Things to do in London - Part Two - IgoUgo London Journal

Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum

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Hotel | "Holiday at the Holiday Inn"

Holiday Inn Kensington Forum Photo - Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum, London, England

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I recently booked to attend a ‘Black Tie and Posh Frocks’ Party at Holiday Inn Kensington Forum through a multi-activity group I am a member of. This review is of my experience staying at the hotel, and dining in their function rooms. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATIONThe hotel is based at 97 Cromwell Road which is just a few minutes walk from Gloucester Road tube station (Piccadilly, Circle & District lines). Strangely however the main entrance is actually on Courtfield Road which runs parallel. Basically turn right out of the tube, right again and you will see it on the skyline – it has 27 floors. Nearby are a few local shops such as a small Waitrose and Tesco, and several ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 20, 2013

Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum
97 CROMWELL ROAD
London, England SW7 4DN
44-870-4009100

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Camden Markets

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Attraction | "Weekend Trip to Camden"

Horses Head Photo - Camden Markets, London, England

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I have visited Camden on a number of occasions now, nearly always to visit the market. To talk of Camden market as a singular entity is mis-leading, as there are several different types of market in the area. Obviously stalls do change, and your personal experience may be different, so I am basing my review on my most recent visit (Feb. 2013 and the previous visit in the summer of 2012).The easiest way to get here is by tube. I usually get off at Camden Town tube station (Northern Line) which is closest. However it can get a bit gridlocked around here and at peak times you can’t enter the tube station due to over-crowding. In which case, I return via Mornington Crescent or Chalk Farm ...Read More

I have visited Camden on a number of occasions now, nearly always to visit the market. To talk of Camden market as a singular entity is mis-leading, as there are several different types of market in the area. Obviously stalls do change, and your personal experience may be different, so I am basing my review on my most recent visit (Feb. 2013 and the previous visit in the summer of 2012).

The easiest way to get here is by tube. I usually get off at Camden Town tube station (Northern Line) which is closest. However it can get a bit gridlocked around here and at peak times you can’t enter the tube station due to over-crowding. In which case, I return via Mornington Crescent or Chalk Farm tube stations. Buses 24, 27, 29, 31, 134, 135, 168, 214, 253, 274, C2 also serve the vicinity. I don’t recommend driving as parking can be a nightmare. I do not recall any designated parking areas; it is only on the street and as such, come with heavy restrictions. As you come out of Camden Town tube turn right to head to the markets. This end of Camden High Street is not that interesting, just a few chain high street shops (Superdrug, Holland & Barratt) and some independents.

The first place you will spot is the Electric Ballroom club. Although still a club and music venue in the evening at weekend they also have some stalls in here, mainly clothing, but some vinyl record stalls. A little bit further down is a tightly packed area with a hoarding above calling it ‘The Camden Market’. It is also known as Buck Street. Within this area are a number of stalls and if you are after a t-shirt with a witty slogan on it, this is the place to come. It is very narrow down here and as such I don’t tend to wander down this part very often. You need to be patient to get through the other shoppers and the closely packed stalls. Also, it is worth keeping an eye on your purse/wallet and phone. Apart from T-shirts and clothing which seem to be mass produced cheap crap, there are a few gems in here, but I can’t deal with the crampness of it. I have purchased a pair of ‘Dior’ sunglasses here once, as I recall.

Opposite this section of the market is a little side street market (Inverness Street). Again I don’t tend to visit this section. Originally it was a locals market selling fruit and veg, household goods etc, but a few cheap clothing stalls (selling nothing that you can’t get elsewhere) have sprung up here now, cashing on the tourist footfall.

Camden Lock Village is the name of the section that runs alongside the canal. There are lots of different shops and places to eat here. Food places are stalls, and dining is informal – on your feet or at the few places to sit. As you go in you can sit at narrow tables on the back of a vespa ‘scooter’ to eat. At one stall my friends and I purchased a mini cupcake for £1 (you can get regular ones for £2) and they had a staggering array of flavours in such a small space the size of a garden shed. Clothes are also available here, there were a lot of print summer dresses that we had seen elsewhere, but we noticed some pieces were not that cheap. My friend admired a cardigan style jacket, which she went off of when she realised it was £69. Most of this section is also open to the elements, but there are a few places that are undercover, but individual stalls are covered – looking like sheds or beach huts.

Opposite this is Camden Lock market which is, to me, what Camden Market should be and a must-visit. The big building is a market hall and I have to admit that I have not been in it lately – it has a number of boutique and craft style stalls on several levels. The whole area here is more eclectic shopping wise. Outside of the hall has a varied array of stalls - The clothing tends to be original, rather than cheap, and they cater for a more specialist style such as gothic or punk. They also do a wide range of vintage clothing and accessories. Again there are lots of places to eat here – the stalls throughout offer a wide variety of cuisines and will let you taste something before you buy. Again you will need to eat on the hoof, or at one of the picnic tables outside. This is also a good market if you are looking for unusual gifts or home items (cushions, art, funky lamps and jewellery amongst the better end of London themed gifts).

The Stables section is another must visit area. It is based around an old horse hospital and I understand it is a listed building. There are also lots of brass horse sculptures. The stalls are more within the buildings, and again you will find fashion and home items. You are also more likely to get unusual and handmade furniture here as well as bigger pieces or art of home accessories as the space for each outlet is larger and shops are more established. Cyberdog is one big shop in this area; identified by the massive inanimate robot outside. They have gift items on the small ground floor, and then go down the escalators to the alternative clothing section. There are adult ‘toys’ and accessories on the floor below. The music is very loud and club-like throughout. Probably not the best place to take your Gran. Parts of the Stables complex are undercover and another popular shop as you come out of the covered section is Black Rose for the steampunk/Goth/Emo lover in your life.

Outside the designated market areas, the streets (Camden High Street and Chalk Farm Road) usually have a good mix of restaurants, bars and independent shops. I have found these shops good for shoes, especially fashion trainers, and there are also a range of high fashion girlie shoes that look like something Lady Gaga would wear. I usually eat in one of these places if the weather is too cold/damp to linger outside. There is a nice café on the opposite side on the bridge to Camden Lock Village, as well as a bar behind the village itself. On my most recent visit I ate in a Malaysian restaurant opposite the Stables section.

I do recommend a visit here, I have only visited at weekends but I understand that the markets are open daily from 10am to 6pm. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 4, 2013

Camden Markets
Camden High Street
Camden, London, England NW1

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Winter Wonderland Hyde Park

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Attraction | "Walking in a Winter Wonderland"

Winter Wonderland Photo - Winter Wonderland Hyde Park, London, England

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Winter Wonderland has been in London’s Hyde Park over winter/Christmas for a few years now. I first visited a few years ago, but it was a spontaneous visit and no one was dressed appropriately so we went into a pub to warm ourselves up. This time I was more organised and after a few drinks in Regent Street we ambled across to Hyde Park. It is free to get in and runs from about the third week of November until 6th January – actual dates would vary each year – and is open 10am to 10pm. I have only ever gone in the evening, and the lights from the fairground make it look very festive and fun.WHAT TO DO? Even though admission is free, it is not a cheap trip out as t...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 2, 2013

Winter Wonderland Hyde Park
Hyde Park
Westminster, London
0844 412 4650

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Strawberry Moons

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Attraction | "Moon over Mojitos"

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Strawberry Moons is a cocktail bar in Heddon Street, W1. This is a pedestrian only area just off the Southern end of Regent Street between Oxford Circus and Picadilly Circus tube stations. The destination had been chosen by a friend for a pre-Christmas early drink before heading off to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Happy Hour is between 5-7pm and this seemed a good time to meet.Heddon Street is a tranquil paradise compared to the madness that is Regent Street on the last Saturday before Christmas. At just gone 5pm the bar was fairly empty and we had no problem getting a table – I would guess this would be harder on a Friday with the post-work crowd. Cocktails are all half price – Ya...Read More

Strawberry Moons is a cocktail bar in Heddon Street, W1. This is a pedestrian only area just off the Southern end of Regent Street between Oxford Circus and Picadilly Circus tube stations. The destination had been chosen by a friend for a pre-Christmas early drink before heading off to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Happy Hour is between 5-7pm and this seemed a good time to meet.

Heddon Street is a tranquil paradise compared to the madness that is Regent Street on the last Saturday before Christmas. At just gone 5pm the bar was fairly empty and we had no problem getting a table – I would guess this would be harder on a Friday with the post-work crowd. Cocktails are all half price – Yay!! There were a number of staff at the bar and we rarely had to wait to long to be served which is a blessing as cocktail based drinks are longer to prepare. The staff seemed to know their stuff, although one time I got a trainee and she had to be shown how to make the drink which took a bit longer. I don't have a problem with this – we all have to learn new jobs at some time, and rather now than when the bar was rammed.

As well as cocktails they also sell Shooters, beers, wines and regular spirit/mixer drinks. I love cocktails so I was happy to make the most of Happy (2) Hour(s) and give a few a whirl. I have listed their full prices below, some also can be bought as jugs or deluxe versions with premium brands:

Pom Pom (£8.30) - Smirnoff Blueberry with pomegranate, apple juice and elderflower. I liked this much more than I thought. The pomegranate was the stronger flavour and it didn't seem to be strong.

Passion Margarita (£8.50) - Tequila shaken with Cointreau, with fresh lime and passion fruit. I really liked this, and it did have a bit of a kick I would definitely drink this again.

Orchard Fizz (£8.30) - Smirnoff Green Apple, fresh limes and mint topped with ginger ale. This had a bit of a mojito twist to it and was an enjoyable and refreshing drink.

Raspberry Beret (£8.30) - Absolut Raspberri with Schweppes ginger beer and puréed raspberries. My friend had this drink and I had a taste of it, it was a bit on the sweet side for me, but I recommend it for those who like a sweeter cocktail.

Ginger ninja (£3.95) – This is a non-alcoholic cocktail one of my friends tried. It is made with pineapple juice, ginger beer and fresh lime. I think pineapple juice and ginger beer combined is all sorts of levels of wrongness and it didn't work for me, but he seemed to like it.

We also had some nachos (£9) for the classic, veggie version which is ideal for two people to share, with lots of toppings including jalapenos. Food was prepared promptly and we didn't have to wait long, but the bar wasn't that busy. They also do bigger sharing platters (£16), plus light bites from £3.50 which included things like potato wedges, bruschetta, ribs and calamari. You can also get nuts or olives for £2.50.

The bar is simple with clean, modern lines and quite large. It is also quite dark inside (flashlight app on your phone may come in handy to read the menu). There is a multi coloured flashing dancefloor towards the back, but plenty of space should the dance floor overflow. We didn't stay that late however. At it's peak (during the time we were there) all seats and tables were taken but the bar did not seem crowded as it is quite large and tables are spread out so you don't get the feeling of being cramped. I understand that it can get quite a bit busier later, and I saw some tables reserved for parties from 8pm.

Toilets are downstairs. There is an attendant in the Ladies', offering the usual selection of perfumes and sherbet lollies for a gratuity. It was not busy enough to comment on how well they are maintained, I imagine she would have her work cut out later in the evening.

I thought the extensive range of cocktails to be very appealing and hope to go back sometime soon. Cocktails aren't cheap, but we are in the heart of Central London. I do recommend taking advantage of happy hour if you can. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 26, 2012

Strawberry Moons
15-17 Heddon Street
London, England W1B 4BF
+44 20 7437 7300

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Thames Party Cruise

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Whilst discussing what to do or New Year, some friends and I looked into joining one of the party boats down the Thames. For New Year's Eve it was £150 per head however, and we pretty much all decided that was too much and made alternative plans. However one eagle eyed chap spotted that we can go the Friday before Christmas (21st Dec) for £30 and we got booking our tickets.We all booked our own tickets online at http://www.londonpartyboats.co.uk/ and it was an easy process with a credit or debit card. My ticket was e-mailed to me and I printed it out and took it along for the night. Our boat, the M.V. London Belle holds up to 120 people and we were sailing from Westminste...Read More

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Things to do in London - Part Two

Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum

Camden Markets

Winter Wonderland Hyde Park

Strawberry Moons

Thames Party Cruise

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