I've published a list of hotels, restaurants and museums that I recommend, now let me give you ideas on how to spend your days in the city. I'm not going to write about the obvious attractions you must go to if you visit London for the first time, instead here are my favourite places slightly of the beaten tracks.
WALK ALONG REGENT'S CANAL
There's one walk I love if I want to avoid the busy streets of London and it takes you along the banks of Regent's Canal, you start off at the back of Kings Cross Station at Coal Drops Yard. This lovely walk will take you past Camden Market, Regent's Park and you'll end up in Little Venice next to Paddington Station. You could also call it the walk from platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station to the statue of Paddington bear at Paddington Station.
As you can see from the pictures I took, it has very different atmospheres along the walk and you will find plenty of cafés to stop along the way.
NOTTING HILL
Another fun walk is Notting Hill, I know it's a classic but there is an atmosphere of local community that feel like you are in a village. To enjoy it, just get lost and soak up the colours.
The obvious ones are the colourful houses in Portobello Road, St Luke's Mews, Lancaster Road, Colville Terrace, and Elgin Crescent.Â
Then you have a cute florist between Westbourne Grove and Colville road called Wild at Heart. We stopped to have a little bite to eat at Martina London, an small Italian restaurant at the front of an original clothing and jewellery store.
THE MAGICAL GARDENS AROUND THE BARBICAN
All around the Barbican, you have the most beautiful and peaceful gardens that go unnoticed by most of the tourist.
1 Christchurch Greyfriars Church Garden
A true hidden rose garden in the City of London just behind the London Stock Exchange and Saint Paul's cathedral. The best time of the year to visit is during the summer months when the flowers are in full bloom with the roses climbing the pergolas.
2 Charterhouse Square
The Charterhouse Square has six courtyard gardens within our walls, just on the edge of the City of London.
The Charterhouse has been an almshouse since 1611, offering accommodation for those in need. It has also been a medieval monastery, a grand Tudor mansion and a school. If you have the time, join a guided tour to visit on this unique hidden gem.
To get from Charterhouse to the museum of the Order of St John, go through Passing Alley which was called Pissing Alley in the past.


3 The order of St John
From the museum of the Order of St John make your way to Cloister garden of the order of St John in Clerkenwell, which is my absolute favourite. This is the most peaceful magical garden just for you, unless it used for a champagne or wedding venue.
The garden gates are just in front of the entrance to the Museum of the order of St John on St. John's Square.
4 The Barbican
The Barbican is an icon of Brutalist architecture, and one of the UK’s architectural treasures. The Barbican is consider a city within a city that is raised above street level with over 2,000 flats, organised around schools, a church, a library, an artificial lake, conservatory and an entire arts centre.
You are free to explore the Barbican Centre's public spaces, cafes and restaurants to the highwalks and estate gardens or you can join a guide for a more in-depth explanation about the Barbican's architecture.
It's a bit of a maze to get out of the Barbican but if or when you do, go to the back of the Barbican Centre in the tunnel of Golden Lane and you will find two protected graffitis from Banksy and Basquiat.
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