Photo taken by Emily Fudim
As the weather gets brisk, it may be time to swap out those flip flops that have basically molded to your feet over the past several months. Don't worry though, you can find plenty of cute new boots on almost any street corner within London. The weather is currently a mild 55 degrees, so get ready for this next cozy vacation.
Unique Lodging for Your Stay
There are plenty of hotels and places you can stay during your trip, but if you’ve ever dreamed of having your own treehouse as a child like I did, then you might consider staying a night in The Bensfield Treehouse Sussex. This magical looking treehouse is 5 miles from Brighton, in Poynings Village. I bet you weren’t envisioning a jungle type of place to stay when you thought of a London vacation, but this experience will be a unique change for a night. However, if you have more than two people, this may not be the best option.
Another special destination is a log house in the Cotswolds. There are several log houses decorated completely with wood, and its located right along a lake for a comfortable camping feel. There are also private hot tubs for you to warm up in after a chilly evening walk.
Where to Divulge in Comfort Food
If you’re a coffee lover, or you just simply enjoy café settings with soft music, pastries, warm soups, English breakfasts, and toasted sandwiches, then England is absolutely your place to visit.
Timberyard Seven Dials Café is great for getting any work, planning, or journaling done while you enjoy delicious foods. Often, old friends meet, or students gather to get work done in the basement section. The top floor is designed for a noisier setting but regardless of where you are sitting, a waiter will serve you a lovely display of your meal on a wooden tray.
Café Diana is a unique café because of it’s historic significance. Pictures of Princess Diana are displayed all over the walls, menu, and windows. Sitting in this café makes you notice the community feel and the comfort of tradition in England that is associated with the Royal Family. This restaurant not only shows respect for their former princess, but for their customers as well by the way they serve you. Cakes, coffees, and a delicious chicken escalope are served in Café Diana.
Photo taken by Emily Fudim
Maison Bertaux is a restaurant originally created by sisters. This café has a French style, and the pastries are beautifully displayed in the window. Maison Bertaux is a little pricy however, and there are many other local cafes that are much cheaper.
Café Russell is located in the center of Russell Square Park, right across from Bedford Place. This café is especially peaceful if you like the park setting while getting work done or meeting with friends. People can be found sitting all over the park, playing games, and walking dogs.
Portobello Market is located on the entirety of Portobello Road, and many store owners and personal vendors have unique products to offer. There are old albums, house decorations, cashmere scarves and blankets, leather bags, sunglasses, and plenty of food. Here, you can find amazing seafood paella, huge crepes, gyros, and many other food vendors. Camden Market and Borough Market have more food than Portobello Market, and Borough Market serves only food and is only available on Sundays. Camden Market also sells many other products, and differs from other markets by selling beautiful rings and handmade jewelry. Located in Soho, Berwick Street Market is open every day of the week except for Sunday, and differs from these markets by selling plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Similar to Borough Market, Chatsworth Road Market is only available on Sundays, between 11am-4pm and located in Hackney.
Photo taken by Emily Fudim at Borough Market
If you're looking for a sit-down meal instead of a food market, there are restaurants filling the streets of England. Some especially tasty meals can be found in Shoreditch, one of my personal favorites being Dishoom. Dishoom can attract few tourists, but for the most part it has a very trendy, laid-back atmoshphere. They serve excellent Indian food and their alcoholic drinks are perfect to sip on while you decide what to order from their vast menu.
Photo taken by Emily Fudim at Dishoom
A Sunday Roast is an especially cozy meal if you want to warm up in a restaurant. Sunday Roast’s are warm dishes that remind you of a home cooked Thanksgiving meal. You can usually choose between chicken and beef, which come with oven roasted vegetables. It's best to make a reservation, especially if you plan to go with a group of people since these are only offered one day of the week. Hack and Hop has an amazing Sunday Roast, and the owners are very accommodating with making reservations.
Photo taken by Emily Fudim at Hack and Hop
Explore England’s Outdoors
If you want to explore the streets of England and need a break from London’s tourist attractions, an abundance of street art offers an interesting way to view artists’ talent, creativity, and political and cultural standpoints. There is a secret street artist who goes by the name Banksy who is notorious for his graffiti art. Graffiti here is not viewed as vandalism as much as it is art, so long as the graffiti isn’t drawn on shops, restaurants, and facilities. Most street art can be found on walls of warehouse buildings, and is used for the purpose of sharing views peacefully through art. There are also plenty of local museums that are not designed for tourist destinations, such as the Rolling Stones Exhibit, and the museum located inside the British Library.
Photo taken by Emily Fudim
For more nature walk options, there is a beautiful tree tunnel in Halnaker, where you can stroll through to enjoy the dreamy look of nature’s flowers and autumn leaves. This path is located in West Sussex, and local pubs are in the area to take a rest after your walk. You can get to the path by taking Victoria Station to Chichester, and walking from the train station. If you fall in love with all the flowers, more flowers can be found at the Columbia Road Flower Market. The streets are filled with flower vendors and an amazing smell.
Snuggle Up
If the outdoors are too cold for you, then cozy up by the fire and wood in one of England’s many pubs. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a very old pub, where famous poets and authors used to come to write. There is a fireplace, ales, and bar food, all for very affordable prices. Beach Blanket Babylon is amazingly decorated from room to room. Each room has a different name and style, and an unforgettably designed fireplace. The Flask is a pub that is said to be haunted by ghosts. The wooden fire place and eerie feel here makes for the perfect autumn hangout.
Aside from pubs, for those of you who would like to read or hangout in a sober state of mind, Atlantis Bookshop and Bookmarks Bookshop are some personal favorites. Atlantis bookshop is known for a witchcraft style and a spiritual setting. The shopowners are extremely friendly and allow customers to come in and ask questions about the witchcraft atmosphere.
Night Out on Londontown
Photo taken by Emily Fudim
Howling Hops Tank Bar is a local brewery if you want to spend the night drinking pints and gathering with a group. Definitely try to check out The Escapologist, which is a bar where you can enter different rooms through secret doors that are disguised by paintings. They serve very unique cocktails and if you want to meet for a quieter drinking atmosphere with friends, then earlier in the evening would be a good time to go.
Shoreditch is an area that has a very different atmosphere if you want to socialize in an artistic section. There is a huge boxlike structure that consists of bars, restaurants, and shops, and on top of the box there are pillow movie nights that take place. DSTRKT is a very sleek evening bar located in the business sector, so many workers will go there after work for a lengthy happy hour.
If you will be there soon enough for the experience, definitely check out the Camden Oktoberfest. This will be taking place all day and night on October 15th. An abundance of German beers will be offered, as well as live bands and and DJs.
Nightlife Bars to Avoid the Tourist Traps:
Be At One
XOYO
The Book Club
Hit it
DSTRKT
Salsa Republic
Flash bar
Renaissance rooms
Mist on the rocks
The Radio Bar
Cougar pinks
Koko
Fabric
Waxy
Bounce
Mahiki
Be At One is a cocktail lounge, and although the cocktails seem a little pricey, they aren’t that much more expensive than the average cocktail. My favorite part about this lounge is the friendliness of the workers. They are very welcoming, and sing along with the great music choices. I also love the names of the cocktails, because it was so much fun deciding what drink to order. One cocktail is a popcorn cocktail, served with actual popcorn in the martini. There are also delicious margaritas for all you tequila lovers out there. Oneil’s is another amazing bar, however, it can be a little touristy on certain nights. It has multiple levels, great music, dancing, and a very lively atmosphere. If you love Whiskey, unlike myself, Chivas Regal Pop up will be around until the end of November. At the Truman Brewery you can create your own whiskey blend to bring home with you.
If you would rather just sit back and be entertained one night, there are plenty of comedy shows that take place at 99 Club in Leicester Square. Aeronut Circus is another unique place and has magic tricks, daring stunts, and dancing.
Photo taken by Emily Fudim
Our team at WanderersOnly wishes you a warm and safe trip to England. Pack your coats, prepare for cozy cocktails, and buy a good book for the plane ride. As always, send us pictures from your adventure to wanderersonlyinfo@gmail.com. Wander on.
