Top 10 Brief Encounters in London

Brief Encounter: London

Even a flying visit to the English capital should take in certain essentials sights. Here’s what not to miss on any trip to the ever lovely London.

1. Must Sees

   There are some things that you just have to do when you come to London and chief among these is pay pilgrimage to the nation’s seat of democracy, the Houses of Parliament. This is also a good starting point for a walking tour of the capital’s West End. Head up Whitehall from Parliament Square, taking in Downing Street along the way, and you arrive in Trafalgar Square, home of the National Gallery and Nelson’s Column. Make your way through the pigeons and tourists to the Mall, and follow it to Buckingham Palace, stopping to admire the Queen’s Guard. From here, it’s a short walk to Hyde Park, where you can rest your weary feet amid the swans, joggers and squirrels.

2. The Tate Modern

   This former power station is renowned for pushing the boundaries of contemporary art and the provocative installations in the old turbine hall. Our past favourites have included Louise Bourgeois’s giant spider and the massive crack in the floor, entitled Shibboleth by sculptor Salcedo. For an extra bit of artistic fun, hit the roof terrace bar for a drink with one of the best views in London.

3. Spitalfields Market

   This is an East End gem that caters to travellers who like to experience real retail innovation, without sky high price tags. It’s been voted London’s best market for two years in a row now and when you check out the stalls, eateries and indie shops lining the avenues here, you can see why. Pick up rare, vintage fashion throwbacks, munch on a spit roast, see the arts and crafts that put this market’s counterpart in Camden to shame, and chill out in an unpresuming bar when you’re done.

4. The Theatre Scene

   Seeing a show can be a daunting event when you rock up in the British capital and if you’re unfortunate enough to be taken advantage of by the ticket touts in Leicester Square, you can end up paying big bucks to see the big shows. However, top productions like Mamma Mia and Wicked can be seen from good seats for as little as £30 per person. Away from the West End, London stages are known for exciting, cutting edge productions so don’t be afraid to stray off the beaten path. A good place to buy tickets online for the majority of West End productions is (w) www.lastminute.com

5. Art Galleries

   The Renaissance was late reaching Britain, but nevertheless London is home to some of the best art galleries in the world. In the centre of town, flanked by Soho and the Strand, lies the National Gallery, one of the greatest collections of Western European art in the world. This is in no small part thanks to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Madonna of the Rocks, which experts are still studying in an attempt to uncover the many beguiling secrets behind it. From the National Gallery it’s a short bus ride west along the river to the Tate Britain, which is also free. This is the home of British art dating back to 1500 and worth visiting for the Turner collection alone. For something a little different, continue along the river and head up Chelsea Bridge Road to Sloane Square. Here, you’ll find the Saatchi Gallery, dedicated to exhibiting the best modern art from around the world.

6. Borough Market

   At this food market you’ll find great artisan stalls, supplying gastronomic delights from around the world. Special mention must go to Monmouth café, serving up what is without a doubt London’s best cup of coffee. Located next to London Bridge and close to the river just behind Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market is a destination in itself and a good watering-hole on the walk along the south bank of the River Thames.

7. Bike Around Town

   While many Londoners move around London underground (it’s not called the rat race for nothing), as a visitor your preferred mode of transport is a your choice. You might not think that the city centre is very bike friendly but with the massive expanse of royal parks, you can easily explore for three or four hours on two pedal powered wheels, without hitting the road for more than ten minutes in total! If you don’t trust your navigating skills, Fat Tire Bike Tours offer guided tours around London’s glorious parks and sights, with scheduled pub stops for lunch and refreshments. (w) www.fattirebiketours.com/london

8. Museums

   Thanks to a history of colonialism and a rather fluid approach to the idea of ownership, London is now home to countless treasures from all over the globe. Handily for us, many of these are now far too precious to be transported and so to account for this injustice the majority of London’s museums are free. Chief among these is the British Museum in Bloomsbury, home to countless, priceless artifacts from around the world, including the Elgin Marbles from the ancient Parthenon, statues belonging to the boy king Tutankhamun, and the Viking findings of Sutton Hoo. In South Kensington there’s a whole host of museums, all free and covering many cultural happenings. For example the Natural History Museum exhibits wonders from the natural world and just over the road the Victoria & Albert Museum is home to man-made wonders. Often overlooked but never underappreciated, the Wallace Collection just off Oxford Street crams more into its small space than many cities can muster all together.

9. Walk the River

   The Thames was once the industrial lifeline that kept London thriving, but these days it’s filled with tourist cruises rather than merchant ships. The river banks are well worth exploring so start at the Tower of London, the final resting place of history’s political prisoners and now home to the Crown Jewels. From here, cross the magnificent Tower Bridge to the South Bank, head west through Borough Market to the riverside, and enjoy a refreshing pint in one of the many Bankside inns. Heading west along the river, you’ll pass the reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Tate Modern, the National Theatre and the Royal Festival Hall. The latter two aren’t much to look at from the outside but the daily billings more than make up for this. Just before Westminster Bridge, you’ll hit the (EDF Energy) London Eye, a huge Ferris Wheel which offers some of the best views of London. This gets very busy so book in advance to avoid missing out. (w) www.londoneye.com

10. Shopping

    Where you choose to shop in London can reveal a lot about you to others. For example, while some will queue up overnight to hit the flagship high street stores on Oxford Street and buy the latest trends at bargain prices, others prefer to root through the stalls of Portobello Road or Camden Market in the hope of finding a one-off, vintage gem. The area around Covent Garden, originally a fruit and vegetable market, has been developed to accommodate all retail requirements, with perhaps the most diverse range of shops in the smallest area, anywhere in London. From little known foreign brands to established labels and sought-after designer boutiques, you’ll find it in these cobbled back streets. The truly luxurious shops tend to be located around Mayfair and particularly on Bond Street, which is great for window-shopping if not actually buying anything.