By BROGAN HOUGH, JULY 2017
We all know that the hustle and bustle of London town can sometimes just feel a little too much… If you’re looking for somewhere to escape the fast paced buzz of London for a while without actually having to leave, Greenwich is the place to go.
Packed full of Royal heritage, bars, markets and food stalls, as well as being home to the infamous Greenwich Park you really are spoilt for choice in how to spend your day here. With all this being located in a beautiful river setting, it boasts fantastic views making it the perfect place to chill out, have a drink and watch the sunset transform your day to night.
Greenwich MarketsOpen from 10.00am – 5.30pm, Greenwich market is the perfect place to spend your day sauntering around. Full of arts and crafts, street food and regularly the audience for live classical musicians, the market is also surrounded with one of a kind boutique stores ensuring it has something for everyone. In true market style, you can find a variety of quirky things such as personalised signage, hand crafted wooden ornaments and exotic smelling candles but without getting the dreaded ‘hard sell’ when it comes to haggling the price. Don’t forget to hit the Pavilion food court, grab some authentic Thai street food (my personal recommendation) or a Nutella covered waffle and enjoy.
Greenwich ParkOffering 74 hectares of greenery, Greenwich Park is one of eight of the capital’s Royal parks. There are three cafes nearby, and it is also hosts the Royal Observatory and Martime World Heritage site. What makes this park stand out though, is the stunning views its calm, hilly location has to offer. This is the perfect place to take a picnic and watch the world go by. The park overlooks several landmarks stretching from St Pauls cathedral to the River Thames – a scene that is particularly mesmerising at sunset!
Cutty SarkAs the name suggests, this bar is located near the Cutty Sark ship, looking out on the river. Although it may not be the most glamorous of establishments, this three story Georgian bow-fronted pub offers a priceless atmosphere and again, is an ideal place to be when the sun sets. This bar is 100s of years old and therefore has a really authentic, charming atmosphere. With affordable drinks and a highly rated fish and chips dish, this place is suitable for everyone and definitely worth checking out if you are in the area!
The Old BreweryThis is a classic craft beer pub that offers true British flavour in both food and beverages. Having recently been refurbished, this place is nice and modern but has still kept an ‘oldie worldie’ feel that you expect to find in a brewery house. The Old Brewery has a terraced area as well as inside dining. Whilst waiting for your food you can pass the time by looking at displays of the tea trade and brewery artefacts, or listening to the jazz musicians that sometimes play in the courtyard. Food, drink, music and education all in one – what more could you ask for?
Davy’s Wine Vaults and The CooperageNow I know the majority of the places mentioned above come with a sunset recommendation, so an inside evening alternative has to be Davy’s Wine vaults. Close to Greenwich station, this charming bar has an impressive assortment of over 100 different wines covering a range of ages. As the night goes on head down into The Cooperage (part of the same establishment). This quirky little cocktail bar offers a delicious variety of both traditional and one of a kind cocktails with a with a speakeasy vibe. The interior is scattered with exposed brickwork, candles and snug booths giving it a shabby chic and intimate feel. It is definitely a hidden treasure of Greenwich!
As well as everything mentioned above, there are lots of other things to do in Greenwich such as visit The Observatory, catch a water taxi down the River Thames, take a cable car past the Shard, or explore the art museums and Naval college. Greenwich is definitely an oasis of calm in the inner city – somewhere worth the zone two and three tube fair if you want a change of scenery!
