London Like a Local

I often find myself thinking how fortunate I am that I live in one of the most popular cities in the world. I get to call London home. Every day, I walked past excited tourists speaking foreign languages, tube map in hand and cameras at the ready. There’s no denying that the traditional sights speak for themselves, but sometimes you just want to escape the madness of the city and breathe in the lesser known gems. Here’s how:

1. COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET

(Columbia Rd, London, E2 7RG) 

This place has got to be one of London’s best kept secrets. If you’re craving a dose of nature but want to leave the London postcode, this is the place to go. There’s nothing quite like the sight of fresh flowers to awaken your senses and get you feeling rejuvenated and alive. A sniff of succulence? A whiff of watsonia? A lung full of lavender? You get my point. Tucked away in the cutest cobbled street of East London, you will hear the bustling sounds of Cockney: the proudest gardeners – all competing with each other over who can sell the best orchid, for a bargain. It really is an exquisite road – full of photo opptys. If you’re feeling peckish, grab a bite to eat and a cup of coffee at one of the local cafes which line the alleyways, or tuck into a glass of Pimms while listening to the street musicians jamming their guitar strings. This is a gem spot for people watching too

2. MERCATO METROPOLITANO 

(42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR) 

London has a lot of food markets, but this one has got to be my favourite. Why, I hear you say? Because it is the first sustainable, eco-friendly haven of food glorious food, from every corner of the globe. This market is full of good food – made for good. It even has its own brewery on site. Warning – the place heaves on the weekend, so if rubbing shoulders with London’s creatives is not your thing – keep this for a weekday outing.

3. REGENT’S CANAL

The canal stretches for many miles, but my personal favourite is starting my stroll right near Haggerston Station. Just ask any local to point you towards the waterway and you should get there in a few minutes. You can either take a leisurely walk or cycle along the sidewalk. The canal is lined with a unique assortment of colourful houseboats, and usually their hipster counterparts. The water ranges from mossy green algae in the summer months to icy hues in winter. If the weather is warm and you’re feeling brave, you can SUP or canoe inside the canal itself or if you’re up for a more alcoholic adventure, why not try a hot tub booze cruise? If you need to refuel, stop at one of the many sidewalk cafes along the water or wait until you reach Broadway Market for a healthy and hearty meal. If you still have the stamina – continue on until you find yourself in the leafy greenery of Victoria Park.

4. SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM 

13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP 

One of London’s strengths is it’s free museums! This one has to be hands down, my ultimate. Hidden in a side street in Holborn, it was the house of a neo-classical architect – Sir John. A hoarder or collector, you decide. Walking around the wooden floorboards and rickety staircase, you will find artefacts ranging from paintings to pottery and statues to souvenirs. What amazes me is that this used to be someone’s actual home. The photos won’t do it justice – you will have to go see for yourself.

5. ST DUNSTAN IN THE EAST 

This ancient church is perhaps one of the oldest in London, and truly provides a serene and soulful experience. The scenery is breathtaking, no matter the season – so feel free to visit any time of year. The ancient arches are gorgeous and the vines wrapped around the walls make for a truly magical moment. You do need to pay a few pennies to enter, but it is well worth the spend (which helps maintain the site) Fun fact: Hogarth was baptised here!

So that’s it. Just a few of my top tips to seeing London like a local.