If you’re new to London, chances are you’ll head straight to the typical tourist hot spots — Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, Trafalgar Square — but London has many more hidden treasures, especially for those with a love for fashion and food.
Nestled between Oxford Street and Regent Street — two of the city’s major shopping destinations — you’ll discover Carnaby.
Spread over 13 streets, Carnaby is home to 52 unique independent boutiques, 40 global fashion brands, 15 concept shops and 61 independent restaurants, cafes and bars.
TRAVEL
The train from Doncaster to London Kings Cross takes less than two hours and typically costs between £30-£100 return if booked in advance. For cheaper fares, travel after 9am and return after 7pm (off-peak). The underground is located within Kings Cross Station — take the Victoria Line north to Oxford Circus then Carnaby is just a five minute walk on foot. A one day off-peak London underground travel card costs £7.30 and allows you unlimited tube travel for one day in zones one and two (central London). http://www.thetrainline. co.uk
FOOD AND DRINK
Whether you’re stopping off for a light bite, afternoon tea or an indulgent dinner — here’s where we’d recommend:
Create your own bespoke tea at Camellia’s Tea House.
Complete with a chocolate shop, café and chocolate boudoir, visit Choccywoccydoodah — three stories of pure indulgence.
Flat Iron is a brand new steak concept restaurant. There’s only one dish on the menu — a little known butcher’s cut called ‘the flat iron’. The basement also houses the mouth-watering doughnut bar, with fillings including Yorkshire Rhubarb and
Tahitian Vanilla Custard.
Good eggs, good chicken, good times!
A hidden gem in Carnaby is Whyte and Brown — a new chicken and egg concept restaurant serving dishes in more
ways than you thought possible. Set back from the busy shopping streets, the restaurant sits in a three-storey open air courtyard at Kingly Court.
From chicken soups and salads to burgers, pates, pies and an array of egg-based options and desserts — you’ll be spoilt for choice.
We recommend… The Lemon Leek Risotto Scotch Egg — it’s not your average scotch egg! The giant but perfectly formed egg is perched on wilted spinach with chive and lemon butter sauce — a light, elegant dish with just the right balance of flavours. Be sure to tuck in to some artisan breads as an appetiser, and swill it all down with a cocktail or two. A customer favourite is the Sloe & Sour — orange-infused vodka shaken with slow gin, fresh lemon and a little cream for softness and zest.
SHOPPING
- Shoppers will find rich pickings at urban street wear shops, vintage boutiques and one-off ‘concept’ shops on Carnaby
Street. Browse luxury vintage pieces at Lily Allen’s store Lucy in Disguise.
- Shop Kate Moss’ choice of shoe at the only Terry de Havilland boutique.
- Create your own bespoke jeans at the Paul Smith Soho store.
- Founded in Sheffield, Drop Dead clothing has set up shop on Carnaby street. The brand is owned by Oliver Sykes, lead singer of British metal band Bring Me The Horizan.
- Follow in the ways of Alexa Chung and Kate Moss and create a bespoke piece of jewellery at the iconic Great Frog boutique.
- Create a one-off pair of Dr.Marten’s in their flagship store.
- Customise your converse at Size?, with everything from sequins to studs, and browse the widest range of trainers in London.
BEAUTY
- Enjoy a traditional haircut and shave at barber shop Pankhurst London, with its Bentley Chairs and whisky lounge.
- Update your makeup bag at beauty favourites MAC and Illamasqua.
- Indulge yourself in two floors of bold and girlie gorgeous-ness brought to you by the iconic Benefit Cosmetics. This one-off global flagship beauty destination features a champagne bar, blow-dry’s and lash and nail treatments.
We recommend… A Blowout by Benefit at the blow-dry bar. The 30 minute dry and style is a great way to get ready for a date, a trip to the theatre or just an excuse to be inspired. Pamper yourself pretty with a full service shampoo and blow-out from £26.50.
Little and Loud: A lifestyle blog 