The London battle: family visit vs. couple’s getawayLondon with or without kids

A great way to start your day is with an invigorating walk. A 15-minute stroll will take you from St Pancras International train station to the exciting Camden Town district. With its famous market, street performers, old-school pubs and alternative shops, offbeat Camden is a place you’ll remember long after your visit. You can easily spend a few hours here, browsing market stands with hand-crafted jewellery, clothing and other gadgets, sampling tasty street food or admiring the many street artworks.

Once you’ve seen everything Camden has to offer, head away from the bustle to the picturesque Regent’s Canal. You can walk along the canal from Camden Lock all the way to Little Venice, passing by London Zoo, Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill (from where – if you take the climb – you get some pretty great views over London). The canal walk is around 5 km, so do take a bottle of water when the weather’s hot.

From Little Venice, start heading to the city centre via Marylebone, one of London’s most underrated historic areas with independent boutiques and fabulous shops. Don’t forget to stop by Daunt Books, a beautiful Edwardian bookshop featuring oak galleries and a pitched glass roof.

It’s no wonder that right about then, you’ll be totally ready to have lunch ;-) If you like Indian cuisine, we can recommend Dishoom (Carnaby), which isn’t far from Marylebone and still in the direction of the city centre.

In the afternoon, stroll through Covent Garden (tip: look for Neal’s Yard, a quiet alley opening into a cosy courtyard) and follow the Thames Path to Tower of London. Keep walking and pass underneath Tower Bridge to find one of London’s most beautiful hidden gems, St Katharine Docks. The only central marina in London, the docks today offer a selection of cafés and restaurants and a quiet place to sit and relax.

A London visit of course isn’t complete without an afternoon tea, and why not have one in the trendy Shoreditch district? Book a table for two at the Jailhouse Bar within The Courthouse Hotel, housed in the former Old Street Magistrates Court, and enjoy a selection of sandwiches, pastries, cakes and teas that will make your mouth water.

READ ON: OUR LONDON ITINERARY FOR YOUR DAY WITH THE FAMILY >