Guidebook for London

Alison
Guidebook for London

Food Scene

Very popular local Turkish restaurant. Great for a tasty, good value dinner.
51 helybéli ajánlásával
Gökyüzü
26-28 Green Lanes
51 helybéli ajánlásával
Very popular local Turkish restaurant. Great for a tasty, good value dinner.
An amazing Turkish/Greek grocery store and bakery on Green Lanes. Great for picking up snacks or warm bread for lunch.
38 helybéli ajánlásával
Yasar Halim Southgate
2-4 Winchmore Hill Rd
38 helybéli ajánlásával
An amazing Turkish/Greek grocery store and bakery on Green Lanes. Great for picking up snacks or warm bread for lunch.
We really like this French restaurant for its excellently- executed classic food and its relaxed but buzzy atmosphere. A classy brasserie.
32 helybéli ajánlásával
Galvin Bistrot de Luxe
66 Baker Street
32 helybéli ajánlásával
We really like this French restaurant for its excellently- executed classic food and its relaxed but buzzy atmosphere. A classy brasserie.
If you like steak, this place is where it's at! Any one of the branches is good, but this is our favourite. They also do a terrific Sunday roast lunch.
13 helybéli ajánlásával
Hawksmoor Air Street
5A Air St
13 helybéli ajánlásával
If you like steak, this place is where it's at! Any one of the branches is good, but this is our favourite. They also do a terrific Sunday roast lunch.
You can easily reach Borough Market on the 141 bus from the end of our road, and the bus trip takes you past some iconic sights in the City of London. In full operation from Wednesday to Saturday, it's not just the best foodies market in London (which is saying something in itself) - it's a terrific destination in its own right. You'll be hard pressed to choose something for lunch! Combine this with a walk along the south bank to Tate Modern.
1617 helybéli ajánlásával
Borough Market
Borough High Street
1617 helybéli ajánlásával
You can easily reach Borough Market on the 141 bus from the end of our road, and the bus trip takes you past some iconic sights in the City of London. In full operation from Wednesday to Saturday, it's not just the best foodies market in London (which is saying something in itself) - it's a terrific destination in its own right. You'll be hard pressed to choose something for lunch! Combine this with a walk along the south bank to Tate Modern.
Guests recommend this local coffee shop, a couple of minutes walk from the house, for good coffee, toasted sandwiches and home made cake.
12 helybéli ajánlásával
Music & Beans Haringey
461 Green Lanes
12 helybéli ajánlásával
Guests recommend this local coffee shop, a couple of minutes walk from the house, for good coffee, toasted sandwiches and home made cake.
As it's up a steep hill from the house, you can feel justified in indulging in a cake! This local coffee shop/restaurant has a cool vibe and some great Malaysian food at lunchtime. We're told they do a mean full English breakfast as well too. Opens for dinner rarely and unpredictably.
17 helybéli ajánlásával
Moka
5 Wightman Rd
17 helybéli ajánlásával
As it's up a steep hill from the house, you can feel justified in indulging in a cake! This local coffee shop/restaurant has a cool vibe and some great Malaysian food at lunchtime. We're told they do a mean full English breakfast as well too. Opens for dinner rarely and unpredictably.
More of a cafe than a destination restaurant, this local Vietnamese place is next door to the Salisbury pub. It turns out a good line in beef curry and pho and pretty much everything is filling and tasty.
9 helybéli ajánlásával
Hanoi Pho
179 Mare St
9 helybéli ajánlásával
More of a cafe than a destination restaurant, this local Vietnamese place is next door to the Salisbury pub. It turns out a good line in beef curry and pho and pretty much everything is filling and tasty.
Lovely airy restaurant with great views from the top of the National Portrait Gallery. Makes an excellent lunch stop after an exhausting morning in the galleries or a romantic dinner venue. Booking is essential, and get there early to beg for a seat by the window.
Portrait
Lovely airy restaurant with great views from the top of the National Portrait Gallery. Makes an excellent lunch stop after an exhausting morning in the galleries or a romantic dinner venue. Booking is essential, and get there early to beg for a seat by the window.
For a special occasion, a traditional British afternoon tea at Brown's is spot on. There are unlimited scones (my personal favourite) and fruit cake and a spot of light piano music. Booking essential, well in advance for popular times.
Brown's Hotel
33 Albemarle St
For a special occasion, a traditional British afternoon tea at Brown's is spot on. There are unlimited scones (my personal favourite) and fruit cake and a spot of light piano music. Booking essential, well in advance for popular times.
Buzzy atmosphere, good food and great views over the bustle of Borough Market on Fridays and Saturdays. Lunch is best and it's best to book.
30 helybéli ajánlásával
Roast
Stoney Street
30 helybéli ajánlásával
Buzzy atmosphere, good food and great views over the bustle of Borough Market on Fridays and Saturdays. Lunch is best and it's best to book.
A cool new "ironic" Chinese restaurant and micro brewery. We love the black pepper beef and the crispy duck with pancakes. If you're there during the day, Berwick Street has one of London's oldest street markets. Best to book.
17 helybéli ajánlásával
The Duck and Rice
90 Berwick St
17 helybéli ajánlásával
A cool new "ironic" Chinese restaurant and micro brewery. We love the black pepper beef and the crispy duck with pancakes. If you're there during the day, Berwick Street has one of London's oldest street markets. Best to book.
Gorgeous levantine food by masters of flavour and freshness. These guys catered my 50th birthday party - that's how good I think they are! You can easily reach the original Islington branch by bus from here, and take in a bit of trendy shopping on Upper Street while you're there. Best to book. http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/locations/
364 helybéli ajánlásával
Ottolenghi Islington
287 Upper St
364 helybéli ajánlásával
Gorgeous levantine food by masters of flavour and freshness. These guys catered my 50th birthday party - that's how good I think they are! You can easily reach the original Islington branch by bus from here, and take in a bit of trendy shopping on Upper Street while you're there. Best to book. http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/locations/
The nearest location for a traditional full english breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, beans, toast, maybe black pudding, and - if you think you can fit them in - chips. It's not for the faint hearted!
275 helybéli ajánlásával
Finsbury Park
Station Place
275 helybéli ajánlásával
The nearest location for a traditional full english breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, beans, toast, maybe black pudding, and - if you think you can fit them in - chips. It's not for the faint hearted!
An east-end institution, open 24 hours and the best bagels in London, hands down. http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/brick-lane-beigel-bake
236 helybéli ajánlásával
Beigel Bake
159 Brick Ln
236 helybéli ajánlásával
An east-end institution, open 24 hours and the best bagels in London, hands down. http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/brick-lane-beigel-bake
This is THE place for the classic greasy spoon East End cafe full English breakfast fry up experience. Easily combined with a Sunday morning at Columbia Road market and/or Brick Lane. http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/e-pellicci
160 helybéli ajánlásával
E Pellicci
332 Bethnal Green Rd
160 helybéli ajánlásával
This is THE place for the classic greasy spoon East End cafe full English breakfast fry up experience. Easily combined with a Sunday morning at Columbia Road market and/or Brick Lane. http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/e-pellicci

Drinks & Nightlife

A great heritage Victorian pub and our local! Serves good food, including Sunday lunch, and has a wide range of real ales and guest beers.
77 helybéli ajánlásával
The Salisbury Hotel London
1 Green Lanes
77 helybéli ajánlásával
A great heritage Victorian pub and our local! Serves good food, including Sunday lunch, and has a wide range of real ales and guest beers.
A lively pub next to the tube station, which attracts a young crowd to enjoy the live music.
55 helybéli ajánlásával
The Finsbury
336 Green Lanes
55 helybéli ajánlásával
A lively pub next to the tube station, which attracts a young crowd to enjoy the live music.
This local bar bills itself as "A simple yet tasty coffee and breakfast bar by day…A cosy, mad house live music and cocktail bar by night!" The live music programme is erratic - sometimes it's there, sometimes it isn't. But it's a buzzy, informal place.
51 helybéli ajánlásával
Jam in a Jar
599 Green Lanes
51 helybéli ajánlásával
This local bar bills itself as "A simple yet tasty coffee and breakfast bar by day…A cosy, mad house live music and cocktail bar by night!" The live music programme is erratic - sometimes it's there, sometimes it isn't. But it's a buzzy, informal place.
London't oldest wine bar beside the Thames at Embankment. Literally dripping with atmosphere. Candles, vaults, a huge cheese selection, what's not to love? http://gordonswinebar.com
114 helybéli ajánlásával
Champagne Bar
87-135 Brompton Rd
114 helybéli ajánlásával
London't oldest wine bar beside the Thames at Embankment. Literally dripping with atmosphere. Candles, vaults, a huge cheese selection, what's not to love? http://gordonswinebar.com

Shopping

You can reach Columbia Road Market on a Sunday morning quite easily from here on the 67 bus. It's London's historic open air flower market, and is now a focus for good street food and chic gift and houseware shops. It's super busy though!
1660 helybéli ajánlásával
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia Road
1660 helybéli ajánlásával
You can reach Columbia Road Market on a Sunday morning quite easily from here on the 67 bus. It's London's historic open air flower market, and is now a focus for good street food and chic gift and houseware shops. It's super busy though!
On Sundays, this east end street market becomes the centre of trendy London life. There's art, vintage and designer clothes from independent makers, jewellery, bric a brac and fantastic street food. It makes a great day out, especially combined with Columbia Road flower market and Spitalfields Market.
878 helybéli ajánlásával
Brick Lane
Brick Lane
878 helybéli ajánlásával
On Sundays, this east end street market becomes the centre of trendy London life. There's art, vintage and designer clothes from independent makers, jewellery, bric a brac and fantastic street food. It makes a great day out, especially combined with Columbia Road flower market and Spitalfields Market.
Now rather sanitised, but still worth a visit when combined with Brick Lane, this clothes, accessories, homeware, and vintage market is in London's old fruit and veg market. Good street food too.
696 helybéli ajánlásával
Régi Spitalfields piac
16 Commercial St
696 helybéli ajánlásával
Now rather sanitised, but still worth a visit when combined with Brick Lane, this clothes, accessories, homeware, and vintage market is in London's old fruit and veg market. Good street food too.
My bias, but I think John Lewis in Oxford Street is the best department store in the world. Distinctively British, good quality and good value.
59 helybéli ajánlásával
John Lewis & Partners
Ariel Way
59 helybéli ajánlásával
My bias, but I think John Lewis in Oxford Street is the best department store in the world. Distinctively British, good quality and good value.
Just a short bus ride away (141 or 341), this pretty high street has a villagey feel and some lovely homewares, gifts and clothes shops. Makes a nice stroll on a Sunday, especially if you walk through pretty Clissold Park. Stoke Newington High Street at the far end of Church Street has thrown up some very cool cafes and bars recently.
232 helybéli ajánlásával
Stoke Newington Church Street
Stoke Newington Church Street
232 helybéli ajánlásával
Just a short bus ride away (141 or 341), this pretty high street has a villagey feel and some lovely homewares, gifts and clothes shops. Makes a nice stroll on a Sunday, especially if you walk through pretty Clissold Park. Stoke Newington High Street at the far end of Church Street has thrown up some very cool cafes and bars recently.
An upmarket "village" street just behind Oxford Street. All you could wish for in chic clothes, homeware and scented candles. Look out for Daunt Books, which might be the loveliest bookshop in London (smells good without candles).
117 helybéli ajánlásával
Marylebone High Street
Marylebone High Street
117 helybéli ajánlásával
An upmarket "village" street just behind Oxford Street. All you could wish for in chic clothes, homeware and scented candles. Look out for Daunt Books, which might be the loveliest bookshop in London (smells good without candles).
Whether you didn't buy a guide book before you came to London, or you need a detailed street map of Ulan Bataar, this is the place to go. Stuffed with travel writing, maps and guides on several floors.
7 helybéli ajánlásával
Stanfords
7 Mercer Walk
7 helybéli ajánlásával
Whether you didn't buy a guide book before you came to London, or you need a detailed street map of Ulan Bataar, this is the place to go. Stuffed with travel writing, maps and guides on several floors.
Huge, bustling, can be a bit touristy, but still the authentic Camden grunge experience. Stuffed with vintage, jewellery, homewares, street food, antiques, designer gear and cocktails on the go. A "must do" if you've never been.
1028 helybéli ajánlásával
Camden Market
54-56 Camden Lock Pl
1028 helybéli ajánlásával
Huge, bustling, can be a bit touristy, but still the authentic Camden grunge experience. Stuffed with vintage, jewellery, homewares, street food, antiques, designer gear and cocktails on the go. A "must do" if you've never been.
In trendy and very upmarket Notting Hill, this is a huge antiques, collectibles and vintage market. Very atmospheric in its own right - even if you don't buy anything. Check out the pretty colourful cottages (don't start dreaming unless you have a couple of million quid to spare) and grab a Portuguese custard tart from Lisboa Patisserie. Best to get there around 1000 on a Saturday.
860 helybéli ajánlásával
Portobello Piac
73a Lewisham High St
860 helybéli ajánlásával
In trendy and very upmarket Notting Hill, this is a huge antiques, collectibles and vintage market. Very atmospheric in its own right - even if you don't buy anything. Check out the pretty colourful cottages (don't start dreaming unless you have a couple of million quid to spare) and grab a Portuguese custard tart from Lisboa Patisserie. Best to get there around 1000 on a Saturday.

Parks & Nature

Our local green space. Finsbury Park is a good spot for a run or a walk. It has a modest lake, children's playgrounds and a family-oriented cafe in the centre. We usually start our Saturdays with a parkrun in the park. It's a free, timed 5k for all abilities and runners meet in the cafe for coffee afterwards. Sign up, print your barcode and join in! http://www.parkrun.org.uk
275 helybéli ajánlásával
Finsbury Park
Station Place
275 helybéli ajánlásával
Our local green space. Finsbury Park is a good spot for a run or a walk. It has a modest lake, children's playgrounds and a family-oriented cafe in the centre. We usually start our Saturdays with a parkrun in the park. It's a free, timed 5k for all abilities and runners meet in the cafe for coffee afterwards. Sign up, print your barcode and join in! http://www.parkrun.org.uk
A couple of stops away on our local train (closed September 2016-February 2017), the Heath is a huge, wonderful semi-wild space. There are iconic views over London from Parliament Hill and a very nice cafe at lovely Kenwood House. A great venue for a walk.
1215 helybéli ajánlásával
Hampstead Heath
1215 helybéli ajánlásával
A couple of stops away on our local train (closed September 2016-February 2017), the Heath is a huge, wonderful semi-wild space. There are iconic views over London from Parliament Hill and a very nice cafe at lovely Kenwood House. A great venue for a walk.
London's latest wetlands site, with excellent birdwatching, on a reservoir tucked away between high rise flats. It makes a good, manageable walk from our house, and you can follow the New River Path for part of the way. There's a great cafe and, if you have more time, some excellent activities, including bat walks, photography classes and outdoor yoga.
64 helybéli ajánlásával
Woodberry mocsarak
Woodberry Grove
64 helybéli ajánlásával
London's latest wetlands site, with excellent birdwatching, on a reservoir tucked away between high rise flats. It makes a good, manageable walk from our house, and you can follow the New River Path for part of the way. There's a great cafe and, if you have more time, some excellent activities, including bat walks, photography classes and outdoor yoga.

Arts & Culture

An intimate and fascinating museum of interiors set in beautiful old almshouses on the edge of trendy Shoreditch. Easily reached on the 67 bus from here.
326 helybéli ajánlásával
Museum of the Home
136 Kingsland Road
326 helybéli ajánlásával
An intimate and fascinating museum of interiors set in beautiful old almshouses on the edge of trendy Shoreditch. Easily reached on the 67 bus from here.
This might be the most atmospheric place in London. Denis Severs saved a beautiful Georgian house in the heart of Spitalfields and make it into a unique immersive museum. Walking through the rooms you feel as though the families who lived there through the centuries may only just have stepped out. It's only open on Sunday afternoons and it's very good to combine with Brick Lane/Columbia Road/Spitalfields Market.
79 helybéli ajánlásával
Dennis Severs' House
18 Folgate St
79 helybéli ajánlásával
This might be the most atmospheric place in London. Denis Severs saved a beautiful Georgian house in the heart of Spitalfields and make it into a unique immersive museum. Walking through the rooms you feel as though the families who lived there through the centuries may only just have stepped out. It's only open on Sunday afternoons and it's very good to combine with Brick Lane/Columbia Road/Spitalfields Market.
Tate Modern is a destination in itself, never mind any special exhibitions which might be happening. There are great views of the river and the city from the new viewing platform and you might be lucky enough to catch an installation in the huge old turbine hall.
2008 helybéli ajánlásával
Tate Modern
Bankside
2008 helybéli ajánlásával
Tate Modern is a destination in itself, never mind any special exhibitions which might be happening. There are great views of the river and the city from the new viewing platform and you might be lucky enough to catch an installation in the huge old turbine hall.
Good to combine with a visit to Borough Market and the South Bank, this quirky little museum combines a medieval herb garret with the gruesome realities of pre-antisepsis surgery.
48 helybéli ajánlásával
Az Ókori Műtőmúzeum és Herb Garret
9a St Thomas St
48 helybéli ajánlásával
Good to combine with a visit to Borough Market and the South Bank, this quirky little museum combines a medieval herb garret with the gruesome realities of pre-antisepsis surgery.
I love the quirky permanent collection here, and they have some really interesting temporary exhibitions too. The shop has some very cool science-based gifts and books. Easily reached within about 40 minutes from here.
122 helybéli ajánlásával
Wellcome Collection
183 Euston Rd
122 helybéli ajánlásával
I love the quirky permanent collection here, and they have some really interesting temporary exhibitions too. The shop has some very cool science-based gifts and books. Easily reached within about 40 minutes from here.
A jewel of a gallery in a beautiful 18th century house in a pretty square. Not always the most masterly old masters, but some iconic pictures, including The Laughing Cavalier. And more armour than you could ever want to look at. Quite a nice cafe in the courtyard.
230 helybéli ajánlásával
Wallace-gyűjtemény
Manchester Square
230 helybéli ajánlásával
A jewel of a gallery in a beautiful 18th century house in a pretty square. Not always the most masterly old masters, but some iconic pictures, including The Laughing Cavalier. And more armour than you could ever want to look at. Quite a nice cafe in the courtyard.
This sprawling red brick building was controversial when it was first built and was dismissed as an eyesore. But that was before we were able to look inside. There are soaring white spaces, ingenious nooks and crannies and the most beautiful tower of books you will ever see (it's George III's library). There are some very interesting permanent and temporary exhibitions, a good cafe and free wifi.
430 helybéli ajánlásával
Brit Könyvtár
96 Euston Rd
430 helybéli ajánlásával
This sprawling red brick building was controversial when it was first built and was dismissed as an eyesore. But that was before we were able to look inside. There are soaring white spaces, ingenious nooks and crannies and the most beautiful tower of books you will ever see (it's George III's library). There are some very interesting permanent and temporary exhibitions, a good cafe and free wifi.
World class. The mummy room is busy, but worth it. The Sutton Hoo treasures breathtaking. You could spend a week in here and still have more to see.
1546 helybéli ajánlásával
British Múzeum
Great Russell Street
1546 helybéli ajánlásával
World class. The mummy room is busy, but worth it. The Sutton Hoo treasures breathtaking. You could spend a week in here and still have more to see.
A beautiful museum, stuffed with lovely things. I particularly like the netsuke collection.
1694 helybéli ajánlásával
Victoria and Albert Múzeum
Cromwell Road
1694 helybéli ajánlásával
A beautiful museum, stuffed with lovely things. I particularly like the netsuke collection.
A fun, hands on museum of all things bus and tube. Great for kids.
95 helybéli ajánlásával
Londoni Közlekedési Múzeum
The Piazza
95 helybéli ajánlásával
A fun, hands on museum of all things bus and tube. Great for kids.
This fabulous little museum is so atmospheric. Stuffed with architectural details and beautiful things, including the famous Hogarth's Rake's Progress series. all in a classic Georgian house in the iconic Lincoln's Inn Fields. Easily reached from here on the Piccadilly Line to Holborn. Opening times and numbers admitted are limited, so check out the website before you go. http://www.soane.org
183 helybéli ajánlásával
Sir John Soane Múzeum
13 Lincoln's Inn Fields
183 helybéli ajánlásával
This fabulous little museum is so atmospheric. Stuffed with architectural details and beautiful things, including the famous Hogarth's Rake's Progress series. all in a classic Georgian house in the iconic Lincoln's Inn Fields. Easily reached from here on the Piccadilly Line to Holborn. Opening times and numbers admitted are limited, so check out the website before you go. http://www.soane.org
Fascinated by gruesome things pickled in jars? This is for you. This museum of anatomy, pathology and surgery, is housed in the Royal College of Surgeons in Lincoln's Inn Fields. Good to combine with the Sir John Soane Museum.
15 helybéli ajánlásával
Hunterian Museum
43 Lincoln's Inn Fields
15 helybéli ajánlásával
Fascinated by gruesome things pickled in jars? This is for you. This museum of anatomy, pathology and surgery, is housed in the Royal College of Surgeons in Lincoln's Inn Fields. Good to combine with the Sir John Soane Museum.

Essentials

I have a theory that you can find anything you want on Green Lanes. Grand Parade (our local stretch of this very long road) is one of the few remaining London high streets which is stuffed with independent stores. Sure, they can look a bit scruffy, and the Turkish restaurants dominate, but the character is all there. There are hardware shops, banks, a post office, multiple grocery and food shops, a butchers, cafes, a launderette, jewellers, locksmiths, nailbars, hairdressers...And a personal favourite: Hot Nuts.
23 helybéli ajánlásával
Green Lanes
23 helybéli ajánlásával
I have a theory that you can find anything you want on Green Lanes. Grand Parade (our local stretch of this very long road) is one of the few remaining London high streets which is stuffed with independent stores. Sure, they can look a bit scruffy, and the Turkish restaurants dominate, but the character is all there. There are hardware shops, banks, a post office, multiple grocery and food shops, a butchers, cafes, a launderette, jewellers, locksmiths, nailbars, hairdressers...And a personal favourite: Hot Nuts.
A large 24 hour supermarket. Nuff said.
644 helybéli ajánlásával
Sainsbury's
1 Cambridge Heath Rd
644 helybéli ajánlásával
A large 24 hour supermarket. Nuff said.

Getting Around

Our nearest tube station, on the Piccadilly Line. 15 minutes walk, or an 8 minute bus ride away. Then just 15 minutes into central London. Check out the TfL site for first and last trains. https://tfl.gov.uk/tube/stop/940GZZLUMRH/manor-house-underground-station?lineId=piccadilly
49 helybéli ajánlásával
Manor House Station
Green Lanes
49 helybéli ajánlásával
Our nearest tube station, on the Piccadilly Line. 15 minutes walk, or an 8 minute bus ride away. Then just 15 minutes into central London. Check out the TfL site for first and last trains. https://tfl.gov.uk/tube/stop/940GZZLUMRH/manor-house-underground-station?lineId=piccadilly