The sheer variety of activities on offer in London can be mind-blowing, exciting, or just a little intimidating. If I go to that market, am I missing a better one? If I check out that play, does it mean I can’t go to the cool pop-up down the road? What is a London Lover to do?! Well, I decided to pick a few things that I really wanted to see / do / eat and go from there. First I had my London Summer Hot List (and Results), and that was so much fun that I decided to do a London Winter Cool List too. I might not make it to everything on the list (straight away) but it’s very exciting to research! It’s also great to have as a resource for the day (which may come, it hasn’t yet) when I can’t decide what I want to do in London. So without further ado, here’s what I did and what’s still to be savoured.
1. Pop-Down at the Vaults
I didn’t make it to this Waterloo pop-up, but this was partly because my amazing friends Anna and Emma, who know me oh so well, gave me tickets to Dram & Smoke in Bermondsey for my birthday. This Scottish-themed pop-up restaurant more than ticked the boxes of great food and great atmosphere, we had an awesome time! The main of roast pork slabs, in particular, was deliciously juicy and it was highly entertaining watching one of the guests at our table step up to the job of carving with panache. I’ll be looking out for any more offerings from the team at Dram & Smoke this summer.
2. A Walking Tour
I don’t know you guys, maybe I’m just allergic to organised walking?! But as I’m already managing to go for regular Sunday countryside walks with friends, I’m not sure this is right. This is one of the activities I sacrificed in favour of seven weeks in New Zealand, I guess – and I don’t regret it! It’ll be back on the list for this summer.
3. Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Palace
Check! I had a glorious time exploring Windsor Castle and the Long Walk in the spring sunshine – I definitely recommend it as a lovely easy day trip from London. And you need to click over purely to see the epic Sunday roast we found… click here for more!
4. Silent Disco at the Shard
Sadly another one I didn’t quite find time for over the summer, although I did have some epic party nights. This will be just as good in summer I’m sure!
5. A Supper Club Experience
Does the awesome Food Baby Club pot-luck Christmas dinner count?! We are pretty great chefs, and food appreciators, after all. This is a group of my friends who meet up, usually once a month, to enjoy all types of restaurants around London. But at Christmas, we have our own silly dinner at someone’s house, and as you can see the standard of Christmas jumpers, in particular, is very high!
6. An Art Exhibition
A double tick for this one! I took the day off for my birthday (always a good idea, especially on a Friday) and treated myself to Ai WeiWei’s incredible exhibition at the Royal Academy. I also later visited one of my annual favourites, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition, which is on until the start of May and well worth checking out. And I’m looking forward to plenty more in summer – the diversity of art available in this city is extraordinary.
7. Winter Wonderland
I had another extremely fun night at Winter Wonderland this year, although in contrast to my last Winter Wonderland experience, we barely moved from the Bavarian beer hall. I’m not complaining – there were still Christmas carols and revelry, coupled with some delicious bratwurst!
8. A Play at the National Theatre
This gorgeous river view was taken after Emma and I saw the modern, hilarious, and well-acted ‘As You Like It’ at the National Theatre. Needless to say I really enjoyed it, and will be keeping my eyes open for more!
9. Christmas Extravaganza Take Two
Another festive success, we started at the Southbank Christmas market, visited the Norwegian Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square, and admired more of London’s beautiful Christmas lights. I love these extravaganzas (check out the first and second outings here) as they definitely put me in the Christmas spirit!
10. Visit a travel-themed bar
Does an airport bar count? If not, incredibly this is another one that I have to tick off… not too much of a hardship!
So there we go – some serious fun had and some still to come! Do you have any quirky suggestions for my next London Summer Hot List? Check back on Tuesday to see what I’m lining up for this season!
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