London Conversation With: Cierra Block

I thought it would be fun to share some of my favourite things and places in London, so I've interviewed myself in this latest London Conversation. As a little background, I’ve lived in London with my husband for eight years and we have a three year old daughter who is so fun to adventure around London with. I love this city and we have made NW London our home. London is a very walkable city with history and charm everywhere you look and I want to share that history and charm with you. So if you are looking for delicious, fun, and interesting things to do in London this is the place for you. Is there a hidden gem you’re willing to share?I love visiting St. John’s Lodge Garden’s in Regent’s Park. It is a few minutes away from Queen Mary’s Rose Garden and it truly feels like a secret garden. The entrance is through a black gate so it is easy to miss, but if you look on google maps you’ll easily be able to find it. Do you have a place you take all your visitors?When we have visitors I like to show them our local area which usually means brunch at Milk Beach, the farmers market if they are here at the weekend (we love picking up Buns from Home at the QP farmers market), or Hampstead Heath. But beyond that I try to tailor my recommendations to each visitor. Do you have a favourite place for afternoon tea?This is basically an impossible question to answer there are so many good ones. If you are going for a spurge I’d recommend Rosewood  Hotel or Sketch. If you are going mid-range I’d recommend Peggy Porshen or Cutter and Squide. Then there are SO many other wonderful teas we are really spoilt for choice. Check out my afternoon tea guide to see my favorites. Favourite cheap eat?London has so many amazing restaurants at every price point. Some of my favourite places that don’t break the bank are Homeslice (get the mushroom ricotta pizza), Padella, or getting street food from one of the amazing markets around London (Borough, Camden, Spitalfields, etc.)Favourite market to wander through?There are so many wonderful markets in London and it is hard to narrow it down, but two of my favourite are Columbia Road Flower Market, which is only open Sunday and offers up beautiful flowers and plants. My other favourite is Borough Market. Do you have a favourite movie or book set in London?One of my favourite movies set in London is About Time. It is such a charming movie and if you haven’t seen it I’d highly recommend. It is a romantic comedy that also weaves through relationships with the main character and his father, sister, and friends as he navigates life in London. As for books set in London, I would recommend The Lido by Libby Page, and 84 Charing Cross Road. What is a classic London thing that you’ve never done? This isn’t super specific to London per say but I’ve never eaten a Full English. I won’t knock it as I’ve never tried it….but let’s just say I’m not going to try it. If you had to pick, what is your favourite season in London? My favourite is spring, until it is summer, then summer until it is fall, and then fall until it is winter (with the exception of January and February. There is very little daylight, it is super cold, all in all quite depressing months.)How would you spend a free Saturday in London?When I have a free Saturday one of my favourite thing to do is go to Hampstead Heath. I love walking through the park with my family and enjoying the forest feel of the trails. The park is so large it never feels crowded. On our way home we might stop for lunch at The Wells Tavern, Jin Kinchi, or Hampstead Creperie. I love to wander through the shops on Hampstead High Street and we always stop at Roni’s and grab some bagels to snack on later.Favourite local Cafe?My favourite local cafe to go to is Hart and Lova. It is the tiniest little cafe that has the most delicious bread and treats. The bake everything on site and it is all delicious. My favoruite thing to get is their pan au chocolat. It is honestly better than any pan au chocolat I’ve had in Paris, and even better than the ones at the fancy bakeries here in London. When ever I have guests staying I always go there in the morning and get a bag full of croissants and pan au chocolate for breakfast. On the weekends they sell the most delicious rosemary focaccia and we get it almost every week. It really is a hidden treasure that is only a few minutes from our flat.If I am venturing further from home I love Miel Bakery and always pop in whenever I am nearby. Where would you spend a free hour?If I am in central London and have some extra time I love walking through Liberty. This is my dream department store. A huge haberdashery section with the most beautiful fabrics along with all the other amenities a department store should offer. I get the majority of my make-up, perfume, and skin care from Liberty. It is truly a magical store and well worth browsing if you ever find yourself nearby.Favourite day trip from London?My favourite day trip from London is Bath. I have been so many times and I would happily go today if someone wanted to go. The history of the town is incredible and there is charm every which way you look. The number of delicious restaurants and cafes, as well as wonderful shopping make it the perfect place to spend a day.  Favourite Art Museum?My favourite museum is the Tate Britain. Some of my favourite paintings are here and it is never crowded. The building is stunning and the collection is not overwhelmingly big so you can easily see the entire collection in an afternoon.