Izzie's Things To Do In London - 2018
When I first started my blog back in my first year of university I had recently read an article about all the incredible things to do across the city. Inspired, I made myself my own little list of things I had to do and set myself a challenge of ticking things off one by one before my time at university was up.
As soon as I gained my city confidence and learnt that tube map back to front it didn't take long for me to begin powering on through that list.
If you fancy a blast from the past you can read my original blog post from October 2014 (!!!) here.
Out of the 30 things on that original list (34 if you count the extra 4 that snuck on half way through), 3 1/2 years later only 3 many remain uncompleted...
Not bad I don't think, considering 3 years of studying and a year out on placement has also occurred in that time.
However since then I've read an uncountable amount of Secret London posts, Timeout newsletters, Stylist magazines and even every time I check my social media I find out about even more things opening up or happening around the city I really ought to check out. A new mental list of things to do has grown in my head and now it's time to get this down in writing!
Just last week for example Swingers West End (just off Oxford Street) opened in the former BHS store and on the 15th March Illuminated Origami Boats will Float down Regents Canal from Paddington Basin marking the launch of Merchant Square's series of Mindful Events. Now this is definitely something I have to see as we enter "Spring" (quotation marks utterly necessary as I'm sit here writing this watching the snow fall outside...).
The installation however is hoped to remind people to take some much needed time out of their day to reflect and catch some headspace. It stands alongside a series of events promoting mindfulness and 'me time'. With the stress of my dissertation building up I think I'm definitely in need of some time to reflect and catch that headspace before I overload on statistics and data analysis...
BACK on track though and onto my Top Things To Do in London, I'm going to start off with a new smaller list of just 10 things:
I'm pretty pleased with my little list above and I'm now feeling the inspiration to perhaps start a new list for restaurants across London I neeeeed to try too...
This post is really a reminder to everyone who lives in London that it's okay to take time out and be a tourist in your home town. It's amazing the things you'll discover when you allow yourself to wander from your usual path.
For all the students at university in London or soon to start here this September I challenge you to make your own list. It's the best way to get out and about and explore everything this city has to offer.
In the words of Samuel Johnson - "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."
As my time at university comes to an end, I will be soon having to leave the city temporarily until I'm back on my feet with a graduate job. But I can assure you I'll never tire of London and it won't be long before I'm back... I've got myself a new list now and a yearning to complete it!
Thanks for reading,
Izzie x
As soon as I gained my city confidence and learnt that tube map back to front it didn't take long for me to begin powering on through that list.
If you fancy a blast from the past you can read my original blog post from October 2014 (!!!) here.
Out of the 30 things on that original list (34 if you count the extra 4 that snuck on half way through), 3 1/2 years later only 3 many remain uncompleted...
- Go to a Cath Kidston craft event at their Piccadilly Flagship Store - I'm sad to say I think these stopped running a long time ago :-( Although I've definitely been to at least two student shopping nights at the flagship store and while at the Selfridges concession print personalised a mug for my auntie if that counts?!
- Night out at KoKo Camden - Can you tell I wrote this as a 1st year Fresher?
- Have Fish and Chips at 'Poppies' in Camden or Spitalfields - Previously highly recommended by BuzzFeed. I mean I'm even disappointed I've yet to complete this one, seems far too easy!
Not bad I don't think, considering 3 years of studying and a year out on placement has also occurred in that time.
However since then I've read an uncountable amount of Secret London posts, Timeout newsletters, Stylist magazines and even every time I check my social media I find out about even more things opening up or happening around the city I really ought to check out. A new mental list of things to do has grown in my head and now it's time to get this down in writing!
Just last week for example Swingers West End (just off Oxford Street) opened in the former BHS store and on the 15th March Illuminated Origami Boats will Float down Regents Canal from Paddington Basin marking the launch of Merchant Square's series of Mindful Events. Now this is definitely something I have to see as we enter "Spring" (quotation marks utterly necessary as I'm sit here writing this watching the snow fall outside...).
The installation however is hoped to remind people to take some much needed time out of their day to reflect and catch some headspace. It stands alongside a series of events promoting mindfulness and 'me time'. With the stress of my dissertation building up I think I'm definitely in need of some time to reflect and catch that headspace before I overload on statistics and data analysis...
BACK on track though and onto my Top Things To Do in London, I'm going to start off with a new smaller list of just 10 things:
- Revisit the Peggy Porschen Cafe in Belgravia - I stumbled across Peggy P's Belgravia Boutique this time last year with Mum on the hunt for the Jo Love's Store just across the road. Obviously we stopped for a obligatory tea and cake break. I feel like it's been far too long now since my last visit and I'm keen to go again!
- See Dreamgirls at The Savoy Theatre
- Feast out for Sunday lunch at Kettner's Townhouse - So this is my most recent discovery... While browsing Instagram the other day I came across Kettner's Townhouse on the explore section discovering their insane offer of a four course lunch for £30. With choices of Beef Wellington or Salmon en Croute how can you resist?!
- Take a trip to ELAN Cafe - Currently taking social media by storm I've also been sucked into their marketing efforts and I'm desperate to check out this beautiful pink floral cafe in Mayfair.
- Visit the Cutty Sark - I've been a student in Greenwich now for nearly 4 years, walked past this magnificent boat an uncountable amount of times, yet I've never actually been inside or visited as tourist?! Definitely something to do before I graduate this July.
- Go to Swingers West End!
- See The Mousetrap at St. Martins Theatre, London - After seeing Murder on the Orient Express just last year I've developed a new obsession for the Agatha Christie novels so without further explanation, I think a trip to the theatre is well overdue.
- Rooftop Cocktails at the Radio Rooftop Bar, ME Hotel - I think I'll be saving this one for the summer but still a must.
- Check out Hampstead Heath and go for a Spring/Summer stroll through the park
- Go Ice Skating at Alexandra Palace
I'm pretty pleased with my little list above and I'm now feeling the inspiration to perhaps start a new list for restaurants across London I neeeeed to try too...
* * *
This post is really a reminder to everyone who lives in London that it's okay to take time out and be a tourist in your home town. It's amazing the things you'll discover when you allow yourself to wander from your usual path.
For all the students at university in London or soon to start here this September I challenge you to make your own list. It's the best way to get out and about and explore everything this city has to offer.
In the words of Samuel Johnson - "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."
As my time at university comes to an end, I will be soon having to leave the city temporarily until I'm back on my feet with a graduate job. But I can assure you I'll never tire of London and it won't be long before I'm back... I've got myself a new list now and a yearning to complete it!
Thanks for reading,
Izzie x
Comments
Post a Comment