask for a table on the lower level. While you're there, keep a lookout for the initials on your chair - you might end up sitting at "DB" / David Beckham's chair!

Chutney Mary - https://www.chutneymary.com/
Another great Indian restaurant. You typically need reservations here as well, but we were able to walk in and eat at the bar. It was late (around 9 pm) so I would call ahead and try to make reservations first. The service was wonderful and the food was equally as good. If you don't see exactly what you like, the servers are very knowledgable and will help guide you. They haven't steered us wrong! Less expensive than Gymkhana.

Mildreds - http://www.mildreds.co.uk/
Even if vegan food isn't your thing, I would highly recommend Mildreds. Great for lunch. Food is fresh and so tasty - you would never guess it's vegan (it's that good). They have multiple locations throughout London.

Paul - https://www.paul-uk.com/patisseries...Mk2Jk_ABlBeKV6SGwYHElzIAbOnFEsehoCLbIQAvD_BwE
A great place to pop in for breakfast. They're everywhere in London. My husband and I would spend most mornings there. It's a great spot to stop if you prefer a lighter breakfast. We would typically pick up the morning paper and spend about an hour there. Great people watching too!

Kings Arms - https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/p...&utm_medium=locations&utm_campaign=HT_pubpage
Our favorite pub in Mayfair by Green Park (2 Shepard Market, W1J 7QA) I haven't had their Sunday roast (not much of a meat eater) but everything else we've had has been great. Fun and lively atmosphere!

Churchill War Room - https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms
I cannot recommend this enough. It was fascinating - I could have spent hours in there! It's well worth your time.

 

[lissyflo]

Another recommendation for Dishoom - the one near King’s Cross is great for a wander along the canal after and there’s some interesting redevelopment around there. Ditto Burlington Arcade, although prices are toppy!

If you’re interested in fashion, Kensington palace has a crown to couture exhibition currently running. I haven’t been but plan to over the summer.

 

[Ally T]

Also, aside of the above, go on the London Eye if you can get tickets. You can see for miles & it’s right across from the Houses of Parliament & Big Ben. We have also taken a rib boat down the Thames a couple of times, which is both exhilarating & terrifying!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

if it was me i'd be off to Lord's cricket ground
the home of cricket
not sure if @lala646 is from a cricketing playing nation

 

[Cinders]

While I'm sure @lala646 is already in London I must add the suggestion to go to afternoon tea. (It is my favorite thing though so I am quite biased.) It is excellent and offered in too many places to list.

I would also go see a show in the West End. But, I LOVE going to the theatre so again I am biased.

(Edited to add: Clearly I'm also anti-comma today but I'm also tired so I'm not going to edit anything.)

 

[hardwear]

All great suggestions above!

There's a website for High Tea availability and rankings, definitely book something in advance.

Best Afternoon Tea in London | Online Booking | UK Guide

Explore the UK’s premier Afternoon Tea Guide to find and book your perfect Afternoon Tea in London, ranging from luxury 5-star hotels to quirky themed Teas.

afternoontea.co.uk

ROOFTOPS- free, some you do have to book free tickets:

10 of the Best Free Views in London

London is a beautiful city, but you shouldn't have to pay to enjoy it. Open your eyes and keep your wallet closed – here are the best free views in London.

londonmymind.com

Catch - SIX in the West End if you can- awesome show!

Any food markets, Borough Market great! Portobello Market gets crowded and I was there in November. Can't imagine in the summer.

Greenwich for Prime Meridian, for the line and observatory, another great view from top of observatory, Cutty Sark there too.

Reserve all restaurants ahead of time if you can.
LIMA restaurant - Great Peruvian food
Indian almost anywhere, BRICK LANE area is more authentic

Have fun