London Calling
I can’t lie… London [amongst a few others] is one of my most favourite cities I travel to.
I’ve been going for many, many years for business to scope out new concepts, check out trends and generally [try] to get my finger on the pulse of all that’s new.
What a decadent visit recently to see my eldest chicka getting her Masters at the London School of Economics with zero [yes…that’s right!!] business agenda. I had a glorious week to slow down and savour a few of my ‘wish list’ stops along with a few old time favourites.
So if you find yourself in London here are my ‘Top 10’ Must-sees:
- My morning run along the South Bank
Yes, I am not, nor ever will be an ace runner but there is something rather wonderful running along the Thames river. In a short 7 km run you get to see Big Ben, The London Eye , Millennium Bridge and the Tower of London. I start at Westminster Bridge (give or take), run along the South Bank to Tower Bridge cross over to the Embankment side and circle back. Can’t lie: this is one of my favourite runs. 
- Harrods’ food hall.
Yes… I love a retailer that inspires the gastronome in me. I delight in the mustards, honeys, and teas and at the end of it all how fabulous to have a glass of bubbly and a charcuterie to celebrate.
- Fortnum & Mason at 181 Piccadilly.
They are try purveyors of exquisiteness. If you are a tea enthusiast, you simply must go for their selection of teas alone.
I seriously go just to walk through and enjoy their brilliant approach to retail display. Classic, elegant with unsurpassed quality. I seriously have a design crush on that staircase….*sigh* !
Along with Big Ben, this iconic bridge is something I delight in crossing every time. Its location is a perfect turnaround point for my Southbank run.
Much like the Louvre in Paris, the V&A is a must see but do not attempt to see the full scope of it in one visit. It houses over 2.3 million objects spanning thousands of years of design and creativity. Choose an exhibit or specific era for your visit…..this will simply give you reason for a return visit
Renown for their pastel painted stunning homes, it is no wonder that this is a favourite locale for many London-based movies. There are some fabulous little restaurants and the Portobello Road market is a great place to poke around and find new treasures.
Ahhh… what a store!
To quote Oscar Wilde : “Liberty is the chosen resort of the artistic shopper” .
You simply must go to the top level and view the atrium of this iconic store and slowly explore every level to discover innovative and exquisitely designed products.
I love the bustle of this street and the great shopping along the way. Most of the world’s best retailers have flagships on this impressive street and it’s well worth a stop to see the latest and greatest in the world of retail. Do stop in at the Burberry store at 121 Regent Street, and Hamleys iconic toy store is great fun for the young and young at heart.
I have been a long time fan of this delightfully decadent tiny bakery in Belgravia. The preciously pink exterior with its drippy floral garland is exquisite, however the true jewel is what’s inside.
Here you will find cupcakes that not only are simply delicious, but essentially a work of art in their own right.
Line-ups to get in can be rather long, especially on the weekends, so it’s best to go off hours.
This west end jewel is a perfect meander for both the fashion enthusiast and gastronome. What I especially love is that quite often you will enjoy a live street performance ranging from jazz to opera.
London has so very much to offer for every interest and personal taste level… here are my 10 to start…more to come later!
Xo – Sandra
