Image by Peter Hoffer

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

Image by Peter Hoffer

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 and 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 are 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

Image by Pritaya Sriolong

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

Image by Charl Asuit

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