Growing up in London, you get used to the jokes and the stereotypes. My favourite is that because I’m a Londoner, I’m oblivious about the rest of the country. Which I won’t lie to you, is kinda true. Besides from visiting family in Bournemouth and Warwick, I’d never actually been to the North and have only been to the West Country once.
Here’s where a Londoner out of London comes in. I want see what England has to offer and I want to take you all along with me for the ride; offering my personal recommendations on all the best places to eat, drink and must-sees.
However, it wouldn’t feel right to start a recommendations blog without starting with home – London.
Now I know what you must be thinking, it’s a capital city – how in the hell are you going to fit that all into one post? I could go on about my home city for hours, but I promise I’ll keep it short. Think of this as your must list if you only have 24 hours in the city to experience the weird, the wonderful and the downright awesome.
Must eat – Beigel Bake, Brick Lane.
A 24-hour family run bagel shop hidden in Shoreditch, this simple shop is a must go if you’re feeling peckish. Be warned, there’s always a queue but with quick service it shouldn’t put you off. Ranging from Nutella bagels to home made salt beef and pickles – these hefty bagels are bound to fill you up and leave you feeling stuffed and satisfied.
Must drink – The Alchemist, St Martins Lane.
Using alchemy and science (and I’m convinced a little bit of magic) to bring these cool cocktails to life, you’ll leave more than impressed and probably a bit more than tipsy. Located just off of Covent garden and down the road from Theatre Land, The Alchemist is a great stop off for a cheeky lunch time drink or a night out with the girls pre or post theatre. With cocktails ranging from £7.50 to the slightly pricier £9.50, they also have created a massive £40
The dark, chic exterior is a perfect venue to get all glammed up and experience what I call ‘fancy London’.
Must see – God’s Own Junkyard, Walthamstow.
Now this tucked away gem in a modest warehouse is an Instagramers DREAM! With free entry, you’re allowed to wander round this maze of dazzling lights for as long as you desire. There are no professional cameras allowed so make sure you bring your smart phone with a lot of free space so you can capture as much as you’d like. It also has a little coffee shop in the corner that offers hot drinks, pastries and even a limited menu of cocktails, a great stop in-between your DIY photoshoots.
Leave a comment below and tell me if you’ve been here and what you thought, I’ll catch you next time!
Maisie's Musts 