a little visit to abbeville village | london.

Going to Abbeville Village always succeeds in making me feel ridiculously poor, house prices in the area have shot up in recent years but there's usually a run down house on each street that clearly didn't keep up pace with the fast moves of gentrification in the area. It's only a short shopping parade, and surprisingly suburban for somewhere which is so close to central London, and it's also pretty well hidden from the manic Clapham Common. Look out for their June fête, their winter fair and a farmers market on Sundays off Bonneville Gardens. Head to Comensal (32 Abbeville Road, SW4 9NG) for good cocktails and Bistro Union (40 Abbeville Road, SW4 9NG) for brunch. 

a little visit to balham | london.

A little while ago, I took a walk down to Balham to spend a bit of time there (and also because I was trying to find Balham Leisure Centre which is a council run pool with a sauna. Result). I live very close to Balham but honestly spend little to no time there and so a trek to find a pool is a good excuse to have a look around too. 

Firstly we went to Balham Farmers Market (Henry Cavendish Primary School, Hydethorpe Road, SW12 0JA). We were late to the party and as a result many of the products had already been sold - it was so much more popular than I'd expected - but there was still a really good choice. I think next time I'm not feeling the crowds in Borough Market, this is a pretty great alternative. We picked up some Guinness sausages - the farmer assured me they'd only been made the day before - which were used for brunch the next day, and they were pretty good. I'm already looking forward to going back for their special plant fair - hello window box. 

Afterwards we headed to Hildreth Street Market (Hildreth Street, SW12 9RQ), where we tried cheese and I lusted after some tulips (I didn't buy any, and seriously regret it, which is a constant state of being when it comes to me and tulips). We then grabbed a coffee (and a cheeky almond croissant) at Blackbird Bakery (Hildreth Street, SW12 9RQ) - I need to go back soon and try out some of their amazing looking breads.

If anyone has any recommendations for places to go in Balham, let me know for when I'm back down!

a little visit to bath | england.

  

My latest visit to Bath resulted in me getting absolutely drenched. You know the kind of drenched when you just know there's a massive puddle in your shoes and you just give up with an umbrella because it's not doing anything and there is just no point. On reflection though, this is still better than the last visit to Bath I had where as a fifteen year old I decided not to eat for the day, got over excited and collapsed at the train station.

I really love Bath, but I think that's because I'm a bit of a geek and I love anywhere that has good planning laws (no, seriously). Bath demolished their horrible looking sixties shopping centre and at least attempted to re-build something which is more in-keeping with the original buildings and I just wish other towns and cities would follow suit...In the end, we couldn't stay in Bath for too long and our visit to the Royal Crescent had to be done in the car because it was lashing it down. If I had any tip for Bath, it would be to go when it's dry. 

See: Usual suspects for Bath include the Royal Crescent (Royal Crescent, BA1 2LS) for the incredible Georgian architecture, but my favourite street had to be The Circus (BA1 2ET) which is just down the road from the Royal Crescent. Other standard favourites from Bath include Pulteney Bridge & Pulteney Weir, the Roman Baths, and Bath Abbey. 

Drink: Colonna and Hunter (14-15 Milsom Place, BA1 1BZ). Even though it is a little bit hipstery, it has a changing menu and a seasonal craft beer selection. 

Buy: Anything from Fudge Kitchen (10 Abbey St, BA1 1LY). Growing up in a relatively touristy area has resulted in an over the top love of fudge and places that make it themselves and so Fudge Kitchen is a good'un. Lemon Drizzle flavour? Thanks. They also apparently offer a small discount for school children, unfortunately I can't even attempt to try and get away with this. 

a little visit to soho | london.

 

An area of London pretty much everyone has been to more than once, and probably quite regularly. Another (!) Sunday afternoon walk which are becoming quite the habit. Visit Denmark Street to see where the Rolling Stones recorded at Regent Sound Studio, eat cafeteria style at Tuk Tuk, and wander down the aisles of Foyles, pick up a cake at Maison Bertaux, and drink at De Hems. I'll always recommend a La Chouffe. This Soho tour was taken as part of a walking tour run by the Museum of London - it was very interesting, even if we did have to run after our guide quite regularly. I'd forgotten how nice it is to have someone teach you about places and streets you walk down every day without much of a second thought.