Kokova Magazine

Last weekend we escaped for a city break, getting out and about in East London. Our journey started at around 10 pm on Friday, 12th June, when we decided to pack a bag and head to the City on the last train out of our Surrey village. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision simply because the weather was hot and the hotels had air-conditioning. Taking our lead from travel writer Debbie North, we planned a slow weekend, spending time wandering the City and visiting the Royal Greenwich Observatory.

Our Hotel
Two nights in a King Room at the Leonardo Royal Hotel - London City thanks to Booking.com for a last-minute bargain. The nearest tube station is Tower Hill, and our morning coffee came from just around the corner at Simply Fresh To Go.

Out & About
On Saturday morning, we found ourselves in the midst of a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London, to mark the King's Official Birthday, so stopped to watch while we waited for the next Thames Clipper to Greenwich.

The Cutty Sark Street Food Market didn't disappoint, especially the meat box from Argentalia London. With a passion fruit sorbet and an Ethiopian coffee from Koyra, we took a few pastries from the indoor food stalls to walk over to Island Gardens for brunch.

The Greenwich Foot Tunnel is a free, 24/7 pedestrian route running beneath the River Thames in London, connecting Greenwich on the south side to the Isle of Dogs (Island Gardens) on the north side. With 100 steps down - and back up again - the tunnel also has a working lift at each end.

The Royal Observatory is part of an independent charity (Royal Museums Greenwich), so ticket prices fund accessibility and educational schemes. Admission to the Royal Observatory's historic Flamsteed House, Time Galleries, Meridian Line Courtyard and Meridian Building is £20 for adults and £10 for children (£14 concessions).

Admission to the Royal Observatory’s Astronomy Centre, which houses three state-of-the-art modern astronomy galleries, is free. Planetarium ticket prices are £12 for adults, £6 for children and £8 for students. For alternative nearby attractions, visit the Cutty Sark or the National Maritime Museum.

St James's Park is the most royal of London's Royal Parks. Shaped by generations of monarchs and bordered by three royal palaces, St. James's Park is the home of ceremonial events in the capital. From royal weddings and jubilees to military parades and state celebrations.

Weekend Highlights
Seal sighting in the River Thames. The Thames is home to a thriving population of about 3,500 harbour and grey seals, and we were lucky enough to have one seal swim alongside our clipper for a while.

Watching the King's Life Guards before walking into St James's Park, the day after the Trooping of the Colour is a popular tourist attraction, but remember, those white line boxes are there for a reason. Horses may bite. Horse Guards Parade is a large, historic ceremonial parade ground in central London, situated between Whitehall and St James's Park.

On Sunday, as we walked into St James's Park, the Naked Bike Ride glided past. Hundreds of cyclists in all their glory, enjoying the sunshine of the day.

Walking through St James's Park - and seeing the many varieties of waterfowl and wildlife living alongside the numerous park visitors. If you haven't spent an afternoon in this park, we strongly suggest making time for a visit.

On Saturday, we walked over 10 miles, returning to our hotel in time for dinner at Leo's Restaurant. On Sunday, after a complimentary late check-out, we decided to walk from Tower Hill to Victoria Station, taking in the sights along the Thames, which meant another 6 miles to complete a walking weekend.

Slow London is worth considering if the City seems too fast-paced for you. Make extra time to wander around the open spaces and take in quieter spaces that contrast with the busy streets.