48 HOURS
LONDON
Writer Samuel Johnson said:“ When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”. But there’ s no chance of that in the city with a massive appeal that draws more than 31 million tourists a year. By Allison Foat(@ allisonfoat)
Must see
You’ ve landed and with 48 hours to discover London, you want to hit the ground running. So first, coffee! Monmouth Coffee, conveniently situated at Borough Market in South Street, is a great place to start. While you sip and sate your caffeine addiction, you can choreograph your day and explore and sample delicious artisanal fare. Walk off all that grub along the scenic Millenium Mile, stretching between Westminster Bridge and London Bridge, taking you past some of London’ s top attractions like Big Ben, the House of Parliament and the Tate Modern with numerous exhibitions, performances, interactive art and video installations celebrating new art. Further along on the North Bank is the imposing Tower of London, where the Crown Jewels have been kept since 1216. Today, the spectacular collection of royal bling is under the watchful eye of the Yeoman Guard, popularly known as‘ Beefeaters’.
A spin on the world’ s tallest ferris wheel, the London Eye( www. londoneye. com), is particularly magical at sunset with a glass of bubbly in hand as you survey the sprawling metropolis below. And since 2016 marks the 400 th anniversary of Shakepeare’ s death, see a play at The Globe Theatre( www. shakespearesglobe. com) and afterwards have a nightcap at the slick Aqua Spirit rooftop bar on Regent Street.
Must do
Have breakfast – a Bombay omelette with masala beans on the side – at Dishoom in Carnaby Street, one of a few Irani café-bars that are huge with foodies in London right now. Then take a Voice Map audio tour( download the app and select the Theatreland Tour: www. voicemap. me / tour / london) and get a dose of theatrical and general history as you wander from Leicester Square to Covent Garden, Embankment and The Strand, and the back streets of
Top
Tip the West End, guided by the voice of legendary Sir Ian McKellen. The route enables you to see Seven Dials, the Royal Opera House and Somerset House. Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason on Jermyn Street is immensely satisfying. Don’ t leave without buying a tin of their legendary lavender melt-in-your-mouth shortbread. Sip a Dubonnet and gin cocktail, Her Majesty’ s favourite tipple, at the opulent Oscar Wilde Bar at Hotel Café Royal, a few metres from Piccadilly Circus. After dinner at the Peruvian restaurant Lima Floral, make your way to the Cellar Door, a sexy Weimar-styled bar, with the UK’ s first SMS-enabled jukebox and a performance line up that includes drag, comedy, live music and burlesque. Have a nightcap at the stylish Rumpus Room at the Mondrian, with views over St. Paul’ s Cathedral and the city.
Buying a London Pass online( www. visitbritainshop. com / world / the-london-sightseeing-pass) is a great cost saver when it comes to using select public transport, visiting sights and being in line for special offers at various attractions.
14 Travel Update | issue 9