The area around Strand, Aldwych though beautiful, hasn't been particularly exciting until last year when after an extensive redevelopment the area in front of Somerset House, the beautiful St Clement Danes church, and King’s College London became traffic free. The redevelopment brought many recreational areas, events and of course some new interesting spots.
On one of my walks around I discovered Toklas bakery. Toklas is a bakery adjacent to the restaurant bearing the same name which has been around for a while and has a really good reputation so I was sure the bakery won’t disappoint either.
On my first visit, I was immediately drawn by the croissants which were laminated to perfection. In my subsequent visits I have tried to resist repeatedly getting their pain au chocolat and try something else from their wide selection of savoury treats as well. They make excellent sourdough sandwiches, crunchy filled-in baguettes as well as soft focaccias.
The food is obviously the star here but the interior deserves a mention too. I love the retro-European feel of the whole space. Lastly, they have a small grocery selection from selected producers which I always make sure to check out!
Find your way with 222 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Built back in 2010 on the site of a disused railway line, it’s a local secret: a quiet, forest-like space to retreat to when city life becomes overwhelming.
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Inside, the rooms have distinctly different decorative styles. This is to give an idea of how the house would have looked at each stage in its history.
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It was once the site of the Eel Pie Hotel, a 19th-century guesthouse turned jazz venue and now it’s been transformed into a hippie artists’ colony...
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The domed Arab Hall – a glittering chamber inspired by the inside of the Castello della Zisa in Palermo – is what most visitors come for.
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Features of particular interest include the Architectural Library, the Solar Stair, a central spiral staircase with 52 steps for each week of the year...
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Tucked away in Bermondsey, Morocco Bound does it all, it is at once a bookshop, café, co-working space, beer bar and intimate events venue.
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The Phoenix Garden is remarkably inconspicuous: a bombsite turned car park turned community garden hidden behind high hedges and wrought iron railings.
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"London Fields Lido" is for those rare days when it's actually hot and sunny. Beat the crowds, head over to this colourful pool and meet me there!
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"Caravan" London is one of my favourite restaurants for having one of my favourite meals of the day: brunch. It's easy to savour every last bit here and...
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"Chuku's" in North London serves Nigerian tapas that invites you to 'chop, chat and chill!'
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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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