A famous quotation tells us that “when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” Being a Londoner, I have to agree of course: this is a big, colourful city attracting trade, commerce, culture and tourism from all corners of the globe. It’s multi-ethnic, multi-racial, a fast, hard-working environment where everything’s possible. Tourism is Britain’s sixth largest industry and roughly half of the nation’s visitors spend time in London, which generates more than £15 billion for the economy. There’s something here for everyone but visiting this beautiful metropolis doesn’t have to be expensive. Right now, tourists can buy more pounds sterling for their dollars and euros than they could a year ago, so Britain’s become an attractive destination. Historically, London has always had appeal for travellers on all budgets – and some things won’t cost you a penny...

So long as the weather is on your side, London is a great place to walk around. The terrain is gentle; the pavements are wide allowing people to look up at the beautiful architecture around them. There are endless places to stop for refreshment en route and if it all gets too tiring, there’s always a lovely big, red bus to take you home. London is justifiably proud of its street markets. They portray a vital side of life and reflect an essential aspect of the country and her people. Many markets date back to mediaeval times yet they’re still positively thriving today. They also provide, for free, a rich and vivid destination. Even for those not intending to buy it’s sometimes difficult to walk on past.

Markets of 1001 fantasies

Borough Market is said to be London’s oldest market, it’s thankfully lost its mediaeval air and is currently seeing a revival as a good source of organic produce and music. Spitalfields, Portobello, Camden, Covent Garden and Greenwich are all busy markets where virtually everything is on sale: clothing, music, antiques, collectibles, ethnic art, rugs, kilims, breads, cheese, vegetables - and much more. For those aiming to walk along the River Thames, Gabriel's Wharf is a small market on the South Bank next to the OXO building. It’s a busy little market which people often stumble across by chance. They sell mostly ethnic jewellery and art related items but you can also hire bicycles here to explore the South Bank and perhaps take you to the London Eye or the Tate Modern Gallery.

Meet the farmers!

Over recent years, Farmers’ Markets have become tremendously popular. Ealing, Notting Hill, Blackheath, Pimlico, Kensington, Islington, Queens Park, Clapham Wimbledon and Walthamstow all hold Farmers’ Markets on Saturdays or Sundays. Everything on sale has been grown, raised, caught, culled, cooked or hand-made by the people selling it and all the farms are within 100 miles of London. Cheese and dairy products, meat, fish, fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs, bread, cakes, eggs, honey and preserves are always available but as farmers are seasonal producers, the items vary throughout the year. On Sundays, there’s a particularly nice farmer's market off Marylebone High Street which lies close to both Oxford Street and Baker Street. This immediate area is full of excellent cafes and restaurants, with a number of European speciality shops selling breads, cheeses and other delicacies, as well as a string of good fashion shops too. It’s a nice place to go for a pleasant stroll followed by a cup of tea or coffee.

Alfresco Art

Personally, my favourite walk is along the Bayswater Road when, each Sunday for the past 50 years, this busy road is transformed into an open-air art show - the longest art exhibition in the world. Stretching for a mile from Marble Arch to Lancaster Gate and with the green leaves of London’s Hyde Park acting as the back-drop, around 250 artists and craftsmen display their work. They are mostly paintings but also some sculptures and handmade jewellery is shown; the art is displayed on the Park railings and sold at studio prices. After admiring what’s on offer, viewers can stroll into Hyde Park and relax with an ice-cream by the Serpentine. Why not try it and sample an aspect of London at its best?

Jane Faberij de Jonge