Unsurprisingly, as a bustling, sprawling city, London has many things to discover. Often, when you’re just travelling through and only have a few days to spend in the city, it is impossible to see it all. The beauty of currently living in this city is that it gives me the chance to discover aspects of London that I’ve never explored before. With that in mind, here is round 2 of must see things in London city.
Started in 1851 before officially becoming the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1899, this museum is one of the best design and art museums today. A sprawling maze of things to discover, there is no way you can do this museum in one day and properly appreciate everything it has to offer. So, choose the things you are most interesting in, and start there! The regular exhibitions house everything from medieval furniture to pottery from the Islamic Middle East. For me, I’d highly recommend The Raphael Cartoons. This set of 7 full scale designs were created by Raphael to eventually be made into tapestries and are considered some of the greatest wonders of the Renaissance period. These pieces are genuinely awe-inspiring and had my jaw very close to the floor. While the main museum is free of charge, the museum holds many special exhibitions which you can gain access to for a small fee.
Portobello market is potentially one of the most well known markets in London! The market completely takes over Portobello Road during the weekend, as the street becomes overrun with people and market stalls. You’ll find nearly anything you can think of at this market. Start at the Ladbroke Grove end and you’ll enter what feels more like a flea market, selling anything from old records to clothing to jewellery. Continue walking and you’ll find the more foodie section of the market – buy your weekly fruit and veg here or treat yourself to good cheese or freshly baked bread. While many of the stalls are located on the road itself, there are also many speciality shops, cafes and restaurants that line the street sidewalks. Grab a coffee or sip on a wine as you people watch the diverse community that comes out to enjoy this London favourite. One recommendation would be to try the home made lemonade stand at the Westbourne Park end of the market. Family owned, the team make the lemonade as you wait and it is a worthwhile refreshment after a morning spent perusing and purchasing.
Wander the London Canals
This one was a complete surprise and something I just happened to stumble upon accidentally! Tucked away in St Katherine’s and Wapping, you’ll stumble upon a very scenic little canal. The water way is a beautiful area to walk around on a sunny day, with houses lining the waterfront in something that is reminiscent of Amsterdam. Located close to the River Thames, there are also plenty of pubs to stop at and have a pint of beer or a bite to eat once you’ve had enough of wandering around the water lined streets.
London is a city steeped in history and the opportunity to see Roman ruins in the middle of the city for free is an opportunity too good to pass up. Uncovered during building reconstruction in 1954, the Mithraeum provides the perfect opportunity to experience the ruins of a Roman temple in person. Little is known about this all male cult however, ruins such as these, allow us to start to unravel the mystery and learn more about this long extinct cult. Part of London’s free museums, the Mithraeum is a great choice for history lovers. The top floor plays home to a constantly changing exhibition of new artists however, it’s the lower floors where the real magic happens. The basement provides a comprehensive history into this mysterious cult and explains certain elements of the ruin. The lower basement holds the ruins themselves. The museum provides a free light show around the ruins which helps bring this monument to life. The ruins are fascinating to see, as you walk around Roman stone that has been preserved by centuries of mud and city development. The whole visit won’t take more than an hour or so but I highly recommend you find some time to add it into your London itinerary.
Similar to Portobello Road, Camden Market holds a special place in the London psyche. Located in Camden, an area that feels like the cultural centre of the North, the market is well worth an exploration. The best way I can describe this market is a never ending maze of stuff. Hosting both indoor and outdoor areas, the market seems to go on and on and on, until you find yourself lost in a completely different area to where you started. The market plays home to a mix of second hand goods, high street brands and all sorts of food stalls to cater for any taste. Grab a pastry for breakfast, wander the stalls and go shopping for the remainder of the morning and pick up an on-the-go lunch in true market style.
Located on the River Thames right near Putney Bridge, Fulham Palace was another happy discovery on my wanderings through London! The Palace has medieval origins and was used as the major residences of the Bishops of London from the 11th Century until the late 1900s. While it is still owned by the Church of England, the palace is now managed by the Fulham Palace Trust, allowing people to come visit all year round. For a small fee you can enter the palace and learn the long history of this incredible building. While I didn’t actually go into the palace in this instance, it is certainly somewhere I’d like to come back to and explore further. However, even if you’re a little time strapped, the gardens themselves are well worth a walk. From large open spaces to a walled herb and veggie garden, it’s the perfect place for a sunny afternoon picnic or a chilly winter market visit. There’s also a café on site if you’re feeling a little peckish on the day.
Think winding vines up old stone ruins where squirrels and crumbling stone feel like a fairy tale. Hidden between skyscrapers and concrete towers, this is what you will find at St Dunstan in the East, a breath of fresh air in the grey surrounds. Thought to have been built in the 1100s, the building has been through many lives, being severely damaged during the Great Fire of London and then again during The Blitz of World War 2. The church ruins play host to twisting vines and ageing stone, creating a refuge from the outside world. While small, these gardens provide a beautiful place to take a seat and relax for a little bit. Soak in the relaxed atmosphere and let your imagination run wild of what this church might have once looked like.
Highgate cemetery is a must if you have the time to venture to this area of London. For 10 pound, you can wander through this centuries old cemetery which holds host to countless famous names. Created in the early 1800s when London was facing a burial crisis due to a rapidly increasing population, the London Cemetery Company was created to produce beautiful places of burial that could help solve this problem. Highgate Cemetery was one such project. Walk through the winding paths and see the grave of Karl Marx, probably one of the most famous inhabitants of this cemetery, or marvel at the many other famous inhabitants . However, while the famous names are great to see, it is the fascinating tranquility that makes this venue a must see. The cemetery is beautifully preserved, where nature has been allowed to take centre stage. Long, winding paths give this space an ethereal beauty and feeling of leaving the regular world behind you. While cemeteries are often seen as morbid places of loss, this cemetery is more a celebration of the beauty that nature can provide.
Roaming with Red 
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