LONDON 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

 Over the coming weeks, I'd like to share highlights of my trip to London. I had the loveliest week there last month (how has it been a month already?) and reunited with my favourite places in the city. I always make time for Camden. Camden Town is known for its nightlife, but I went in the morning which suited the tranquil, spring theme of my visit. Nestled along Regent's Canal and bordering beautiful areas like Primrose Hill, Camden is full of beauty too.

This is the first time I walked to Camden Town, unexpectedly at that, and this is now one of my favourite walks in London. I started at Kings Cross, which is a major train station and has undergone massive development. There is a lot going on here including bustling Granary Square and the adjoining St. Pancras International (trip to Paris, anyone?). My intention was to explore Coal Drops Yard, a trendy shopping complex on the water with independent boutiques and restaurants. There is a huge variety of businesses here, everything from tattoo parlors to salons. I loved the open, outdoor concept among the warehouses and cobblestone streets. It was very industrial meets cozy. It would be the absolute perfect spot for a drink in the evening. But at the time, there was only a handful of people and many places were closed. I sure have great timing. By now, a canal walk was calling my name and I made my way down to the narrowboats, with all signs pointing to Camden Town.

Regent's Canal is a peaceful canal that stretches across north London. It is a beautiful part of the city that is well-known yet off the beaten path. I felt assured seeing others, including joggers, tourists and locals walking their dog, going the same direction. Despite that, it was very still and calm. The rain disappeared, the sun was warm and birds were chirping. The mood shifted between an atmospheric waterway and rough, graffiti covered bridges. This contrast is one of the reasons I love Camden.

In 20 minutes or so, the scenery started to change and I knew I was, in fact, close to the market. I passed Kentish Town Road and began hearing faint music. Ed Sheerhan, I believe. Then I spotted those signature sleepy trees that drape over Camden Lock. It felt as if I had magically appeared in Camden Market. I have to say, I really enjoyed this mellow side of Camden. The market was just waking up so everything felt slow and leisurely.

Camden Town is a huge attraction in London. There are stalls upon stalls of crafts, jewelry, clothing, records and basically everything else. That's not even mentioning the huge melting pot of culture and flavourful food. I love walking through the dim tunnels of Stables Market, inevitably getting lost in them and ending up on Chalk Farm Road. 

A walk down Chalk Farm Road, home to the famous Roundhouse music venue among other things, is where my walk in Camden ended as I caught the Northern Line to head back west.

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What started as a hunt for fish and chips, ended with stops at Temple, Covent Garden, The Strand and South Bank.

Because Covent Garden runs into heavyweights like Soho, Piccadilly and Leicester Square, there are many ways to get there. But I love to start at quiet Temple station. I discovered Temple as an expat in London and it has stuck with me ever since. The station itself is charming, perched perfectly on the river embankment. It is also secretive and hidden away. That being said, it is a gateway to some pretty fantastic sightseeing including Fleet Street and the Royal Courts of Justice. If there is one thing Temple is known for, it is law. I'm not an expert in this subject, not even close, but walking through here  made me feel like I was cast in a BBC legal drama. In reality I was just enjoying taking photos of the place. I loved admiring the beautiful Temple church and walking through the various tunnels, gardens and courtyards. 

The Strand is a bustling street in London that stretches alongside the River Thames. It is home to the stunning Somerset House and beginning of Theatreland. My sign that I am getting close to Covent Garden is sighting the imposing Lyceum theatre, home to The Lion King. It is from this location on Wellington Street I make my way up to Covent Garden. 

Covent Garden is truly magical, a haven for west-end theatre and attractive pubs. It is one place in London I always manage to get lost in, and I mean that literally. There are just endless and wonderful distractions here. It also has some of the best shopping in town in terms of clothing and beauty boutiques. The gorgeous, Victorian era inspired market is open seven days a week. There is always something to watch, whether it be a street performer or a busker. Covent Garden is here to entertain and that's why we love it.

But for every sold out show or  crowd frenzy, there is a mysterious street to walk down or shop window to peer into. Covent Garden is a place you can return to and never see everything. I had heard of Instagram famous Goodwin's Court and decided to use that as my focal point. This street is as old as they come, built in the 16th century with tattered windows and street lamps. To find it, you have to veer off the main Path, St. Martin's Lane to be exact, and keep your eyes open for a peculiar little archway. I am also told this street inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. My knowledge of Harry Potter ends after the first book, but I can totally see it. This place has a puzzling and unusual vibe that fits in with all the wizardry. This hidden gem is also a great way to escape the crowd for a few minutes. Also, if you look closely there are little white owls in the window (yes, they are fake).

By now it was nearing noon, so lunch seemed like the next step. Despite there being fantastic fish and chip options in Covent Garden, I wanted to keep going. I circled around and ended back where I started on the Strand. But instead of going back to Temple, I crossed the Waterloo Bridge. Caught somewhere between the iconic Undercroft skatepark and Shakespeare's Globe, you will find Founders Arms. The fish and chips here are unbeatable and so is the atmosphere, located in the heart of South Bank with dazzling views of St. Paul's across the river.

Even after all that, I actually crossed the bridge again, this time going over the Millenium bridge to St. Paul's. After doing some shopping in that area (there is great shopping here, FYI!), I took the Central line back to my hotel.

As you can see, this walk had it all. It is amazing what you can do with a few hours in London.

Floral Court, Covent Garden <3

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There is one place in London that starts to lose its sparkle after a while, and that is Oxford Street. Besides its iconic Christmas decorations, it is mostly just crowds and traffic. But, it does have some of the best shopping on that side of the globe. The shopping is phenomenal, to put it lightly. On my last trip to London, I found a way to love Oxford Street again by throwing Marylebone into the mix. But first, Selfridges.

Selfridges

Even though I am picking on Oxford Street a little, I can because I used to love it. I used to take photos of the flagship Topshop and be entranced by the electronic music in the stores (still am). I'm pretty sure the Oxford Circus station sign was my Facebook cover photo at one point too. But battling crowds got tired, and now I need motivation to go. After going into a few stores, I decided to make a stop at Selfridges. I wasn't going to buy anything, just look. Selfridges is a landmark on Oxford Street, a legendary and boldly glamourous department store. I would always recommend going, if only to ride the escalators from floor to floor and be enamored by the gorgeous displays. I am more likely to buy something on sale at H&M than splurge here. But I love the world of designer fashion, so visiting is a real treat.

Virtually one minute away from Selfridges is St. Christopher's Place. I had a coffee here before and found it very charming, a sort of refuge from the crowds. It qualifies as a hidden gem and is so easily missed by shoppers. It was also here I discovered Marylebone Village. If you continue walking up the street, you will enter the high street of this beautiful neighbourhood. Welcome to Marylebone! This is the land of adorable facades and boutiques. Whether you are looking for a unique piece of clothing or beauty finds, there is so much to choose from. There are many London neighbourhoods that match Marylebone's beauty but there is a lovely, relaxed mood here that I really love. Even though it is very upscale, it does not feel full of itself at all and is good vibes only.  

How cute is this pub?

There were so many old streets here. There were pubs on charming corners and bistros spilling out onto the sidewalk. I was snapping so many photos. By afternoon the rain had returned and I started looking for the nearest tube station. It just so happened to be Baker Street, famous of course for Sherlock Holmes and more. The rain was really coming down by now, so I hurriedly walked past the tourists lined up for the Madame Tussauds mueseum and admired Regent's Park from a distance, disappointed by the change of weather. This is such a great part of London.

Essentially, Marylebone is a nice little break from Oxford Street and let's face it, we all need a break sometimes. Once you realize how close it is, you will wonder how you missed it before.