Citizen Femme Travel Guide: London
Posted on 21 November 2017
Our guest contributor, Sheena of Citizen Femme shares her guide to London.
Citizen Femme is a community of passionate women writers, speaking to a community of passionate women travellers. Your luxe insider's guide to women's travel! Citizen Femme Founder, Sheena shares her favourite places in London.
ESSENTIALS
A cashmere shawl, it gets cold in London!
Converse or Hogan trainers. I love to walk everywhere, come rain or shine. And comfortable shoes are a must! Walking in London is one of my favourite things and despite living here my whole life, I still feel like a tourist and will walk through the streets finding new galleries, restaurants, bars, stopping for a coffee, and carrying on.
EXPERIENCE
You must go to the theatre in London. You have the West End which is full of incredible productions, but I would recommend a play where you will find some incredible talent and stories – there's The National Theatre in Southbank, Royal Court in Sloane Square and Almeida in Islington, there are so many options!
Also, experience a quintessential Afternoon Tea. It's usually a celebration reason for a Londoner, but as a tourist, it's a lovely London tradition that is worth it! There’s a ton of places that offer an unlimited champagne option, so start early, feast upon sandwiches, pastries and very British scones, clotted cream and jam and walk it off after!
My favourite place is The Mandeville Hotel where they have a ladies afternoon tea and a gentleman’s afternoon tea, its cosy and the tea is a perfect combination of traditional and right on trend.
EAT
Borough Market
Nothing beats Borough Market. Every Saturday, the open air market is filled with the smell of freshly roasted coffee, excited and hungry faces, homegrown food sellers with cheese, ham, fresh fruit and vegetables, tea sellers, and restaurants that your eyes will be as full as your stomach.
Cecconi's
My favourite restaurant is Cecconi’s near Bond Street, opposite the Burlington Arcade. I always love the service, the food, even perching at the bar with an Aperol Spritz, or a glass of wine, and some pasta.
MUST VISIT
Spend half a day walking East London, through Brick Lane (try a curry) and see the brilliant street art as well as Spitalfield’s Market, and then spend the second half of the day in West London. You can walk through Hyde Park and past the Royal Albert Hall, maybe catch the horses trotting through the park and try a gallery, the Victoria & Albert has some wonderful exhibitions.
SHOP
Selfridges
It has everything! Not only through the designers, but also series of events they are always putting on, whether its fitness and spin classes or music matters.
Marylebone High Street
I love walking around in this area as it's a real local Londoner’s street. Its called Marylebone Village and its just near Oxford Street so you are in the centre of town but with all the locals. Grab a coffee from Daylesford Organic and stop at some of the boutiques that have opened up, you’ll find lots!
Daunt Books
Don’t forget Daunt Books, one of the most beautiful bookstores in London, you might get lost in there for a while.
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