Our childfree weekend away.
So we were lucky enough to grab a long weekend child free for the other halves birthday / Valentines day.
We really tried to plan in advance some of the great shops , coffee shops and food markets we wanted to visit in advance. We usually ‘ wing it’ in London but find when we leave we always missed that MUST VISIT place and kick ourselves for it.
Friday
We left early Friday afternoon but got caught in traffic entering London so ended up not arriving at Our hotel until early evening. We stayed at the Holiday Inn , North Greenwich. We usually stay at Leman locke but on this occasion the included breakfast ( yum ) amazing value parking and being outside the congestion charge zone was just too much of a great offer. We booked directly through their website and got a great deal .
Friday night we grabbed some hotel food and got an early ( ish ) night to be bright and fresh for the morning.
Saturday
Saturday we got up early and headed straight for breakfast. I have a crazy love for toast machines and just love a hotel with a good bread and jam selection ( actually any breakfast i can eat in peace is just great).
We got straight to the tube station and headed to Neals yard & covent garden to get a great coffee.
We went to 26 Grains ( a long term love) for a flat white & a latte before a stroll around and a few cheeky photo opportunities with bump.
Then finally on our way to Oxford & regent street, we decided to walk instead of the tubes to see some sites and just get some fresh air. When you’re surrounded by 5 children you often realise while you may be together you don’t get any chance to talk. So we grabbed the opportunity.
We had to visit our favourite stores – Uniqlo , Libertys , Arket ( to name a few ) and a couple of cheeky purchases later ( to be shown in a later post ) and it was time to ditch the bags and grab food .
We took Our bags back to the hotel before heading out to find Maltby Street food market … I’m not going to lie , after seeing fatties bakery hot chocolate i was ready to walk 500 miles to get one … and after not getting off the tube till 4.30 ( it closes at 5 ) we almost did have too.
We got there in the nick of time and it was worth every second . Teamed with some mean Gnocci and then a trip to Doodle bar for a mocktail.
Sunday
Sunday is always Columbia road flower market day. We aimed to get there early so I could get my flower fix and it did not disappoint. If you have never been its a great place to visit.
Columbia road is full of amazing independent businesses and in the heart of Shoreditch.
My hydrangeas were my favourite flower purchase by far.
A visit to Bob and blossom was pre planned to buy bits for bump and Ms birthday. They’ve been a favourite store for Our family for so long and the sweaters and tutus are things of dreams.
They stock an amazing selection of toys and fillers , great for children of all ages and all shopping budgets
After columbia road we hit some grown up stores in shoreditch , including Aida & Goodhood .
Sunday roast this week was replaced with drinks at Kick , Chilli ragu chips at Box park & a bubble waffle from Nosteagia. A pregnant womans dream!
Monday
Oh no!
The last day. We decided to get some last minute shopping in alongside a walk down Marylebone. My favourite book shop , Daunt books , always have some amazing treasures and is the most beautiful bookshop in the world.
We went back to Arket for some last minute goodies for the girls , a cheeky pizza at Pizza pilgrims and a last minute dash round the high street stores.
The drive home was anything but fun , but it was magical to be back home with the family.
London was beautiful , but there’s no place like home.