Hidden alongside a Victorian railway viaduct, Rope Walk is an equidistant 10-to-15 minute walk from London Bridge or Bermondsey Stations. Aside from being a timberyard by day, it’s home to a handful of permanent businesses of note, including antiques and architectural salvage merchants Lassco, a rustic Spanish jamon bodega called Tozino, and the natural wine and small plates bar 40 Maltby Street which is very popular for those in the know.
This alleyway is usually fairly quiet in the week but it comes alive on Saturdays and Sundays with a great selection of interesting street food traders and drinks vendors, including local gin distillery Little Bird who open up their wonderfully lo-fi cocktail bar. Nabbing a seat at one of the mismatched antique tables to eat, drink and soak up the fabulously DIY atmosphere – it really makes me fall in love with London all over again! We like to go on Saturdays as there’s a lot to explore in the surrounding area  – including a myriad of micro breweries that open their doors to the public and the high-quality produce that is on offer at the nearby Spa Terminus.
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In the heart of Southeast London sits "Eltham Palace and Gardens". Once a medieval estate, in the '30s it was styled with mesmerizing art deco furnishings.
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They have an array of all the classic pastries you’d expect from a French bakery, from pain au chocolat & croissants to my favourite croissant aux amandes.
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Their Reading room is a mix between a gallery and a library with books and lots of places to sit and read or do some work on your laptop.
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The Barbary pays homage to the culinary traditions of the countries from the Atlantic Coast through to the Mediterranean Sea leading to the Middle East.
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With connections to the local skate scene, it's a place where the mulleted, leather-jacketed alternative students from art unis head for a big night.
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"Hackney Wick Canal" in London once a quasi-industrial wasteland, now a prime hipster hangout... I like sitting at the canal side with a beer.
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"Kew Gardens" is the famous UNESCO world heritage site in Southwest London. It's great to visit for its plants, flowers and Christmas festivities!
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"The Thames Clipper" is an efficient machine, designed for London commuters. It's the perfect way to get on a boat on the Thames on a sunny evening!
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"Canopy Brewery", just below the railway tracks, is another perfect spot to sample some of London's finest brews, directly from the source!
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"Tayyabs" in London is a legendary Punjabi run. I'll go weak at the knees at the aroma of their sizzling platters of marinated lamb chops & shami kebabs...
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"Sambrook's Brewery" in London is tucked among housing and insustrial estates; it's off the beaten track but should be on every beer lover's map...
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