The world painted by Littlelle: What to do in London beyond the typical tourist attractions?

Em terras de Sua Majestade, as atrações clássicas são pontos de passagem obrigatórios para quem vai pela primeira vez a Londres, a capital do Reino Unido. Toda a gente quer acertar o relógio pelo Big Ben, atravessar a Tower Bridge, assistir ao render da guarda ou ir a um museu. Contudo, Londres tem muito mais para oferecer e experienciar para além do que oferecem os apinhados pontos turísticos must see, que toda a gente já ouvir falar pelo menos uma vez na vida.

In lands of Her Majesty, the classic attractions are obligatory points of passage for those who go for the first time to London, the capital of the United Kingdom. Everyone wants to set the clock by Big Ben, cross the Tower Bridge, watch the guard's render or visit a museum. However, London has a lot more to offer and experience beyond the crowded must see sights, which everyone already hears of at least once in a lifetime.

London seen through the eye (photo by Littlelle)

Tower Bridge (photo by Littlelle)

Porque não passear por outros pontos e bairros alternativos emergentes, que cruzam a multiculturalidade desta cidade? Ficam algumas sugestões...

Why not wander through other emergent alternative spots and neighborhoods, which cross the multiculturalism of this city? Here are some suggestions...

Markets

Os mercados de rua são abundantes nesta cidade. Alguns mais direcionados para comida, outros para velharias ou artigos vintage, escolhas não faltam... Tens mercados para preencher a tua semana de 2ª feira a domingo.

Street markets abound in this city. Some are more targeted for food, others for vintage items, you have many options to choose from... You have markets to fill your week from Monday to Sunday.

Brick Lane Market

Open on weekends | Metro: Liverpool St., Aldgate East, Old St.

You can find Art (photo by Littlelle)

Vintage (photo by Littlelle)

And stuff (photo by Littlelle)

Portobello Road Market

Open all days | Metro: Nothing Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove

From fashion market to antiques section (photo by Littlelle)

Second hand goods (photo by Littlelle)

Borough Market

Open from Monday to Saturday | Metro: London Bridge

Food and drink market (photo by Littlelle)

Candem Lock Market

Open all days | Metro: Candem Town

Welcome to Camden (photo by Littlelle)

Design and handicraft (photo by Littlelle)

Fanshion and second hand goods (photo by Littlelle)

Covent Garden

Open all days | Metro: Covent Garden, Holborn, Embankment

Apple Market (photo by Littlelle)

Fashion, Antiques and Cafes (photo by Littlelle)

Leadenhall Market

Open from Monday to Friday | Metro: Bank, Monument

Somewhere in the financial area (photo by Littlelle)

Parks

Para descontrair da agitação da cidade, sabe sempre bem uma caminhada pelos grandes parques, espaços verdes que felizmente Londres oferece aos seus habitantes. Os dias de sol não são muito abundantes na cidade, conhecida pelo tempo cinzento e pelo smog, mas quando o sol espreita, os parques e jardins são o sítio ideal para te sentares e ler um livro, ouvir música, ou para fazer um pic nic. Na primavera os canteiros floridos pintam os parques e jardins, já no outono enchem-se de folhas castanhas avermelhadas. Os simpáticos esquilos são presença constante ao longo do ano.

To relax from the hustle and bustle of the city, it always feel so good a walk through the large parks, green spaces that London happily offers its inhabitants. The sunny days are not too abundant in the city, known for gray weather and smog, but when the sun rises, parks and gardens are the ideal place to sit and read a book, listen to music, or to make a picnic. In spring the flowering flower beds paint the parks and gardens, and in autumn they are filled with reddish brown leaves. The friendly squirrels are constant presence throughout the year.

Primrose Hill

Metro: Chalk Farm, Camden Town

Skyline view (photo by Littlelle)

Nice place to spend sunny days near Regent's Park (photo by Littlelle)

Hyde Park

Metro: Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch

Classic park in London (photo by Littlelle)

Fall (photo by Littlelle)

St. James’s Park

Metro: St James Park

Spring (photo by Littlelle)

Pelicans of Her Majesty (photo by Littlelle)

Just to take a quiet moment in the city (photo by Littlelle)

Green Park

Metro: Green Park

Strolling around (photo by Littlelle)

Cute little thing (photo by Littlelle)

Street Art

São muitos os museus de arte em Londres, a maioria com entrada gratuita, contrariamente a outros pontos turísticos da cidade que apresentam preços exorbitantes. Contudo, ao ar livre encontras arte de rua um pouco espalhada pelos vários cantos da cidade, mais concentrada por exemplo, nas ruas dos mercados mais alternativos como Brick Lane e Camdem Town. A zona de Shoreditch, enquanto bairro artístico alternativo em ascensão, apresenta vários murais e movimentos artísticos interessantes para explorar com calma. Infelizmente só consegui encontrar um trabalho do Banksy.

There are many art museums in London, most with free admission, as opposed to other sights in the city that have exorbitant prices. However, in the open air you will find street art a little scattered around the city, more concentrated for example on the streets of alternative markets like Brick Lane and Camdem Town. The Shoreditch area, as an up-and-coming alternative artistic district, features several interesting murals and artistic movements to explore with ease. Unfortunately, I could only find one Banksy's work.

Brick Lane (photo by Littlelle)

Shoreditch (photo by Littlelle)

Zabou (photo by Littlelle)

Shoreditch walls (photo by Littlelle)

Somewhere at Portobello Road (photo by Littlelle)

Banksy art work at Portobello (photo by Littlelle)

Five o’clock tea

Em Inglaterra, sê Inglês, of course! Eu dispenso o calórico English Breakfast. Feijões ao pequeno-almoço não me convence, mas um chá e uns scones sabem sempre bem para recarregar energias a meio da tarde! Que tal abrir a carteira por um dia e tomar um chá no Sketch. Se quiseres fazer uma refeição na sala Gallery, tens mesmo de reservar. Quem preferir cupcakes, caminhar até Belgravia para lanchar na Porchen Cakes. Uma outra sugestão para quem gosta de andar com a cabeça nas nuvens é o Sky Garden, um dos edifícios mais altos da cidade para desfrutar de vista panorâmica.

In England, be English, of course! I dispense the caloric English Breakfast. Beans for breakfast does not convince me at all, but a tea and some scones seems always good to recharge at mid-afternoon! How about opening the wallet for one day and having tea in the glamourous Sketch. If you want to have a meal in the Gallery room, you have to book. Those who prefer cupcakes, walk to Belgravia to have lunch at the cute Porchen Cakes. Another suggestion for people who enjoy riding their heads in the clouds is the Sky Garden, one of the city's tallest buildings to enjoy panoramic views.

Sketch

Sketch, The Gallery (photo by Littlelle)

Sketch, The Glade (photo by Littlelle)

Don't forget to go to the toilets (photo by Littlelle)

Peggy Porschen Cakes

Peggy Porschen Cakes (photo by Littlelle)

Look inside Peggy Porschen Cakes (photo by Littlelle)

And delight yourself (photo by Littlelle)

Biscuiteers

Another option is Biscuiteers at Notting Hill (photo by Littlelle)

Sky Garden

Sky garden suggested by Dídia (photo by Dídia Ribeiro)

The view from up their (photo by Dídia Ribeiro)

Colorful neighborhoods

Por detrás da neblina cinzenta que muitas vezes cobre a cidade, Londres apresenta elegantes e recatados bairros residenciais com casinhas geminadas coloridas. Ao caminhares por bairros como Primrose Hill, Notting Hill ou Chelsea, dás-te conta das rotinas das pessoas, famílias e crianças com os seus uniformes escolares.

Behind the gray haze that often covers the city, London features elegant, demure residential neighborhoods with colorful houses. When walking through neighborhoods like Primrose Hill, Notting Hill or Chelsea, you realize the routines of people, families and children in their school uniforms.

Primrose Hill