Stonehenge; Photo by Katie Rebmann
My top ten favorite non-touristy attractions in jolly old London town.
1. Notoriously known as one of the best dance clubs in the world, Fabric is definitely a must-do for nightlife in London. The 25,000 square foot warehouse-sized venue boasts three different bars, but the piece de resistance is the enormous rave room with a “bodysonic” dance floor. Sections of the dance floor are attached to 400 bass transducers that allow clubbers to feel the music through bass frequencies transmitted through their feet. Saturday night is the best night to go: The Guardian called the weekly techno party “utterly compelling and highly unpredictable.”
2. Londoners forego prayer and piety on Sunday afternoons in favor of "The Church," a weekly party in Kentish Town from noon to 3:30 chock full of raucous games, musical performances, strippers, alcohol, and crazy acts like Church favorite Stevie Starr, who swallows anything from goldfish to lightbulbs and regurgitates them upon command. £7 admission, £7.50 for a three beer voucher.
3. Brits are bonkers about Indian food and any Londonite will tell you that Brick Lane boasts the best of the cuisine in the city. The primarily Bangladeshi populated East End street is home to dozens of cheap curry houses and street food vendors and is decorated with loads of gnarley graffiti. The ethnic spot also has some mad musical cred: The Killers filmed their music video, "All These Things That I've Done" there.
4. Spitalfields market is definitely the best way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon in London. Browse the dozens of stalls for kitschy antiques, unique clothing, international wines, exotic foods, and aromatic coffee, and if you feel the urge for a pint, head across the street to The Ten Bells pub, the old stomping grounds of Jack the Ripper. The historic pub is over 200 years old and is always packed to the gills with curious folk drawn to its creepy background.
5. Need a relaxing break from London’s constant hustle and bustle? Take a day trip out of the city to Stonehenge and Bath. Most tours start out at the colossal, awe-inspiring Stonehenge. A sundial, a healing center, an extraterrestrial edifice? The world may never know, but it’s fun to ponder anyway. Next stop, Bath. Lots of sickies journeyed to the Roman Baths in ancient times for its natural hot springs' fabled healing powers. This ancient marvel takes a couple of hours to explore, so choose your other Bath activities wisely. Pass on the yawn-worthy Jane Austen Centre, but check out the Fashion Museum for its world class collection of 18th century clothing.
6. The Blackfriar pub is both a popular lunch spot for the business set and a fantastic example of post-Victorian craftsmanship. Multicolored marble, detailed wall carvings, and intricate sculptures grace every nook and cranny and seem more fitting for an elaborate cathedral than a watering hole. Stop by for a pint of London Pride and get a table in the back room for a view of the extravagant mosaic ceiling.
7. Gucci, Fendi, Marni, Dior, Roger Vivier, Jimmy Choo, Chanel. These are just a smattering of the famous labels that contribute to Sloane Street’s reputation as a playground for fashion frenzied label whores. Don’t fret if you have no dough, though; the posh area is fun for window-shopping, too. But whether on a serious spree or just browsing, make sure to hit Harvey Nichols; the Sloane Street location is the prestigious chain department store’s original flagship.
8. Housed in the former Bankside Power Station since 2000, the Tate Modern museum has housed an eclectic range of bizarro exhibitions like "Work No. 850," which features real people sprinting through the museum as fast as they can every thirty seconds. Even the museum's exterior is a delight to the eyes - gigantic screenprinted murals of subjects like Japanese anime and a black and white photo of a menacing man pointing a gun directly at museumgoers grace the Tate's peripheral.
9. If you’re looking for something to do in London, Trafalgar Square is always hopping with merriment. Seemingly every weekend or holiday, a festival, parade, concert, or (if you’re political) a rally or protest is held at the historic square. Some notable cultural events hosted here every year are the Chinese New Year, St. Patrick’s Day, Diwali, and various Christmas celebrations.
2. Londoners forego prayer and piety on Sunday afternoons in favor of "The Church," a weekly party in Kentish Town from noon to 3:30 chock full of raucous games, musical performances, strippers, alcohol, and crazy acts like Church favorite Stevie Starr, who swallows anything from goldfish to lightbulbs and regurgitates them upon command. £7 admission, £7.50 for a three beer voucher.
3. Brits are bonkers about Indian food and any Londonite will tell you that Brick Lane boasts the best of the cuisine in the city. The primarily Bangladeshi populated East End street is home to dozens of cheap curry houses and street food vendors and is decorated with loads of gnarley graffiti. The ethnic spot also has some mad musical cred: The Killers filmed their music video, "All These Things That I've Done" there.
4. Spitalfields market is definitely the best way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon in London. Browse the dozens of stalls for kitschy antiques, unique clothing, international wines, exotic foods, and aromatic coffee, and if you feel the urge for a pint, head across the street to The Ten Bells pub, the old stomping grounds of Jack the Ripper. The historic pub is over 200 years old and is always packed to the gills with curious folk drawn to its creepy background.
5. Need a relaxing break from London’s constant hustle and bustle? Take a day trip out of the city to Stonehenge and Bath. Most tours start out at the colossal, awe-inspiring Stonehenge. A sundial, a healing center, an extraterrestrial edifice? The world may never know, but it’s fun to ponder anyway. Next stop, Bath. Lots of sickies journeyed to the Roman Baths in ancient times for its natural hot springs' fabled healing powers. This ancient marvel takes a couple of hours to explore, so choose your other Bath activities wisely. Pass on the yawn-worthy Jane Austen Centre, but check out the Fashion Museum for its world class collection of 18th century clothing.
6. The Blackfriar pub is both a popular lunch spot for the business set and a fantastic example of post-Victorian craftsmanship. Multicolored marble, detailed wall carvings, and intricate sculptures grace every nook and cranny and seem more fitting for an elaborate cathedral than a watering hole. Stop by for a pint of London Pride and get a table in the back room for a view of the extravagant mosaic ceiling.
7. Gucci, Fendi, Marni, Dior, Roger Vivier, Jimmy Choo, Chanel. These are just a smattering of the famous labels that contribute to Sloane Street’s reputation as a playground for fashion frenzied label whores. Don’t fret if you have no dough, though; the posh area is fun for window-shopping, too. But whether on a serious spree or just browsing, make sure to hit Harvey Nichols; the Sloane Street location is the prestigious chain department store’s original flagship.
8. Housed in the former Bankside Power Station since 2000, the Tate Modern museum has housed an eclectic range of bizarro exhibitions like "Work No. 850," which features real people sprinting through the museum as fast as they can every thirty seconds. Even the museum's exterior is a delight to the eyes - gigantic screenprinted murals of subjects like Japanese anime and a black and white photo of a menacing man pointing a gun directly at museumgoers grace the Tate's peripheral.
9. If you’re looking for something to do in London, Trafalgar Square is always hopping with merriment. Seemingly every weekend or holiday, a festival, parade, concert, or (if you’re political) a rally or protest is held at the historic square. Some notable cultural events hosted here every year are the Chinese New Year, St. Patrick’s Day, Diwali, and various Christmas celebrations.
10. Leicester Square is the heart of London's storied cinema district, and an array of the A-list are inevitably bound to grace the area for star-studded movie premiers. For those who don't give a hoot about crackpot celebs, the square features an impressive lineup of top-notch musicals like Wicked and Billy Elliot at the various theater venues. And for those who prefer booze over theater (you know who you are, you lushes), there are plenty of trendy clubs in the area, including O'Neills, a two-story spot with a huge dance floor and fantastic live music.
