PYO: Five planned out dream weekends in London

if you're in need of some weekend inspiration may this help you along the way...

Photo from Italo London

I recently enjoyed a really lovely weekend in East London. A rather unremarkable occurrence for most, but it’s not somewhere I go often. Living in the deep depths of suburban South London; where any coffee shop that isn’t a Costa feels exotic (nothing wrong with Costa! Long reign their hot chocolates!) - anywhere outside of my small Zone 4 bubble can sometimes feel alien in some respects and positively cosmopolitan in others. I’m not someone who knows Broadway Market like the back of my hand (although my god I wish I was) and I yearn to one day have a blasé answer to ‘where’s good for a drink around *insert somewhere on the Windrush line here*’?

But living in a city as vibrant as London, and having so much on your doorstep; it's easy to take for granted the bucket-list kind of weekends that are available within touching distance. Naturally, more often than not- life gets in the way. The rigmarole of the day to day (and, y’know, finances) means that not every weekend can or will be spent in the West End, rubbing shoulders with Bill Nighy with white tablecloths and running for black cabs (reader: I have rubbed shoulders with him once in Mayfair, and I will dine out on that anecdote for as long as I live). But! Oh what an abundance there is! Thankfully, as well as special occasion spots in the hundreds, this city is somewhere that is generous to one aiming for an impressive step count. Green spaces, beautiful terraced houses that I have twitched at for far too long far too often and undiscovered pockets that lend themselves perfectly to slow weekends in the sunshine and a diary free of any solid arrangements.

Admittedly, in a city as big as London it's easy to feel decision fatigue (the best kind of fatigue!!!) so I thought I'd put together five suggestions for very, very fun weekends across London. The kind of ‘pick your own’ I’d love to have presented to me on a day where I had a nice outfit in mind and a real urge to get out and see the wonders on my doorstep! Made up of old favourites and things I've been desperate to do (admittedly if money were no object), if you're in need of some weekend inspiration may this help you along the way- through zones 1-4 and beyond, take what you like and leave the rest...

(Image Credit: https://uk.pinterest.com/museedumoi/ & @panzers_deli)

I feel like I’ve tried to cover all of my favourite pockets of ‘north’ London with this option (I use inverted commas because I feel like with all of these I’m truly only scratching the surface, but you can’t do everything in a day, although I HAVE TRIED)! This is a very very full day, covering three of London’s most beautiful big green spaces (so perhaps wear your comfortable shoes)!

• Start your day at Regent’s Park and head in via the English Gardens with a coffee (and a book for later, there is nothing nicer than a lie down in a London park with a good book!)

• Take a 45 minute walk up towards Primrose Hill and Greenberry Cafe/Sam’s for breakfast (obviously make a stop via *the* ‘Windsor Gardens’ for any loyal Brown family/Paddington fans).

• Mooch across Primrose Hill post breakfast, and take a leisurely stroll to my favourite deli, Panzer’s next to St. John’s Wood for essential bagel supplies for lunch later!

• Catch the 46 bus to Hampstead Station and the High Street; I always love a mooch around here (and pretending I’m in Bridget Jones) and hop off for a ramble towards the Heath.

• Obviously, you could spend all day happily being horizontal with a picnic blanket, bagel and book here (you could also go for a bathe too!) But! If you fancy continuing your adventure, head towards Tufnell Park tube station, and hop on the Northern Line to Angel.

• If you have time, wander down Camden Passage for a nosey at some beautiful shops- Magpie Vintage and Haygen are two favourites (but there are so many wonderful antique shops here)!

• If it’s open, head to Popham’s (although it does close at 4pm)! If not, head up to Trullo for dinner.

• End your evening with a film at Screen on the Green, or comedy at Angel Comedy at The Bill Murray.