by Gabriele Gzimailaite

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I have now lived in London for more than half of my whole life, so I get to call it home, and when I go back to Lithuania, I don't call it home anymore. I haven't for a long time. One thing that comes with blogging, being on social media and living in London, is a hundred messages asking about the top places to visit in London every year. That's why I've decided it's finally time to sit down and do this blog post. I really hope this will be helpful to whoever stumbles across this blog post and you have an amazing time in London! p.s I will not talk about touristy spots like Big Ben, because we all know them and you can find those on Google.
DISCLAIMER: I know there are probably thousands of even more amazing places, but I obviously cannot visit all, and am only sharing what I personally like.

COOL PLACES TO EAT & DRINK

BALLIE BALLERSON - A bar which has 2 adult ball pits to jump in, while having drinks and pizzas with your friends. This is definitely worth a visit if you're looking for something more fun than your traditional bar/pub. Book in advance.

SUSHI SAMBA/DUCK & WAFFLE - I put these into the same title because one is under the other. If I'm not mistaken Duck & Waffle is 40th floor and Sushi Samba is one below. Both amazing places. As you guessed one serves sushi and the other, duck and waffle. Or just waffles, or just duck. I love both of those but if I had to choose one it would be breakfast at Duck&Waffle. Make sure you book in advance. It's worth it, the view and the food is great.
LETO - One of the places to eat where you will never be disappointed. I've probably tried half of the menu by now, but it's truly delicious. Must have item is the iced coffee. Never seen anything like it before. The coffee is frozen into ice cubes and you pour sweet vanilla milk on top. You have to see for yourself. There are a few locations, my favourite is Knightsbridge and Soho.

SKETCH - I've only been to sketch twice, but it's definitely a place you will always remember, and it's super Instagramable. You actually kind of feel like you're on a set of The Grand Budapest Hotel. Make sure you book in advance, and of-course, it has to be the 'pink' room to feel the vibes I'm talking about.

AUBAINE SELFRIDGES - I have a love/hate relationship with this place. I love it for the decoration which is beautiful purple flowers hanging from the ceiling, but the menu is quite disappointing, especially because other Aubaine locations have way better menus. So you have to be the decision maker here, if you're looking for an Instagramable cafe, this is the one.

THE BREAKFAST CLUB - Probably the best pancakes in the world. Ok maybe in London. But if you're craving some fluffy delicious pancakes, or eggs even, you have to visit TBC. I would recommend coming as early as possible on a week day (queues get quite crazy in the Soho branch). On a weekend I would say go after 4pm (I know it's not breakfast anymore, but you won't be sorry).

ROOFTOPS

JOHN LEWIS ROOFTOP - This one is on the roof of John Lewis in Oxford street. They have quite chilled areas, and also a bar/food area so you can either order and take it to your chair or sit at the table and have some food. The vibe is pretty good but the only downside, there is no view and sometimes on a hot day there is a queue to get in.

RADIO ROOFTOP BAR - This one has pretty good views of London, is quite chilled and the times I've been doesn't really get too busy. This is probably one of my favourite rooftops.

MADISON - This is a nice one, the location is amazing because the bar is on the roof of a shopping centre right next to St Paul's, so the views you get are beautiful. If I remember right it's quite pricey, but if you're just going for a couple of drinks should be ok.

SHOPPING

I wasn't going to include this section, but I thought maybe you'd like to know where the best place to shop is, because they all depend on the time of the day and the actual day you go.

OXFORD STREET / REGENT STREET -  Many people are confused about these two streets, but they actually are right next to each other. You turn to Regent street in the middle of Oxford street (Oxford street station). Oxford street is kind of more high street stores like Primark, Topshop, Urban Outfitters, River Island and so on. Regent street is luxury high street with stores like All Saints, Kate Spade, Micheal Kors, Karl Lagerfeld and so on. My biggest recommendation would be to go in the morning. Get there at 10am and do your shopping. Because if you go around 4pm, you will hate life. It gets crazy busy to the point where you feel tired of shopping in 10 minutes and want to go to a bar, get drunk and forget this stress. The only good thing is that you can find all the stores you will ever need here, and if you are after designer, go to Bond Street which is also very close!

WESTFIELD - This place is great if the weather's not too good and you want to be inside. If you prefer Stratford, go in the morning also, or after 7/8pm on a weekday. Westfield White City seemed to be empty most of the times I've been there, and they have a few designer stores like Gucci and Prada, Stratford does not.

BICESTER VILLAGE - If you have enough time I would really recommend to visit Bicester Village. It's about 50mins by train from London Marylebone station (book train tickets in advance). It's one of the best outlets that I love visiting and I actually did a post about it before, so I will link it right here.

FREE THINGS TO DO

SKYGARDEN - Beautiful views of London from above. It's like a jungle in the sky. Free entry, just make sure you book 2-3 weeks in advance because you cannot get in without the free ticket.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM - If you like museums, you are lucky in London. Most of them are free to everyone, so you can never run out of things to visit. The Natural History Museum is quite interesting with lots to see and explore. You could also visit the Science museum which is right next to the History one! This is the perfect place to go before Christmas, because what you will find right in front of  the Natural History Museum is a huge ice rink, with lights all around, hot chocolate and mulled wine being sold, you have to see it with your own eyes. You almost feel like you're in Home Alone.

V&A MUSEUM - This has to be my favourite. The two museums above and this one are all next to each other, so you can visit them all in one day. With free entry, why not right? This is my favourite because they actually have these rooms with huge statues everywhere and I don't know why but I find that so calming. I could sit there for hours admiring the statues. Also, you can take pictures which is pretty great because the place is super Instagramable with marble staircases and hallways.

SOMERSET HOUSE - I don't even know what to call this place, but they sometimes have great exhibitions which are usually free, so make sure you check out 'what's on' before visiting. Around Christmas time there is also a huge ice rink here, with a beautiful Christmas tree and bars around.

RICHOMD PARK - Get to Richmond for a beautiful stroll along side the river, visit the beautiful park and another huge park/forest area that has deers. Yes, actual deers running around. If you google the location you will be able to find it, we asked the Uber driver to just drive us there and so he did. Best day ever.

HAMPSTEAD - Every time I tell someone about this place, they always think it's really far. Yes, it's not Central London, but trust me, it's the most beautiful place that you will remember for sure. It feels like you're not even in London anymore but actually it's only 2 stops from Central. While you're there, also visit the Hampstead Pergola, you won't regret it. Check the opening times, sometimes it closes early in the Winter.

And I think that's it. I could add so much more, but I am sure you would get tired reading this and would hate to pick from 50 food places and 50 bars. I tried to list places that are a MUST. I also made a video 2 years ago on the best places to eat.


WHAT TO DO/WHERE TO EAT IN LONDON

I have now lived in London for more than half of my whole life, so I get to call it home, and when I go back to Lithuania, I don't call it home anymore. I haven't for a long time. One thing that comes with blogging, being on social media and living in London, is a hundred messages asking about the top places to visit in London every year. That's why I've decided it's finally time to sit down and do this blog post. I really hope this will be helpful to whoever stumbles across this blog post and you have an amazing time in London! p.s I will not talk about touristy spots like Big Ben, because we all know them and you can find those on Google.
DISCLAIMER: I know there are probably thousands of even more amazing places, but I obviously cannot visit all, and am only sharing what I personally like.

COOL PLACES TO EAT & DRINK

BALLIE BALLERSON - A bar which has 2 adult ball pits to jump in, while having drinks and pizzas with your friends. This is definitely worth a visit if you're looking for something more fun than your traditional bar/pub. Book in advance.

SUSHI SAMBA/DUCK & WAFFLE - I put these into the same title because one is under the other. If I'm not mistaken Duck & Waffle is 40th floor and Sushi Samba is one below. Both amazing places. As you guessed one serves sushi and the other, duck and waffle. Or just waffles, or just duck. I love both of those but if I had to choose one it would be breakfast at Duck&Waffle. Make sure you book in advance. It's worth it, the view and the food is great.
LETO - One of the places to eat where you will never be disappointed. I've probably tried half of the menu by now, but it's truly delicious. Must have item is the iced coffee. Never seen anything like it before. The coffee is frozen into ice cubes and you pour sweet vanilla milk on top. You have to see for yourself. There are a few locations, my favourite is Knightsbridge and Soho.

SKETCH - I've only been to sketch twice, but it's definitely a place you will always remember, and it's super Instagramable. You actually kind of feel like you're on a set of The Grand Budapest Hotel. Make sure you book in advance, and of-course, it has to be the 'pink' room to feel the vibes I'm talking about.

AUBAINE SELFRIDGES - I have a love/hate relationship with this place. I love it for the decoration which is beautiful purple flowers hanging from the ceiling, but the menu is quite disappointing, especially because other Aubaine locations have way better menus. So you have to be the decision maker here, if you're looking for an Instagramable cafe, this is the one.

THE BREAKFAST CLUB - Probably the best pancakes in the world. Ok maybe in London. But if you're craving some fluffy delicious pancakes, or eggs even, you have to visit TBC. I would recommend coming as early as possible on a week day (queues get quite crazy in the Soho branch). On a weekend I would say go after 4pm (I know it's not breakfast anymore, but you won't be sorry).

ROOFTOPS

JOHN LEWIS ROOFTOP - This one is on the roof of John Lewis in Oxford street. They have quite chilled areas, and also a bar/food area so you can either order and take it to your chair or sit at the table and have some food. The vibe is pretty good but the only downside, there is no view and sometimes on a hot day there is a queue to get in.

RADIO ROOFTOP BAR - This one has pretty good views of London, is quite chilled and the times I've been doesn't really get too busy. This is probably one of my favourite rooftops.

MADISON - This is a nice one, the location is amazing because the bar is on the roof of a shopping centre right next to St Paul's, so the views you get are beautiful. If I remember right it's quite pricey, but if you're just going for a couple of drinks should be ok.

SHOPPING

I wasn't going to include this section, but I thought maybe you'd like to know where the best place to shop is, because they all depend on the time of the day and the actual day you go.

OXFORD STREET / REGENT STREET -  Many people are confused about these two streets, but they actually are right next to each other. You turn to Regent street in the middle of Oxford street (Oxford street station). Oxford street is kind of more high street stores like Primark, Topshop, Urban Outfitters, River Island and so on. Regent street is luxury high street with stores like All Saints, Kate Spade, Micheal Kors, Karl Lagerfeld and so on. My biggest recommendation would be to go in the morning. Get there at 10am and do your shopping. Because if you go around 4pm, you will hate life. It gets crazy busy to the point where you feel tired of shopping in 10 minutes and want to go to a bar, get drunk and forget this stress. The only good thing is that you can find all the stores you will ever need here, and if you are after designer, go to Bond Street which is also very close!

WESTFIELD - This place is great if the weather's not too good and you want to be inside. If you prefer Stratford, go in the morning also, or after 7/8pm on a weekday. Westfield White City seemed to be empty most of the times I've been there, and they have a few designer stores like Gucci and Prada, Stratford does not.

BICESTER VILLAGE - If you have enough time I would really recommend to visit Bicester Village. It's about 50mins by train from London Marylebone station (book train tickets in advance). It's one of the best outlets that I love visiting and I actually did a post about it before, so I will link it right here.

FREE THINGS TO DO

SKYGARDEN - Beautiful views of London from above. It's like a jungle in the sky. Free entry, just make sure you book 2-3 weeks in advance because you cannot get in without the free ticket.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM - If you like museums, you are lucky in London. Most of them are free to everyone, so you can never run out of things to visit. The Natural History Museum is quite interesting with lots to see and explore. You could also visit the Science museum which is right next to the History one! This is the perfect place to go before Christmas, because what you will find right in front of  the Natural History Museum is a huge ice rink, with lights all around, hot chocolate and mulled wine being sold, you have to see it with your own eyes. You almost feel like you're in Home Alone.

V&A MUSEUM - This has to be my favourite. The two museums above and this one are all next to each other, so you can visit them all in one day. With free entry, why not right? This is my favourite because they actually have these rooms with huge statues everywhere and I don't know why but I find that so calming. I could sit there for hours admiring the statues. Also, you can take pictures which is pretty great because the place is super Instagramable with marble staircases and hallways.

SOMERSET HOUSE - I don't even know what to call this place, but they sometimes have great exhibitions which are usually free, so make sure you check out 'what's on' before visiting. Around Christmas time there is also a huge ice rink here, with a beautiful Christmas tree and bars around.

RICHOMD PARK - Get to Richmond for a beautiful stroll along side the river, visit the beautiful park and another huge park/forest area that has deers. Yes, actual deers running around. If you google the location you will be able to find it, we asked the Uber driver to just drive us there and so he did. Best day ever.

HAMPSTEAD - Every time I tell someone about this place, they always think it's really far. Yes, it's not Central London, but trust me, it's the most beautiful place that you will remember for sure. It feels like you're not even in London anymore but actually it's only 2 stops from Central. While you're there, also visit the Hampstead Pergola, you won't regret it. Check the opening times, sometimes it closes early in the Winter.

And I think that's it. I could add so much more, but I am sure you would get tired reading this and would hate to pick from 50 food places and 50 bars. I tried to list places that are a MUST. I also made a video 2 years ago on the best places to eat.


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