Sharing Some Of My Favorite London Spots With The New Prince

Welcome to the world, Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge! And what a world it is. You’ve had the good fortune to be born into one of my favorite corners of it; that’s right, you’re a London boy. I know you’re only about a week old, so while you’re taking plenty of naps and spending quality cuddle time with your family, I’m going to suggest a list of places you might want to check out in a few years.

So, without further ado, here they are. In no particular order (and very abridged, because I figure no one has time to read my full list, which would take days and probably use up all of the Internet), I give you some of my favorite London spots:

Harrods: Go ahead, hipsters. Roll your eyes at this choice. But seriously, this was one of the first places I wanted to see when I set foot on British soil. It seemed so quintessentially English to me, and I couldn’t wait to get there and take it all in. From the stately, elegant façade (they really don’t make buildings like they used to) to the iconic green and gold logo, I was impressed. I loved wandering through the different floors and window-shopping (let’s face it, I was a lowly student at the time. Browsing was all I could afford to do). I can also highly recommend the high tea.

Camden Lock market: On the other end of the spectrum from Harrods is Camden Lock Market. It’s a maze of outdoor stalls and fixed shops, and I spent many Sundays wandering my way through, checking out everything from vintage clothes to record albums to amazing food. I hear it’s become super-touristy, though, so that’s something to watch out for.

British Library: If you’re getting tired from all that shopping, there’s no better place to disappear into than a library. Whether your tastes run more to historical texts (Hello, Magna Carter. Guten Tag, Gutenberg Bible) or writings that are more pop-culturally significant (Beatles lyrics), you could spend hours lost in the library. Lost in a good way, of course.

Hampstead Heath: Take a stroll around the picturesque Heath and pop into the café at Kenwood House for a light lunch or a spot of tea. Or, better yet, indulge in my favorite lazy-day activity and pack up some sandwiches and treats and enjoy a picnic. There’s nothing better than wiggling your toes in the grass and feeling the sun on your face while you grab a snack and relax in the breeze. The Heath is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

I realize these might all seem like very obvious, touristy places, but they’re also the ones I find myself going back to, time and time again, when I recall my favorite memories in your fine city. There are so many other places I could recommend, Prince George, but I’ll save them for when you’re a little bit older.

What are some of your favorite London hang-out spots?

Let’s talk about my favorite city on Twitter @StephSpitler

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