I remember going to Amsterdam on my own as an au pair at seventeen, and absolutely loving the city – but I didn’t know anyone and seemed to waste so much time trudging along main roads not liking to ask, and often simply not finding the beautiful, characterful parts of that city. This is the thinking behind “Finding the Heart of London Neighbourhoods” Here, say if you wanted to look around Bloomsbury, you’ll find a map with the loveliest and most interesting streets marked in red. Often I include a suggested walking route around the area as well.
“How to connect London without using the tube” is where my cycling really reaped dividends. I would simply cycle all the available routes say between Hyde Park and Regent’s Park to see for myself which is the best – this is how I discovered the charming Marylebone High Street with its famous bookstore Daunt Books, and lovely boutique shops and cafes. My other options are self-explanatory. Simply click below, or continue to scroll 🙂
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HOW TO FIND THE HEART OF LONDON’S NEIGHBOURHOODS
Discover the heart of various neighbourhoods, with details of local history, culture and architecture, helping you understand where you are in relation to the surrounding area, and suggesting the walking route that I’d take if I were showing a friend around. Practical information is included like the location of playgrounds and toilets, making your walk convenient and family-friendly. Just click below. Some areas just contain a gallery so far.
THE BEST ROUTES TO CONNECT DIFFERENT PARTS OF LONDON WITHOUT USING THE TUBE
See the bigger picture. Instead of seeing London as a collection of separate fragments, see how it links up. I have cycled all the possible routes and these are the best I have found.
SUGGESTED WALKS YOU COULD TAKE IF VISITING LONDON LANDMARKS
The Tower of London is right next to the Thames, and if you don’t have much time in London, there is a really great walk along the south bank of the river, taking you past many sights including the Globe Theatre, Tate Modern, street performers and cafes. To take this walk, cross Tower Bridge and go down the steps to your right. Alternatively, walk East along the north bank through beautiful St Katherine’s Docks. Going west along the north bank of the river, you can walk to the Millenium Bridge and St Paul’s, or you can cut up Old Billingsgate Walk just before the Billingsgate Fish Market building, take the crossing over busy Lower Thames street, then go up historic Idol Lane to discover ruined St Dunstan’s Gardens and on as shown to Victorian Leadenhall Market. Alternatively if you turn left after the crossing on Lower Thames Street, you can cut up the diagonal Monument street to discover Christopher Wren’s monument to the Great Fire in 1666. If you have more time, I also show the best route north through vibrant and multicultural Petticoat Lane Market and Brick Lane (both best on Sundays) From Brick Lane you can continue to Spitalfields Market. or Sunday’s Columbia Rd flower market.
From the front of the British Museum, walk straight down Museum Street and carry straight on to meet Drury Lane and Seven Dials, Covent Garden.
You are also within easy striking distance of Lincoln’s Inn fields and the Temple.
From the back of the museum you a stone’s throw away from Soho Square, Soho.
Anyone with children could combine a visit to the museum with the special playground at Coram’s fields.
Kings Cross St Pancras Station and the British Library are also reachable – this is the prettiest route.
The British Museum is also on the route of the Bloomsbury walk.
The Sherlock Holmes Museum is about five minutes’ walk from the beautiful Regents Park. Stroll round the boating lake then take in the Conran Shop, cafes, restaurants, independent boutiques and the famous Daunt bookshop on Marylebone High Street, finishing at Bond Street Tube Station. From here you could cross over an walk down shopping streets South Molton Street and on down Bond Street into the West End, or turn right and walk down Oxford Street to Marble Arch, then into Hyde Park. If you keep heading south past Hyde Park Corner and down the edge of Green Park, you’ll reach Buckingham Palace!
WHERE TO GO IF YOU HAVE A LIMITED TIME IN LONDON
There are lots of opportunities to hire bikes both online, and from stands throughout the centre. Here is a brilliant ride past many of the great sights but also taking in the royal parks and the river Thames.
