London is full of big and important sights that every tourist feels obliged to see, such as Westminster Abbey or Buckingham Palace. But then you wander off the beaten path and discover the smaller things that make up the fabric of the city. I visited many of the major attractions, both on my own and with my friend, but it was the little things in between that made me wish I had more time to explore London in depth instead of just spending a long weekend there.
I am not sure if Daunt Books in Marlybone counts as one of those little discoveries, but it certainly felt like one to me. I had marked it as a place I really wanted to visit, yet I was still surprised by how captivated I became by a bookstore. Books here are arranged by country rather than genre, and of course I found one to bring home with me.
Daunt Books Marylebone @London
The red buses remain just as much a symbol of the city as Big Ben, despite their newer design and darker shade of red. I still got excited whenever one appeared in front of my camera, and every photograph seemed better with a bus in it. Like this one, which I actually took because of the houses. The spires on these two buildings looked so whimsical. Wouldn’t you love to live somewhere with a round bay window?
red bus and houses with a spire @London
London has many parks but also numerous gardens that close at certain times in the evening depending on the season. During the day they are open to everyone. I love how they appear even in the most expensive neighbourhoods. Better still, they have not been turned into construction sites and instead remain peaceful oases in a busy city.
Paddington Street Garden @London
Another garden I enjoyed walking through was Soho Square Gardens on the way to dinner. There were quite a lot of people there, and it felt more like a gathering place for young Londoners. Although the hut in the centre looks as though it dates from Tudor times, it was actually built in the 1920s.
Soho Square Garden @London
Banksy has recently installed a statue at Waterloo Square. It depicts a man walking blindly behind a waving flag, only one step away from the abyss. It is an impressive piece, and there is so much to unpack here. It reminded me of the state of the world today, where we should know the right path but muddle along in the different directions.
Banksy statue @London
The pastel coloured houses of Notting Hill are worth a visit in their own right. Even without the weekend market on Portobello Road, this neighbourhood is well worth exploring. My favourite spot, however, was St Luke’s Mews.
St. Lukes Mews @London
Old Spitalfields Market has been around for a long time, exactly 350 years, although not in its current form. A market has existed on this site for three and a half centuries. While the name now belongs to New Spitalfields Market, which focuses on produce, the current market is home to stalls selling books, food, and handcrafted knickknack. It is also covered, making it an excellent choice on a rainy day.
Old Spitalfields Market @London
Another unique bookshop is Word On The Water. This book barge is moored behind King’s Cross, and when we visited, two musicians were performing on the roof. Despite a light drizzle, they kept both the music and the good mood going.
music on top, books below @Word On The Water
never mind the drizzle @Word O The Water
The scultpure ‘Gilt of Cain‘ was unveiled by Desmond Tutu in 2008 to commemorate the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade in 1807. It is fitting that it stands in the heart of the financial district because, after all, isn’t money at the root of it all?
Gilt of Cain @London
the scultpures from up close @Gilt of Cain
The Gherkin is one of London’s most recognisable modern buildings. As far as I know it is simply an office building, given its location in the financial district, but it looks stunning. Even from a distance.
The Gherkin @London
As for ABBA Voyage, it was the one thing we had looked forward to all year, especially since we had already postponed our visit by a year. The tickets could be rescheduled, although by then they were around a third cheaper and we did not receive any refund. The opening two songs were completely unfamiliar to me and did not seem like the right choice to get the audience excited. I later learned that ABBA themselves had been involved in selecting the set list, but it still made little sense to me. Nevertheless, the show was great fun, even if many of the biggest hits were missing.
Abba Voyage @London
such a fun atmosphere @Abba Voyage
As I had already visited Westminster Cathedral, I was not particularly eager to see another church. However, St. Paul’s Cathedral is definitely on my list for my next visit.
St. Paul’s Cathedral @London
We did find time for a short visit to Temple church, a historic gem dating back to 1162. Best of all, it houses the remains and effigy of William Marshal, often described as the greatest knight who ever lived. The interior actually feels quite modern, with its minimalist décor and clean lines. The effigy, however, is certainly old enough.
Temple church @London
inside @Temple Church
William Marshal’s remains no longer rest beneath the effigy itself. Instead, they were reinterred in the church garden along with other remains discovered during archaeological investigations.
effigy of William Marshal @Temple Church
Shopping at either Fortnum & Mason or Harrods is truely a unique experience if you have never done it before.The iconic turquoise boxes from Fortnum & Mason also make wonderful souvenirs to bring home.
so many floors to explore @Fortnum & Mason
Buckingham Palace is open to visitors during the summer months when the King is in residence elsewhere, something I have not yet managed to experience. When I was younger I did not care much about it. Now I simply dislike travelling during the summer season.
Buckingham Palace @London
We got lucky and arrived at Primrose Hill just in time for the Summer Festival. There always seems to be a neighbourhood festival or market taking place somewhere in London, so it is worth checking before your trip and making it a point to attend one. It was great fun not only to enjoy the view across London from Primrose Hill but also to wander through the festival itself.
summer festival @Primrose Hill
the view from the top @Primrose Hill
Camden Town felt like one of those neighbourhoods where I could easily have spent much more time. It was lively, colourful, and full of energy. Unfortunately, we passed through fairly late in our trip and only managed a walk along the High Street.
Camden Town @London
London truly is a city that can be visited at any time of year and as often as you like. There will always be something new to discover or a different corner to explore. I had a wonderful time returning for a second consecutive year and can easily see myself heading back again next year. Yours, Polybert
