Our lovely intern Alex Rombach will be leaving us shortly, (sob) and as she’s new to London – she’s from The Black Forest in Germany – she asked us for a few tips on great places to go in London. The studio came back with a whopping 33 Must See places.
If you have any additions to make to our London ‘must sees’ please get in touch: sarah.cameron@cpb.co.uk
1. On a Sunday morning, The Columbia road flower market (www.columbiaroad.info)
2. Primrose Hill, for bars, Boutiques & views of London (www.primerosehill.com)
3. Hampstead village for cafe society, old pubs and Hampstead Heath (www.pubs.com/main_site/pub_details.php?pub_id=109)
4. Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – it’s the last week this week and although the weather isn’t going to be great (Friday might be the best day), it’s a really fantastic experience. www.openairtheatre.org
5. A walk around Richmond Park and then into Richmond is lovely on a sunny day. In particular, there are beautiful views over the Thames out towards Twickenham on Richmond Hill and a pint in one of the pubs facing the river is great. If you’re in that area then a visit to the cafe/tea house at Petersham Nurseries is also recommended for superb food and quirky surrounds.www.petershamnurseries.com
6. Lancashire Court in Mayfair is hidden away but is full of buzzing bars and restaurants. It’s particularly good on a warm evening when everyone spills outside.
7. Rebel Bingo www.rebelbingo.com Described as ‘a raucous night of booze, bad behaviour and filthy underground bingo’. This is one of the best night of organised fun I’ve been to. The bingo can be a little rude so not for the prudish!
8. Bourne and Hollingsworth www.bourneandhollingsworth.com A great little bar near central with a retro feel. They serve cocktails in china cups with cucumber sandwiches. A little fancy, but cute.
9. Elk in the Woods - www.the-elk-in-the-woods.co.uk/ Yummy little eatery just round the corner from Angel Tube. If you fancy a menu that is slightly alternative but delicious here is your place.
11.www.londontheatre.co.uk - loads to see at the theatre
12. www.ronniescotts.co.uk - good venue for Jazz music
13.http://montgomeryplace.co.uk/ - a lovely cocktail bar in Notting Hill that has a James Dean style about it
14. http://www.electriccinema.co.uk/ - a gorgeous, luxurious old cinema where you can drink vino too!
16. Visit Black Rat Press (http://www.blackratpress.co.uk/) gallery in Shoreditch then on for a drink in the Dragon Bar opposite.
17. Busaba for good Thai food in soho (http://www.urbanpath.com/london/thai/busaba-eathai.htm.) Then onto this secret little bar- It’s number 57 greek street. Go down a flight of stairs sign your name and your in. There is normally a man sitting in the corner playing the saxaphone and a good mix of people in there.
18. I really like Spitalfields market on a Sunday. http://www.visitspitalfields.com/ Could go after the flower market.
19. The Palmtree Pub – in Mile End Park beside the Regents Canal is the most magical pub – I have taken quite a few friends there who all decide it is their new favourite pub in London. On Friday and Saturday nights they have a live band made up of really talented local old men who play old classics from Frank Sinatra to Ella Fitzgerald. Stays open till 2am or 3am as no-one minds the noise, because the park surrounds it. Everything else was bombed during the blitz, but the Palmtree stood tall, and still has all the original features including a big old till and gorgeous wall paper, all bathed in golden light! Bill Murray and Wes Andersen loved it when they made Fantastic Mr Fox in studios close by too!
http://www.timeout.com/london/bars/reviews/13135.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/14/palm-tree-mile-end-london
20. Secret Cinema – wonderful monthly event that turns cinema into the most incredible immersive experience. No one knows what film they are going to see, the location and dress theme are revealed just before… its on tonight tomorrow and Sunday night. Go if you can!
http://www.secretcinema.org/
21. Dennis Sever’s House – a beautiful house in East London that brings the past to life in the most charming way.
http://www.dennissevershouse.co.uk/
…Brick Lane is so good on a Sunday too, if you go, wander down to their famous 24 hour bagel shops and check out Beyond Retro – its one of the best vintage stores in London.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/14/palm-tree-mile-end-london
20. Secret Cinema – wonderful monthly event that turns cinema into the most incredible immersive experience. No one knows what film they are going to see, the location and dress theme are revealed just before… its on tonight tomorrow and Sunday night. Go if you can!
http://www.secretcinema.org/
21. Dennis Sever’s House – a beautiful house in East London that brings the past to life in the most charming way.
http://www.dennissevershouse.co.uk/
…Brick Lane is so good on a Sunday too, if you go, wander down to their famous 24 hour bagel shops and check out Beyond Retro – its one of the best vintage stores in London.
22. The Luminaire, Kilburn - www.theluminaire.co.uk - best gig venue in London, small, intimate, amazing sound. Just don’t go there for a chat, its famous for throwing people out who talk over the music, as the signs on the walls warn you. The King Head pub below (as in the king of rock not the king of England) is a great place to meet before.
23. The Brixton Windmill - www.windmillbrixton.co.uk - second best gig venue I London, although a bit of a mission to find, its small again, feels like its falling down and has a dog who lives on the roof. Bands play every single night and big names are know to play sneaky warm gigs here too. Plus there’s free BBQs and cake at the weekend gigs.
24. The 100 Club - www.the100club.co.uk - This Oxford street jazz venue is an institution and has its place sealed for ever in music history, the basement venue might look like any other gig venue but as the pictures on the walls testify the great and good of rock and punk have played here, everyone from the Rolling Stones to The Sex Pistols to Oasis. Bands always try harder at The 100 Club.
24. The 100 Club - www.the100club.co.uk - This Oxford street jazz venue is an institution and has its place sealed for ever in music history, the basement venue might look like any other gig venue but as the pictures on the walls testify the great and good of rock and punk have played here, everyone from the Rolling Stones to The Sex Pistols to Oasis. Bands always try harder at The 100 Club.
25. Bandstand busking (www.bandstandbusking.com) if you can catch it – a lovely way to spend a weekend afternoon. Sign up for the emails, they tell you who, when and where …just go along a enjoy some free music!
26. Gordon’s Wine Bar (www.gordonswinebar.com). A small underground bar with nice wine, low ceiling and a good atmosphere
27. Broadway market for all it’s little shops and weekend food stalls (www.broadwaymarket.co.uk) …then sitting in London Fields with your picnic
28. Greenwich – market on Sat and Sun including clothes, antiques, food etc, interesting independent shops and architecture, nice bars and cafes, exhibitions, beautiful park, walk by the river, even get the river taxi. Cutty Sark and National Maritime Museum based here if sea-faring history is your thing! A great destination for a lazy Sunday. http://www.greenwich-market.co.uk/
29. The Nag’s Head in Kinnerton St – a small, traditional English boozer in a quiet little mews at the back of bustling Knightsbridge. Strict no mobile phone policy which is quite refreshing! Lots of interesting brick-a-brac and stuff to look at (from memory the land lord appeared in Grange Hill in the 80s and his Dad was something to do with Doctor Who so there are strong links with theatre and TV). Chris Evans’s famous hangout when he used to go boozing in the day with Billie Piper and not turn up for his radio show. http://www.pubs.com/main_site/pub_details.php?pub_id=150
30. Borough Market – great foodie extravaganza and fantastic atmosphere, mornings definitely best time to go (open Fri – Sun) http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/
31. Marylebone High Street on a Saturday for a stroll taking in La Fromagerie, a beautiful cheese shop complete with a specialist cheese room (http://www.lafromagerie.co.uk/)
32. Walking across Waterloo Bridge for the best view of London to then experience what the South Bank has to offer.
33. St. Paul’s – Climb the stairs to the Whispering Gallery and up to the Golden Gallery for an unexpected, but amazing view of London (http://www.stpauls.co.uk/)