Six days a week London is a bustling, yelling, wild-eyed city. But come Sunday, this capital opens up into an altogether more enjoyable place. So let Time Out guide you through a packed sabbath:
6am
Sun spot
Nothing will make you feel better about crawling out from under the duvet than watching the sun rise over London, and there’s no better place to do it than Parliament Hill (although south Londoners will inevitably put in a claim for Greenwich). At the moment, the sun is popping up just after 6am. Once you’ve basked in its splendour – and if you’re feeling adventurous – it’s a short hop to Hampstead ponds for an invigorating swim.
Hampstead Mixed Pond, East Heath Rd, NW3 (020 7485 4491).
Line your stomach
For a morning meal try Alpino (97 Chapel Market, N1, 020 7837 8330). Get in early, and give yourself the best possible start to the day.
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7am
Go green
Everyone and their dog heads for Hampstead Heath on Sunday, so why not nip next door to Golders Green Park, with its trees, ponds, menagerie and tennis courts? Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head back to Hampstead Heath for tea and pastries at the Brew House (opens 9am).
Brew House, Kenwood, Hampstead Lane, NW3 (020 8341 5384).
Go junk shopping
Nag’s Head Covered Market on Seven Sisters Road (next to Morrisons) is a proper, rough-round-the-edges retail experience. It specialises in secondhand goods, so if you get there early, you can pick up bargains ranging from old vinyl to mostly working toasters.
8am
Super service
If you want to inject a little atmospheric worship into the proceedings, experience Holy Communion in the spectacular St Martin-in-the-Fields. Or for a reminder of London’s multiculturalism, visit one of the afternoon services for the Chinese community: at 1.15pm there’s a service in Mandarin, and at 2.15pm there’s one in Cantonese.
St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2 (020 7766 100/ www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org).
9am
Get your heart racing
The Nike Bridges Run is an informal group run around Battersea Park and Chelsea Embankment, suitable for all standards, with three- or five-mile routes. It’s a great way to train up to one of the regular 5k or 10k races held in the capital, or just to get your heart pumping so you’re ready to tackle the rest of the day.
Run starts at 9am. Details at www.runlondon.com
To the pub!
The Royal Oak on Columbia Road has been tarted up since its smoky boozer days, although its beautiful wood-panelled interior has thankfully remained intact. Get there for 9.30am opening time, and tuck into one of its breakfasts (with a pint of Truman’s Eagle Ale if you’re feeling up to it) before browsing the blooms in the flower market outside (opens 8.30am).
The Royal Oak, 173 Columbia Rd, E2 (020 7729 2220).
10am
Learn an ancient game
Brick Lane’s Sunday Upmarket has some fantastic stalls and characters. Nip into the Old Truman Brewery to play carom (an ancient Middle Eastern game) and keep an eye out for the homemade delights of the Choc Star (www.chocstar.co.uk) ice-cream van.
Sunday Upmarket, Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1. Carom open session Sun 10am-5pm.
Get steamed up
Ironmonger Row Baths is a superb choice for those with a hangover. Inside, you’ll find a huge pool, Turkish baths, plus bodyscrubs and massages from £5 (Turkish baths and bodycrubs women only on Sundays).
Ironmonger Row Baths, 1-11 Ironmonger Row, EC1 (020 7253 4011). Open Sun 10am-6pm. Adm £2.20-£10.
11am
Take a trip back in time
Linley Sambourne House in Kensington, where from 1875 Punch cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne lived with his wife and two children, provides a chance to visit a late-Victorian, middle-class home that has survived largely unchanged. Get down there and see how they used to do Sundays.
Linley Sambourne House, 18 Stafford Terrace, W8 (020 7602 3316/www.rbkc.gov.uk/linleysambournehouse). Sun tours at 11.15am, 1pm, 2.15pm, 3.30pm. Adm £6, concs £4, under-18s £1.
Take up kung fu
Shaolin monks spend their lives perfecting their kung fu. Fortunately you don’t have to be quite so dedicated at the preparation classes at the Shaolin Temple UK in Tufnell Park. A great way to shake off Sunday lethargy. Haaai-ya!
Shaolin Temple UK, 207a Junction Rd, N19 (020 7687 8333/ www.shaolintempleuk.org). Sun class 11.30am-12.30pm. £8 (£5 trial class).
Noon
Watch some proper cinema
Avoid the latest Hollywood mush by taking in a double bill at the mildly arty Curzon Soho – recent pairings have included ‘Sleeper’ and ‘Love and Death’. Afterwards, nip up to the bustling New World for tasty dim sum (£2-£5 a dish).
Curzon Soho, 93-107 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1. See Film listings.
New World, 1 Gerrard Place, W1 (020 7734 0396).
Get your skates on
Take up inline skating in Brentford. The four-week beginners’ course will take you from the basics to expert moves.
Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre, 658 Chiswick High Rd, Brentford (020 7731 4999/www.citiskate.com). Course Sun 12noon-2pm. £95 (£135 with skate hire).
Afternoon
Evening
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4 comments
The public skates in London on Friday 8pm and Sunday 2pm (from Hyde Park corner area) are facilitated by www.LFNS.co.uk
Check out the website for up to date photos and news.
I agree with sarah - one for a saturday or the bank holiday work be great!!
I am Italian, used to live in London, now in Milan since.. well, way too much I guess, and you made me feel like being in my beloved London again..
tks a lot!!
Brilliant Feature. Can you do one of these for a Saturday?