Exploring London

London is a vibrant city, filled with so many incredible places to see. From the pastel houses of Chalcot Crescent to the lively streets of SoHo, each neighborhood has its own unique charm and I’ve spent a lot of time wandering around and taking it all in.

SoHo

SoHo is filled with various shopping streets, such as Carnaby, Oxford and Regents Street. I was lucky enough to visit Oxford Street during “This Is Oxford Street,” which was a day the road was blocked off from cars, allowing pedestrians to walk the streets freely. The street was filled with food vendors, pop-up shops, and live music. There are so many different stores around the area you can shop at for anything you'd need. I also love heading to the West End to watch a show at the end of the day. 

Notting Hill

Coming to London, I knew that this neighborhood was on my must see list. The Portobello Road Market was filled with various vendors, selling vintage watches, cameras, trinkets, and handmade goods. There were also tons of vintage shops around the neighborhood as well. Of course I had to stop by The Travel Book Co, which is the iconic bookstore from the movie Notting Hill. Not only was this area a great place for shopping, but there are many cafes, restaurants, and food spots to try as well. On my day there, I tried Indian food at Dishoom and drank some tea at Bird and Blend cafe. 

Camden

Camden is one of my favorite spots that I have visited so far. Of course, I was so excited to try the many different food stands at Camden Market. From, steak fries, strawberry chocolate pancakes, freshly made alfredo, chimney cake, churro gnocchi, and so much more. I also loved going to Primrose Hill, which was about a 10 minute walk from Camden Market. From there I was able to see the London skyline. The view was so beautiful, I had to come back another day to watch the sunset there from the top of the hill. From there you can take a short stroll to Chalcot Crescent, where you can see pastel houses, one of which is where Paddington lives!

Hampstead

Hampstead was another beautiful area I took a day to explore. First I went into the town to see the small shops, cafés, and pubs that they had there. I spent most of my day exploring Hampstead Heath. I was able to take a look inside Kenwood House, which is a remodeled stately home built in the 17th century. I was especially excited to see the library, whose ceiling is painted with beautiful blue and pink pastels. Then I took a 20 minute stroll to the Hill Garden and Pergola. They had a beautiful terrace where you can overlook the views of Hampstead Heath.