London is calling once again.
Yes I’ve been to London already this year and yes I am going back in November (Oops don’t think I’ve mentioned that on here 😀 ).. and the one question most people ask me is:
“But you’ve been to London so why would you go again?”
Honestly that question kind of baffles me. I mean I live in Australia but it doesn’t mean I’ve seen all of it. I am from New Zealand but it wasn’t until I went on a cruise to Alaska that I actually saw my first glacier.
So, yes I am going to London.. again. And instead of trying to defend my decision to go back, I thought I would do a post about my London Wish List because even though I have been there 4 times already, I sure as hell haven’t seen all that I want to see.
Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden
Photo courtesy of Mikel Ortega, Flickr
Technically I have been to the Covent Garden area because that’s where I got my tattoo but I haven’t really explored the streets and Neal’s Yard is one of those places that is hidden in the seemingly never-ending winding streets of central London.
God’s Own Junkyard
Photo courtesy of G Travels, Flickr
I found out about God’s Own’s Junkyard sometime after my first visit to London and it has been on the list of places I want to visit ever since. I still haven’t gotten there. The neon sign filled junkyard is kind of out-of-the-way in Walthamstow but I really, really, really want to go there on my next visit so I am trying hard to make that happen.
Camden
Photo courtesy of Charanjit Chana, Flickr
Yes, I have been to London 4 times and no I haven’t been to Camden before. To be fair though, I haven’t been into Westminster Abbey either but that is more out of the principle that I don’t believe I should have to pay £20.00 (around AUD33) and NOT be allowed to take photos. Anyhoo, I have discovered that there is a bus just around the corner from my accommodation that will take me right to Camden Lock so I really have no excuse this visit not to go to the Camden area!
Notting Hill
Photo courtesy of Sergii Gulenok, Flickr
There is so much to discover in the Notting Hill area and the two things I am most interested in are the painted houses and the Mews – you know, those hidden little pockets of awesome that people actually get to live in!
Greenwich
Photo courtesy of Gary J Wood, Flickr
Yeah, I know… I’ve been to Greenwich many a time before. It is my favourite part of London after all BUT I haven’t really explored the streets of Greenwich. I tend to stick to the Old Royal Naval College because I love it so much! But this next visit I really want to wander the streets of this area a bit more.
Natural History Museum
Photo courtesy of chee.hong, Flickr
I actually only want to visit this place just to take this photo! It’s a bit sad really but I am not really a museumsy kind of person but I am an architecture kind of person so hence there reason I want this photo!
St Paul’s Cathedral
Photo courtesy of Derek Σωκράτης Finch, Flickr
Again, I have been to & past St Paul’s on more than one occasion – it’s hard when you have favourite buildings, you want to photograph them every which way. I have been slowly ticking things off my photographic bucket list, but I keep adding things like this one to that list. I would really love to go here first thing in the morning or at sunset/dusk to try out some different photography with this gorgeous building.
Leadenhall Markets
Photo courtesy of barnyz, Flickr
Another place that has been on my London Wish List for a very long time, Leadenhall Markets in the City of London. There has been a market in this area since around the 14th century but the building today is distinctly Victoria and looks stunning! I’d love to go here on a Saturday or Sunday where there is no one around but also during the week to see it in action.
Baker Street Station
Photo by ME!
On my first visit to London back in 2010, I spent a lot of time transiting through Baker Street Station and it kind of made a lasting imprint on me. I would love to go back and check out more of the details of this historic station – did you know, it is one of the oldest underground stations in the world! There is also two other facts about this station – Sherlock Holmes use to live around the corner (really he did).. and so did my ancestors. I’d love to stand on the platform that has virtually been the same since it first opened .. way back in 1863 and perhaps walk in the footsteps of my ancestors.
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”
Samuel Johnson
So there you have it.. my current London Wish List – which seems to grow each time I go there.
Do you have any tips on places I should add to the list?
I’m always looking for new and interesting places in London 🙂
Hello World. It's Me, Sarah 
love this list! I only haven’t done God’s Own’s Junkyard:) maybe you should do Hampstead too? loved it last year:) or one of the London views such as the Sky garden or Primrose hill (close to Camden ) for free? or go on London Eye or the Shard or the Emirates Air line? if you already haven’t done them:)
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Hahaha thanks for the 1000 tips hehe. I’ve done the Eye & the Sky Garden but not the other places. Haven’t been to Hampstead either! So many places to visit. I might check out the Emirates Air Line this time though
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you’re welcome:))
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Very eclectic mix. Neal’s yard always looks good on Instagram but is very touristy. Like the previous person said, Hampstead Heath is a good trip; you can visit Freud’s house there too. Shoreditch and Brick lane if you haven’t been; lots of street art, vintage shops and the best bagels ever, Richmond is quite cool for a day too. In November there’s normally christmas markets springing up everywhere. Enjoy 🙂
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Thanks for the tips. I have been to Brick Lane & wandered around Shoreditch a bit but I do love street art so would like to go back and explore some more. I stuck to Brick Lane so would like to go down the side streets a bit more next time 😊
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Surely, you could go to London a couple times every year and only scratch the surface!
Camden was one of my favourite areas. The market, the people watching, the walk along the canal… so much to take in! The little (life-size) statue of Amy Winehouse stopped me in my tracks for a moment of thanks tinged with sadness.
My London wishlist includes Kew Gardens in every season. It was spectacular in November, but it’s calling for my return.
Looking forward to the post(s) after your trip!
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Oh Kew Gardens! I didn’t even think of that. I imagine in Autumn it would be amazing. I need to venture more outside the city limits! I agree though, London has so much going for it that you could spend a lifetime there but never seen it all
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Do eat in Dishoom in King’s Cross, St. Pancras, and check out Word on the Water, a floating bookshop on the canal that will pique your curiosity if you love reading. Both are experiences. Would it be possible for you to trace where you ancestors lived on Baker Street? Might be fascinating. That is a lovely list btw. You can truly never tire of London or have enough of it xx
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I do know where my ancestors lived but names of streets have changed & I don’t think the buildings are there anymore. They were just off Baker St. But I do know of another street just around the corner from Lancaster Gate where they lived & had a bakery. Building is still there so will be checking that out this time 😊 .. thanks for the tips!
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Will wait to read your post then. It is so exciting to trace the footsteps of your own people (and others too as a history buff) xx
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I agree! I’ve been a few placea in England where my ancestors have come from. It always makes me wonder how they all met for me to come along 😂😂
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Hmm letting the imagination take you places, even to those ages ago, is the perfect way to travel. You have the present and the past at one go! xx
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I didn’t realize ’til about half way through the post that these pictures weren’t yours. They totally could be! I can’t wait to see your pics though. You have a great eye! I also can’t wait to read more about London so I knew what to see next time I’m there. 🙂
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Haha thank you indeed! I’m rather excited for this trip. I’ve never just focused on London before. Usually I also go elsewhere in England (tho I am toying with the idea of a day trip to either Cambridge or Bristol)..
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GO TO CAMBRIDGE!!! That’s where Fella grew up so we had to make a pit-stop there and I really wish we had more time. You won’t regret it! Promise!!
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Haha ok you’ve convinced me. It’s been on my list for ages but I just haven’t been there! I think it’s only about an hour on the train too.
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Yay!! 😀
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I do love Camden Lock and the whole of that stretch of canal north of King’s Cross is worth walking. 🙂 🙂 Have a wonderful time!
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Thanks 🙂 I am really looking forward to checking out this area. All the photos I’ve see make it look amazing
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