Located south east of central London and perched on the Thames is Greenwich, a village like area of London which is rich in British maritime history. While Greenwich is known for its markets and the meridian line, evidence of its maritime history can be seen everywhere you look.

Come the weekend, Greenwich is flooded with Londoners and tourists alike, so at some point refuge and a glass of wine is needed. And to offer you that protection is the Trafalgar pub, which is tucked away along the river and located on the Greenwich Maritime World Heritage Site.

Built in 1837, The Trafalgar, is bursting with history and use to be one of Charles Dickens’ favourite watering holes. And despite being over 170 years old, it has maintained its Victorian charm; wooden floors, cosy fire places and large bay windows facing out onto the river – making it a perfect hiding place on a dark and cold London winter’s day.

The Trafalgar also has a small but charming restaurant and the main pub serves up all the usual favourites including their specialty – fish and chips.

So next time you’re in Greenwich be sure you stop off at the Trafalgar to really get a feel of Greenwich’s past.

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The Trafalgar | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (English) | Mains £ 13.00
Park Row | South-East | +442088582909
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 00:00, Sun 12:00 – 22:30

The area of Canary Wharf is seen by some Londoners as a cultural void – most people arrive to work in the mornings and leave immediately after work. It’s not a place to really ‘hang out’. This may have been true a few years ago, but local residents and developers are transforming the area into a more welcoming area for families and tourists. The Museum of London Docklands in one fine example.

Exploring the museum is a chance to learn about the specific history of London’s relationship with the Thames and the open seas. The interactive displays challenges readers to consider how the waterways have influenced London – trade brought new goods such as tea to Londoners, commerce brought new immigrants to enrich the city’s culture, and even the slave trade forced Londoners to reconsider their definitions of justice and liberty.

It’s not all serious though.  There’s a section of photos relating to the 2012 Olympics and the immersive displays encourages visitors to imagine life as a dockworker, a sailor or even a pirate. ARRR!

One of my favourite exhibits here is the model of what London Bridge looked like about 500 years ago. It’s not something anyone would recognize now, but that’s the magic of learning about London’s history – it’s constantly changing but always exciting. An afternoon here reminds me of that.

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Museum of London Docklands | Art & culture | Free
No1 Warehouse,E14 4AL | South-East | +442070019844
10:00 – 18:00 daily

Admittedly, cemeteries should be visited in certain circumstances (for example, you wouldn’t want to take a guy/girl there on a first date). However when you need to unwind or just want to learn a bit about London’s history, then the Victorian cemeteries are a rich way to explore and see the Victorians’ unique relationships with life and death.

Although I am a big fan of Highgate Cemetery, I find Nunhead Cemetery in south London more suitable for quiet walks and exploration. Unlike Highgate Cemetery, admission is free and visitors are not required to join a group led by a guide. I can sit in a stone bench and listen to the wildlife or admire the monuments families made to their loved ones.

There are many photo opportunities dotted throughout the grounds: stone angels whose faces are faded from the rain, ivy creeping over statues, tombstones with names barely legible whose inhabitants might be forgotten forever. It’s a perfect playground for budding photographers to hone their craft.

Rather than being a depressing place, I find a walk around Nunhead cemetery gives me lots of time to think, learn a bit about London’s history and ultimately remind myself on the joys of life.  To get more out of the surroundings, consider volunteering with the Friends of Nunhead Cemetery who carry out preservation work once a month.

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Nunhead Cemetery | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Linden Grove, SE15 3LP | South-East
08:30 – 16:00 daily

For such a small art gallery, the Dulwich Picture Gallery does feel like a giant in the art world. Within the rooms the walls are graced with paintings by Rembrandt, Watteau, Poussin, Gainsborough and Canaletto. I often find the gallery’s intimate and relaxed setting gives me more permission to enjoy the paintings. The natural lighting and unobtrusive curators also adds to the peaceful walk through the gallery.

The Dulwich Picture Gallery was England’s first art gallery purposely built for public enjoyment. Sir Francis Bourgeois and Noël Desenfans were instrumental in putting together the collection about two hundred years ago. You can thank them yourself – they are buried in a mausoleum in the centre of the museum!

The big spring exhibition is a study of Anthony Van Dyck during his time in Sicily.  The Gallery has even provided a YouTube video to get visitors excited about the exhibition!

The added bonus of visiting the gallery is seeing the village of Dulwich itself. Although it is only a 15 minute train ride from Victoria station and London Bridge, I feel like I am in village straight out of an Agatha Christie novel. Tiny churchyards, a village hall and many quaint shops will greet you as you make your way to the gallery.

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Dulwich Picture Gallery | Art & culture | General admission £ 5.00
Gallery Road, Dulwich SE21 7AD | South-East | +442086935254
Tue – Fri 10:00 – 17:00, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 17:00

For many Londoners (myself included), the closest we get to farm animals is the butcher’s counter at our local supermarket. What many people do not know is that there are several working farms within London. When I am in the mood to play ‘Old McDonald’, I head over to London’s largest city farm – Mudchute Farm.

Located just minutes from Canary Wharf, the farm feels completely separate from the world of stock and bonds in the hectic financial district. The sights (and very strong smells) of the animals remind me more of the simpler ways of life. Our food does not magically appear in ready-to-eat packages. Spending time with the animals in Mudchute Farm reminds me of that.

Mudchute Farm has plenty of animals you would expect at a farm (pigs, sheep, chickens) and some you might not (llamas). There is also a pets’ corner and scheduled ‘animal encounter’ sessions to give young Londoners a closer relationship with farm animals. The staff is happy to answer questions and depending on the time of day and what needs to be done, they might enlist the help of the young (and young at heart) to assist with some farmyard tasks.  You can even follow the ‘Animal of the Month‘ on the website!

I tend to spend most of my time leaning against a fence watching the young horses gallop around their enclosure. A couple hours here will give you a taste of the peaceful country life without leaving the confines of the city.

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Mudchute Farm | Relaxing | Free
Pier Street Isle of Dogs, E14 3HP | South-East | +442075155901
Tue – Sun 09:00 – 17:00

Greenwich Park is the home of the Prime Meridian Line. It is where GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) starts and thus, poetically, where time begins. The Prime Meridian Line used to be a line drawn on the earth (not around the globe though as I would imagine) but now, it is represented by a green laser beam. This line can be seen clearly in the night sky.

The park also hosts the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory. As it sits on top of a hill, the place is perfect for sky watchers and star gazers. But apart from science, Greenwich Park also offers spaces for sport, dining (including picnics) and simply relaxing.

For the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Greenwich Park will be the venue of the Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon events.

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Greenwich Park | Relaxing, Snacks
Greenwich | South-East
06:00 – 21:00 daily

Everybody loves anything free, right? London gives residents and visitors alike many opportunities to enjoy this wonderful city at no cost – museums, galleries and other events. The Scoop is a venue beside the City Hall that offers a variety of free stuff, too. Apart from providing everyone with a space to just sit down and relax, you can enjoy a bit of entertainment and culture, too.

Events ranges from film screenings, exhibits, concerts and community activities are often staged at The Scoop, especially in the summer. The best part of these events is the fact that they are open to the public and most likely free. You will need to check their website or sign up to their mailing list to get regular updates.

If there is nothing then perhaps you might catch a sighting of London’s ‘infamous’ mayor, Boris Johnson, at the City Hall.

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The Scoop | Art & culture, Cinemas, Relaxing, Festivals & events | Free
2A More London Riverside,SE1 2DB | South-East
Film screenings Wed – Fri from 19:30

Chocolates are always good bets as presents for Christmas. But there’s so much more than milk, dark and white chocolates. Read on to discover a world of multi-flavoured choccies!

There is a place in southeast London – called The Melange Chocolate – that serves nothing but chocolates. Well, technically. But these are not just chocolates. What Isabelle, the lovely lady who runs it, sells is a result of continuous research in mixing flavours with dark, milk and white chocolates. Her award-winning creations bring different effects on the senses. There’s orange and chilli if you’re in a bit of a fiery mood; there’s also coriander and grapefruit should you feel quite adventurous.

If you fancy mixing your own flavours, The Melange Chocolate also hosts chocolate making workshops. Check the website for dates and prices.

So if you seriously enjoy the by-product of the heavenly cocoa bean then you shouldn’t miss this little but cosy spot south of the river Thames.

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The Melange Chocolate | Coffee & tea | 100g of chocolate £ 4.00
184 Bellenden Road | South-East
Tue – Fri 12:00 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 18:00