London Favorite Tips by Airpunk

Hampstead Heath Parks and Gardens Review

Favorite thing: The parkland of Hampstead Heath are a popular recreation area for Londoners and visitors. Being popular as such for centuries, it has many features like small gardens, ponds etc. Some of the ponds are even used by swimmers during summertime.
Around Hampstead Heath, you will find many points of interest: These are Hampstead itself, 2 Willow Road, Fenton House, Kenwood House,Camden with its famous markets and many more I haven’t discovered yet. Hampstead and the hamlet of Vale of Health (which lies in the middle of Hampstead Heath) are among the most expensive areas in the world. Many celebrities and other millionaires – as well as artists and intellectuals - have first and second homes there.

For details about the mentioned museums and sights, please check out my respective tips.

For the Heath and the mansions in Hamsptead, get out and Hampstead tube station. For those who want to know: It is the deepest in the whole underground network!

Hampstead Heath Parks and Gardens Review

Favorite thing: The parkland of Hampstead Heath are a popular recreation area for Londoners and visitors. Being popular as such for centuries, it has many features like small gardens, ponds etc. Some of the ponds are even used by swimmers during summertime.
Around Hampstead Heath, you will find many points of interest: These are Hampstead itself, 2 Willow Road, Fenton House, Kenwood House,Camden with its famous markets and many more I haven’t discovered yet. Hampstead and the hamlet of Vale of Health (which lies in the middle of Hampstead Heath) are among the most expensive areas in the world. Many celebrities and other millionaires – as well as artists and intellectuals - have first and second homes there.

For details about the mentioned museums and sights, please check out my respective tips.

For the Heath and the mansions in Hamsptead, get out and Hampstead tube station. For those who want to know: It is the deepest in the whole underground network!

City of London and London Boroughs Historical Review

Favorite thing: The City of London, sometimes just called “the square mile”, is the heart of historic London. However, only few people live here as it has become a business district dominated by office buildings. Some of the best known are Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Camden. Everywhere in the city, you still find signs of this divisions. It may be just a street sign, but especially in the City of London, you may find sculptures or other larger items showing you the border.

Fondest memory: The dragon of this picture is located at Victoria Embankment, between Temple Lane and Temple tube station.
Although there are many small details to be spotted, only one of London’s original city gates has survived. It is Temple bar gate which is now located at Paternoster Square. Its original location was at the Strand. For more information about Temple Bar gate, please check out my “Things to do” tip about it.

Modern Architecture Architectural Review

Favorite thing: Although London is considered as a very porgressive city, modern architecture does not (some may say: fortunately) form a big part of the cityscape. Only a few innovative or at least exzentric buildings exist, so like the so-called "Gherkin" or the town hall exist next to some less interesting buildings. Skyscrapers exist but are not really popular. Current plans to build a spiky 310 m skyscraper near London Bridge are discussed with controversy.

Fondest memory: The building shown on the photo is not really interesting, but at least the form is a little unusual. I really like modern architecture when it's outstanding and not just one of the ubiquitous glass and steel temples.

If someone could provide me with additional information about this building, I would be grateful.