London Life Hacks: Exploring London Hello! I am Josh, a Study Abroad Peer Advisor. Welcome to my London Geography guide. As you can see from my beautiful photos below, I know a thing or two about nice areas of London. I hope this guide provides you with useful ‘off the beaten track’ ideas of where to spend your free time in London.

The Shard

Brick Lane Westbourne Grove North London

Area: Primrose Hill Tube: Chalk Farm (Northern Line), 15 minutes from Waterloo. Why go? My favourite part of London is not just a vista point - its main street (Regent’s Park Road) houses quaint cafés and boutiques. Greenberry café is my favourite, go for the waffles.

Area: Hampstead Village Tube: Hampstead (Northern Line), 25 minutes from Waterloo. Why go? The village of Hampstead is hilly, green, and very reminiscent of a village in the Cotswolds. Check out Hampstead Heath for an abundance of green space, as well as a

Area: Little Venice Tube: Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo Line), 20 minutes from Waterloo. Why go? I come here a lot just to have a wander around the peaceful canals of North London. There are lots of places to get a nice coffee by the water, and it’s well worth walking all the way to the gorgeous South London

Area: Peckham, specifically Rye Lane

Tube: Peckham Rye (Overground), 30 minutes from Waterloo. Or get the bus for 30 minutes. Why go? Make time for a unique and trendy part of London that is far off the tourist track. I like visiting the Peckhamplex (and so does my bank account) for an incredibly cheap movie, the Bussey Building for an alternative night out, and eating or drinking at one of the breweries or cafés. Click here for a great guide to Peckham.

Area: Richmond Park Tube: Mortlake (National rail), 35 minutes from Wa- terloo. Why go? It’s three times the size of Central Park but has not even a third of the fame. This southwest park is a beautiful oasis worth getting lost in. Make sure you go early to see the deer! If you need a bite to eat, go to the leafy Petersham Nurseries.

Area: Greenwich Tube: Greenwich (DLR), 30 minutes from Waterloo. Why go? I love wandering around this quaint ‘village’, which houses Greenwich Market and a beautiful royal park. You can stand on the Greenwich Mean Time line at the Royal Observatory too. Check out the Instagram here. West London

Area: Notting Hill/Westbourne Grove Tube: Notting Hill Gate (Central), 15 minutes from Waterloo. Why go? I am sure you are aware of Notting Hill from the Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant film, and yes – it is as lovely as you’d expect. Go to Portobello Road Market, check out the plush Electric Cinema, and make sure you give time to West- bourne Grove at the other end of the market. My favourite places to eat around here are Farm Girl and Daylesford.

Area: Shepherd’s Bush/Westfield Tube: Shepherd’s Bush (Central Line), 20 minutes from Waterloo. Why go? This is one of the biggest and best shopping centres (mall) in London. It has everything.

Area: Kensington Gardens Tube: Kensington High Street (Circle) Line), 25 minutes from Waterloo. Why go? In the summer I like to grab a bite to eat from Whole Foods and sit in the gardens surrounding Prince William’s London abode, pretending I live there. The gardens themselves are very pretty and they are at- tached to Hyde Park. The Roof Gardens is a nearby bar and restaurant for a nice evening drink. East London

Area: Stoke Newington Tube: Stoke Newington (Overground), 35 minutes from Waterloo. Why go? There’s a lot see in London’s newest ‘it’ area, known as Stokey to the locals. From the beau- tiful Clissold Park, the old streets around Church Street, to the farmer’s market on Saturdays. I’ve only been here a few times but I can’t wait to go and see more of it.

Area: Shoreditch

Tube: Shoreditch High Street (Overground), 20 minutes from Waterloo. Why go? An unlimited amount of quirky bars and restaurants await you. My favourite bar in Lon- don (the world maybe?) is here: The Cocktail Trading Company, I highly recommend the snow globe.

Area: Bethnal Green Tube: Bethnal Green (Central Line), 20 minutes from Wa- terloo. Why go? Often overshadowed by neighbour Shoreditch, Bethnal Green has a lot to offer. I like the Arch Gallery by the tube station, they have live jazz every week as well as excellent cocktails. This edgy borough also has the beauti- ful Columbia Road flower market every Sunday amongst its old Victorian streets.

Near Campus

Area: Lincoln’s Inn Field Where: 10-minute walk from Strand Campus, be- hind the library. Why go? I come to this small park when I need a break from the busy Strand or if I’m cooped up in the library all day. In the centre of the park is a really nice café (Fields Bar & Kitchen) which offers a stu- dent discount!

Area: St James’s Park

Where: 20-minute walk from Strand Campus. Why go? If you have a long gap between classes, it’s nice to explore around Buckingham Palace and Westminster. I do this a lot in the summer, and sometimes come here after class and have a walk around before heading home.

Area: Potters Fields Park Where: 10-minute walk from Guy’s Campus. Why go? This small stretch of green is right on the river by Tower Bridge, and has food stalls in the warmer months! Alternatively, grab a bite to eat from Borough Market and walk over for a relax between lectures.