For greasy spoons, if north of the river then Shepherdess Cafe on City Road, you might even recognise it as it’s been used in various gangster movies. Saff of the river Terrys Cafe on Great Suffolk Street, best bangers in London and some interesting old pics of London on the walls…
My favourite place for a cheap wander tends to be Brick Lane & Bethnal Green Road. Hipster of me but it always puts me *in the moment* as, if you blink you’ll miss something. Punk graffiti, Street collage, cartoons & etc everywhere you look. Whitechapel Gallery hosts eye-opening exhibitions too, & Rich Mix was once featuring a talk *by an author I was reading* at the very moment that I was walking past. Tower Hamlets is often spontaneously sensing the international pulse in that way, without being stuffy.
For the children, Spitalfields City Farm neighbours Brick Lane, with a dizzying swinging-roundabout-seesaw in between.
I was also impressed by Physic Garden & struck by the number of signs explaining — this is poisonous. This also is poisonous. As if it belongs to a pirate witch. They hosted a sell-out broomstick making workshop for children before Halloween; tickets moved faster than a golden snitch.
This is great, thanks! I’ve lived in or very near London most of my life, there are some old favourites on here, some things on my, oh that might be worth a visit list that have just got bumped up a bit higher and some things I’ve never heard or thought of. Definitely saving this and planning my next day out xx
I like wandering around the City of London/Barbican on a Sunday afternoon, when it's really quiet, looking at the history that exists (like the Roman walls) and the many plaques about buildings that no longer do. It's full of little alleyways and gardens to stumble across, and the Sutton Arms does a good toastie if you're hungry.
Yes, this is an excellent activity on a Sunday when it’s eerily quiet in the city! There are at least two of Stephen Millar’s London’s hidden walks in that area too. One focuses on the Wren churches. I love a good toastie so will look up the Sutton Arms. Thanks for this 😊
This is such a great round up, Hannah. Love Ronnie Scott's and like you say it’s such a great jazz club and compared to many other things one can spend money on, it's not that expensive. Need to try a few of the other places as well.
Thanks so much Cristina and for sharing too! You’ve reminded me to take a look at the upcoming RS listings because it’s been a little while since I last visited.
Can I ask how you came across this article? It’s suddenly been getting lots of likes in the past two days (which is wonderful) so I was wondering if someone had shared it? I wrote it in June!
Funnily enough my flatmate asked me if I could take her to the RS as she's never been so I must do research soon too 😅
I found your post via notes, from something you posted to share it. I believe Substack picks up on quick engagement as social media does and of something generates a good amount of likes and views in a short time, it's then pushed out to a wider audience via notes.
Hi Hannah, wanted to say I saved this post months ago just in case. My parents are visiting from Australia and have spent lots of time in London before and feel like they've covered everything before. This list has blown their minds and they're excitedly planning their next few days. Thanks so much!
Hi Georgia, thanks so much for letting me know this. I’m absolutely delighted that the list is helpful. I’d love to hear about what your parents end up doing and enjoy the most! Btw the current Japan House exhibition is a lot of fun. I went there yesterday and it’s all about Japan’s food replica culture
Great post - I really want to go to Japan House! When I lived in London, there was this free walking tour of East London street art where I went on a team-building trip with an old job. That was amazing, and if it's still around, I really recommend it.
Thanks for the recommendations, Hannah. I’m in London later this year and always looking for new places to explore. And you’ve given me some great ideas in this post.
I love wandering around the city (when it’s decent weather), there’s always so much to see.
Ohh, now I want to go to London! Haven't been there since July 1998. Blimey. We had a year long program called International Skills Expert Program. Me being the admin assistant and my colleague the group leader flew to the UK with 12 participants to visit a bunch of interesting organizations. Had ample of spare time as well.
What great suggestions, Hannah! I recognise a few of them that we’ve done together 😊
Yes, we’ve definitely been to a few of those together! x
For greasy spoons, if north of the river then Shepherdess Cafe on City Road, you might even recognise it as it’s been used in various gangster movies. Saff of the river Terrys Cafe on Great Suffolk Street, best bangers in London and some interesting old pics of London on the walls…
Thanks for these suggestions Andrew! I will check them out when I find myself in those areas 🥓 🍳 Love the sound of Terrys Cafe
My favourite place for a cheap wander tends to be Brick Lane & Bethnal Green Road. Hipster of me but it always puts me *in the moment* as, if you blink you’ll miss something. Punk graffiti, Street collage, cartoons & etc everywhere you look. Whitechapel Gallery hosts eye-opening exhibitions too, & Rich Mix was once featuring a talk *by an author I was reading* at the very moment that I was walking past. Tower Hamlets is often spontaneously sensing the international pulse in that way, without being stuffy.
For the children, Spitalfields City Farm neighbours Brick Lane, with a dizzying swinging-roundabout-seesaw in between.
Thanks Alex, they are all excellent suggestions!
I was also impressed by Physic Garden & struck by the number of signs explaining — this is poisonous. This also is poisonous. As if it belongs to a pirate witch. They hosted a sell-out broomstick making workshop for children before Halloween; tickets moved faster than a golden snitch.
This is great, thanks! I’ve lived in or very near London most of my life, there are some old favourites on here, some things on my, oh that might be worth a visit list that have just got bumped up a bit higher and some things I’ve never heard or thought of. Definitely saving this and planning my next day out xx
I’m so pleased it’s helpful Kate! Let me know if you do something on the list 😊 xx
I like wandering around the City of London/Barbican on a Sunday afternoon, when it's really quiet, looking at the history that exists (like the Roman walls) and the many plaques about buildings that no longer do. It's full of little alleyways and gardens to stumble across, and the Sutton Arms does a good toastie if you're hungry.
Yes, this is an excellent activity on a Sunday when it’s eerily quiet in the city! There are at least two of Stephen Millar’s London’s hidden walks in that area too. One focuses on the Wren churches. I love a good toastie so will look up the Sutton Arms. Thanks for this 😊
This is such a great round up, Hannah. Love Ronnie Scott's and like you say it’s such a great jazz club and compared to many other things one can spend money on, it's not that expensive. Need to try a few of the other places as well.
Thanks so much Cristina and for sharing too! You’ve reminded me to take a look at the upcoming RS listings because it’s been a little while since I last visited.
Can I ask how you came across this article? It’s suddenly been getting lots of likes in the past two days (which is wonderful) so I was wondering if someone had shared it? I wrote it in June!
Funnily enough my flatmate asked me if I could take her to the RS as she's never been so I must do research soon too 😅
I found your post via notes, from something you posted to share it. I believe Substack picks up on quick engagement as social media does and of something generates a good amount of likes and views in a short time, it's then pushed out to a wider audience via notes.
I'm glad that was the case :)
That’s good to know! I’m pleased you found it too 😊
Hi Hannah, wanted to say I saved this post months ago just in case. My parents are visiting from Australia and have spent lots of time in London before and feel like they've covered everything before. This list has blown their minds and they're excitedly planning their next few days. Thanks so much!
Hi Georgia, thanks so much for letting me know this. I’m absolutely delighted that the list is helpful. I’d love to hear about what your parents end up doing and enjoy the most! Btw the current Japan House exhibition is a lot of fun. I went there yesterday and it’s all about Japan’s food replica culture
Great post - I really want to go to Japan House! When I lived in London, there was this free walking tour of East London street art where I went on a team-building trip with an old job. That was amazing, and if it's still around, I really recommend it.
Thanks Sascha! That walking tour sounds great - I will look it up.
Japan house was fab, I’ll definitely be going back to see the next exhibition.
Love these ideas. London is my home town and it gets such a bad rep for being costly and unfriendly - but your list proves it doesn’t have to be!
Thanks Hannah! It definitely requires some planning and forward thinking to avoid spending lots, but it’s possible. I see it as a fun challenge!
Thanks for the recommendations, Hannah. I’m in London later this year and always looking for new places to explore. And you’ve given me some great ideas in this post.
I love wandering around the city (when it’s decent weather), there’s always so much to see.
I love to wander too! Let me know when you visit, I’d love to catch up over a coffee if you have the time 😊
I’d love that! I’m hoping to book flights and things soon, so I will let you know 😁
Ohh, now I want to go to London! Haven't been there since July 1998. Blimey. We had a year long program called International Skills Expert Program. Me being the admin assistant and my colleague the group leader flew to the UK with 12 participants to visit a bunch of interesting organizations. Had ample of spare time as well.
It was such a great week.
That sounds like a wonderful trip! I suspect a lot has changed since then. If you ever do visit, please let me know. I’d love to meet up for a coffee!
It was! And yes, much must have changed. I would love to have a coffee with you in London.