Roaming with Red

I’ll be honest, this week’s blog was a tricky one to write. While I absolutely love shooting on film, it does have its drawbacks. One of the biggest ones being time. The time needed to properly finish a roll. The time needed to get it developed. But most importantly, the impact this time has on my blog schedule. While my current roll of film, which is in the process of being developed, allows for a raft of new blog posts with images of lovely day trips and markets galore, I’m currently in the awkward middle ground of waiting for these photos to arrive.

So, while I wait, I’ve been wracking my brain about what to post this week that can tide us all over until the next roll of film is developed. With some market research (aka mum and dad) and thinking about the last 11 months, I thought what better post to write than London through the eyes of a local, or a semi-local. With the one-year mark of living in London fast approaching (wild I know), London no longer feels like a foreign city. Instead, it feels like another home, much like Melbourne or Bologna do. While the tourist attractions are attractions for a reason, London holds so much more beyond its classic Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament skyline. So here are a few thoughts on how you can enjoy London like a local and not like a tourist!

See the sun, find a pub

You may all laugh and think the above is a joke, but there is nothing more British than sitting at the pub with the sun shining and a pint in hand. When I first moved, I thought the stereotype of Brits at the pub when the sun is out was just that, a stereotype. However, now having spent nearly a full year here, it is 100% the truth. The lack of sun and warmth for about 80% of the year means that any Vitamin D is cherished by the UK population. And what better way to celebrate the sun’s rays than with a beer in hand at the pub. There is honestly no better place to be on a warm, late Spring day than sitting at a pub basking in the sunshine, alongside every other Brit in London. If you really want to feel local, this is the best way to do it!

Watch the national sport, Football (or Soccer for all you Aussies out there) live

While I still haven’t quite come around to the concept of calling the sport Football – for any of the uninitiated, for Australians AFL is referred to as Football and Football is referred to as Soccer – the sport really does seem to unite a large portion of London. From Monday morning water cooler chats to Sunday afternoon football crowds, the national sport is ever-present. While you can sit at a pub and watch a game, there is undoubtedly nothing better than watching sport live. And I would highly recommend you do this if you want to feel like a local. Choose a team and a game and enjoy the atmosphere as Brits come to life in a completely different way. Admittedly, I’ve only been to one Football game and it was a low league match in a rather obscure stadium, but it was still a whole heap of fun and such a different way to experience this country and its people away from the tourist crowds.

Spend a lazy Sunday at a Market

While markets can be touristy, they are also big attractions for Londoners themselves. It’s not uncommon to see Londoners grabbing coffee and walking their way through market stalls of a Saturday or Sunday morning, debriefing about the week or night that was. While Borough Market and Camden Market are lovely places to visit and I would highly recommend you put them on your list, there are a load of other food, produce and vintage markets throughout London that are just as attractive and slightly less touristy. Try Broadway Market if you’re looking for a mix of food and produce to fill your morning. If you’re more interested in finding a place to eat only, take a trip to Brixton Village Market before moving onwards to Herne Hill Market. If you enjoy a combination of food and knick knacks, make your way to Greenwich Market which feels like you’ve left London despite only being 20 minutes from Central London.

Visit the ‘burbs beyond Central London

Central London is great and there is a lot to see and do here. It’s a similar story of the classic Eastern Suburbs, with their hipster vibes and cool cafes. However, if you stay within these areas, you’ll only see one part of London rather than get a feel for the culturally diverse city that it is. If you really want to see London like a local, then you need to venture out into the suburbs where most Londoners live, which is not Central London. Ever thought of walking from Ealing to Chiswick and down to the Thames? Or discovering the beautiful architecture and lovely parks of Richmond and its surrounds? Or enhancing your cultural knowledge by wondering from Brixton to Dulwich? All these suburbs sit within the wider city of London but provide a completely different view of the city. While they may not be high on your bucket list if you’re time poor and it’s your first time in London, they are definitely worth a mention if you’re looking for ways to experience London beyond the centre city.

See London come alive of a Friday and Saturday night

In the process of writing this blog, I realised that most of my posts are written about activities taken during the day. While the daylight hours provide the opportunity to visit museums and attractions, London is just as fun during the evening hours. Dress up and enjoy a night on the town alongside every other Londoner trying to forget the working week that has just finished. Catch a show at one of the many theatres peppered throughout the city (would highly recommend you download Today Tix for cheap, last minute tickets). Alternatively, enjoy a drink or two at a fancy bar or a fun, game filled bar – Flight Club is an indoor darts venue and Hookers is an indoor mini-golf venue and both are serious fun. Maybe you’re more into the music scene and instead are looking for live music at places like Stereo or the O2 Forum Kentish Town. Whatever kind of night you’re looking for, London does provide ample choice so get dressed up and watch this city come to life!