Hey! Hope you had a good vacation. I have a question, you don't have to answer 'coz it's not fanfic related. I know you don't live in London anymore, but I was wondering if you have any suggestions for places to visit there, as I'm going there to study next year. It would be nice to have some insider knowledge. Thanks! :D
Hello! Yes, I had a wonderful time, thanks. :)
Okay, about places in London, I donāt know exactly what kinds of things youāre interested in, but Iām not going to suggest things like the British Museum and Big Ben, because Iām assuming youāll be doing that anyway (they are things you just have to do.) Iāll just give you a list of things I loved doing in London, youāre the best judge of whether youād enjoy it. ^.^
1. Charing Cross road. Itās got some great second hand bookstores, run by very friendly people. It also has a Foyles, I think. Also, Chinatown is a short walk from there, if you fancy some Chinese food.
2. Speaking of Charing Cross, thereās a lane just off it, called Cecil Court with more bookstores (rare books), but Marchpane is a standout, in my opinion. It is tiny, but quaint, and it houses a vast range of Alice in Wonderland books (in several languages, illustrated and non-illustrated) plus some rare first editions too. I even saw a signed first edition of Harry Potter there.Ā As an illustrator and book lover, I really appreciated this place as a good source of research.Ā
3. Word on the Water. This is literally just a boat full of books!Ā And itās wonderful. They move up and down the Thames, so follow their twitterĀ or facebookĀ to know where theyāre moored on any given day. I usually found them Regentās Canal, and if we went on a quiet weekday morning, the owner was kind enough to let us sit inside and read, and cuddle with the two cats they had! This is probably one of my favourite places on earth.
4. Southbank. If you want to walk along the Thames, this is a good place to do so. Thereās also an area where you can do graffiti (legally), and skateboard if youāre into that. One of my friends is a graffiti artist, and she took us there one evening, so itās handy if you know someone. And, in the evenings, after 5-ish, there are long tables laden with books that you can browse. (These are only there on certain days, and Iāve never been able to figure out which, maybe ask someone.)
5. Tate Modern. Itās further up Southbank, and if youāre into abstract art or modern art at all, this is a great place. They have regular exhibitions and events.Ā
6. The Globe Theatre.Ā Itās up to you, but I suggest the yard tickets. Youād have to stand, but the tickets are cheap and it so much more fun! Try to stand near the stage, itās fun when props accidentally fall into the audience, or if actors weave through the crowd and step onto the stage.
7. Do I even need to mention the Warner Bros. Studio Tour? If you go on your birthday, they let you open the gates to the Great Hall! I was 22 and giddy. :D The butterbeer was disappointing, though.
8. Hoxton Street Monster Supplies. This is just the best. Itās a little shop that caters to monsters, and everything about it is charming. Even the cashier doesnāt break out of character for a single second, he really gets into the stories. Theyāve got things like cubed earwax (caramel), thickest human snot (lemon curd) and olde fashioned brain jam (jam). Theyāve also got Schrƶdingerās cat! This shop is a front for the Ministry of Stories (a non-profit organisation and a great place for volunteering/working with children).Ā
9.Ā Ā Camden Town. The markets here are definitely worth a visit. Some of the shops are zany.
10.Ā Spitalfields and Brick Lane have great markets too. Old Spitalfields Market (itās best on Thursdays) has some great antiques (everything from old cameras and typewriters to swords and 60s fashion). Itās good to see, even if you donāt buy anything. Brick Lane also has a vintage market on weekends (I think, I forget).Ā It also has some of the best cafes. Cake, and free wi-fi makes a productive day for me.Ā
11.Ā Richmond Park. Itās the largest Royal Park of London, and also my favourite. Handy too, because my university was a short walk from the park. Definitely visit the Isabella Plantation, itās gorgeous, and great for picnics.
12. This is one I never visited because it hadnāt opened by the time I left, but I hear itās great: Lady Dinahās Cat EmporiumĀ - a cat cafe.
Extras: Definitely watch Wicked, if you have the time. Go to the little independent cafes on Islington, charm them into giving you free brownies (itās not hard at all). Spot celebrities walking up Leicester Square or Dumbledore eating breakfast at a cafe. Make your friend shake hands with him, run away screaming. While away entire days in stores like theĀ The Forbidden Planet and Gosh!. AndĀ message me off anon anytime, if you have any more questions. ^_^
