London 360°

I remember of having a huge poster of tulips with the backdrop of Big Ben on my wall, when I was a kid. I used to admire it every now and then and used to promise myself "one day". 2 decades later the dream finally came true and the place turned out to be even prettier than the picture I used to possess.

When I started writing this post, I knew it was going to be difficult as it would not be easy to choose one place in London over another. From having Summer picnics to witnessing fall foliage, from admiring the Christmas lights to walking beneath the cherry blossoms - the city looks beautiful and different in every season. There is something to explore for everyone. I have visited London so many times, but not even once it failed to surprise me with something new. I wish to continue coming back to this place again and again and it continues to surprise me.

My top 10 favourite places in London

1. Canary wharf:

If there is one place I have to choose, it will always be Canary wharf. I can spend hours there doing nothing. 

I remember that one time my dearest friend and I  got really silly. We got drenched in rain and danced in the fountain of Cabot sq. Luckily nobody was there as it was raining cats and dogs.

A few yards away there is N Dock footbridge which if you cross you will get to West India Quay where you will find loads of lounges to spend a lazy breezy evening. This place is blissfully refreshing when the lights are on in the evening.

2. London viewpoints: 

There are many places in London to admire the skyhigh skylines, but my favourites are:

• View from the Shard: A little expensive, but totally worth it. I would prefer this over London eye. It offers alluring views of the city at night. Make sure to buy tickets online to save some pounds.

• London eye: It is the most iconic giant Ferris wheel and an absolute value for money. The view from here is equally gorgeous and a must visit. Most of the tourist places in London have great discounts available if you book online. These are some of the sites that I have used to avail great offers:
• https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london
• https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/offers/2for1-offers-in-london (you can use this offer only if you have a train ticket to show on that day)

• Sky Garden: Entry to Sky Garden is free and you get great views of Shard and Tower Bridge. However the slot must be pre-booked here in advance. Tickets are released every Monday for upto one week in advance. Since the entry is free, the slots get booked really fast. Therefore, book on the corresponding Monday to get a suitable slot.

• St Paul's Cathedral: Another great view of the city that includes the Shard, London eye and Millennium bridge. It is a bit tiring to climb 528 steps, but the view from top is absolutely worthwhile. The cathedral is a perfect combination of past and present, a blend of history with modern art making it a must visit. The whispering gallery around the interior of the dome is also quite fun and fascinating. Please ensure to book the tickets online to avail discounts using the links I mentioned earlier.

Even though I have chosen only these 4 places as my favourites, there are few other places as well that offer great views of the London Skyline.

• Restaurants with a view

London has many restaurants that offers spectacular views along with good food. Duck & Waffle and Aqua Shard are two of my favourites.

• Emirate's airline, Greenwich Peninsula

• Royal observatory, Greenwich

• Monument

3. West End - Covent Garden, Soho and more:

The first time I went to Covent Garden was when my friend and I wanted to have our customised magnum ice creams from the Magnum Pleasure Store. We both were in awe of the fresh vibes of this place. It is always full of vim and vigour.

My favourite corner in Covent Garden is small and vibrant courtyard with restaurants like Homeslice pizza and 26 Grains, which is one good place for having breakfast if you are a porridge lover like me. It is a tiny cosy place serving yummy food. Need I say more?

 

The market building is another place that never goes dull. From food to shopping the options are plenty. If you are lucky you might get to enjoy a great musical performance for free.

This place looks even more beautiful during Christmas with its Apple Market. The decorations get better with each passing year. From floral swings to cosy domes, a huge Christmas tree to hourly snow-show - it raises the bar higher every year.

One of the newest editions to Covent Garden is the Instagram worthy Infinity Chambers. It is mirrored walkway off Floral street, which is another pretty alleyway in Covent Garden.

Seven Dials is technically not in Covent Garden, but very close. It comes up with spectacular Christmas lights every year.

4: The Queen's Walk:

This never goes wrong. The long stretch from Big Ben to Tower Bridge by the river Thames is perfect to walk alone or with your loved ones. 

Best time would be before sunset so that you can spot some incredible sunset colours and continue walking till the lights are on. It's a long walk, but enjoy every moment. Stop for a while whenever you want. Enjoy some street performances on your way. You can also cross the bridges and go to the other side.

When the Christmas lights are on, the pathway looks even more gorgeous and you can visit Jubilee Garden, Hay's Galleria, Southbank Christmas Market, Borough Market and the Shard in between. Finish it with a walk on the Tower Bridge. You can also experience an amazing view of London from the glass floor walkway of the bridge.

Another mind blowing thing is to see the tower bridge lift. You can experience this if you check the timings beforehand and plan accordingly.

5. Camden town and Little Venice:

If you love street art and street food, you have come to the right place. Every shop is a piece of art here.

There are more things to do here other than clicking pictures. Once you and your camera are satisfied you can tease your taste buds with some street food from the middle yard of the Camden Town Market. You can also pick some bottles of fresh orange juice (the best and cheapest orange juice I have ever had) near the bridge. Lastly sit down for some delicious ice creams frozen with liquid Nitrogen at Chin Chin Labs. Don't forget to carry some cash.

 To put a cherry on top, you can enjoy a joyride on a canal boat from Camden lock to Little Venice, which is also a favourite corner of mine in the city. You can enjoy a stroll by the riverside. It is serene and tranquil and definitely whisks you away from the hustle bustle of the city.

Camden town

Little Venice

6. King's Cross:

This is a must visit for all the Potterheads. Yes, this is where you will find platform 9 3/4. You might have to stand in a queue to be able to get a picture clicked with the magical trolley. The fun does not end here as there is the Harry Potter store next to it.

The surrounding area is quite refreshing and pleasant to roam around. You can enjoy a nice walk along the canals. The place becomes all the more charming at night, specially during Christmas when the bare trees are decorated with lights.

7. Harry Potter studio tour:

If you have visited platform 9 3/4, can Hogwarts be far behind? If you want to spend a day visiting Hogwarts and drinking butterbeer, you must take the Warner Bros studio tour.

Due to its high demand you need to book the tickets at least 2 months in advance, if you wish to visit on weekends. You can board a train from London Euston to Watford Junction, where you can get the official shuttle bus that runs around every 20 minutes. The ticket of the studio tour is quite expensive, but totally worth it.

If you are still having seconds thoughts, the video below might be able to change your mind.

8. London stadiums:

Whether you follow cricket or are a football fan, you must visit Lord's, the home of Cricket and Wembley, the national football (and rugby) stadium.

Lord's cricket ground

Futile attempt to recreate the Saurav Ganguly moment

Wembley stadium

Based on your interest, you can also visit the different clubs or take their respective stadium tours. Don't forget to check online for discounts if you wish to take the stadium tours. However, nothing beats the excitement of watching a live match in your favourite stadium supporting your favourite team.

Arsenal FC, Emirates stadium

Chelsea FC, Stamford Bridge

9. Mayfield Lavender Farm:

Imagine acres and acres of purple lavender flowers. It is near London and you will end up getting loads of photo oppourtunities. It is definitely a perfect Summer dayout (providing the weather is not too hot). The farm is open only in the Summer months  i..e. June to August.

Take a train to Woodmansterne, followed by bus 166 to Oaks Park. The entrance is right beside the bus stand and the entry fee is £2. As soon as you enter, you will see only purple hues all around. If you are tired, sit at the cafe to have some tea/coffee and their homemade lavender cake.

10. Oxford and Piccadilly circus:

The list is not complete without 2 of the most happening areas of London - Oxford circus and Piccadilly Circus. Oxford street is the ultimate shopping destination in London. From roadside souvenirs to high end brands you will find everything here. It comes alive when the Christmas lights are on. The adjacent Regent street and Carnaby street also look equally gorgeous.

If you are tired of shopping and walking too much, just go to the nearby Piccadilly circus. Trust me you will not get bored even if you don't do anything. If you want to enjoy the night life of London and want to visit the night clubs, this is the right place. The city never seems to sleep here.

Do you have a different list? Why don't you leave me a comment and I shall have something new to look forward to when I get to visit London again.

London in Autumn

London is hands down my favourite city in all seasons. However enjoying the fall foliage in the city parks and gardens is a feast for the eyes.

Hyde Park, St James Park, The Regents Park, Greenwich Park - there are plenty of places in London that offer a great show of fall colours.

However, my favourite is Green Park, next to Buckingham Palace. I can spend hours there, strolling around without getting bored. Early mornings are the best as you will not find many people around.

Jubilee gardens also look spectacular with the iconic London eye in the background.

London in Winter

With jingle bells, Christmas markets and hot chocolates London becomes a bit cosier, a little brighter and a lot merrier in Winter. Every tiny corner celebrates a festival; every street gets decorated with colourful lights. The city looks straight out of a fairy tale, as if Santa chooses to give other places a miss and plans to stay only in London.

The whole city gets lit up around mid November and the celebrations continue till Christmas. Here are some of my favourite places:

1. Apple Market, Covent Garden:

If you have read my top 10, you would have known by now that Covent Garden is my absolute favourite. From fine handicrafts to quirky antiques - you will find a lot of options to shop. This place is always crowded and you will be entertained in some way or the other. Don't miss the massive Christmas tree outside the market.

2. Camden Town Market:

Another favourite of mine and I have already mentioned about this place before. This is an ideal and pocket friendly place to try some of the amazing street food. Food, drinks, music, entertainment - you will find everything here. The Camden high street is the perfect place to shop some amazing stuff on a budget. Lastly, the Christmas Market should definitely be on your shopping list.

3. London bridge area:

There are multiple markets and shopping options in this area like Hay's Galleria, Southbank Christmas market, Borough market to name a few. 

For food and Christmas shopping you have more options here than you can count. With a view of London Eye and Tower bridge, you have more reasons to put this into your Christmas list.

4. London Eye and Jubilee Gardens:

I wanted to capture the below frame for the longest time (since 2 of my friends showed me the photos they had clicked). Last year I was finally able to visit this place at the right time and it was totally worth the wait. Jubilee garden has always been my favourite place to chill after I am tired of walking. However walking beneath the lit up trees with the London Eye in the front is something inexplicably delightful.

5. Trafalgar Square:

Trafalgal Square decorates its Christmas tree in Nordic style every year. It is one of the largest and most beautiful Christmas trees in London and is definitely worth a visit.

6. Winter Wonderland

Food, drinks, games, rides - what more do you need to make your Christmas a merry one? The 1.5 months long "Winter Wonderland" is celebrated at Hyde Park every year and should definitely be on your list if you want a fun filled Winter.

7. NYE fireworks:

This did not make the first cut as I was'nt really sure whether to add it or not. Given an option I would like to spend my NYE at home in PJs with wine and my loved ones. However, since not everybody is as lazy as me and my friend insisted that I must put it on my blog, so here you go. The video is shaky, but it will give you a fair idea of what you can expect.

You need to book your tickets online at least 3 months in advance. The tickets for blue zones get over first, because that is right opposite to London eye and hence the best place to watch the fireworks. The above video was taken from blue zone. The other zones are not that great to be honest, as you get only the side views. However since the tickets are quite cheap, you can definitely give it a try. I have the below picture from red zone for your reference.

8. Oxford Circus

It is definitely a coincidence that even this list also is ending with Oxford circus. But it is true that you absolutely cannot miss this place if you are in London around Christmas. Check online to find out the exact timelines. This neighbourhood shines so bright as Oxford street, Regent street and Carnaby street display some of the most incredible Christmas lights. I am going to let the below pictures do all the talking.

Oxford street, '16

Regent street, '16

Carnaby street, '16

Quick itineraries

A day in the city:

It is a shame if you have just a day to spare in London, but if you really do you can follow the below itinerary to utilise your time in the city wisely:

• Start early and visit Green park, followed by Buckingham Palace.
• Follow The Mall and reach the Horse Guards. Experience the Horse Guards Parade. The timings are Mon-Sat 11 AM and Sun 10 AM.
• Trafalgar sq is at walkable distance from here. You might want to chill there for sometime and have lunch.
• Take a tube to Canary Wharf and roam around the place. Visit Cabot square, N Dock footbridge and vanishing point.
• Come back to Canary Wharf DLR station. Take a DLR to Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich.
• Visit Cutty Sark, followed by Royal Observatory, Greenwich.
• Walk till the nearest tube station and take a tube to Westminster station. Visit Westminster Abbey. You can take a picture of both London eye and Big Ben in the same frame from here.
• Next up is Big Ben. Walk till Tower bridge.
• Go to Shard and view the world from 72nd floor.
• End your super-hectic day (if you still have some energy and time left) by visiting the Oxford circus- Piccadilly circus neighbourhood.

Horse Guards Parade

Prime Meridian, Greenwich

Prime Meridian, Greenwich

Taken from Westminster Abbey

You can make use of this link to plan your transport in London. If you are visiting London during Christmas, you must visit Oxford Circus. You can directly start with Trafalgar sq if need be. 

2 days in the city:

You have 2 days now in your pocket. Yay! 

Day 1:

• Start the same way as above and continue till Trafalgar Square i.e.

Green Park-> Buckingham Palace-> The Mall-> Horse Guards Parade-> Trafalgar Sq

• Skip Canary Wharf and go to Cutty Sark directly and visit the Royal Observatory, Greenwich after that.
• Take a DLR to Canary Wharf. Cross the N Dock footbridge and enjoy the sunset and an easy breezy evening.
• Go to Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus and end the night on a high (no pun intended) note.

Day 2:

• There is no nicer way to start your day other than being away from the citylife and enjoying a nice walk along the waterfront with birds chirping and swans swimming. Yes I am talking about Little Italy. Take a canal boat to Camden town.
• Enjoy the street arts and street shopping here. You can pick up your souvenirs here if you haven't already at Oxford street.
• Up next you can visit a place of your choice:
• Lord's Cricket Ground
• Wembley or any other club stadium
• King's Cross station platform no 9 3/4
• Sherlock Holmes Museum
• Any other place I have not mentioned and you think I should have.
• Go to Westminster Abbey and end it with the view from Shard same as before. However, hopefully you will have some time to enjoy the view from London eye as well.

Westminster Abbey-> Big Ben -> London eye -> Follow the pathway till Tower Bridge-> View from the Shard

Offbeat things to do in London

1. Admire street arts:

I have already written enough about Camden town. In addition to that you can also appreciate some of the brilliant street arts in the Brick Lane and Sclater Street neighbourhood.

This area has also some of the laid back coffee shops, in case you are tired of walking and taking pictures.

2. Visit the parks:

London has lots of parks for you to breath some fresh air. You can walk around as long as you want. Moreover you can experience this right in the city and you do not have to go to the countryside. Green park, St James park, Regent's park, Hyde park are some of the major parks in Central London and will be great for a day out.

3. Get Sherlocked:

If you are a Sherlock fan, you must visit 221B Baker Street. It is a privately run museum and you get to go inside and visit all the rooms and stuff. Additionally you can pick up some cool souvenirs for yourself.

4. Enjoy a walk along the canals:

Enough said already! But London canal rides are definitely under-hyped. Even just a walk along the London waterways is always a good idea. Regent's canal is a hidden secret and you can follow the map to plan your date with all the scenic beauties.

5. Explore the restaurants/pubs/cafes:

If food makes you happy, London is heaven for you. Local Chinese delicacies in China town, yummy gelato at Amorino, Liquid Nitrogen ice creams at Chin Chin lab, customised Magnum at Magnum Pleasure Store (opens only for few days every year), cosy coffee shops in Soho, healthy breakfast at 26 Grains, the first Hard Rock Cafe ever, make-your-own-steak at Steak & Co, street food from Borough market, local ale at a local pub and the list goes on. London is also home to some of the best cafes - Peggy Porschen, Saint Aymes or EL&N for your Instagram asthetics or God's own junkyard for some quirky Amsterdam vibes. Places like Aqua Shard or Duck & Waffle not only serves delicious food, but also offers some of the best panoramic views of London. Long story short - when in London, the food options are endless.

I know I have blabbered enough. But you know what, blame it all on London. And if this does not make you fall in love with London, a visit in the city sure will. Because as Joey says, it's London, baby!