If you plan to visit London, odds are you'll have cloudy weather. In August, the city's sunniest month, 55 % of the days are overcast and by December that number increases to 79 %, according to weather-and-climate.com.
So, when you get a beautiful, clear day in London, it's best to spend it outside enjoying the gardens, courtyards and outdoor venues. Here are five fun ways to do just that.
Dine on Street Food at Borough Market
Arrive hungry and enjoy the sights, sounds and especially the tastes of Borough Market. This historic market, with a heritage dating back 1,000 years, is a food lovers' dream with more than 100 choices among the food stalls, carts, restaurants and bars.
There’s everything from baked goods to burgers. Plus, selections of wine, olive oil, cheese, meat, seafood and more.
A can’t miss is Humble Crumble where shortbread crumble is the star of a customizable dessert. When ordering, choose among the crumble fruit bases, such as apple and cinnamon.
Then, choose among the more than 10 toppings including frozen custard, whipped cream and toasted marshmallow. If you want to top everything off with a garnish, try the edible rose petals or crushed meringue. Yum!
Another market standout are the delicious meat pies by Pieminister. There’s everything from traditional English meat and ale pies to chicken pies with chestnut and portobello mushrooms.
If you’re craving a unique and hearty sandwich, then check out The Black Pig. A delicious choice is the slow-roasted pork sandwich with honey-truffle mayo and apple slaw on toasted ciabatta bread topped with parmesan. The sandwich, which is huge, is toasted over coals, adding a nice touch to the flavor profile.
Borough Market is just over the London Bridge. It's spread over several acres and divided into sections. The market is open-air, but mostly covered by the overhead train tracks. The tall, brick arches are a reminder of the market's Victorian past.
There’s a deck platform in the Borough Market Kitchen section that’s a perfect place to sit on a sunny day.
The market is open six days a week. Visit its website for operating times and vendor descriptions and locations.
Have Drinks and Bites at the Claude Bosie Oyster Bar
Head to the beautiful Chelsea section of London to The Oyster Bar of acclaimed French chef Claude Bosi, for a relaxing drink and delicious food.
The restaurant, on the ground floor (street level) of the historic Michelin House, is a setting like no other. The art-deco building was once Michelin tire’s U.K. headquarters and even had a tire changing area out front.
Today, the building is completely transformed and nods to its heritage loom large, including the stained glass window featuring a smiling Bibendum, a.k.a the Michelin man.
The Oyster Bar has indoor dining, but on nice days the semi-open patio and street-side dining are especially nice. In the patio, light floods through the large windows for a warm and charming café atmosphere. The ambiance is relaxing and the people-watching is perfect.
If having a neighborhood feel was Bosi’s goal, he achieved it. There’s even a small florist stand, Petals at Bibendum, tucked into the opposite side of the patio. During our meal, locals popped in for a bouquet. Charming!
Of course, the food is delicious. It's also reasonably priced, which is a nice surprise considering Bosi is an award-winning chef whose name-sake restaurant (on the building’s first floor) has two Michelin dining stars.
At the Oyster Bar, seafood and shellfish are the menu’s main focus. My crab orecchiette entrée tasted so good, it took all my restraint to eat slowly.
The entrée offerings are wonderful, but you can also make a meal out of the starters and the wide selection of oysters on the half shell. Be sure to try something from the bar. My pre-dinner cocktail, a lavender cooler, was a yummy blend of Botanist Gin, lychee juice, lavender and lemon juice.
To add to your experience, visit the Michelin Guide’s website to learn a little history about the Michelin House building before you arrive. You can also learn how a tire company became the preeminent reviewer of restaurants.
Relax in St. James Park
The tranquil gardens of St. James Park, part of the Royal Parks system, are perfect for a sunny day and a more relaxing way to enjoy some pomp and circumstance without getting stuck among the crowds.
We started our journey through the park near the Queen Victoria Memorial. This large gold and marble monument to the former queen is just beyond the gates to Buckingham Palace.
You can’t see the palace guards from this vantage point, but you can enjoy the beauty of the royal residence and the memorial without being mobbed by people.
St. James' Park is bordered by the processional Mall, Birdcage Walk and Horse Guards Road. The path through the park leads from the palace to White Hall where the Royal Horse Guard changes command.
Along the way are grassy areas nestled among tall trees and lush, landscaped flower beds. St. James' Lake stretches through most of the park and is home to ducks and geese.
Close to White Hall is St. James' Café overlooking part of the lake and Duck Island. The café serves breakfast and lunch, as well as delicious coffee, pastries, and grab-and-go items.
The cafe has a large, indoor seating area, but on a sunny day, choose either the main patio deck or the rooftop deck. Both have a beautiful views of the tree tops, the skyline and the London Eye.
If you time it right, after you enjoy a coffee, walk to the corner of the Mall and Horse Guards Road to watch the Royal Horse Guard march by. The regalia of the calvary and their horses is impressive and beautiful.
Stroll Along the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
Following the memorial walk honoring Princess Diana is a wonderful way to see some of the most beautiful areas of London. The the seven-mile loop includes four royal gardens and sites significant in Princess Diana’s life.
The walk, along with a playground in Kensington Gardens, celebrates Diana's love of children and the open spaces around Kensington Palace, her former home.
The route is marked with medallion-like plaques featuring a rose emblem. The rose symbolizes Princess Diana’s "enduring image" and "Britain’s traditions and heritage," according to the Royal Parks website.
The path winds through Kensington Gardens and then splits for a choice to go either over or around Serpentine Lake to reach Hyde Park. The path continues on through Green Park and then St. James' Park.
In addition to the beautiful grounds and active wildlife, highlights along the walk include the Peter Pan statue, Kensington Palace, the Albert Memorial, the Rose Garden, the Spencer House and the Joy of Life/Four Winds Fountain statue.
Spencer House, an 18th-century home revered for its architecture and grandeur, was built for Princess Diana’s ancestor, John, the first Earl Spencer. For a short detour along the memorial walk, you can tour the home’s state rooms and garden on Sundays (except in August) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advanced booking is required and guided tours last one hour.
Additional royal residences along the walk include Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and St. James’ Palace. For a downloadable map of the walk and additional information, visit the Royal Park's website.
Check Out the Shopping and Public Art in Notting Hill
Notting Hill is one of London’s most eclectic and diverse communities. It’s also home to the historic Portobello Market, one of the most famous street markets in the world.
A trip to the market is an experience like no other. It pulsates with energy as crowds of people move among the vendors while music and the smell of food fill the air.
Stall vendors along the street sell everything you can imagine including jewelry, art, antiques, food and vintage items, such as records and clothing. The buildings lining the street are home to interesting shops and places to eat, as well.
We found ourselves captivated by botanical prints and antique maps from around the world in The Portobello Market and Print Shop.
In addition to the market is the uniqueness of Notting Hill itself, especially its public art. The tall slim buildings are painted in pastel and bright colors, while others are adorned with murals.
Also, art installations and street art are found throughout the neighborhood. Be sure to check out Graffik Gallery, which focuses solely on urban and street art.
The market stretches for about a mile down Portobello Road and Golborne Road. Expect a crowd everyday, but the biggest market is Saturday, followed by Friday as a close second.
The market is open Monday-Saturday, but times vary based on the season. Check out visitportbello.com for update-to-date operating times and news about special events.
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