What to do in London? Best neighbourhoods.
What I love doing in London is just going to a nice neighbourhood and just wander around, get lost in the streets of the capital, and discover new places to go. I won't recommend this tactique in every London neighbourhood (don't go wandering around Elephant & Castle at night please), but here's the neighbourhoods that are a perfect fit for this discover-the-city-technique!
Shoreditch
Hipster paradise and home to the famous Brick Lane is Shoreditch, in the north of London, and very close to where my internship's offices are. With all the typical pubs, coffee places, vintage shops, grafitti walls, high buildings and cool vibe, Shoreditch is a must-visit when you're in the city.
Make sure to go to Spitalfields Market and get yourself a £1 flowercrown - the owner is so nice and sweet and will help you pick the perfect flower crown and show you the beautiful hairdo's you can do with it. Also cross the road and go to UpMarket, which is fashion paradise for vintage lovers, and also offers quirky crafts by up-and-coming designers, all accompanied by good food!
But not only during the day I recommend you to go there, because when night falls, Shoreditch becomes even more interesting, with its vibrant nightlife, hip clubs and alternative pubs. Make sure to have a drink or two at the Queen of Hoxton, which has a cool rooftop terrace which gives you a pretty nice view over London.
Notting Hill
Everyone knows the 1999 movie starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, and the famous blue door, which you can find in the fancy neigbourhood Notting Hill. And let me tell you, it's not the overrated door that will blow you away, because it's the entirety of this area that makes it one of my favourites! The amazing architecture, the pastel coloured houses, blooming cherry trees, classic cars and beautiful Portobello Road on Saturday are more than photogenic. If I had money, I would move here and never leave again. Walk around, get lost, feel poor, and have a Kinder Bueno & Marshmellow Pancake on Portobello Road. Must-visit area!
Chelsea
I don't go southbound that often, but when I do, I go to Chelsea. It's massively expensive, but oh so beautiful. It's not that easy getting there by public transport (closest tube is either South Kensington or Sloane Square but from there it's still quite a walk), but it's defenitely worth the effort! Go shopping at King's Road (more about that in my 'Where to shop' post!), try getting a table at The Ivy Chelsea Garden or just walk around and enjoy being in one of the nicest and safest areas of London.
St John's Wood
Home to the most famous zebra-crossing in the world is the neighbourhood St. John's Wood, where The Beatles crossed the street on Abbey Road for their 1969 world-famous album of the same name. When getting off at St. John's Wood tube stop, just follow the crowd, and go to Abbey Road. Get in line for a picture of you crossing the road, while being honked at by annoyed cab drivers, and after this obligatory tourist photo, just go anywhere and admire the big, beautiful houses. Did you know Paul McCartney lives just around the block? My flatmate showed me his house, and I was completely star-struck.
