A weekend in my London
Stunning Tower Bridge, London
London has always been a special city for me, since I first visited on my 14th birthday. So much so, I then convinced my parents to bring us back the same year, while I plotted a way to move there – University a couple of years later was the perfect excuse!
Henley on Thames
I loved my time in London.. and although life took me back to Lisbon, then to Madrid, Barcelona with some stops in Istanbul, I ended up marrying – guess what – an Englishman! I know I don’t live in London – I live in the stunning town of Henley on Thames, but I am under an hour away and visit almost every week for both business and pleasure.
Houses of Parliament, London
The point of this post is to share some of my favourite places and the perfect way, in my opinion, to spend a week in this trendy, elegant, sexy and exciting city!
Friday night
The perfect way to get things started is, of course, with a drink and join Londoners as they have the first pint or gin & tonic after work. Many places to go to, but somehow I always end up (or start up) in Marylebone, one of my favourite London areas.
Options are The Marylebone and then Providores, a more upmarket wine bar, with great tapas.
From the many dining options in the area, my favourites are (by a mile): Fishworks, for some.. fish, Caldesi (upstairs) or Union Cafe. You will find lots of bars and pubs in the area.
Hakkasan
If you fancy something more upmarket and special (and if you have booked a table way in advance), my choices are, in nearby Mayfair, Hakkasan (and please try their signature cocktail, the Hakka) or Nobu. Closer to Regent Street/Piccadilly/Covent Garden, my favourites are Asia de Cuba @ St Martin’s Lane (and great bar pre and post dinner). Coconut Cloud Martinis are a must here – and if you can’t find it on the menu, ask them to call the New York branch. Momo’s signature Marrakesh O’ Marrakesh cocktail is to die for and so its the food (pretend it is your birthday so you get a special Moroccan dance).
Saturday Morning
If breakfast isn’t included in your hotel rate, it is worth exploring some more cost-conscious places as they are much easier to find nowadays. The usual coffee-chain suspects offer some decent options – from Starbucks, to Nero (my favourite) and Costa, but also Patisserie Valerie has many branches in London.
Recently, I decided to go back to Portobello Market in Notting Hill – it had been at least 20 years since my last visit and there had been some exciting changes! But the reason why I really wanted to go was I needed an excuse to visit little Portugal and try some delicious pasteis de nata – I think I am becoming slightly obsessed with them.. but don’t care!
Pasteis de Nata at Lisboa Patisserie
From there, it was time for some decent shopping, so we took a cab to Harvey Nichols, a nice department store in Knightsbridge. Walking down Sloane Street, where the nicest designer shops can be found, you get to Sloane Square and the King’s Road, one of my favourite parts of London (shopping wise!).
Saatchi Gallery on the King's Road
On Saturdays, by the Saatchi Gallery, which is worth a visit, there is a little food market – not your conventional fruit and veg, though! You have stalls from all over the world, and the idea is that your lunch is quite multicultural. You can also buy some goodies to bring back home!
I like taking my time on this street – has a great selection of shops and 3 LK Bennett - all that I need to be happy! Worth mentioning that further down the road, on number 329, you will find one of its outlet stores with quite decent stuff! If you are a bit peckish, Byron has some fantastic burgers further down the road.
Bibendum
When it is time for dinner, and if you want to stay in the area, some of my favourites are Bluebird, Bibendum, La Brasserie and Gaucho.
Sunday Morning
The London Eye
A visit to London wouldn’t be complete without a walk by the Thames River. It will be cold, but it will certainly help clear your head from any excesses from the previous night!
I like starting at Big Ben, have a walk around the Houses of Parliament and cross Westminster Bridge. From there, walk towards the London Eye, which I try to go at least once a year. It has amazing views on a clear day. From there, walk towards Tate Modern which is also worth a visit, and then cross the Millennium bridge and go to St. Paul’s.
The Millennium Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral
It must be time for lunch, and one of our favourite places is St. Katherine’s Docks, just next to Tower Bridge. Easiest way to get there is to get a bus from St. Paul’s to Tower Hill.
Dickens Inn - Pizza on the Dock is on the 1st floor
Our lunch choice is always Pizza on the Dock at Dickens Inn, which supposedly was Charles Dickens’ house which was moved to this location. Careful with the portion sizes and get a table outside, weather permitting.
St Katherine's Docks
With this, it must be almost time to make your way back to the airport, knowing that there is so much more to see in London, that you certainly have to come back – again and again.
Mrs O
52 Comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- 5+1 reasons why I love England « Mrs. O Around the World_____ not just another travel blog - [...] home, so great ingredients are easy to find. I can offer some suggestions in Henley-on-Thames and London. Thank God ...
Leave a Comment
Subscribe
Join other 11476 followers and have each post delivered to your inbox.
Follow on Bloglovin
Some of my latest Instagram pics
Hi Mrsoaroundworld, do you know by any chance when are the big sale’s season in London?
Tk
Br
Hi! As I said over twitter (thanks for getting in touch), the big ones are at the end of June and Boxing Day (26th Dec). There seem to be a lot more now, but really difficult to know when! In the States it is much clearer!
Ps looks like the weather was kind!
Sometimes the sun does shine
London, London you gotta love it. Your photos show off the architecture to perfection. Edinburgh now has a Harvey Nicks as well
I love your London! Hell, I just love London period. I can’t wait for November to see England from your eyes. You must take me to that bakery.
I walked along the Thames River from the Tower of London to the Globe Theatre with my mom. I agree, it’s something that must be done.
Leah Travels recently posted..Melodies and Travel Memories
I shall take you there
maybe we will need more than a day 
Very good tips and your food pictures look delicious!
Thank you
I want to try those pasteis de nata! They look good… And I have not been to the new Tate Gallery though I have walked past it. I liked the old one a lot when I saw it eons ago. This post will be excellent if and when I get to return to London – thanks for sharing the best of London
This is just a weekend.. one of my favourites! The beauty of London is that you can have 100 different ones
And pasteis de nata.. Lisbon, baby!
Never really would think to see so many photos with water when I think of my London… so this was rather refreshing, especially in summer.
stay adventurous, Craig
Thanks Craig.. a lot of water indeed! Never thought of it, but you are right, something about the Thames!
LOVE henley on thames and so jealous you live there! we ended up in marylebone on our last trip to london and loved the neighborhood.
my favourite place in London, Marylebone! So glad you found it, it’s lovely!
I definitely know who I’m going to have show me around London!
I’ve never been and I have been wanting to go ever since I was a little girl. I would love to experience a weekend just like this.
That’s so kind of you, thank you
London is an amazing place and something for everyone 
Awesome weekend…awesome pics. I love the one of Parliament…
Can you believe that I went to a wedding recently and that was the view from our hotel?
Wonderful recommendations for one of the world’s greatest cities! I recently went to London for the first time and had an amazing time. I can’t wait to be back!
Beautiful pictures! Thanks for reminding me why I love London so much, it really is so beautiful. I love Portobello Market!
When should I expect you over?
Let me know when your furniture arrives, then I’ll book my flight!
You got yourself a deal
You’re killin’ me, Mrs. O! I want to go to London in the worst way. This is a great post, loaded with awesome tips and information!
GORGEOUS photos, Ana. i have been to London several times but still haven’t seen and done it all. i think the London Eye is on my must-do list for next visit. that is my fave pic here
That is the amazing thing about London, we could have 100 different weekends, such an incredible place!
I love the photo of the Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s – I used to work nearby and would often cross the bridge for the gorgeous views of London.
Hi Emir! Took that last time my sister was over – can remember the great day we day!
Great post! Love the photographs. I adore London and love exploring, you have included some great tips.
Thank you Alexandra
I share your love Mrs O for Marylebone, the Providores and have happy memories of Hakkasan
thank you Carolyn
there is something about marylebone for sure!!
I lived many years in London (before moving to Milan).. Your pictures are absolutely stunning honey and I enjoyed so much looking at them… oh god, I miss Hakkasan!!
http://absolutelyfaaabulous.wordpress.com
thank you for your kind comments!! all this talk about hakkasan, made me book a table
Ahhh Dickens Inn ! enjoyed many a wild night (and a few lunchtimes too) there. Worked in St Katherines docks when the London Commodity Exchange was still there, trading coffee and cocoa (the good old days, of bright jackets and even brighter characters) then when the Trading floor closed I ended up working in the building to the right of the Millennium bridge photograph – We actually had a picnic on that bridge one night ! I managed to get a tablecloth from the office canteen somehow – and ordered a huge chinese takeaway and sat in the middle of the bridge at 1am (of course no alcohol was involved).
Tristan
that sounds epic!!
Wow – didn’t know there was a Little Portugal in London. Can’t wait to visit next time I’m in Portobello Market.
Great guide, worth printing and taking when I visit London
thank you Fiona! There are a few more other Portuguese shops in the same street, but getting mixed up with other nationalities – globalisation!! but quite quirky and men still have old fashioned portuguese moustaches!!
Some great all time favourites in here, Hakkasan, Bibendum, Bluebird and some great sites too – visited them all
– Great selection
i wanted to keep it simple
now you need to try momo and pizza on the dock!
Great post, and definitely something I’ll keep in mind for my next visit there. However, as Kath mentioned museums, I think the 10-minute talks of the National Gallery are also worth mentioning. They are advertised on the website, and basically mean that one of the museum’s experts will talk about one of the paintings. Mostly around 4 pm. And, just as the access to the museum: all for free.
I went to see one on my last visit to London, and it was wonderful. It really gave some extra dimensions to the picture that was discussed.
Don’t disagree at all! As I hinted at the end of the article – we can have over 100 weekend combinations as London is so big and has something for absolutely everyone!!
Beautiful pictures!
I must say that my favorite way of spending a day in london is inside the Tate museum
It is a v nice place actually
love it!!
A weekend in London is oft needed – have very happy memories of such a time in December 2011 when London was decked out in her Christmas finery & lunch at The Wolsley was rather fine.
Look forward to a repeat in April when you are back to Europe!!
Those pasteis look incredible! Some great shots here.
they are nicer in portugal of course, but these arent bad at all
glad you liked it!
Love the London Eye pic Mrs O
Another great post well done xxx
thank u
always a pleasure to know you enjoyed it!
I share lots of your love Mrs O, certainly for the Providores, Marylebone and have happy memories of Hakkasan