A long weekend in London is always a great adventure! With its legendary neighborhoods, unusual activities and gourmet delights, the British capital is full of surprises. You can come back often, as there are always new things to see and discover. That’s why, when my boyfriend gave me this gift for Christmas, I immediately loved it. I immediately loved the idea!
So, as I know that many of you ask me for advice on where to go, I thought I’d share with you some of my favorites and a few practical tips to help you prepare for your next visit.
How to get to London and around?
From Nantes, we flew with Ryanair, landing at Stansted airport, north of London. To reach the city center, buses such as National Express or Terravision are available just outside the terminal. They offer direct routes to Victoria Station and other strategic points in London. Tickets can be purchased online or directly on arrival.
Pour le retour, nous sommes partis très tôt lundi matin avec cette fois-ci la compagnie easyJet, depuis l’aéroport de Gatwick, situé au sud de Londres. Là aussi, des bus ainsi que des trains comme le Gatwick Express permettent de rallier rapidement le centre-ville.
Bien entendu, l’Eurostar depuis Paris reste une alternative plus écologique, mais, pour un long week-end, le rapport qualité/prix rend ce choix parfois complexe.
Côté hébergement, je conseille de sélectionner une chambre proche des transports menant aux aéroports, car les trajets peuvent être longs, surtout pour un vol très tôt. Pour ce voyage, nous avions opté pour l’échange de maison grâce au site HomeExchange. Une solution que je vous présente dans cet article complet. Vous pouvez même profiter d’un code de parrainage à la fin si cela vous intéresse !
As for the phone plan, I recommend that you check beforehand whether your cell phone plan is compatible with the country, but normally, with a standard plan, there’s no particular problem. With our packages, NRJ Mobile or Bouygues for my darling, it was ok.
When it comes to money, London is an incredible city. You don’t have to worry about changing money before you leave, or even when you’re there – you can pay for everything with your bank card! Make sure you know beforehand about any bank charges that may be associated with payments abroad, but otherwise it’s crazy. In public transport, whether on the metro or the bus, all you have to do is put your card down and it works!
What I love doing in London is traveling by bus. The network is well-developed and fairly easy to understand (just remember that they drive on the left!). This mode of transport really lets you enjoy the scenery while you’re on the move. As for the metro, it’s a little more complex than the Paris metro, as sometimes several lines run on the same train. Don’t hesitate to check or ask if you’re not sure!
My 5 London favourites
1. Notting Hill and Portobello Road: a stroll through an iconic district
If the sun is shining, I’d like to say: head for Notting Hill in West London. One of my favorite neighborhoods!
Notting Hill, in West London, is famous for its colorful houses (on Lancaster Road) and bohemian atmosphere. Every Saturday, Portobello Road Market comes alive with a host of traders selling antiques, food and crafts. The market is one of London’s oldest and largest, attracting Londoners and tourists alike in search of original finds.
Les amateurs d’architecture et de photographie seront charmés par les ruelles adjacentes bordées de maisons chics aux couleurs pastel, parfaites pour une balade hors du temps. Non loin de là, les passionnés de littérature ne manqueront pas de visiter la célèbre librairie de “Coup de foudre à Notting Hill”, où l’on retrouve l’atmosphère douce et poétique du film culte.
Pour une immersion artistique, une halte à la Graffik Gallery s’impose. Ce lieu incontournable de l’art urbain présente des expositions captivantes avec des œuvres de Banksy et d’autres grands noms du street art. Il est également possible de participer à des ateliers pour découvrir les techniques du graffiti. Une belle manière de compléter la découverte de ce quartier londonien plein de contrastes et d’inspirations.
Did you know? Bob Marley and the reggae soul of Notting Hill
Notting Hill is not only famous for its pastel houses and bohemian alleyways, it’s also a neighborhood steeped in the history of London reggae. When Bob Marley and the Wailers arrived in London in the 1970s, they took refuge in a modest apartment on Goodge Street, which became their creative and rehearsal space.
C’est à cette époque que Marley rencontre Chris Blackwell, fondateur du label Island Records. Ce dernier reconnaît le potentiel du reggae et offre au groupe la possibilité d’enregistrer dans son studio situé à Notting Hill. Ce lieu devient une véritable seconde maison pour Marley et ses musiciens, où ils créeront notamment l’album mythique Exodus (1977), enregistré lors de l’exil de Bob Marley à Londres. Cet album emblématique inclut des titres intemporels tels que Jamming, et One Love.
Notting Hill itself became a cultural epicenter for the Jamaican community, with its annual carnival still resonating with the rhythms of reggae and calypso. Marley’s influence also inspired a new generation of British artists and even punk bands like The Clash, who incorporated reggae sounds into their music.
Even today, enthusiasts can wander around historic places like Denmark Street, where Marley loved to explore instrument stores.
So Notting Hill remains a vibrant neighborhood, rich in captivating musical history.
2. Camden and Camden Market: a unique atmosphere and the legacy of Amy Winehouse
Just a few miles from Notting Hill, the Camden district is another London cultural gem that I adore, known for its rebellious vibe and effervescent music scene. Home to many artists, including Amy Winehouse, the uniquely talented singer who left her mark on the world with timeless songs such as Rehab, Back to Black and You Know I’m No Good, she lived here and left an indelible mark. A statue of her stands in Camden Market, a huge space featuring street food stalls, original clothing boutiques and vintage objects.
Amy loved strolling the bustling streets of Camden, with its colorful markets, musician-filled pubs and iconic clubs. She was a local fixture, often spotted in places like The Hawley Arms, a pub popular with the neighborhood’s artists and creatives. Her apartment was at 30 Camden Square, a Victorian-style house on a quiet street, far removed from the hustle and bustle of Camden High Street. Sadly, it was in this house that she tragically passed away in 2011, at the age of 27. Her sudden death made Amy Winehouse a member of the infamous “Club of 27”, a group of legendary musicians who died at the same age, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain.
3. Roller Nation: an unforgettable Christmas gift
My boyfriend surprised me by taking me to Roller Nation: the home of roller disco. Housed in a former cinema, this venue is dedicated to roller quad biking, a real passion of mine for the past two years. The atmosphere is electric, with light shows and a playlist perfect for a festive evening. I highly recommend it if you want to have a good time with friends. Inside, you’ll have no trouble drinking or eating.
4. Garden at 120 and Leadenhall Market: a stroll between modernity and tradition
On Sunday, we braved the rain with some indoor activities. We started by heading up to the Garden at 120, a free panoramic terrace located at the top of 120 Fenchurch Street. The place offers a breathtaking view of the city with its iconic skyscrapers.
Not far away, the Sky Garden is London’s highest garden, located at the top of the Walkie Talkie Tower. It offers spectacular views, but requires advance booking on the site.
Next door, we stopped off at Leadenhall Market, a magnificent covered market dating back to the 14th century. Its Victorian architecture has been used as a backdrop for films such as Harry Potter. After crossing London Bridge, we continued our stroll to Borough Market, one of London’s oldest food markets, ideal for sampling local and international produce.
5. Tea Time by bus and the Moco Museum: original experiences
Le dimanche après-midi, nous avons pu expérimenter une expérience très girly, mais que j’ai vraiment adorée : un après-midi à bord du Classic Afternoon Tea Bus London Sightseeing Tour de Brigit’s Bakery ! Si j’ai eu la chance de faire cette activité, offerte par mon chéri, c’est grâce à une amie précieuse (spéciale dédicace, tu te reconnaîtras !) qui a pu la tester avec sa fille. Merci infiniment pour ce super tip.
Imagine sipping tea, scented to taste, as you ride along in a magnificent vintage double-decker bus. The heart of London flashes before your eyes, with its iconic monuments: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, Downing Street… Every moment is a delicious blend of contemplation and indulgence.
On the taste buds, it’s an explosion of flavors: mini-quiches, refined salmon or cucumber sandwiches, savory feta muffins… And the desserts, my goodness: chocolate cupcakes, fragrant choux pastries, and of course scones with clotted cream, the icing on the cake of this perfect moment.
In short, it’s more than just a tea time, it’s a gourmet and cultural immersion in the heart of London’s heritage. If you get the chance, go for it, you’ll love it as much as I do! The VIP version with front seats is quite expensive, but if you do it at 2.30pm, you don’t need to eat beforehand, and the view is very nice. You’ll feel like you’re all alone on the bus. A little bonus: you’ll leave with a gift of an isothermal mug. A nice souvenir. Only downside: the tour commentary is in English only.
We then discovered the Moco Museum, a space dedicated to contemporary art housed in a beautiful historic building. We discovered it by chance when we took the bus tour! When I saw that the exhibitions featured renowned artists such as Banksy, Yayoi Kusama and other emblematic figures of modern art, whom I adore, I immediately suggested to my darling that we go there after the bus tour. And we did!
We both really enjoyed it. We found my favorite artists, Jeff Koons, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Takashi Murakami and Robbie Williams! Yes, the singer is also a talented painter. You can see some of his paintings on the third floor of the museum.
To end the weekend on a high note
Before setting off again, we had a drink in a typically London pub, the Lamb and Flag, one of London’s oldest pubs with a history dating back to the 17th century. Then it was on to Mercato Mayfair, a former church transformed into a gourmet space offering a wide variety of international dishes.
For those looking for even more fun, I recommend a visit to Fair Game, an interactive games area perfect for fun with friends. Remember to book in advance, as places go fast.
A long weekend in London always goes by too quickly, but it offers a multitude of souvenirs to take home.
And what are your favourite places in the British capital?
