London

Produce

This has got to be the most boring title to a blog post ever! My Nain is obsessed with Andrew and I returning to live in Wales. After 16 years of living in London, you would have thought that she would have accepted that we are not going to move. I think she’s getting worse as she gets older. I […]

My Favourite Live Music Venues in London

I’m lucky. Living in London is a brilliant place to see live music. I’ve been able to see most bands and musicians that I like because almost all of them perform in London at some point in time. Beat The Touts is a useful website for news on up coming concerts and information on pre-sales. It’s still a struggle to buy tickets […]

The Best Day Trips from London?

I’m often asked for suggestions on day trips from London. I always think that London has more than enough to offer! But if you want a break or want to see more of the UK, then this is what I usually suggest. The places are listed according to their proximity to London. I haven’t included Richmond or Greenwich as I […]

Tower Bridge on a Cold Winter’s Evening

I love walking along the Thames. It’s one of my favourite things to do in London. This photo was taken on a freezing Saturday night (rock and roll!), shortly after I’d bought my first tripod. It’s not the sturdiest of tripods but perfect for backpacking. I’ve loved using it. I grew up mistakingly calling Tower Bridge “London Bridge”… I even […]

London’s Best Museums

There are so many great museums in London, big and small.  Most are free – it’s one of the best things about London.  It means that you can return as many times as you want, (although donations are encouraged). So, here are my favourites, what I believe are London’s best museums: British Museum, Russell Square This place is vast and […]

Best Pubs in Central London

So what makes a good pub?  For me, it’s a variety of beers, an atmospheric place, polite staff and if I’m lucky, some good food.   There are thousands of pubs in London, and I’ve been to far too many of them!  Here are some of my best pubs in central London: Covent Garden The Harp, this place gets so […]

Best British Restaurants in London

It’s surprisingly hard to find a decent restaurant in London that concentrates on British food.  Here are some of my best British restaurants in London at the moment: Quality Chop House (Farringdon) Atmospheric, unpretentious with an old school class.  There’s no menu, just 3 courses of sublime food and a decent wine list.  The bar next door also serves food and […]

How to Buy London Theatre Tickets

London is renowned for its world class theatre.  Some of the best actors in the world grace London’s stages and the quality of the productions is always high. How much do theatre tickets cost?   Tickets are expensive with premium seats at around £80 each, over £150 for opera and ballet venues. If you’re not worried about what you’re going […]

Best French Restaurants in London

Most fine dining restaurants in London serve French food, and they are consistently good at it. Few Michelin star establishments offer anything different or exciting.  If you’ve had one well cooked pork belly, how good can another one be?  Thankfully there are a few cheaper and more interesting places popping up.  Here are some of my favourites: Cheaper than Michelin […]

Best Indian Restaurants in London

I love Indian food.  I’ve been to India a few times and have a long standing relationship with the food there! Fortunately I live in London where you can get some excellent Indian food. Here are the best Indian restaurants in London for me so far: My favourite Indian restaurant is Durbar in Bayswater.  The karai and Lorient Special Chicken are delicious.  It’s […]

Best Pubs in South East London

For me South East London will always be home to my favourite London craft beer. There are so many craft breweries here now that you really are spoilt for choice. Here are my best pubs in south east London at the moment: LONDON BRIDGE Market Porter, one of the few places where you can get a pint at 6am.  This […]

Best Pubs in East London

There are so many great pubs in East London now – it’s hard to keep up with them all.  If you’re not already living in East London, it’s easier to get there than you think with the east London line. Here are my best pubs in east London at the moment: Earl of Essex (Islington) It had an amazing range of beers […]

Best Historical Buildings in London

I always took old buildings for granted until I met so many Australians. Here are the best historical buildings in London to visit: Buckingham Palace If you’re in London during the 3 months that this place is open then it’s worth buying tickets. It’s not every day you get a chance to visit one of the most iconic buildings in the […]

Best Wine Bars in London

I LOVE wine!  All kinds.  Below are some of the best wine bars in London, the best places to taste, drink and buy vino: 1707 at Fortnum & Mason have a superb selection of wines and some well crafted and interesting wine flights – far more exciting than going out for one drink! The bar is usually open until 8pm last […]

Best Sunday Roasts in London

The problem with going out for Sunday lunch, is that it’s never as good as what I’ve had at home, (one of the reasons I’ve stayed with my partner so long is because he’s such a good cook). Exceptions are few and far between but here they are – my best Sunday roasts in London: Royal Oak (Borough, near London Bridge) Good […]

Best Tapas in London

There are so many sub-standard Spanish restaurants in London.  Care must be taken when one selects a place to dine.  Here;s where you should go for some of the best tapas in London: Mind Blowing Tapas For phenomenal tapas, there are two places which are in a league of their own.  In both cases, arrive early or be prepared to queue: Jose near London […]

Best Art Galleries in London

If you like art, you are spoilt for choice in London.  The following are mainly FREE (although donations are encouraged) which means you don’t have to feel pressured into seeing everything in one go. Here are my best art galleries in London: National Gallery This is one of the best art galleries in the world and if you like art, you […]

The Best Parks in London

Unlike some other big cities in the world, London is lucky to have lots of green spaces.  These are what my NYC friends miss most – the best parks in London: (Pollen levels vary year to year, they can be high as early as April in some years.  Take an antihistamine or eye drops if you’re eyes are watering – […]

Best Burgers in London

For me a good burger has to be made from good beef (no gristle thank you!) has a decent amount of seasoning, a good sauce, is nicely grilled on the outside and not overcooked on the inside. Getting into a burger joint in London in the evening can feel like trying to get into a club at 11pm on a […]

My Favourite London Food Markets

If I were to die and go to heaven, it would look like Borough Market (Thursday/Friday/Saturday).  Probably the busiest and most touristy of all London food markets but I love it, (even more now that it’s got bigger). About a 20 minute walk away, you have Maltby Street Market. Home to Bad Brownie, who make the most delicious brownies in the world, […]

London: Where to Stay and When to Go

Where to stay and when to go in London will depend on what you want to do. When you’re planning your visit, think about what you want to do and see – in advance if possible, and figure out where you’ll be arriving from. What to Think About Tickets for any events The best tickets for plays and concerts will […]