My Favorite Places in London
My Favorite Places in London
Sarah Pollock
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I studied abroad in London back in 2020 (rip), and went back in 2022 for a week.
I'm not sure if London is one of my favorite cities by any standard definition, but it is in my opinion one of the more liveable ones if its size and stimulation are attractive to you (and if you can afford it). I find it akin to New York, and in many ways culturally more American than it is European. But as an American, I am much more at peace here. The size of the city itself feels like there is enough space for everyone. It's history (like most cities in Europe) as a collection of villages that eventually all came together, and thus the lack of skyscrapers outside of the historic city center and financial hub, makes everything feel a little bit calmer. It is also much cleaner and MUCH prettier than New York.
For its exorbitant rent prices, I also love that London offers so much to do without spending too much money. The museums and parks are free, most tourist attractions can be experienced from the outside, and the cafe/street food options are affordable and plenty.
Like most of my other travel guides, this one is mainly focused on cafes and bookstores, quiet corners, and under-the-radar cultural spots I find interesting. If you have already seen the main attractions and had high tea or if you want to skip those things altogether, look no further!
HOWEVER, note that I do have other guides on some of the aforementioned topics already, so rather than repeating myself, I take my absolute favorites of everything here.
Parts of the City
Queen Mary's Rose Gardens
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Gorgeous rose gardens that come to life in the summer. I could spend a whole day here (or multiple) when they're blooming. Lots of different kinds on display too.
Situated in the middle of Regents Park, which I personally think has a lot more character than Hyde Park.
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Regents Canal Walk
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Hampstead
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Perfect village-like neighborhood in North Central London. Amazing for an afternoon, especially combined with Hampstead Heath
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Holland Park
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Nobody knows about this park!! It's tucked behind Kensington High Street (easy access from the metro stop) and it's serene and gorgeous. There's a Japanese garden in the middle of it and lots of peacocks roaming around.
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Things to See and Do
Barbican Centre
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Brutalist botanical conservatory and exhibition/art center in the City of London, close to St. Paul's Cathedral. Look up their current events if you're in the area!
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Victoria and Albert Museum
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Favorite favorite museum in London with some of the best exhibitions in the city. Definitely see what they're showing!!
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Tate Modern
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My other favorite museum in London after the V&A. Maybe one of my favorite modern art museums, period.
Super close to Borough Market... perfect day right there if you ask me.
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Jewish Museum London
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One of the better Jewish musuems I've been to outside of the obvious places (Israel, Germany, etc.)
The London one focuses largely on the UK's history with Jews, starting from the very beginning of British society. It details the many cycles of persecution and tolerance and persecution again and explains the Balfour Declaration and Britain's part in the establishment of Israel decently well.
I learned a lot here. I think I've been three times total.
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Wellcome Library
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This is not a coffee shop, but I included it as an honorable mention because it's one of the best places in the city to do work. It's a room at the top of the Wellcome Collection near the British Museum.
London doesn't have the same problem as most other European cities regarding the lack of internet-friendly cafes (because most of them are just as hustle-focused as Americans), but it's still worth noting the options if you'd prefer to be productive elsewhere. I'm not sure if they have wifi, but the space is completely free and can be used for as long as you please!
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Coffee Shops, Cafes and Bakeries
Pophams
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Technically Popham's is a restaurant, but I think most people know them best for having some of the best French pastries outside of France. Which they absolutely do. The quality is unmatched.
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Granger and Co. Notting Hill
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Trendy and on the pricier side, but it remains the best brunch in London. And some of the best matcha.
(there are more locations around the city too)
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Jolene Redchurch Street
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Everyone loves Jolene. There's nothing bad to say about it. The food, vibes, atmosphere, branding, people... all very worthy of its praise. Thankfully there's a few locations around London, but I've only ever been to the one on Redchurch Street.
Note that it's mostly takeaway- the physical place is small and there's barely any seating. But there's lots of space outside and parks/public seating nearby where people usually go.
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Hjem Kensington
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My absolutely favorite local spot when I lived in the area. It's a peaceful little Nordic cafe backing up to one of the Mews in Kensington (dreamy). Early in the morning is the best time to go to avoid crowds, too. I'd see lots of wealthy parents here after dropping their kids off at some fancy school.
They also serve great matcha and make all of their food in-house! Try the rye bread if you can.
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Street Food and Markets
Broadway Market
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A much more quaint, less gentrified hipster counterpart to Shoreditch and Hackney, situated in London Fields. Great if you're looking for a similar vibe but with better prices and less tourists.
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Kappacasein Dairy
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Institution of a place for grilled cheese (cheese toasties) on sourdough along the edge of Borough Market. Famous for a reason. Super high-quality ingredients and fair prices. Expect a long line but it moves pretty fast!
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Arepazo Bros AREPA
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My favorite arepas ever along Regents canal in Camden market. If you eat meat PLEASE get the beef one.
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Maltby Street Market
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A great lesser-known food market in the Southwark area, not super far from Borough. I think they're only open on the weekends.
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Homeslice Neal's Yard
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Huge slices, thin crust, and inventive flavor profiles. Love love love it here.
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Bars and Restaurants
Dishoom Shoreditch
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A classic for a reason. I don't think I will ever stop coming here or recommending it.
(there are tons of locations around London besides Shoreditch!)
Like I said in my notes on the Edinburgh location, make a reservation if you can or come at an off time and be prepared to wait!! And it's best to come with a group and order as many things as you can to share.
I'd recommend the black daal, chicken ruby, housemade chai, and vegetable samosas. But you can't go wrong with anything really.
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26 Grains
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Classic somewhat overpriced cafe in Neals Yard, but with excellent menu offerings. I've truly never had something here that I didn't like.
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Natoora Counter
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The only cafe outpost of this fancy organic London grocer. But wow their stuff is good. The menu is seasonal and very produce heavy and you can really taste the quality of what they're using.
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La Fromagerie
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Small London chain which functions as both a gourmet grocery store and a cafe. If you like cheese, the quality here is so so good. The space to eat in is also very cute and intimate.
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Mildreds Soho
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Well-known vegetarian restaurant- to which I am not a vegetarian and this is still one of my favorite restaurants in the city. There's a few around the city now, but the one in Soho is the original.
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Towpath
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One of the most beloved local spots in all of London, tucked away in a quieter part of Regents Canal. It's only open during the summer so if you happen to be there then, absolutely go.
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Where to Shop
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Liberty London
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One of my favorite department stores maybe ever!! There's only one location, on Regents Street in Soho. The building itself is historical and gorgeous, the rooms feel intimate, and the brands they carry are smaller and more trendy than your average department store lineup.
I'd personally choose Liberty over Harrods if you had to pick one to visit, but that's just me.
The employees are also very kind and let you hang out and play here, lol.
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For a more in-depth look into my favorite cafes, bookstores, and places to eat on a budget, look here!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Pollock
Available for hire
Sarah Pollock is a twenty-something-year-old traveler, creative, and spiritualist.
She graduated with a degree in Business Information Systems (although she did not enjoy it) and a minor in Sustainability from the University of Florida. Since embarking on her first trip abroad to Australia and New Zealand at 15 years old, she has since visited 25 countries and counting- most of them solo.
She is also an avid foodie, reader, concert-goer, sitter at coffee shops, introspective thinker, and champion of small businesses. She prides herself on her romantic and nostalgic approach to seeing the world, which is reflected in the hidden gem-filled and slightly sentimental tone of her writing and recommendations.
She recently spent this past school year splitting time between Tel Aviv and Be’er Sheva, Israel; teaching English to underrepresented and underprivileged children in both Hebrew and Arabic-speaking schools. She is currently continuing this work in Madrid.
For more personal thoughts and musings and present updates on where she is in the world and how she’s feeling about it, consider subscribing to her bi-weekly travel newsletter, Postcards. Other subject matters, though all undoubtedly influenced by her experience living abroad, are explored through her primary publication, Older Sister (both linked in bio).
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