Putney
Leafy Putney in South West London is the area in which I am now privileged to live. Just south of the river Thames, Putney is close to central London but without being as built up as many other areas in the city. Putney has its share of high rise buildings, but it is still mostly comprised on tree-lined streets of charming Victorian houses. Access to central London is easy, with both East Putney and Putney Bridge tube stations on the District Line, and Putney railway station with regular trains to Victoria and Waterloo. Putney boasts a range of pubs, bars, and restaurants. The Boathouse or The Rocket on the riverfront offer the perfect place for a nice meal or a drink. Other lovely pubs in the area include The Telegraph and The Green Man (both at Putney Heath), The Spotted Horse on the High Street, East Putney Tavern conveniently just across from East Putney Tube Station, and The Jolly Gardeners and The Coat and Badge in Lower Putney. The Half Moon Inn is an historic music venue which still boasts new music on Monday nights and a variety of visiting performers. If you’re looking for a meal out you are spoilt for choice in Putney. Our favourite is Roxie Steak on Upper Richmond Road, which offers delicious steaks in a pleasant atmosphere. Other regular favourites include Preto Brazilian Steakhouse, Home SW15, Putney Pies, Yum Sa and Gazette.
Historic Central London
There is surely not much left to be written about the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square etc. Much of central London is very walkable so you can go exploring and see it all for yourself .
London Museums and Attractions
Of course, I have visited the top attractions mentioned above, but below are some other attractions that I highly recommend (you may have heard of them already, but they are slightly lesser known).
The Museum of London : This museum charts London’s history from prehistoric times to the present day, and amazingly, the museum is free! There is so much to see here that if you have time, you may want to make two visits.
The London Transport Museum : A fascinating and thorough museum with loads of interesting information on how the River Thames has been used for centuries, how the London Underground was constructed, and more.
The Barbican Conservatory : An absolutely stunning indoor garden inside a brutalist concrete structure, The Barbican Conservatory must be visited to be appreciated. You will not regret visiting this beautiful garden.
Highlights of South West London
Richmond-upon-Thames is a must; admire the view from Richmond Hill, have a drink by the riverside, and explore the shops of the town centre. Nearby attractions include Richmond Park and Kew Gardens .
Kingston-upon-Thames is a pretty riverside town south of Richmond; this up and coming area is proving an increasingly popular place to live. Although it is not on the tube network, it benefits from regular trains into central London, making it ideal both as a commuter hub and an easy day trip for Londoners looking for a market town feel.
Live Music
If you love live music then London is ideal; you have the opportunity to see up and coming new artists, talented cover and tribute artists, and big stars.
The O2 Arena in East London is already an iconic location for seeing big concerts; and what’s more this modern facility makes seeing performances enjoyable with plenty of essential amenities such as toilets and bars which can be visited quickly and easily from the stands. Travel to and from the arena is easy as well, as it has its own stop on the Jubilee Line.
Nell’s is a fantastic small live music venue in West London. If you’re looking to see talented artists before they hit the big time then they are sure to pass through Nell’s.
The Half Moon in Putney is steeped in Rock & Roll history, having played host to U2, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Kate Bush, and many more. The venue also has a lot of heritage in the comedy scene, having hosted Harry Hill, James Acaster, KD Lang’s first UK appearance, and more. The 200 capacity venue can easily sell out, so check out what they have coming up.
The Jazz Café in Camden puts on a diverse range of shows including club nights. This venue also boasts a restaurant.
Putney Heath
Looking to escape the city life for a while? Putney Heath is a great option: an oasis of woodlands and heathland at the southern end of Putney. A great place for a walk and a picnic, this is somewhere I visit frequently.
London Wetland Centre, Barnes
This wetland centre was established during the 90s on the site of former Thames Water reservoirs. Since then, it has been successfully re-wilded and provides a home for a host of bird species. The reserve is looked at as an example all over the world for how to successfully make a space for nature inside the city.
