Tag: London

The King’s Cross Light Tunnel

Did you know there’s a special way to get to the trendy foodie hotspots of Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard from King’s Cross Station? You basically get to walk through an arty light installation.

You may think of King’s Cross Station as somewhere to pass quickly through when catching a train and most of the time that’s all you’ll want to do. However, if you have a bit of time, or even just want to see something that’s a bit different and will make you go ‘ooooh’ then it’s worth allowing that bit of extra time here.

Continue reading “The King’s Cross Light Tunnel”

The Hardy Tree in Old St Pancras Burial Ground

Just behind St Pancras Station there’s an old burial ground with lots of history and lots of literary connections. And a very macabre tree.

I’m off to Dorset at Easter. Mainly for a conference but, as it’s a beautiful part of the country and as I’m off work, it would be a wasted opportunity if I didn’t tag on a few days’ holiday.

Thinking of Dorset has made me think of Thomas Hardy.

Continue reading “The Hardy Tree in Old St Pancras Burial Ground”

Touring London on a Cake Bus

Posh sandwiches, gooey cakes and warm scones all served as I pootled round London on the top deck of an old Routemaster. Read on to find out more about touring London on a cake bus.

You’ve probably seen the double-decker tour buses that drive round London and other cities countless times. But have you ever seen one that’s a cake bus?

When I mentioned to people that I was going to London to go on a cake bus I got a few people disbelieving me. As though they thought something that good couldn’t possibly exist.

But believe me people, as exist it does! Continue reading “Touring London on a Cake Bus”

A Day in Peckham

Iranian food, French chocolate, an Afro-Caribbean market, a hidden river, WW2 POW history, an odd looking library, a peace wall. If you’re in London you really should spend a day in Peckham. Read on to find out what a day in Peckham has to offer. This post is part of the Exploring London’s Suburbs series.

Last week I had a few days in London and managed to fit in a trip to an area I haven’t visited before for the next installment of my series, ‘Exploring London’s Suburbs’. Read on to find out what I discovered on my day in Peckham. Continue reading “A Day in Peckham”

A Day in Dulwich

The world’s first purpose-built art gallery, Ernest Shackleton’s boat, an old college, an American Garden and a lovely high street. I found plenty to see and do when I spent a day in Dulwich recently.

One of the things I’m trying to do when I visit London is to see more than just the usual tourist areas. Having lived there for over ten years (though not all in one go) I feel I know the city pretty well and I know that there’s plenty to see and do outside of the West End. I also know that there are still lots of areas well worth exploring that I’ve yet to visit. Continue reading “A Day in Dulwich”

A Day in Walthamstow

What do William Morris, Europe’s longest street market, an ancient house and 26,000 burials have in common? They’re all found in Walthamstow.

London is far more than just the West End. If you’re visiting and you have more than a couple of days, or if it’s not your first visit and so you’ve already been to Madame Tussaud’s and the Tower of London, then it’s well worth exploring a bit further than the usual Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent  Garden circuit.

Hop on a tube or bus and get out into the surrounding towns and suburbs. They are all so different and have their own characters and sub-cultures, and as there’re always plenty of interesting things to do and places to eat, not only will you have a great day, but you can go home and say you’ve seen a bit of the ‘real London’ too. Continue reading “A Day in Walthamstow”

Traverse 17 – My First Travel Blogging Conference

Last weekend I attended my first travel blogging conference. This is what it was like.

There are a lot of travel blogging conferences around such as TBEX and WITS. I see a lot about them online and they seem like they’d be both good fun and a good opportunity for learning and networking. I’ve quite fancied the idea of going to one for a while now, but various things have held me back.

They’re too far away, too expensive, not at the right time, my blog isn’t big enough and I won’t be able to take advantage of all the opportunities on offer …

All good reasons, but even so they’re holding me back. Continue reading “Traverse 17 – My First Travel Blogging Conference”

Borough Market – A Photo Essay

Prosecco, goat ice cream and tales of marauding Vikings are just some of the things waiting to be discovered at Britain’s oldest market.

Good markets are getting harder and harder to find. The traditional markets with cheap clothes, dish cloths and ‘3 for a pound’ fruit and veg are even rarer. The traditional markets were good for a bargain, but not so great for a day out. These days when you do find a market it’s far more likely to be of the artisanal type and to be expensive, but lovely for a day out. Continue reading “Borough Market – A Photo Essay”

Kensington Palace

A Christmas trip to Kensington Palace involved music, gambling and an early version of a ‘Shewee’.

Over the Christmas break I took my ten old niece on her first ever trip to London. As a princess obsessive, when I suggested a visit to Kensington Palace, London home of Will and Kate, she jumped at the chance. Continue reading “Kensington Palace”