Guidebook for London
Food Scene
Very popular local Turkish restaurant. Great for a tasty, good value dinner.
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Gökyüzü
26-28 Green LanesVery popular local Turkish restaurant. Great for a tasty, good value dinner.
An amazing Turkish/Greek grocery store and bakery on Green Lanes. Great for picking up snacks or warm bread for lunch.
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Yasar Halim Southgate
2-4 Winchmore Hill RdAn amazing Turkish/Greek grocery store and bakery on Green Lanes. Great for picking up snacks or warm bread for lunch.
We really like this French restaurant for its excellently- executed classic food and its relaxed but buzzy atmosphere. A classy brasserie.
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Galvin Bistrot de Luxe
66 Baker StreetWe really like this French restaurant for its excellently- executed classic food and its relaxed but buzzy atmosphere. A classy brasserie.
If you like steak, this place is where it's at! Any one of the branches is good, but this is our favourite. They also do a terrific Sunday roast lunch.
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Hawksmoor Air Street
5A Air StIf you like steak, this place is where it's at! Any one of the branches is good, but this is our favourite. They also do a terrific Sunday roast lunch.
You can easily reach Borough Market on the 141 bus from the end of our road, and the bus trip takes you past some iconic sights in the City of London. In full operation from Wednesday to Saturday, it's not just the best foodies market in London (which is saying something in itself) - it's a terrific destination in its own right. You'll be hard pressed to choose something for lunch! Combine this with a walk along the south bank to Tate Modern.
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Borough Market
Borough High StreetYou can easily reach Borough Market on the 141 bus from the end of our road, and the bus trip takes you past some iconic sights in the City of London. In full operation from Wednesday to Saturday, it's not just the best foodies market in London (which is saying something in itself) - it's a terrific destination in its own right. You'll be hard pressed to choose something for lunch! Combine this with a walk along the south bank to Tate Modern.
Guests recommend this local coffee shop, a couple of minutes walk from the house, for good coffee, toasted sandwiches and home made cake.
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Music & Beans Haringey
461 Green LanesGuests recommend this local coffee shop, a couple of minutes walk from the house, for good coffee, toasted sandwiches and home made cake.
As it's up a steep hill from the house, you can feel justified in indulging in a cake! This local coffee shop/restaurant has a cool vibe and some great Malaysian food at lunchtime. We're told they do a mean full English breakfast as well too. Opens for dinner rarely and unpredictably.
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Moka
5 Wightman RdAs it's up a steep hill from the house, you can feel justified in indulging in a cake! This local coffee shop/restaurant has a cool vibe and some great Malaysian food at lunchtime. We're told they do a mean full English breakfast as well too. Opens for dinner rarely and unpredictably.
More of a cafe than a destination restaurant, this local Vietnamese place is next door to the Salisbury pub. It turns out a good line in beef curry and pho and pretty much everything is filling and tasty.
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Hanoi Pho
179 Mare StMore of a cafe than a destination restaurant, this local Vietnamese place is next door to the Salisbury pub. It turns out a good line in beef curry and pho and pretty much everything is filling and tasty.
Lovely airy restaurant with great views from the top of the National Portrait Gallery. Makes an excellent lunch stop after an exhausting morning in the galleries or a romantic dinner venue. Booking is essential, and get there early to beg for a seat by the window.
Portrait
Lovely airy restaurant with great views from the top of the National Portrait Gallery. Makes an excellent lunch stop after an exhausting morning in the galleries or a romantic dinner venue. Booking is essential, and get there early to beg for a seat by the window.
For a special occasion, a traditional British afternoon tea at Brown's is spot on. There are unlimited scones (my personal favourite) and fruit cake and a spot of light piano music. Booking essential, well in advance for popular times.
Brown's Hotel
33 Albemarle StFor a special occasion, a traditional British afternoon tea at Brown's is spot on. There are unlimited scones (my personal favourite) and fruit cake and a spot of light piano music. Booking essential, well in advance for popular times.
Buzzy atmosphere, good food and great views over the bustle of Borough Market on Fridays and Saturdays. Lunch is best and it's best to book.
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Roast
Stoney StreetBuzzy atmosphere, good food and great views over the bustle of Borough Market on Fridays and Saturdays. Lunch is best and it's best to book.
A cool new "ironic" Chinese restaurant and micro brewery. We love the black pepper beef and the crispy duck with pancakes. If you're there during the day, Berwick Street has one of London's oldest street markets. Best to book.
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The Duck and Rice
90 Berwick StA cool new "ironic" Chinese restaurant and micro brewery. We love the black pepper beef and the crispy duck with pancakes. If you're there during the day, Berwick Street has one of London's oldest street markets. Best to book.
Gorgeous levantine food by masters of flavour and freshness. These guys catered my 50th birthday party - that's how good I think they are! You can easily reach the original Islington branch by bus from here, and take in a bit of trendy shopping on Upper Street while you're there. Best to book. http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/locations/
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Ottolenghi Islington
287 Upper StGorgeous levantine food by masters of flavour and freshness. These guys catered my 50th birthday party - that's how good I think they are! You can easily reach the original Islington branch by bus from here, and take in a bit of trendy shopping on Upper Street while you're there. Best to book. http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/locations/
The nearest location for a traditional full english breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, beans, toast, maybe black pudding, and - if you think you can fit them in - chips. It's not for the faint hearted!
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Finsbury Park
Station PlaceThe nearest location for a traditional full english breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, beans, toast, maybe black pudding, and - if you think you can fit them in - chips. It's not for the faint hearted!
An east-end institution, open 24 hours and the best bagels in London, hands down.
http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/brick-lane-beigel-bake
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Beigel Bake
159 Brick LnAn east-end institution, open 24 hours and the best bagels in London, hands down.
http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/brick-lane-beigel-bake
This is THE place for the classic greasy spoon East End cafe full English breakfast fry up experience. Easily combined with a Sunday morning at Columbia Road market and/or Brick Lane.
http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/e-pellicci
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E Pellicci
332 Bethnal Green RdThis is THE place for the classic greasy spoon East End cafe full English breakfast fry up experience. Easily combined with a Sunday morning at Columbia Road market and/or Brick Lane.
http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/e-pellicci
Drinks & Nightlife
A great heritage Victorian pub and our local! Serves good food, including Sunday lunch, and has a wide range of real ales and guest beers.
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The Salisbury Hotel London
1 Green LanesA great heritage Victorian pub and our local! Serves good food, including Sunday lunch, and has a wide range of real ales and guest beers.
A lively pub next to the tube station, which attracts a young crowd to enjoy the live music.
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The Finsbury
336 Green LanesA lively pub next to the tube station, which attracts a young crowd to enjoy the live music.
This local bar bills itself as "A simple yet tasty coffee and breakfast bar by day…A cosy, mad house live music and cocktail bar by night!" The live music programme is erratic - sometimes it's there, sometimes it isn't. But it's a buzzy, informal place.
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Jam in a Jar
599 Green LanesThis local bar bills itself as "A simple yet tasty coffee and breakfast bar by day…A cosy, mad house live music and cocktail bar by night!" The live music programme is erratic - sometimes it's there, sometimes it isn't. But it's a buzzy, informal place.
London't oldest wine bar beside the Thames at Embankment. Literally dripping with atmosphere. Candles, vaults, a huge cheese selection, what's not to love? http://gordonswinebar.com
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Champagne Bar
87-135 Brompton RdLondon't oldest wine bar beside the Thames at Embankment. Literally dripping with atmosphere. Candles, vaults, a huge cheese selection, what's not to love? http://gordonswinebar.com
Shopping
You can reach Columbia Road Market on a Sunday morning quite easily from here on the 67 bus. It's London's historic open air flower market, and is now a focus for good street food and chic gift and houseware shops. It's super busy though!
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Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadYou can reach Columbia Road Market on a Sunday morning quite easily from here on the 67 bus. It's London's historic open air flower market, and is now a focus for good street food and chic gift and houseware shops. It's super busy though!
On Sundays, this east end street market becomes the centre of trendy London life. There's art, vintage and designer clothes from independent makers, jewellery, bric a brac and fantastic street food. It makes a great day out, especially combined with Columbia Road flower market and Spitalfields Market.
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Brick Lane
Brick LaneOn Sundays, this east end street market becomes the centre of trendy London life. There's art, vintage and designer clothes from independent makers, jewellery, bric a brac and fantastic street food. It makes a great day out, especially combined with Columbia Road flower market and Spitalfields Market.
Now rather sanitised, but still worth a visit when combined with Brick Lane, this clothes, accessories, homeware, and vintage market is in London's old fruit and veg market. Good street food too.
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I-Market yase-Old Spitalfields
16 Commercial StNow rather sanitised, but still worth a visit when combined with Brick Lane, this clothes, accessories, homeware, and vintage market is in London's old fruit and veg market. Good street food too.
My bias, but I think John Lewis in Oxford Street is the best department store in the world. Distinctively British, good quality and good value.
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John Lewis & Partners
Ariel WayMy bias, but I think John Lewis in Oxford Street is the best department store in the world. Distinctively British, good quality and good value.
Just a short bus ride away (141 or 341), this pretty high street has a villagey feel and some lovely homewares, gifts and clothes shops. Makes a nice stroll on a Sunday, especially if you walk through pretty Clissold Park. Stoke Newington High Street at the far end of Church Street has thrown up some very cool cafes and bars recently.
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Stoke Newington Church Street
Stoke Newington Church StreetJust a short bus ride away (141 or 341), this pretty high street has a villagey feel and some lovely homewares, gifts and clothes shops. Makes a nice stroll on a Sunday, especially if you walk through pretty Clissold Park. Stoke Newington High Street at the far end of Church Street has thrown up some very cool cafes and bars recently.
An upmarket "village" street just behind Oxford Street. All you could wish for in chic clothes, homeware and scented candles. Look out for Daunt Books, which might be the loveliest bookshop in London (smells good without candles).
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Marylebone High Street
Marylebone High StreetAn upmarket "village" street just behind Oxford Street. All you could wish for in chic clothes, homeware and scented candles. Look out for Daunt Books, which might be the loveliest bookshop in London (smells good without candles).
Whether you didn't buy a guide book before you came to London, or you need a detailed street map of Ulan Bataar, this is the place to go. Stuffed with travel writing, maps and guides on several floors.
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Stanfords
7 Mercer WalkWhether you didn't buy a guide book before you came to London, or you need a detailed street map of Ulan Bataar, this is the place to go. Stuffed with travel writing, maps and guides on several floors.
Huge, bustling, can be a bit touristy, but still the authentic Camden grunge experience. Stuffed with vintage, jewellery, homewares, street food, antiques, designer gear and cocktails on the go. A "must do" if you've never been.
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Isitolo sase-Camden
54-56 Camden Lock PlHuge, bustling, can be a bit touristy, but still the authentic Camden grunge experience. Stuffed with vintage, jewellery, homewares, street food, antiques, designer gear and cocktails on the go. A "must do" if you've never been.
In trendy and very upmarket Notting Hill, this is a huge antiques, collectibles and vintage market. Very atmospheric in its own right - even if you don't buy anything. Check out the pretty colourful cottages (don't start dreaming unless you have a couple of million quid to spare) and grab a Portuguese custard tart from Lisboa Patisserie. Best to get there around 1000 on a Saturday.
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Isakhiwo se-Portobello
73a Lewisham High StIn trendy and very upmarket Notting Hill, this is a huge antiques, collectibles and vintage market. Very atmospheric in its own right - even if you don't buy anything. Check out the pretty colourful cottages (don't start dreaming unless you have a couple of million quid to spare) and grab a Portuguese custard tart from Lisboa Patisserie. Best to get there around 1000 on a Saturday.
Parks & Nature
Our local green space. Finsbury Park is a good spot for a run or a walk. It has a modest lake, children's playgrounds and a family-oriented cafe in the centre.
We usually start our Saturdays with a parkrun in the park. It's a free, timed 5k for all abilities and runners meet in the cafe for coffee afterwards. Sign up, print your barcode and join in!
http://www.parkrun.org.uk
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Finsbury Park
Station PlaceOur local green space. Finsbury Park is a good spot for a run or a walk. It has a modest lake, children's playgrounds and a family-oriented cafe in the centre.
We usually start our Saturdays with a parkrun in the park. It's a free, timed 5k for all abilities and runners meet in the cafe for coffee afterwards. Sign up, print your barcode and join in!
http://www.parkrun.org.uk
A couple of stops away on our local train (closed September 2016-February 2017), the Heath is a huge, wonderful semi-wild space. There are iconic views over London from Parliament Hill and a very nice cafe at lovely Kenwood House. A great venue for a walk.
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Hampstead Heath
A couple of stops away on our local train (closed September 2016-February 2017), the Heath is a huge, wonderful semi-wild space. There are iconic views over London from Parliament Hill and a very nice cafe at lovely Kenwood House. A great venue for a walk.
London's latest wetlands site, with excellent birdwatching, on a reservoir tucked away between high rise flats. It makes a good, manageable walk from our house, and you can follow the New River Path for part of the way. There's a great cafe and, if you have more time, some excellent activities, including bat walks, photography classes and outdoor yoga.
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Woodberry Wetlands
Woodberry GroveLondon's latest wetlands site, with excellent birdwatching, on a reservoir tucked away between high rise flats. It makes a good, manageable walk from our house, and you can follow the New River Path for part of the way. There's a great cafe and, if you have more time, some excellent activities, including bat walks, photography classes and outdoor yoga.
Arts & Culture
An intimate and fascinating museum of interiors set in beautiful old almshouses on the edge of trendy Shoreditch. Easily reached on the 67 bus from here.
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Museum of the Home
136 Kingsland RoadAn intimate and fascinating museum of interiors set in beautiful old almshouses on the edge of trendy Shoreditch. Easily reached on the 67 bus from here.
This might be the most atmospheric place in London. Denis Severs saved a beautiful Georgian house in the heart of Spitalfields and make it into a unique immersive museum. Walking through the rooms you feel as though the families who lived there through the centuries may only just have stepped out. It's only open on Sunday afternoons and it's very good to combine with Brick Lane/Columbia Road/Spitalfields Market.
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Dennis Severs' House
18 Folgate StThis might be the most atmospheric place in London. Denis Severs saved a beautiful Georgian house in the heart of Spitalfields and make it into a unique immersive museum. Walking through the rooms you feel as though the families who lived there through the centuries may only just have stepped out. It's only open on Sunday afternoons and it's very good to combine with Brick Lane/Columbia Road/Spitalfields Market.
Tate Modern is a destination in itself, never mind any special exhibitions which might be happening. There are great views of the river and the city from the new viewing platform and you might be lucky enough to catch an installation in the huge old turbine hall.
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Tate Modern
BanksideTate Modern is a destination in itself, never mind any special exhibitions which might be happening. There are great views of the river and the city from the new viewing platform and you might be lucky enough to catch an installation in the huge old turbine hall.
Good to combine with a visit to Borough Market and the South Bank, this quirky little museum combines a medieval herb garret with the gruesome realities of pre-antisepsis surgery.
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Iziko lezokuhlaliswa zase-Old Operating Theatre ne-Herb Garret
9a St Thomas StGood to combine with a visit to Borough Market and the South Bank, this quirky little museum combines a medieval herb garret with the gruesome realities of pre-antisepsis surgery.
I love the quirky permanent collection here, and they have some really interesting temporary exhibitions too. The shop has some very cool science-based gifts and books. Easily reached within about 40 minutes from here.
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Wellcome Collection
183 Euston RdI love the quirky permanent collection here, and they have some really interesting temporary exhibitions too. The shop has some very cool science-based gifts and books. Easily reached within about 40 minutes from here.
A jewel of a gallery in a beautiful 18th century house in a pretty square. Not always the most masterly old masters, but some iconic pictures, including The Laughing Cavalier. And more armour than you could ever want to look at. Quite a nice cafe in the courtyard.
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I-Wallace Collection
Manchester SquareA jewel of a gallery in a beautiful 18th century house in a pretty square. Not always the most masterly old masters, but some iconic pictures, including The Laughing Cavalier. And more armour than you could ever want to look at. Quite a nice cafe in the courtyard.
This sprawling red brick building was controversial when it was first built and was dismissed as an eyesore. But that was before we were able to look inside. There are soaring white spaces, ingenious nooks and crannies and the most beautiful tower of books you will ever see (it's George III's library). There are some very interesting permanent and temporary exhibitions, a good cafe and free wifi.
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The British Library
96 Euston RdThis sprawling red brick building was controversial when it was first built and was dismissed as an eyesore. But that was before we were able to look inside. There are soaring white spaces, ingenious nooks and crannies and the most beautiful tower of books you will ever see (it's George III's library). There are some very interesting permanent and temporary exhibitions, a good cafe and free wifi.
World class. The mummy room is busy, but worth it. The Sutton Hoo treasures breathtaking. You could spend a week in here and still have more to see.
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I-British Museum
Great Russell StreetWorld class. The mummy room is busy, but worth it. The Sutton Hoo treasures breathtaking. You could spend a week in here and still have more to see.
A beautiful museum, stuffed with lovely things. I particularly like the netsuke collection.
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I-Victoria ne-Albert Museum
Cromwell RoadA beautiful museum, stuffed with lovely things. I particularly like the netsuke collection.
A fun, hands on museum of all things bus and tube. Great for kids.
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I-London Transport Museum
The PiazzaA fun, hands on museum of all things bus and tube. Great for kids.
This fabulous little museum is so atmospheric. Stuffed with architectural details and beautiful things, including the famous Hogarth's Rake's Progress series. all in a classic Georgian house in the iconic Lincoln's Inn Fields. Easily reached from here on the Piccadilly Line to Holborn. Opening times and numbers admitted are limited, so check out the website before you go.
http://www.soane.org
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I-Museum ka-Sir John Soane
13 Lincoln's Inn FieldsThis fabulous little museum is so atmospheric. Stuffed with architectural details and beautiful things, including the famous Hogarth's Rake's Progress series. all in a classic Georgian house in the iconic Lincoln's Inn Fields. Easily reached from here on the Piccadilly Line to Holborn. Opening times and numbers admitted are limited, so check out the website before you go.
http://www.soane.org
Fascinated by gruesome things pickled in jars? This is for you. This museum of anatomy, pathology and surgery, is housed in the Royal College of Surgeons in Lincoln's Inn Fields. Good to combine with the Sir John Soane Museum.
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Hunterian Museum
43 Lincoln's Inn FieldsFascinated by gruesome things pickled in jars? This is for you. This museum of anatomy, pathology and surgery, is housed in the Royal College of Surgeons in Lincoln's Inn Fields. Good to combine with the Sir John Soane Museum.
Essentials
I have a theory that you can find anything you want on Green Lanes. Grand Parade (our local stretch of this very long road) is one of the few remaining London high streets which is stuffed with independent stores. Sure, they can look a bit scruffy, and the Turkish restaurants dominate, but the character is all there. There are hardware shops, banks, a post office, multiple grocery and food shops, a butchers, cafes, a launderette, jewellers, locksmiths, nailbars, hairdressers...And a personal favourite: Hot Nuts.
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Green Lanes
I have a theory that you can find anything you want on Green Lanes. Grand Parade (our local stretch of this very long road) is one of the few remaining London high streets which is stuffed with independent stores. Sure, they can look a bit scruffy, and the Turkish restaurants dominate, but the character is all there. There are hardware shops, banks, a post office, multiple grocery and food shops, a butchers, cafes, a launderette, jewellers, locksmiths, nailbars, hairdressers...And a personal favourite: Hot Nuts.
Sainsbury's
1 Cambridge Heath RdA large 24 hour supermarket. Nuff said.
Getting Around
Our nearest tube station, on the Piccadilly Line. 15 minutes walk, or an 8 minute bus ride away. Then just 15 minutes into central London. Check out the TfL site for first and last trains.
https://tfl.gov.uk/tube/stop/940GZZLUMRH/manor-house-underground-station?lineId=piccadilly
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Manor House Station
Green LanesOur nearest tube station, on the Piccadilly Line. 15 minutes walk, or an 8 minute bus ride away. Then just 15 minutes into central London. Check out the TfL site for first and last trains.
https://tfl.gov.uk/tube/stop/940GZZLUMRH/manor-house-underground-station?lineId=piccadilly