My parents are coming to London for a visit, and I’m determined to show them a side of the city they’ve never seen before. They’ve ticked off all the classic tourist spots, so I’m looking for hidden gems and local favorites that will make their experience truly unforgettable. Any suggestions on where to take them for a taste of authentic London life?
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La Famiglia is always a safe option! A really lovely Italian restaurant off the New Kings Road.
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Hampstead is lovely- has loads of cute shops/ cafes, and if you’re up for a swim, the ponds in the heath are lots of fun (but book ahead). Exmouth market is also really nice for coffee/ lunch then walking around islington is a great thing to do to show them a different side of london. Finally, if you walk up portobello road, to the very end , you get to Golborne road, which as loads of cute restaurants (the Golborne deli is my favourite) and shops to go into. from there you can walk along the canals in little venice and make your way out at paddington station
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Oh I love the Golborne Deli! And absouletly agree re: Hampstead, it’s such a wholesome day out!
I would also recommend looking at Richmond/Kew - Richmond has the most beautiful little corners, I took a lot of inspo from this article here: https://www.artdistance.com/artstravel/london-guide-richmond and Kew Gardens is one of my faves for a stroll between florals and the gift shop is insane!
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Some of my favourites when I have friends in town include
Sunday market at Brick Lane
Walking down Little Venice and stopping for food in Maida Vale (The Hero is a fab new pub to know)
Skip Borough Market and go to Borough Yards instead which has some great restaurants
National Portrait Gallery - fairly obvious but has been closed for the last few years!
Battersea Power Station for shopping - and to look at the cool architecture
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There is a lovely restaurant called Gold in Notting Hill which is great and has an outside area for summer time.
A walking tour around Little Venice is always interesting for tourists or a boat trip down from Westminster to Greenwich.
Maybe try one of the below?
- Exmouth Market near Angel
- Primrose Hill (walk along canal from Little Venice)
- Queens Park - Carmel / Milk Beach both great for food and it’s a great vibe on that street
- At Sloane near sloane square is a great gem and hidden away if you’re in central
Euston. Then get a train to Liverpool and spend time in somewhere fun, beautiful and interesting.
Love this, saving for upcoming weekends!
I took them to Golborne deli! Best recommendation, it was exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!
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