Travel
London travel guide: Lifestyle addresses
Explore London's rich cultural offerings with ELLE's guide to stylish living.
by : Elle Canada- Apr 1st, 2013
ELLE UK editors have experienced it all in London. Find out their picks for the best cultural destinations. Editors weighing in include:
• Lorraine Candy – Editor in Chief of ELLE UK
• Anne-Marie Curtis – Fashion Director of ELLE UK
• Marissa Bourke – Creative Director of ELLE UK – and the ELLE UK Art Team
• Susan Ward Davies – Travel Editor of ELLE UK
• Emma Strenner – Beauty Director of ELLE UK
• Suzanne Scott – Beauty Writer of ELLE UK
• Georgia Collins – Deputy Beauty Editor of ELLE UK
THE MOST CHARMING HOTELS
CHARLOTTE STREET HOTEL
15-17 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RJ
44 (0)20 7806 2000
firmdale.com
This is one of the cosiest hotels in London. Tucked away on Charlotte Street, just a few steps away from the bustling Tottenham Court Road, the Charlotte Hotel will give you a taste of pure British style. Book a room here for a romantic trip.
BT: “Pretty frontage, traditional interiors and quirky touches.”
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COVENT GARDEN HOTEL
10 Monmouth Street, London WC2H 9HB
44 (0)20 7806 1000
crosbystreethotel.com/london/covent-garden-hotel
In the heart of the theatre district, the Covent Garden Hotel is cosy and intimate. Another great address just perfect for a cosy escape in the city.
DEAN STREET TOWNHOUSE
69 – 71 Dean Street, London W1D 3SE
44 (0)20 7434 1775
deanstreettownhouse.com
Not only a hotel, Dean Street Townhouse is also a trendy restaurant for lunch, dinner, tea time or drinks. Eat inside in a very British decor, or take a seat outside and enjoy the breeze.
MB: “Luxurious decor and relaxing atmosphere in the heart of Soho.”
NUMBER 16, KNIGHTSBRIDGE
16 Sumner Place, London SW7 3EG
44 (0)20 7589 5232
Originally, there were four houses. Now, it’s a large yet still very charming hotel in the heart of Knightsbridge. The house is famous for its garden, lovely in the summertime.
SWD: “Pretty, very English hideaway.”
MORE LONDON: Eat, drink and go out
FOR AN AFTERNOON WALK
THE GROUNDS at ELTHAM PALACE
Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, London – SE9 5QE
BT: “Beautiful, extensive grounds overlooking the London city skyline around the remains of a medieval castle and art-deco renovation.”
REGENTS PARK
Regents Park, London NW1 4RU
www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/the-regents-park
TATE MODERN
Bankside, London SE1 9TG
44 (0)20 7887 8888
tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern
MB: “River side location with picturesque scenic views. There is always a different event going on around the Southbank.”
HAMPSTEAD HEATH
Hampstead Heath, London NW3
SWD: “Like a piece of countryside in central London.”
MORE LONDON: Lifestyle tips & trends
Looking to freshen up on London’s history? Find out the best markets and museums in the city on the next page…
FLEA/FOOD/FLOWER MARKETS
COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET
Columbia Road, London E2 7RG
columbiaroad.info
BT: “Charming stall holders who sell the most beautiful and magical plants and trees. There are great spots for breakfast up and down the road too.”
MB: “A lovely atmosphere and amazing flowers.”
SWD: “A wonderful Sunday morning flower market- cafes and one-of-a-kind boutiques.”
Travel destinations: The HOT SPOTS of 2013
BOROUGH MARKET
8 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TL
44 (0)20 7407 1002
boroughmarket.org.uk
A-MC: “The food is just so delicious!”
FARMER’S MARKET
Cramer Street Car Park, London W1U 4EW
lfm.org.uk
Every Sunday 10am-2pm
PARKS FOR A STROLL
HYDE PARK
Hyde Park, Marble Arch, London
BT: “It has to be Hyde Park – the best place to spend a summer lunchtime and get a Whippy from the ice-cream van. In the summer the park is full of music since it hosts various concerts.”
REGENTS PARK
Regents Park, London NW1 4RU
www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/the-regents-park
HAMPSTEAD HEATH
Hampstead Heath, London NW3
MB: “Beautiful in the summer and great for long walks.”
SWD: “Like a piece of countryside in central London.”
MUSEUMS
THE NATIONAL GALLERY
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
44 (0)20 7747 2885
nationalgallery.org.uk
The National Gallery is London’s most famous museum and featuring classical paintings and sculptures. A must-see.
THE NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
44 (0)20 7942 5000
nhm.ac.uk
A really fun and interesting museum with skeletons of every species, alive or extinct. The kids will love the dinosaurs!
BT: “Other museums have great touring exhibitions but you can never tire of the National History Museum. For one, it has dinosaurs.”
SLIDESHOW: The top PLACES to visit in London
THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM
Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
44 (0)20 79 42 20 00
vam.ac.uk
This museum always hosts the best exhibitions in art and design. Fashion addicts will go crazy! SWD: “Innovative exhibitions beautifully curated.”
THE WALLACE COLLECTION
Hertford House Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
44 (0)20 7563 9500
wallacecollection.org
Located in an old mansion, the Wallace Collection features 18th century paintings and masterpieces. A real pleasure for the eyes. Lunch, tea time and dinner is also possible in their covered garden restaurant.
MB: “Amazing restaurant. Opulent decor with exhibitions by Damien Hirst there sometimes.”
Pick up some amazing decor items with ELLE’s picks for best shops in London on the next page…
CULTURAL SHOPS
DAUNT BOOKS MARYLEBONE
83 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4QW
44 020 7224 2295
dauntbooks.co.uk
€€
A beautiful book store specialized in travel guides, classified by countries. The shop also features children’s books.
DOVER STREET MARKET
17-18 Dover Street, London W1S 4LT
44 (0)20 7518 0680
doverstreetmarket.com
€€-€€€€
Dover Street Market is one of the biggest multi-brand shops in town. This shop houses strictly the trendiest brands and a selection of the best items. And on the top floor, take a break at Rose Bakery.
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LOMOGRAPHY
3 Newburgh Street, London W1F 7RE
44(0)20 7434 1466
lomographylondon.co.uk
€€-€€€€
A shop for everything you need to become a retro photographer. This store sells it all, from cameras to gadgets and film. A must-see for any photography lover.
BT: “One of the coolest camera shops in London – they sell everything from pinhole to fisheye and everything in-between.”
HOME DECORATION SHOPS
ALFIE’S
13-25 Church Street, London NW8 8DT
44 (0)20 7723 6066
alfiesantiques.com
€€
For the last 30 years, Alfie’s indoor market has been the place to go to find collectables and antiques. A magical place where you can find just about anything.
ATELIER ABIGAIL AHERN
137 Upper Street, London N1 1QP
44 (0)20 7453 8181
atelierabigailahern.com
€€€€
Abigail Ahern is famous for her interior design work which has been featured in many glossy magazines. In this shop you’ll find everything you need to furnish your home in a very stylish way.
BT: “Just love Abigail’s style and browsing around her shop leaves you full of inspiration and ideas for decorating at home.”
COMMITTEE OF TASTE
3A Evering Road, London N16 7QA
44 79 3156 7619
€€€
In this shop you will find what you need and what you don’t to make your house cosy and beautiful! From paint to furniture, you won’t leave Committee of Taste empty handed!
MB: “One of-a-kind pieces.”
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HEALS
96 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7LQ
44 (0)20 7636 1666
heals.co.uk
€-€€€€
This huge store features everything you need to furnish and decorate your home. Pieces of furniture, decorative items to give as a gift or simply for yourself. But be careful, you could end up hanging around for hours!
SWD: “Lots of brands. Stylish home accessories at good prices.”
ZARA HOME
127-131 Regent Street, London WIB 4HT
44 020 7432 0040
zarahome.com
€€-€€€
Zara Home is all about refinement. Candles, decoration, blankets and cushions. You will surely find something to liven up your home.
FOR GIFTS
ANTHROPOLOGIE
158 Regent Street, London, W1B 5SW
44 (0)20 7529 9800
anthropologie.eu
€-€€€€
Anthropologie is not only a shop for clothes, but also for accessories and decoration for the house. And to top it all off, the prices are very friendly.
BT: “It has a gorgeous of collection of home nic-nacs that make lovely presents.”
LIBERTY
Great Marlborough Street, London W1B 5AH / Regent Street, London W1B 5AH
44 (0)20 7734 1234
liberty.co.uk
€-€€€€
Liberty is an iconic shop in London. Founded in 1875, it is one of the oldest and most impressive shops in town. The beauty hall is packed with rare and exclusive brands (Trish McEvoy, Frédéric Malle…), while the other floors offer not only clothes by top local and international fashion designers, but gorgeous home decoration, and of course the Liberty collections with their signature flower print.
A-MC: “It is a treasure trove of special gifts.”
SWD: “A beautiful department store.”
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VINMAGS
39-43 Brewer Street, London W1F 9UD
44 (0)20 7439 8525
vinmag.com
€-€€€€
If you are looking for a gift, you will surely find it here! The store carries lots of posters,cards and gadgets perfect for anyone from your aunt to your nephew.
MB: “A great selection of vintage magazines, posters and postcards – makes for a more thoughtful gift.”
Pick up the best wine and food dishes with ELLE’s selection of shops on the next page…
WINE SHOPS
BERRY BROS AND RUDD
3 St James’s Street, London SW1A 1EG
44 (0)800 280 2440
bbr.com
€€-€€€€
A beautiful wine shop, in the heart of the Buckingham area, just a few steps away from St James Park, where you will find top quality wines from all over the world.
BT: “For serious wine lovers. It’s not cheap but you are guaranteed to walk away with some great wine.”
PLANET OF THE GRAPES
New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1BA
44 (0)20 7405 4912
planetofthegrapes.co.uk
€-€€€€
A great wine shop where you’ll find whatever you need to accompany a lovely dinner.
MB: “Quirky fun wine shop with a large selection.”
PARIS travel guide: Eat, drink and go out
WAITROSE
Everywhere in London
waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/bf_home/bf.html/
€€
Waitrose is a supermarket chain frequented by Londoners, and even the Queen has given her Seal of Approval (the Windsor shop supplies the Royal family). Perfect for if ever you need to pick up some groceries, since it’s easy to find one close by.
FOOD SHOPS
BOROUGH MARKET
8 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TL
44 (0)20 7407 1002
boroughmarket.org.uk
MB: “Fresh produce all over and a really great lively atmosphere.”
BROCKLEY MARKET
Lewisham College Car Park, Lewisham Way, London SE4 1UT
brockleymarket.com
Saturdays: 10am – 2pm
BT: “The best farmers market in the south east of London. Fresh bread, tasty coffee, meats, cheeses and fresh local vegetables. Saturday morning heaven.”
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LINA STORES
18 Brewer Street, London W1F 0SH
44 020 7437 6482
linastores.co.uk
If you want to taste great Italian food, just go to Lina’s and let yourself be tempted by all things Italian. If you don’t want to cook, try one of the delicious take-away dishes the house has to offer.
SWD: “Delicious deli style food served in amazing, retro packaging.”
SELFRIDGES FOOD HALL
Selfridges & Co, 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB
44 113 369 8040
style.selfridges.com
This food hall is one of the best in town as it features everything you could want or need. Simply a high end supermarket where you will find the best brands and great quality food.
MORE LONDON
London travel guide: The best beauty addresses
London travel guide: Lifestyle addresses
London travel guide: The best fashion addresses
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