If you’ve been to Buckingham Palace, shopped on Oxford Street and seen a show at the West End, you might think you’ve already explored all London has to offer. Venture beyond the tourist hot spots though and you’ll find that a Londoner’s London is far more exciting than you think.
To help you explore, we’ve created an alternative itinerary you can complete in a day.
Morning
Where to Eat: The Breakfast Club
With locations in Hoxton, Soho, Angel, Spitalfields and Battersea, you’re never far away from one of The Breakfast Club’s infamous 80s style diners. Serving mountains of mouth-watering pancakes and the best eggs Benedict in town, you’ll not be disappointed if you visit The Breakfast Club.
What to Do: Columbia Road Flower Market (Sunday Only)
If you’ve eaten at The Breakfast Club in Hoxton, you’re just a few minutes away from Columbia Road. Visit on a Sunday and this quiet street lined with antique and boutique shops transforms into a bustling market where you’ll find some of the prettiest flowers you’ve ever seen for next to nothing.
Afternoon
What to Do: Scale the Treetops at Kew Gardens
A Tube ride away from the hustle and bustle of Central London is the infamous Kew Gardens, with its sprawling arboretums and world-class conservation projects. There’s also a suspended treetop walk 59ft above the ground that provides birds-eye views of these beautiful gardens.
For the Kids: Horse Riding in Hyde Park
If you’re visiting London with animal-lovers, London Zoo will no doubt be on the agenda, but what about horse riding in Hyde Park? Used as one of the venues for the 2012 Olympic Games, it’s easily the best place for horse riding in the capital, and you don’t need any prior experience to give it a go.
Evening
Where to Eat: Patty & Bun, Marylebone
Located just off Oxford Street, Patty & Bun is only a tiny restaurant, but it serves one of the best burgers in the whole of London. As a favourite with Londoners who know the city inside out, it’s certainly not to be missed.
What to Do: Comedy Carnival, Leicester Square and Clapham
Rather than going to the theatre in the evening, why not go see a comedy show? The Comedy Carnival showcases award-winning, up-and-coming talent that you may have spotted on TV shows like Mock the Week. The shows take place in Leicester Square and Clapham, meaning you can visit whichever is closest to you.
