“Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London, I’ll show you something to make you change your mind”.
That is how the chorus sounds of the song about London by Ralph McTell. London is one of my all time favorite cities to visit in Europe. I wonder why I always want to come back to this multicultural metropolis. There is always something new to experience.
This picture is "borrowed" from the Guardian. Liverpool Street and rising behind the skyscrapers of the Square Mile is Britain’s tallest building, the Shard Howard Kingsnorth.
Getting around in London.
Where to stay:
If you travel in a group of friends I will recommend to book an apartment in stead of rooms at a hotel/hostel.
For instance you can make you own full monty English breakfast at home with products bought from one of the many local markets.
Here you can find a link for inspiration for a real full monty English breakfast the Jamie Oliver way. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP1mUkmyZJw
In the old days immigrants settled down in the area. The respectable families moved away, and prostitutes, music halls and theatres moved in. Soho has always been know as the "entertainment" district with sex shops and night life. Today a limited amount of sex shops can still be found. The gay bars are around Old Compton Street. Soho is still a vibrant place for everyone.
Liverpool Street Station.
Don’t be disappointed when you first arrive from the airport to London. In this neighborhood you can find a lot of city “treasures”. Liverpool Street Station is the station where most shuttle busses from Stanstead airport arrives and leave.
Only a few minutes of walking from Liverpool str. st. you can find the Spitafield market and the Sunday up Market. During weekends the markets are quite packed with people.
Brick Lane.
Next to Spitafield is Brick Lane. Brick Lane is also called the Curry capital of Europe. In this street you can find a lot of Indian restaurants. Indian immigrants used to settle down around Brick Lane, but today this area in general has become very trendy with markets, restaurants and bars.
Brick Lane is also the title of a book by Monica Ali. I love that book! It’s both fun, serious, and deals with different issues about being new in the British society for a woman with an Indian background.
Musicals:
Musicals are almost a London a must-see when you visit London. But not all musicals are good. I was disappointed when I saw Thriller and Chicago. But very excited when I saw “saturday night fever”.
Some of the musicals on the agenda are “dirty dancing” , “shrek the musical” and “Grease” - the all time classic.
In London you will be able to find decent prices. You can also book online in advance.
Shrek - from svamp to stage.
Shrek - from svamp to stage.
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The musical is at Aldwych Theatre and according the reviews the musical is very well choreographed.
Cupcakes.
I wonder why have the coloured cupcakes become a popular revolution... Maybe the answer is to be found in London.
List of some of the bakeries in London:
* Ella's Bakehouse, 20a The Piazza, The Market, London WC2E 8RB.
* Ms. Cupcake, 408 Coldharbour Lane, brixton, london SW9 8LF.
* The Hummingbird Bakery - American cupcakes in London.
- 155a Wardour Street, Soho, London W1F 8WG (Close to tube Tottenham C. Road).
- 47 Old Brompton road, South Kensginton, London SW7 3JP.- 133 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London W11 2DY.
* Crumbs and Doilies Cupcakes.
Cute webpage with a lot of pictures at www.crumbsanddoilies.co.uk
-2-5 Duke Of York Square, London,
-5 Morie St, London.
* Princi - spirito di Milano. A delicious Italian bakery in a trendy location. 135 Wardour Street, London W1F 0UT.
* Johnny Cupcakes London (cool website, cook bakery and cool accessories).
Located in Soho in Brewer Street. This is not a sex shop as I first thought when I walked by. Relax and step inside and watch the “funny” decorated cup cakes.
www.coxcookiesandcake.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Cox-Cookies-Cake/136830849687286
Football in London.
Premiere league is known as probably the best league in the world. In London there are many clubs and stadiums to visit. The big clubs are Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham as I'm sure you already know.
I have enclosed this map of what club the locals support in the London areas : www.qprdot.org/viewtopic.php?t=45754
Where to eat:
A lot of small Mexican joints have popped up around in the city. Burritos, fajitas etc. accompanied by margaritas
“El Camion” in Soho is a nice little Mexican joint with a nice decor. Especially the back wall is full of small bottles of different spicy colurful salsas to look at. The burritos were excellent. During the day you can eat 2 meals including a drink for 7 pounds.
25-27 Brewer Street, Soho.www.elcamion.co.uk
More nice Mexican joints are Benito’s hat (www.benitos-hat.com) and Daddy Donkey – the kick ass Mexican grill. Just as crazy as the name the cool is their webpage. Check it out. www.daddydonkey.co.uk
Going out as a bunch of friends I recommend “La Tasca” a Spanish tapas restaurant. There are more of them, so check the website for one near you.
We went to the one at James Street (no. 30-34) near Bond Street tube station. The atmosphere was happy and lively as a Saturday evening should be. The service and waiters were nice, but the food was not excellent but OK though. As a group of 9 people we choose a tapas menu for about 20 pounds each, and we were full half way through the menu. By the way their sangria of rosé was good though ;o)
* Beirut Street food at www.yalla-yalla.co.uk, 1 Green's Court, W1F 0HA London.
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Pubs at every corner:
In London you don’t have to walk far to find a pub. They are everywhere in every neighborhood.
“The Anchor” pub next to the river Themes is one of the coziest pubs I visited both outside and inside. The Anchor was rebuilt in 1676 after the fire. The original structure has been added-to over the centuries, creating a maze of odd little rooms featuring old brick fire places, waney oak beams and worn, creaking floorboards.
34 Park Street, SE1 9EF, closet tube station: London Bridge.
Links :
http://londonist.com - web magazine.
