Yet another friend is heading to London, with my envy and blessing! Right now I imagine she will be having breakfast at her hotel or something. She would have had the longest Christmas Eve ever... :^) And yet among the bustle and confusion of an airport and boarding a plane, she had called me, confessing of her lack of preparation for the quick 2-week Europe Tour, of which some time will be spent in London, and asked for some info on the must-see spots. And here is the response.
I choose to leave out big chunks of the 'touristy' London, as info about them are flowing from every guidebook, blog, and anyone's mouth who has seen a movie based in London. Therefore, the following wil be about my personal favourite hangouts and recommendations after you have visited all the famous places.
The four main areas that must be explored to one's heart's content is, of course, Covent Garden, West End, Knightsbridge, and Camden. It is a pity that the parks lose much of their attraction in the winter, because the sheer number of parks, not to mention their beauty, are one of the best attributes of London. No matter, here goes:
Covent Garden is well known for its little shops and beautiful neighbourhood, as well as the Markets and quirky little independent stores. Go south (all my directions, otherwise directed, are in reference to the Thames) from Covent Garden tube st. and you will find a large white-ish building with little shops planted in its body and several stalls that will keep you thinking of the things you didn't buy for months. My especial favourites are David & Goliath, which you can see just as you walk down from the tube, and Octopus, on the -1 floor. Away from the Markets to Neil's Yard is Cath Kidston, another of my favourite shops that sell a variety of things made from sweet patterns.
West End, of course, is well known for the many theatres and performances held there. Chinatown is pretty fun to be around, too, although not for long. As I always recommend anyone who asks, the National Portrait Gallery Tea Room (open 3.15-5pm) has a panoramic view of the historical London view, with the rooftops of buildings around Trafalgar Square to Big Ben in the distance. Go with another person, order 1 tea set and add 1 pot of tea. When it comes out, it will not seem like much, a few sandwiches and cakes, but you are sure to be full by the end. Chat, warm your toes, look at the view, take photos to remember this experience.
Towards Leicester Square are some neat pubs and bars, although I don't recommend the clubs there-they swarm with tourists and liberal-handed pervs. (Rather, if you are looking to go clubbing, Fabric is probably the most famous place to go. Located on Charterhouse Street, its rather East London.. probably not very convenient to get to and fro, but always travel with a mate and make good use of the Night Buses and you will be fine.) One of my favourite bookshops is along Tottenham Court Road: Foyles. It's got a little cafe on the first floor (or 2층) that's not too big and quite nice to have a coffee in.
Also, if you are very interested in finding a fabulous bookstore on a street that feels like you are walking through the Marais, Paris, I recommend to you Marylebone High Street (south of Regent Park.. if you walk south along Marylebone High St., you will eventually find yourself right bang in the middle of Oxford Street) and Daunt Books. Once you set through the door and up the stairs to a dreamland of travel books and travel literature, arranged by country, you will never want to leave (or buy everything, take it home, and never leave home.)
Knightsbridge has all the cool and hip shops, not to mention Harrods, of course. Also, if you venture out and about Harrods in spite of the cold, I am sure you will find some really nice shops that you will forget yourself in. Hyde Park needs no introduction, but if it's cold, just cut everything and have a look around the lakes. Your hotel is near here anyway;-)
And Camden, Camden. Where you can see British Punk in person, as well as music. Where you can get hot pink boots that climb up to your thighs with shiny black studs all the way up. Where the people are more colourful than the streets and shops. Where you can get a gazillion things you don't really need, because it's cheap and it's there and it looks like it perfectly represents the neighbourhood. Not all of the market stalls are emo, so look out for really cool shops that give off a nice aura. Oh, and try the Indian food from the stalls! I have had it once, and dreamed about having it again until I found myself in Korea :-( Ah, and don't overlook the sale shops! They are sure to have good bargains that are just a season behind from the exhibited goods at Oxford Street.
But most of all, remember that what you are experiencing is all London. Not just when you are walkin by the Thames, not just when you are inside Westminster Abbey, or when you are having fish&chips. You are in London when you are travelling from place to place, when you are on the bus, when you are going down the grey steps to the tube, when you are squeezing past the crowd at Oxford Street, that is London, the very air, the very people, the very place you are in. Love every moment, remember the good bits, and laugh off the not-so-good. A few days will be enough to make you see the vitality and freedom, lined with tradition, that runs through the streets of the cosmopolitan city and among every non-English Londoner. Let yourself go and see where you end up! Trust your instincts. Trust London to show you its hidden treasures.