So many cool things to do (if you can afford them), the arts, parks, food…
”Vibes”- the reality is most people stick to their relatively tiny occupational bubbles e.g job, education, which is a shame because of the massive scale and diversity of the city. The diversity can also mean people are relatively cautious and cold on the street as some cultures are more forthcoming than others (native brits being among the least friendly, unless you want to complain about the weather🙄).
Not many interactions with strangers on the street, train etc. here, so much so that I can remember most of them clearly. Maybe that says more about me than it does about London😂
Finding good arts/hobby communities makes roaming the city more comfortable as with anywhere. Small enough place that I recognise people after being here only about a year.
Manages to be big whilst also human scale, smaller buildings than NYC. Wouldn’t trade it for anywhere else right now.
Oct 29, 2024
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Ok I’m biased because this is where my “in-laws” live and where I’m based on frequent trips over. But if you love parks and green space, I highly recommend venturing deeper out into Greater London.
Kew Gardens (London’s major botanical garden) is so beautiful! Complete with double-decker conservatories (lol why is everything in this country double-decker), peacocks, and a pagoda you just might glimpse from the air if you fly into Heathrow. It’s nearby Richmond, which is a particularly charming lil green and town to walk around in.
I also highly recommend visiting at least one National Trust property while you’re there. Many of the old estates are along the river, so you can combine a museum with being in nature and walking around. So far my favorite I’ve visited in the area is Ham House.
In terms of London proper, one of the most fascinating things I’ve done there is to take an architectural tour of the Barbican, the brutalist mega-living center that sprung up in blitzed out part of the City of London after the war (fun fact this is the center of London and technically considered a separate entity with its own government).
Finally, despite the bad rap it gets, British food is actually quite delicious since it’s far more natural and fresher than what we get here. Plus the “cozzy livs” make most food products much more affordable. Highly recommend making use of the high quality fruit and cheese and snacks from your local Waitrose or other grocery.
Apr 2, 2024
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Truly massive. Everyone was cool. The big tourist stuff rules(tons of hidden stuff of course). And lets address it, the food is actually amazing.
Jan 15, 2025
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get the overground around Hackney ! It’s pretty!
most of the museums/galleries have free collections (both Tate modern & Tate Britain, national gallery, V&A as already mentioned — V&A definitely worth a visit) . i also love the museum of the home, the photographer’s gallery, & the ICA (ICA has a cinema and brilliant bookshop also, & it’s v near Trafalgar Square so you can combine classic tourist activity with Something more obscure lol!).
I am a big shopping gworl so i actually love dipping around carnaby street and libertys (which is so beautiful inside!).
depends where youre staying etc and if it stays sunny but honestly the quintessential summer thing to do would be : Sit in a pub with a garden !!!!!
& again - as it’s summer - highly recommend finding a gross little club or gig to go to. if I’m bored I just check resident advisor or dice and see whats coming up.
if you’re comfortable sharing which area you’re staying in then I can send more specific recs hehe
Aug 5, 2024
