THINGS TO DO – Page 3

November 4, 2019 by: Sunny London

The Best Green Spaces in London

There is no doubt that when the sun is out in London, the list of things to do is long. Naturally, it would be a great time to enjoy the best green spaces in London, if you know where to find them.

After living in London as an American for six years married to a born and bred Londoner, I have had the chance to explore quite a few. There are some fairly obvious options that you would probably see on a short visit of 4-5 days. Then, London has some beautiful green spaces that are not so obvious.

Best Green Spaces in London- Richmond Upon Thames

On a beautiful, cloudless day a few years ago Mr Sunny took me to Richmond Upon Thames. This area of London has tons of activities that can fill several days. For example, in the picture above you can see how beautiful and refreshing a walk along the River Thames can be. With plenty of pubs and places to stop and absorb the sun, Richmond Upon Thames offers tons of green space.

Aside from simply strolling along the river, you could also plan a picnic in Richmond Park or spend an afternoon visiting Kew Gardens.

Best Green Spaces in London- Parks and Views

If you are on a tighter schedule during a limited visit to London, Richmond Upon Thames might be a bit too far. In that case, Regent Park or St James Park could be quite accessible. Slightly to the north of London, you will find Primrose Hill which is popular in the summer for the Hamstead and Highgate crowds. It’s also a relaxed and chic place to see the New Year’s Eve fireworks in London.

However, Hyde Park is my favourite place for a fast, green getaway from Central London crowds.

It’s an easy place to have a bit of exercise or meet a friend for coffee and a chat. But that’s only the beginning of what Hyde Park has to offer.

Best Green Spaces in London- Hidden Treasures

A place that has become really popular due to its “Instagramability” in the past few years is St Dunstan-in-the-East. It’s a short walk from both the Tower of London and my favourite place to recommend tourists who want a fab view of London for free- Skygarden.

St Dunstan-in-the-east is bombed out ruins of a church. Many Instagrammers have used it to showcase their whimsy, flowing “OOTD”. But, personally, I think you look much more committed to appreciating this pensive green space in London if you are wearing a sleek coat from Orvis and some skinny jeans or leggings with tall boots.

But, for those who just want to strip down to the most socially acceptable public level to catch some sun, you can find a nice stretch of green across from the Tower of London, Skygarden and St Dunstan-in-the-east.

Best Green Spaces in London- Picnic Options

If you keep heading south to Greenwich, you will find a place you can spend a lot of time. Ha!Ha!Ha!

In all seriousness, this area of London has great pubs, historic things to do and you guessed it- plenty of green space. It’s also high on the list for not so obvious places to plan a picnic in London.

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Sunny friends, what is your favourite green space to enjoy on a sunny day in London?

October 26, 2019 by: Sunny London

Things to Do Near Tower of London

What is a huge mistake that people planning to visit London make? Not planning things to do near the Tower of London!

When I was a guest on the Eye on Travel CBS Radio Show with Peter Greenberg last year, I said that I feel the Tower of London is the top attraction that people should see when visiting London.

According to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (Alva), the most visited attraction in London in 2018 was the Tate Modern. It accumulated almost 5.9 million visitors. The Tower of London saw approximately 2.5 million enter through the gates.

Given that statistic, you might wonder why I suggest the Tower of London first for everyone visiting London. However, if you know the Tower of London’s history, you might think the better question is: How many guests left the Tower of London with their heads last year?

Ha!Ha!Ha! You knew I couldn’t resist a corny ‘British’ joke, right?

But, seriously, when I get emails or comments on the Sunny News YouTube channel from people visiting London for the first time, they always express wanting to visit the Tower of London. For what it’s worth, I have visited it three times. The Sky Garden is the only attraction I have visited as many times. Is it shocking to learn that it is just around the corner from The Tower? Well, more like a 5-7 minute walk. But, that is close enough in my opinion.

So, what else can you do if you know you want to spend half a day at the Tower of London?

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Things to Do Near Tower of London: London Pass

If you are considering several attractions in one day, then it is likely that you will want a London Pass. Below is the suggested itinerary I have for people who want other things to do near the Tower of London.

The Tower of London (£27.20)
The Monument to the Great Fire of London (£4.50)
St Paul’s Cathedral (£20)
Tower Bridge Exhibition (£9.80)
View from the Shard (£25)

If you paid for an adult ticket each of these individual attractions “at the door”, your total would be £86.50. An adult London Pass for one day is £75.

The itinerary above would be tight, but if you want to max out on your time in London, it’s the way to go.

Things to Do Near Tower of London: For Foodies

If you’re like Mr Sunny and me, you don’t like to run ragged when you are on holiday. We enjoy leisurely lunches with adult beverages when we travel. As you will see on my Instastories, we don’t overload ourselves with too many commitments on any given day.

Activities that would interest foodies that are near the Tower of London include:

Walking to St Katherine’s Docks and having lunch at Dickens Inn or one of the many restaurants in the area. White Mulberries is a great spot for coffee and pastries. Their Instagram is a London account I love and have followed for years.
You can easily walk to Borough Market, which is open everyday except Sunday. On weekends, you can get to Maltby Street in about 20 minutes by crossing the Tower Bridge. Both of these locations are known for their outstanding street food.
There are tons of restaurants on both the north and south sides of the River Thames. They offer fab views too.
The Secret Food Tour of London Bridge is a 3-3 1/2 guided food tour of the London Bridge area that incorporates 8 stops.

Things to Do Near Tower of London: Historic

For those that want to devour history instead, you can find things to do near the Tower of London too. Keep the Monument to the Great Fire of London and Tower Bridge Exhibition from the London Pass itinerary above.

Consider adding a visit to the London Dungeon for an entertaining look at London’s dark past. On the way over, you can also visit the HMS Belfast. Or you can swap something for time’s sake on that itinerary and add the London Bridge experience. The London Bridge and the HMS Belfast are on the London Pass.

Things to Do Near Tower of London: St Paul’s Cathedral

When my mother visited in April, her top requests in London were the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. Arriving at the first one close to when they opened, gave us enough time to swing by the SkyGarden before walking to St Paul’s Cathedral. I had previously booked a time for us to visit Skygarden, which is something you must do for this free attraction. In fact, like the Tower of London it’s one of the few attractions that Londoners actually visit.

We spent about 2 1/2 hours at the Tower of London and about 90 minutes at St Paul’s Cathedral. Our day of touring ended around 3pm.

Things to Do Near Tower of London: Final Thoughts

You wouldn’t think that those three attractions would take up most of a day. However, you must build in time to get from one attraction to another. And, like I mentioned previously, I don’t like to rush through a million activities in one day.

For the closest amount of attractions in one condensed place, you want to read this article on How to See 4 Attractions at London South Bank.

How do you like to travel, Sunny friends? Do you like to buy a discount attraction pass and hit as many activities as you can in one day? Do you prefer to alternate pool days with attraction days?

For More Guides to London:

I have bookmarked many of my best guides to London for you and grouped them below. They should make planning a trip to London so much easier! To stay up to date with all that’s happening in London, subscribe to the Sunny News emails too.

Best Things to Do in London
Food Things do Do in London
Major Differences in American and British Cultures
Trips- International Travel Tips and Tricks

October 19, 2019 by: Sunny London

Planning Work Christmas Party Ideas in London

What’s a great way to put a “bah humbug” on your Christmas in London? Be the guy who ruins the work Christmas party for everyone.

Actually, there are a few options for characters who take down Christmas for colleagues. The first is the iconic Ebenezer Scrooge gig where the person turns her nose up to festivities of every kind. You know the one. She refuses to pick a Secret Santa, is on a diet when the boss bakes Christmas cakes and dresses in her Game of Thrones cosplay on “Christmas Jumper Day.”

A popular false hero is the guy who drinks too much and throws inhibition to the wind at the office Christmas party. While he may get some laughs at his own decency’s expense, we actually don’t want the whispers and awkwardness it brings to the water cooler on Monday morning.

Finally, there’s the one we all dread being more than anything- and that’s the person who planned a lame Christmas work party.

The first two are actually pretty easy to avoid. So, how do you make sure you aren’t the last guy during the holidays?

Planning Work Christmas Party Ideas in London: Research

You might want to conduct a quick office poll that is anonymous and electronic. Ask colleagues what a comfortable price range is for them to spend on their attendance at the party. You could also take suggestions from them about things they expect to be included in the party, starting from the choice of beverages and food. We know that you can’t please everyone. However, if you extract feedback on certain things like the price range for the event, location preferences, and dress code expectations, you have a much higher chance of making the evening memorable for good reasons.

Next, you should do research well in advance. Don’t fall for the early August marketing push that most venues do for their Christmas bookings. Instead, take time throughout the year to checkout cool places to eat in London that match what your colleagues indicated would make them happiest.

If your company isn’t giving you free financial reign on the corporate credit card to try restaurants in “the name of Christmas party research”, you have alternatives. Use gift vouchers you received for your birthday or the previous Christmas to explore places where you have not been previously but have heard are fab. Just like Santa, you should be making a list and checking it twice to find out which ones are naughty and which ones are nice.

As a London food blogger, the invitations to check out Christmas menus at restaurants are always an annual highlight for me. Often, they have parties to share their holiday menus. Perhaps you can ask to attend one of these launch parties for a pub or restaurant’s Christmas menu offer?

While looking for ideas of how to help you, I discovered 15 pages of venues that are booking Christmas parties in London on one of the most popular restaurant booking websites.

Planning Work Christmas Party- Ideas in London

Based on my experience at these venues and/or numerous contacts in the London restaurant and hospitality industry, the ones I think could be the most fun for an office Christmas party in London are:

Christmas at Bluebird- for those who want to pretend they are socialites like those on the cast of Made in Chelsea
Christmas at One Aldwych- for those who like boutique hotel glamour and exquisite food
Christmas at German Gymnasium- for those who love good beer
Christmas at Mango Tree- for an authentic Thai experience with a Christmas theme
Christmas at London Transport Museum- for those just haven’t had enough of the London Underground every day
Christmas at Lord’s Cricket Ground- for those who want a sporty vibe to their yuletide
Christmas at Tropicana Beach Club- for those who dream of surfing santas
Christmas at Radio Rooftop- for those who want to chic view of London while sipping cocktails
Christmas at ICEBAR- for those who aren’t afraid to be cool at Christmas (Please note IceBar closed in late Spring 2020. This post was updated on 14 April 2020 to reflect this.)

Having a work Christmas party at a restaurant or iconic venue certainly isn’t the only option. You might want to arrange for your colleagues to take part in an activity. Some fun things to do around London at Christmas are:

Mini Golf
Ice Skating
Roller Skating
Curling
Cooking Classes
Ping Pong
Curling
Karaoke
Escape Rooms

Want a London Food Freebie?

For a great list of 100+ restaurants that I recommend, subscribe to the Sunny News email. Whether it’s for ideas for an office Christmas party in London or you just want to easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street, downloading the file to your phone means you’ll always be able to find a fab foodie place fast!

And of course, let’s not forget what happens in London pubs at Christmas too.

October 8, 2019 by: Sunny London

The Best Things to Buy in London

Have you spent months planning a trip to London? In all of your research on things to do and places to eat, you might not have thought about the best things to buy in London yet.

Finding a souvenir in one of the world’s most famous cities isn’t hard. Every attraction will have a gift shop, and it’s highly likely you will visit at least one during your trip to London.

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The Most Popular Things to Buy in London

In any big city you can find T-shirts, keychains, refrigerator magnets, snow globes and postcards. In London, popular iconic souvenirs include Big Ben figurines, small red busses, metal telephone boxes filled with bad tea bags, something from Harrods and umbrellas. In Central London, you will find countless trinkets displaying a Union Jack.

But, why not aim for something with a more local feel? In fact, why not bring home souvenirs from London that actual Londoners would typically buy or enjoy? Or souvenirs that are created by local artists?

After living in London for six years as an American married to an English man, I have had time to really explore and learn what the best things to buy in London can be.

The Best Things to Buy in London- Tea

Drinking tea all the time isn’t just a British stereotype. It’s what they do. For real. All the time.

But, to be honest, most drink the very inexpensive brand PG tips on a regular basis. You could grab a box of it here or go for something a little more royal and posh like tea from Fortnum & Mason. This iconic British luxury department store currently holds royal warrants from Her Majesty the Queen and the Prince of Wales. Famous British chefs who rave about Fortnum and Mason include Nigella Lawson and Mary Berry. Charles Dickens was a fan too.

What’s great about going for Fortnum and Mason tea is that you can find many of their popular products at World Duty Free in Gatwick and Heathrow airport. Keep this in mind in case you don’t have time on a short trip to London to go to the department store. It won’t necessarily be cheaper, but you can save it for last minute and not worry about finding room for it in your checked bag.

You will want something equally as memorable to hold while you drink your luxury tea. For fun London mug souvenirs, To Home From London has tons of options. You will find mugs with cheeky British slang, iconic British musicians and popular places you will have seen.

Recently, they sent me a few samples of products to share here with you.

Buying a bone china teacup that was made in England is an option, but I always worry about an item so delicate breaking on a long international flight.

The Best Things to Buy in London- Sports

It’s not nearly as common for British people as it is for Americans to wear gear that displays their team’s colours or logo. But, they suit up for the match. Rather than a team jersey, most will likely have a scarf to throw around their neck so they can make sure their vocal cords are nice and warm when they need to scream for their team.

The Best Things to Buy in London- Books

Depending on where you eat in London, you might be able to buy one of the chef’s cookbooks.

Obviously those won’t be useful until you get home. If you want books that will help you on your visit, Mr Sunny and I recommend two London classics. These two souvenirs represent London life decades ago when we didn’t have smartphones to show us the way everywhere.

Now, with CityMapper, Google Maps and many other apps, carrying around a paper map is not necessary. Unless you don’t have WiFi, and some of you will not when you are visiting from America unless you arrange a pre-planned package with your data provider. If you need to go old school like a proper Londoner you would use this…

And then there is one that Mr Sunny and his dad can’t live without (except Mr Sunny relies on the app now).

Best Things to Buy in London- Travel Gifts

The ultimate gift store for travel lovers in London is Stanfords in Covent Garden. Inside you can find stationary, globes, notepads and paper. Take a look here at this fun London Map Journal which would certainly charm any travel lover who likes to write and document experiences.

Best Things to Buy in London- Online Gifts

If you don’t make it to Stanfords or you just basically want some London swag to surround you, they have tons of Gifts for People Who Love London. And gifts for Travel Addicts, Gifts for Map Lovers, and more.

The ultimate Christmas gift from London you could send yourself or someone else is a Fortnum and Mason hamper. They rank really high on the Royal’s list too.

And then there is the one souvenir that you can be guaranteed no one else has- your photos.

I think the best idea to commemorate your London trip is something showing your experiences. What about creating a calendar on Shutterfly of all your best photos? This way, every day you can be reminded of something special you did while visiting London.

Best Things to Buy in London- Final Thoughts

For shopping, there are certain British brands or clothes, shoes and handbags that I recommend in my American’s Guide to Shopping in London, so I won’t go on about them here.

However, I will quickly highlight some things to buy in London that I would skip. Tons of websites suggest that you go to the M&Ms World store in Leicester Square. That just doesn’t make sense to me. You can get the candy at any convenient store in America.

Also, Harry Potter merchandise is easily accessible on Amazon.com in the US, so I wouldn’t take up space in my suitcase for it either. But, grabbing this picture at either the Warner Bros. Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour or at St. Pancras International Station is one to put in that photo calendar I suggested.

Directions Harry Potter Studio Tour London Transportation

What memorable souvenirs have you bought in a destination? Have you ever taken a photo and had it printed to remember your trip?

October 5, 2019 by: Sunny London

The Ice Bar London Review

Literally the coolest thing to do in London is go to the ICEBAR London. Mr Sunny and I have been to this venue just off Regent Street in Mayfair twice. We still think if you’re looking for something unique for a date, out of office experience with colleagues or night out with the girls, then keep reading.

Back in 2011 we hit ICEBAR London for a super fun few hours. That’s because we combined it with their restaurant experience. It was pre-blog days but since I had some pictures I wrote about it as one of my first food reviews on Sunny in London.

We went on a Christmas holiday evening. Mr Sunny had booked our time well in advance. It was crowded.

While I nearly always prefer to avoid crowds, this is one of the rare times I advocate for going to a location when it is busy.

On the last Monday night of September 2019 we were nearly the only ones in the ICEBAR London at 5:45pm. Yeah, it was nice not to wait in a long queue for drinks. But, have you ever been on the dance floor by yourself at a club or wedding?

Not ideal, right?

We literally got our drinks, took our photos and returned our capes. I think we were in the actual ice bar for 15 minutes.

They offer a range of ICEBAR experiences, and you must book in advance. Basically, you get a cape and gloves to keep you warm plus your first ice cocktail on entry. You are welcome to stay inside the bar for up to
40 minutes from the start of your session.

While you might be concerned about the chilling temperatures and your ability to withstand them, it’s not anything that would impair your ability to have fun. In fact, during the most recent visit I had my gloves off for most of the time because I was filming video and taking pictures. Below is the 45 second highlight video I published on my Instagram of our night at Ice Bar and Fire Bar.

View this post on Instagram

Have you ever sipped from a cup of ice? This week Mr Sunny and I hit the @icebarlondon for cocktails. Since the last time we visited they have added a Fire Bar. It’s sexy and the perfect date location. Take 45 seconds to see why in this video…

A post shared by Sunny In London☀️🇬🇧 (@sunny_in_london) on Oct 2, 2019 at 7:09am PDT

Included in our complimentary experience was only snacks from Fire Bar on the patio because Yuu Kitchen was closed for a private event. We were informed that Yuu Kitchen isn’t open for food on Monday nights. Hopefully, we’ll have a chance to return in the future to try the food because that was one of the highlights from our first Ice Bar experience.

I absolutely loved my White Satin, which was Absolut Raspberri vodka, lychee, orgeat and apple juice. It really was so silky smooth that the name does says it all. Literally, I would put it in my top five cocktail experiences ever. The list includes my all time favourite- which was an aloe martini I had in a Toronto bar. Second is a “Peanut Butter and Jelly” creation that a bartender made me once in Hollywood. I told him I liked Chambord and requested a cocktail that wasn’t just another French martini.

Mr Sunny told them to surprise him with their choice of a cocktail and they brought him a Strawberry Crush. He said it was pretty tasty.

Sitting on the patio was a nice experience until it started to pour rain, which caused us to end our evening a bit early.

What you might not know if you have been to the Ice Bar London previously is that they annually change the theme of the sculptures. Currently it features Norse myth and magic that comes alive inside the frozen Hall of Odin.

Valhalla Calling is the ICE BAR’s latest ice art installation and their second collaboration with the creative team at PSD Ice Art. Yes, as huge Game of Thrones fans, Mr Sunny and I each took a chance to sit on the “ice throne”.

The concept draws its inspiration from the myths of the Norse Gods, Odin, Loki and Thor, the monsters of Ragnarok, the final war at the end of the world, and the fabulous hall of Valhalla where Odin feasts every night with the bravest warriors who have fallen in battle.

So, Sunny friends, would you take the deep freeze plunge for cocktails literally on ice? What’s been your most unique cocktail bar experience?

Please note, the IceBar closed in early Spring 2020. This post was updated on 14 April to reflect this.

July 31, 2019 by: Sunny London

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel

You probably wouldn’t think that there are tons of things to do in London for food travel fans. Most people associate visiting London with seeing iconic attractions, being close to the royal family and going to pubs.

After six years of living in London as a food and travel blogger, I have had the opportunity to learn about and experience tons of food related activities and am excited to share this list of ideas with you.

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Afternoon Tea

Let’s start with a twist on the obvious first activity, afternoon tea. Instead of just having a traditional one, consider one of the many themed Afternoon Teas in London. For my top recommendations, read this detailed London Restaurant Guide. It also has restaurants in London suggested for the best views, iconic British food, pub food and healthy food.

Yes, there is a wizard themed Harry Potter tea. No, you can’t go to the Beauty and the Beast afternoon tea anymore. But, now you can eat the London Landmarks.

One of the most prestigious places to have afternoon tea is Fortnum and Mason. It is the ultimate destination for unique gifts such as hampers, elegant wines and spirits, famous teas and coffees. If you are a passionate food traveller, shopping at Fortnum and Mason for gourmet gifts as souvenirs for yourself or others is a must. However, if you miss it, you an always grab some tea at World Duty Free.

In the Sunny News video below, I list the most popular food markets in London, neighbourhoods and streets with a high concentration of restaurants, food tours and classes, annual events and food tours. There is also information about an afternoon tea that travels around London while you eat and drink!

But if you prefer to burn calories while you take a sweet themed tour, you can try one focused on English Tea and Desserts.

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Tastings and Classes

Aside from the classes I mentioned in the video at Hotel Chocolat, you can also take their Chocolate Tasting Adventure, experience a Chocolate Lock-in, or schedule your children for a chocolate workshop.

Where to Buy the Best Chocolate in London- Hotel Chocolat

The Pied à Tierre news I mentioned in the video features a Masterclass and new wine experience. They open the restaurant every Friday for 5 guests to get involved in the world of a Michelin Starred kitchen and work alongside the team in creating renowned dishes. In August 2019 they are offering a Junior Masterclass. I suggest visiting the Pied à Tierre class experience page to make sure you don’t miss any of their exciting events.

If you prefer a more savoury food travel adventure, then exploring Neal’s Yard Dairy is an idea because they offer cheese tastings and workshops.

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Drinks

Mr Sunny and I can’t let all this food talk go by without at least letting you know that there are drink things to do in London too. We have tons of pub crawls on the blog. But, if gin is your thing you can use a London Pass at the Beefeater Gin Distillery. And you can book a Drink Lovers’ Tour with a discount too.

Of course, you can always combine a historic pub with food and a river view too…

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Festivals

On a sunny Saturday, the Duke of York Square in Chelsea explodes with food stalls. From cheesecake to sausage rolls, you will find tons of British small businesses sharing their delicious food treats. It is open from 11am-2pm and can be quite crowded in the later hours, so plan to arrive early.

New on the food festival block is Le Cordon Bleu, who had their first ever event in June 2019. It gave food fans the chance to explore behind the scenes of the renowned cookery school. They had cookery demonstrations, wine tasting workshops and an all-day Slow Food Market.

In May, there is London Wine Week. Over the summer, there is the London Craft Beer Festival, London Dessert Festival and London Brunch Fest.

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Final Thoughts

From dinner cruises to Pancake Day Races, London celebrates food throughout the year.

To get started, you can take a look at these related articles and videos on British food and drinks below. And there is also information on how to get a free, downloadable pocket guide to London restaurants too.

Eating Traditional British Food– What You Must Know
Best London Restaurant Guide for Foodies
What You MUST Book in Advance for London
What to Know about Healthy Food and Drink Trends 2020
What to Book Ahead in London (YouTube video)
Tips for Food to Eat When Visiting London (YouTube video)
The Best Hidden Pubs in London (YouTube video)

Want a Freebie for London?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

July 10, 2019 by: Sunny London

The Best Place for a Picnic in London

How many options do you think you have for choosing the best place for a picnic in London?

Would you believe that London is made up of 40% public green space, totalling 35,000 acres, including 3,000 parks?

In my Spring/Summer Guide to London that is part of the free guide series you get when subscribing to the Sunny News Weekly Email, I include planning a picnic in London on the list of best things to do during the season. You can find more out about these guides if you keep reading.

This is one of the reasons why I was very excited when I received the research that Zipcar UK completed as part of their campaign with Park4Picnics. It turns out that Londoners have some strong thoughts about the best place for a picnic in London, and it’s quite interesting!

Foremost, over four in five Londoners (85%) are planning at least one picnic this summer. This adds up to an estimated 5.8 million picnics happening in London at this time!

The Best Place for a Picnic in London- Top Choices

Now, Londoners don’t mess around when it comes to picking a place to enjoy the summer sun and traditional British food. Research from July 2019 indicates Londoners chose the best place for a picnic in London with a view to be: (in order of preference)

Greenwich Park (36%)
Primrose Hill (19%)
Parliament Hill (14%)
Hyde Park, Battersea Park and Richmond Park

If you’re in Greenwich, make sure you take a few minutes to stand on the Prime Meridian Line. Standing with one foot on each side means you are perfectly in the middle of east and west.

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When visiting Primrose Hill, you might want to scope out your spot to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks. Mr Sunny has been there a few times and he says it’s certainly the most posh, free activity that evening.

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The Best Place for a Picnic in London- Hidden Gems

Of course, if you want to go somewhere off the beaten path, there are some great ideas in the research too. And, in the spirit of the North vs South River Thames debate that playfully takes place among all Londoners, the spots are divided this way too.

North London hidden gems:

Waterlow Park, Highate
Forty Hall, Enfield
Harrow View Point, Harrow
Gladstone Park, Dollis Hill
Kenwood House, Hampstead

South London under the radar spots:

Horniman Museum Gardens, Forest Hill
Burgess Park, Camberwell(ish)
Eltham Palace PArk, Eltham
The Rookery, Streatham
Danson Park, Bexleyheath

The Best Place for a Picnic in London- What to Pack

If you are new to the British picnic process, Mr Sunny and I can help. We produced a video back in 2016 showing how much fun a picnic in London can be. It’s less than 2 minutes and gives you a feel for what to pack in a picnic hamper. If you would rather read about it on the blog rather than watch it on the Sunny News YouTube, that is possible too.

The Best Place for a Picnic in London- How to Get There

What I think could stop many people from planning a picnic in London is how to transport their hamper, blanket, and other fun items to make the day enjoyable. At the time we shot the video, we were living very close to a local park but still appreciated using Mr Sunny’s car to make the process easier. For those of you who don’t have cars in London, I guess you could take public transport.

But I wouldn’t want to do that!

Another alternative would be to use a network of floating cars, so you don’t have to lug around picnic baskets and pay for parking at your picnic in London destination. Additionally, it’s a great way to save pennies and the planet.

The Best Place for a Picnic in London- Final Thoughts

Sunny friends, have you gone on a picnic to any of these places or can you add an idea to the best place for a picnic in London? What’s your ‘must have’ picnic food item or special treat?

Want a freebie for London?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

The blog also has an additional list more detailed list of London restaurants too, as well as many other ideas for a foodie traveller.

Eating Traditional British Food– What You Must Know
Best London Restaurant Guide for Foodies
What You MUST Book in Advance for London
What to Know about Healthy Food and Drink Trends 2020
What to Book Ahead in London (YouTube video)
Tips for Food to Eat When Visiting London (YouTube video)
The Best Hidden Pubs in London (YouTube video)

July 9, 2019 by: Sunny London

London Escape Room in a Pub- Handmade Mysteries Review

Who would ever think that Mr Sunny would ever enjoy a London Escape Room in a pub??? He would actually do anything to try to stay in a pub as long as possible!

When we were invited to experience an Escape Room with Handmade Mysteries, I was a little hesitant at first because I am a total chicken. When we went to the Halloween at Thorpe Park press party a few years ago, Mr Sunny and his mate loved their Escape Room experience at the park.

I literally sat on a bench and worked on my social media while I waited for them because I was too scared to try this new phenomenon.

When the Handmade Mysteries invitation came, FOMO got the best of me and I asked Mr Sunny if he would be my guest. ‘Partner in crime’ would probably be the more applicable name!

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As the blog and Sunny News YouTube channel’s English food and beer consultant, he couldn’t turn down an opportunity to go. I think he was secretly hoping we would lose and get trapped in the pub forever!

London Escape Room in a Pub: Lady Chastity’s Reserve

We chose to go to Farringdon/Clerkenwell for our London Escape Room in a pub experience. I love the area and it is easy for us to get to from North London. We also liked the quest’s narrative in Lady Chastity’s Reserve. This immersive experience challenges you and friends with an hour of hilarious clue solving as you attempt to win Lady Chastity’s fabled aphrodisiac wine.

Aside from our location, The Hope Pub in Central London, it is featured in:

The World’s End, Brighton
People’s Park Tavern in East London
The Four Thieves in South London
St James of Bermondsey
The Depot in North London

Handmade Mysteries make immersive escape rooms for those who wish to escape reality and enter an entirely new world. In the game there are no screens, goggles or wires. It’s just you, your team-mates and a strange new quest filled with bizarre clues and contraptions that will make your head spin.

London Escape Room in a Pub: The Game

Our game host ‘Gabrielle’ greeted us in character and did a fabulous job of maintaining her role throughout our experience.

Obviously, I am not going to ruin anything for you because that would be no fun. I can tell you the game is well organised. The clues varied from fairly easy to challenging. Mr. Sunny solved most of them. Part of the problem was that I wasn’t expecting to be in darkness for the whole experience.

I was afraid something would jump out at me, and jump scares aren’t my thing. A partner is pretty useless in this circumstance when she insists on keeping her back to the wall in an attempt to not be frightened by the unknown. That was me- useless.

Mr Sunny searched and sorted through nearly everything as I decided my job was going to be to hold the torches (flash lights) while I stood against the wall. Lame. Lame. Lame.

It happened to be mid-day and about 72 Fahrenheit also. That’s actually not that hot. But, when you’re in a blacked out room with no open windows and just two floor fans blowing, it became hot- FAST!

We were both sweating a lot. To me, this was distracting from the game and made it harder for Mr Sunny.

Luckily, he still kept focus and worked with energy and enthusiasm to find and release Lady Chastity’s reserve wine bottle.

Our host, Gabrielle did everything possible to help us during the three times we were allowed to call for her. She assisted in moving us through clues we couldn’t not crack, and didn’t just solve the puzzles for us. She was a real star in the adventure.

London Escape Room in a Pub: Final Thoughts

Sadly, we didn’t release the bottle of wine and our time ran out. For some reason, I thought you got to drink the bottle of wine at the end even if you lost the game. That’s not the case.

I am grateful that the Handmade Mysteries team keeps the prize as a prize and doesn’t take a snowflake approach and give everyone a trophy no matter if they win or lose. However, I guess if I had known that you really don’t get the wine if you lose, I would’ve tried to overcome my fear of the dark faster.

That still doesn’t change the fact that I struggle to pull a clue out of a clue bag. What are your experiences with London Escape Rooms? Add in the comments what you think makes the experience great.

Mr Sunny had a fab time. He highly recommends going to an Escape Room in a pub because he got to take his beer with him. Can you believe that he got so involved in the game that his beer got warm?

I really liked that we were by ourselves, especially in a small, dark room.

If I could be guaranteed that no one would jump out at me (and BTW no one did at this experience), I would love to have another Escape Room experience with Handmade Mysteries.

Perhaps a winter themed one?

It’s something that you definitely want to book ahead, if you are considering going to the London Escape Room with Handmade Mysteries. I mention it as a top activity to book ahead in this video that’s less than 5 minutes.

Handmade Mysteries combine immersive theatre with live action gaming, for total escapism:

Each game room is built within a space at pub venues, so players can begin and end their adventure with a leisurely drink.
Games are hosted by dedicated actors who remain in character from the moment your team are first ‘encountered.’
As assault on all senses. The décor, sound design, music characters, clues and rigged furniture are all carefully crafted with meticulous detail.
No screens.
Silliness is taken very seriously. Comedic value is seeped into every part of the game.

They have very high ratings on TripAdvisor. This shows that even though our experience was complimentary, Handmade Mysteries offers a fun opportunity consistently.

July 3, 2019 by: Sunny London

The Best Day Trips from London

Whether you are visiting London or living in London, planning day trips from London can be fun. Over the past six years of living as an American in London, I have had the opportunity to take many short holidays and day trips from London on my own and with Mr Sunny. Whether they are via trains, by car or group tours on coaches, each has provided a unique experience that you just can’t compare to what the US offers for travel.

We’ll start with the two most popular day trip inquiries that readers and Sunny News YouTube viewers have when holiday planning.

Best Day Trips from London- Stonehenge

‘Sunny, I am visiting London and want to see Stonehenge; how can I do this?’

I wish the answer was easy. In summary, I think it’s best to take a coach tour if you aren’t renting a car and comfortable driving here on your own.

Best Day Trips from London- Bath

Since just visiting Stonehenge will take more than half a day, you probably want to combine it with Bath. Many tour companies offer the Stonehenge/Bath combination day. I have been on two of these all day tours. However, since Bath is just 1 1/2 hours from London by train, you could coordinate the day yourself with a train ticket from London’s Paddington Station.

The most popular thing to do in Bath is to see the Roman Baths. It is the preserved remains of one of the greatest religious spas of the ancient world. At the site, you will be able to see the city’s unique thermal springs. The Baths still flow with natural hot water.

Next, you can tour the Bath Abbey. If you have more time to make your way around the city, you can take a Jane Austen Walking Tour. Or, you can stroll over to The Royal Crescent to see a semi-circular terrace of 30 identical Georgian townhouses. Bath is also known for numerous fudge shops.

If you want to absorb Bath for longer than one day, you can stay at the MacDonald Hotels Bath location. Mr Sunny and I stayed there for two nights on our first visit. It was a very short, pleasant walk in to Bath each day, and the grounds of the hotel are quiet and gorgeous.

Best Day Trips from London- Warner Bros Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter

Yes, I am calling this a day trip. If you looked at a map of where the studio’s location is in relation to Central London, you will understand why.

It takes a while to get to this attraction that has earned iconic status on the ‘London’ bucket list for many travellers.

Directions for Getting to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London

You can read my Guide to Harry Potter in London for more details, but consider this one a day trip just to be safe when you are planning for a trip to London.

Best Day Trips from London- Windsor

This is my favourite day trip of all the options for London. One day really isn’t enough. After several visits, we feel the Macdonald Windsor Hotel has the best castle view and location for an overnight stay in this royal area of London.

However, for just a one day trip you should arrive early and visit Windsor Castle. You can’t miss it when you exit Windsor and Eton Central Station. Some of the things you can do in Windsor are take a walking tour, see Changing of the Guard, tour Eton College, have afternoon tea overlooking the castle and River Thames, and visit Windsor & Eton Brewery. With more time, you might want to go to LEGOLAND or Bray for a foodie feast.

The journey to Windsor from either Paddington Station or Waterloo Station in London takes under an hour.

Tips for Visiting Windsor Castle, London Day Trips

Best Day Trips from London- Cambridge

The rivalry between Cambridge and Oxford is centuries old, and both are easy day trips from London. You could look at services to rent a car if you don’t want to use your own for the trip. While in Cambridge, you can tour the university and go punting. A punt is a flat-bottomed boat with a square-cut bow, designed for use in small rivers. Perhaps it’s best to think of it as like an Italian gondola.

Best Day Trips from London- Oxford

As England’s oldest university, Oxford offers a very inspirational day trip from London. You can tour the university and aside from its prestigious academic reputation, Oxford University also has received recognition in the film industry too. If you visit Christchurch, you can see The Hall, which inspired the Great Hall in the Harry Potter films.

And, just like any good university town, there are tons of pubs where famous people have had a few pints. For example, it is alleged that the famous Turf Tavern in Oxford is where former President Bill Clinton ‘did not inhale’ one evening at the pub.

best-day-trips-from-london-the-great-hall-oxford — The Hall in Oxford’s Christ Church College inspired The Great Hall replica in the Harry Potter films

Best Day Trips from London- Stratford-upon-Avon

If you’re a fan of Shakespeare, then a trip to his birthplace could be at the top of your list. Obviously, you can catch one of the Bard’s famous plays at one of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s three theatres. Also in this medieval market town you can see the timber-framed house where he was born, as well as Anne Hathaway’s (Mrs Shakespeare’s) cottage.

Since Stratford-upon-Avon is at the very northern part of the Cotswolds, you would be best to take a coach tour or rent a car for this day trip from London.

Best Day Trips from London- Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is quite difficult to travel through by car if you aren’t a regular driver in the UK. This is why I highly recommend an organised trip for visitors. You can find tons of day trips that feature endless combinations. But, know that the very popular ones sell out quickly, so you will need to book in advance. Some fun tours that Hellotickets offers are:

Stonehenge Shuttle Bus and Independent Day Trip
Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover and Greenwich + private viewing of Leeds Castle
Day Trip from London- Lunch in the Cotswolds
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Oxford Tour
Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath Tour
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Lacock and Bath Tour + Pub Lunch
Leeds Castle, Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Tour
England in One Day: Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford & the Cotswolds
Downton Abbey: Visit to Highclere Castle

When you go to the Cotswolds, expect very, very small villages and beautiful scenery. They are quite the contrast from London’s congestion and pollution!

Best Day Trips from London- Brighton

For a look at England’s seaside, Brighton is around a one hour train ride from Victoria Station. It has the highest gay population in the UK and celebrates Pride around the first weekend of August each year.

Best Day Trips from London- York

If you are heading toward Edinburgh, York is a fantastic stop for the day. It’s under two hours from London via St Pancras International Station. While in York you can visit York’s Chocolate Story and take an interactive tour. For history fans, you might wish to visit the JORVIK Viking Centre. However the most popular attraction is the York Minster. It has impressive handcrafted stone and an unrivalled collection of medieval stained glass.

Best Day Trips from London- Lavender Fields

For those have a car or will rent a car, visiting a Lavender Field is becoming quite trendy. Depending on the weather, the best time to visit is between mid-June and mid-August. If you would like to see what the experience involves, an example of one that is in the Cotswolds is Cotswold Lavender. While you are there you can enjoy a Lavender Cream Tea and have a slice of Lavender and Lemon Cake.

Best Day Trips from London- Paris or Lille

Then of course, there is France. Yes, you can go to France for just a day from London. If you want to do this yourself, the fastest way is via Eurostar from St Pancras International Station. However, for something a bit posh you can do the Luxury Escorted Paris Day Trip with Champagne Lunch on the Eiffel Tower.

To have a super fast French getaway, you might want to investigate a day trip to Lille. This trip takes only 1 1/2 hours each way, however you will need to move your watch ahead an hour when you arrive.

The Best Day Trips from London- Final Thoughts

Sunny friends, you can see there are tons of options when choosing day trips from London. Please know that if you are going to arrange trips yourself and not use a coach tour, you should purchase your tickets as far in advance as possible. Generally you can get them up to 12 weeks ahead of your travel date.

Don’t miss the London freebie!

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. It features top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads (Best Time to Visit and Things to Do, London Airports, British Food) that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

For related London trip planning videos and blog posts:

Eating Traditional British Food– What You Must Know
Best London Restaurant Guide for Foodies
What You MUST Book in Advance for London
What to Know about Healthy Food and Drink Trends 2020
What to Book Ahead in London (YouTube video)
Tips for Food to Eat When Visiting London (YouTube video)
The Best Hidden Pubs in London (YouTube video)

June 28, 2019 by: Sunny London

Columbia Road Flower Market Guide to Visiting

For a fab day out in London, you must visit the Columbia Road Flower Market. You would need to go on a Sunday, because that’s the only day it’s open. But, come rain or shine- it is open every Sunday. Yes, sunny friends, that even includes Easter Sunday!

I would like to say it is the perfect free day out in London. In fact, my Cool, Free Things to Do in London, I suggested it is. However, what I left out of the video is that I dare you to go without spending any money.

Why?

Do you think you could see all these beautiful, fresh flowers and resist purchasing at least one bouquet for yourself, your mum or a fab friend? I couldn’t.

Columbia-Road-flower-market-guide-to-london-sunnyinlondon

Rarely do we have fresh flowers in our house. In fact, I am a self-confessed plant killer. No joke. Even the extra warmth of the Christmas spirit, can’t keep a poinsettia alive for more than a week in the Sunny house.

That being said, I felt that spending £5 on a gorgeous batch of roses was more than fair.

Columbia Road Flower Market- The Basics

Columbia Road is composed of sixty independent shops. There are small art galleries, cup cake shops, vintage clothes stores, English and Italian delis, garden and antique shops. You can even get plastered…

And don’t worry, boys. Mr Sunny found comfort in a pub he recommended as his pub of the week in our weekly newsletter. After Mr Sunny bravely made two passes through tight crowds, I thought it would be nice to thank him with a beer (because he was driving). He felt The Royal Oak, right on the corner of where the market begins, was a fantastic traditional pub.

Columbia-Road-flower-market-guide-to-london-sunnyinlondon-royal-oak-pub

The Columbia Road Flower Market is in the East End of London, sitting on the edge of the city with Shoreditch to the west and Brick Lane and Spitafields nearby. Foodie friends, you know that means that while you are surrounded with flowers, you also are near some popular food destinations in London.

And if you’re looking for fab places to eat, keep reading so you know how to get our free, downloadable pocket guide to London restaurants.

The market has had several names over the centuries. The Victorian seen there today began in the 1860’s. Initially it was a Saturday trading market and then the flower market evolved. In the 1970’s the area went in to decline. However, locals fought to save the market. In the 1980’s the Columbia Road Flower Market began to have an international reputation.

Columbia Road Flower Market- What You MUST Know

For nearly a year, I have wanted Mr Sunny to drive me to Columbia Road Flower Market on a Sunday. On one Sunday, I had gotten ready early with the intent to go myself. However, I realised that if I took the Underground to the Columbia Road Flower Market alone, I would not be able to get a nice bunch of flowers home easily. Then, there were many Sundays that we just didn’t wake up early enough.

Mr Sunny’s aunt advised us to be there early, if we did go. And she was absolutely right!

Finally, on a super sun Sunday in London, we made it to the Columbia Flower Market. After 10 minutes of trying to find a parking space, we arrived at the flower stalls. We found a sea of people moving in a pack through the narrow walking space in between the flower stalls.

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If you are serious about choosing foliage and flowers, arrive at 8am when the Columbia Road Flower Market begins. You will have an easier time of finding everything from bedding plants to 10 foot banana trees. I hear even when it closes around 3pm ‘ish’ that it is still packed with a crowd.

My plan was to make one pass through, attempting to see prices and products to do some comparison shopping.

It seemed clear that the chants of ‘Everythin’ a fiver’ that we heard throughout our travel by the stalls was fairly accurate. Flowers and plants here are cheap!

Generally, everything seemed to be offered at the same price. Based on this, we decided to choose our flowers at the end of the stalls on our way out.

The best advice you can receive for the Columbia Road Flower Market is, serious shopping needs to take place at the crack of dawn. Otherwise, just go for the experience.

You also don’t have to worry about only having cash. While there are cash machines nearby, most stalls can take cards.

Columbia Road Flower Market- Final Thoughts

I would love to see what the markets have around Christmas. If any readers have made the trip during the Winter holidays, please add your ideas about the experience.

Visiting the Columbia Road Flower Market isn’t something I would do once a month. If the flowers are only a few pounds cheaper than what I can get at our local shops in North London, it isn’t really practical to make the trek there just to grab a bouquet.

But, while sifting through the crowds, I overheard a couple rejoicing in the huge purchase of items they bought. The gentleman exclaimed, ‘We never could have received these prices elsewhere.’

If you’re only in London a short time and have a passion for all things floral, you might find Covent Garden Market more accessible. While it’s definitely more focussed on tourists, it is larger and more spacious.

Take a look…

A Complete Guide to Covent Garden London from a London Local includes restaurants, hotels, attractions, Christmas, things to do, pubs and street performers

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