24 Hours in London - Where to Eat, Shop, and Play in my Hometown

A Venturing Nomad.

The UK capital city, the city of my birth, and a truly world destination, no matter where the wind blows me, London is, and always will be, my centre and home. Born here, I've been visiting regularly since the age of 10, and I've lived and worked here from 18 to 39. The city feels more like a small town, or even a collection of villages, with each area having its own distinct feeling, vibe, and character.

It was a recent, late-night conversation on travelling with an amazing collection of friends who, between them, have circumnavigated our planet more times than I can count. The question came back, repeatedly - what would you do if you had 24 hours to spend in your hometown, and here’s the important bit....on your own!

When you know a place so well, with someone else in tow, no matter how much they mean to you, inevitably, you become the de facto ‘tour-guide’, so when thrown down, this selfish gauntlet was even more enticing.

My perfect 24 hours....Well, I guess it starts with breakfast, and if I had to pick just one place, it would have to be The Ritz. Known for its afternoon tea, I prefer its breakfast. Its gentle and grand ambience in the mornings transports you from the bustling Piccadilly, back in time to a sense of serenity and semblance rarely found. Before even entering the salon, with its impressive vista across Green Park, the sumptuousness of the pink and green silk carpet beneath your feet has you gliding along the gilded corridor. Not on the inexpensive end of the spectrum, this is a treat, so expect to pay for the experience. www.ritzlondon.com for all you need to know.

To continue our foodie day, for now, lunch for me would be in Chinatown, more specifically, The Lotus Garden on the corner of Macclesfield Street, which could not be further from the ambience of our breakfast beginnings. Like stepping into a Hong Kong tea house in Tsim Sha Tsui, this fast and noisy eatery is filled with the sounds and scents of Sai Kung. Trays of steaming dishes on hard porcelain rattle as they are whisked to the table, none of the reserved service from our breakfast encounter, more functional than fast food. My favourite spot is on the first floor, where you can grab a seat by the window and breathe in the atmosphere of Gerrard Street. The swinging vibrant red Chinese lanterns are now at eye level, and the chitter chatter from the streets below transports you emotionally to Asia in a blink. Pancake starters and noodles for main are my go-to comfort foods, but the lack of Westerners in this, mainly Chinese-frequented restaurant, is only tantamount to the authenticity. Instagram: @lotusgardenchinatown for all the necessary information.

As we naturally transition into Dinner, my go-to spot is Soho for the best Italian pizza experience outside of Napoli. La Porchetta and Pollo Bar on Old Compton Street would have you forgetting you are actually in London. Sit outside on a summers evening, enjoy a glass of your favourite tipple, mine happens to be Prosecco, but their list of libations is endless, and enjoy the garlic pizza bread sent straight from heaven, sit back, relax and listen to the eight track of true Italian vibe, whilst the superb spectacle of Soho puts on your very own street performance . Instagram @laporchettapollobar for all the necessary bits and bobs.

So whilst we have dealt with a foodie 24 hours, shopping and general activities are still to be found.

For a glass of bubbles, my heavenly havens are the rooftop at St James Hotel, Trafalgar Square, or the champagne bar at Searcys St Pancras Station. Both offer a sense of space and air from a busy city, and both are great for people-watching. One from a Birds Eye perspective, and the other simply by sitting by the mighty Eurostar trains impatiently waiting to depart for mainland Europe. The latter may just win out, as where else in the world do you get a champagne button!

Shopping, for me, who isn’t the best shopper in the world, Covent Garden is a must for a wander. The shops are pretty much general high street, but the ever-present Apple Market offers an alternative to the mass-produced offerings found elsewhere, with handmade crafts and gifts. 

A short tube or bus ride to Harringay Green Lanes transports you to Turkey for an hour, with the shops, sights, sounds, and smells of the Turkish grill or Mangal rising above everything else, even masking the cars. For information, this road is nearly always gridlocked!

A more serene and stately experience can be found wandering the Burlington Arcade, where window shopping is the order of the day. Open since 1819, this covered, elegant, and exclusive collection of shops has remained true to its design and continues to host luxury jewellery and watches, and is ‘patrolled’ by Beadles. Gentlemen in traditional uniforms of red coats and top hats, and said to discourage singing, humming, hurrying, and behaving boisterously!

From eating and shopping, there is always something on in London, and a quick flick through Time Out will definitely offer something to do, usually free of charge. This September, for me, is the Tusk Turtle trail, 16 hand-painted by the likes of Ronnie Wood, dotted around to raise awareness and ultimately funds via auction for its organiser, Tusk. www.tusk.org for general info and a map.

As our perfect day draws to a close, however much one loves London, sometimes it can be a tad overbearing; for me, the best antidote to that is space and fresh air. Whilst one of the many parks could be a refuge, I prefer the River and on this occasion a boat trip from Westminster to Greenwich, place of my birth and the topic of a whole other article...watch this space! Adieu

Not travelling overseas until age 19, this Venturing Nomad's work and life have taken her to just under 70 countries, with more adventures always planned. Twelve years as a Diplomat led to excitement and adventures across the globe, and she is now enjoying travelling with her young daughter and seeing the world afresh through her eyes.

A published author in fact and fiction, she firmly believes in the mantra "take only photos - leave only footprints". More of a feeder than a foodie, she has cooked her way around the globe, from the hill tribes in Thailand, Nonna's kitchen in Italy to the beachfront hotel in Morocco. There is always a story and, more importantly, a recipe.

You can contact her at [email protected]  or find out more on Instagram