5 friends with different nationalities, 4 markets, 3 speakeasys, 2 bookstores… 1 epic weekend in London

When I planned to travel to England for my 160-kilometre solo hike on the Cotswold Way, I knew I’d want to spend at least a few days in London. I’ve been to London several times, and it’s one of the few places in the world I could actually see myself living. I’ve dreamed of walking a dog along the narrow cobblestone streets, sipping a pint at a historic pub on the weekends, and taking a red double-decker bus to work as a prolific writer at the Times.

While that hasn’t happened (and I still love living in Vancouver and working for explore), I was excited to take the opportunity to rent a flat in London for a week.

Before settling in for some solo time, I was lucky to meet up with some of my closest friends and family on the other side of the pond for one epic weekend in London.

5 Friends with Different Nationalities

My Swedish friend Adam and I planned a weekend reunion for his birthday. We studied in South Korea together nine years ago (NINE!) at Kyung Hee University. We invited Charlotte, our British friend who also studied with us. She brought her American fiancé Joe. Then, to my delight, my Danish cousin Elisa joined our group, making it a harmonious quintet of contrasting cultures.

I’ll admit it: I love travelling solo. I like doing what I want, when I want, based on how I feel, the weather and what comes up. Sometimes, travelling with a group can be difficult: either everyone has a different idea of what to do, or no one has any idea what to do at all. Although I’m a planner, I like to keep flexibility in my schedule, and I’m not the best time keeper.

Thankfully, everyone in our crew was happy to go to with the flow (the flow = Adam and me planning everything and leading them everywhere). We ate incredible meals (a standout was Chinese food at Duck and Rice), drank delicious pints (don’t miss the Devonshire Pub), saw the sites around the city, and through it all, caught up, laughed and shared news about our lives. We had the perfect team for an incredible weekend.

4 Markets

Elisa, Adam and I kicked off the weekend with a visit to Camden Market, which became my favourite of the four we visited (and not just because it’s in a Taylor Swift lyric). Camden Market has a lovely aesthetic, with the picturesque Regent’s Canal running alongside it. The area is composed of red brick buildings laced in greenery holding little shops. The cobblestone streets are filled with tourists. Tiny boutiques selling hats, vintage goods and leather line the narrow, pedestrian-only walkways.

After I buy some English Country Garden Tea (lavender and chamomile), we sit in the sun upstairs at Camden Town Brewery for a pint. I sip a Campfire Hazy IPA while Adam and Elisa enjoy lagers.

Afterwards, we cross a small bridge and wander along the canal, looping back to click photos under the famous umbrella-lined sky, where a colourful awning of open parasols shade the boutiques.

We pop into Borough Market for a bite. I’m flabbergasted by the range of flavours and smells permeating the covered food hall: sharp cheddar cheese, buttery prawns, strawberries drizzled in thick chocolate. I order a slow roast pork sandwich from the Black Pig, drizzled in honey truffle, stuffed with crackling and topped with a healthy helping of 30-month-aged shredded parmesan.

We also venture to Portobello Market in Notting Hill, which dates back to the 1860s. Jewelry, crafts, books, knick-knacs, bric-a-brac and vintage wear abounds, mainly for astronomical prices. We wander through light rain, and I meet a man named Paco who creates leather goods. I’d been looking for a convertible backpack that doubled as a purse, and I’m delighted to find it here. The beautiful brown bag smells strongly of leather and features a stamp with “Paco’s Leather – London” on the interior. It’s a perfect souvenir. The rest of the market is frighteningly busy; I feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people on the streets and pass by the stalls in a daze.

We know we can’t miss the fragrant Columbia Road Flower Market, which is only open on Sundays. Lavender, peonies, roses and lilies fill the air with floral sweetness. To my surprise, people seem to actually be shopping for flowers to take home, not just taking touristy photographs (like me). From potted plants to tiny vases with botanical arrangements to freshly cut bouquets wrapped in brown paper, every colour and bloom is on full display. Before we leave, a talented jazz band starts plucking soothing melodic notes on a bass, drums and two guitars.

3 Speakeasys

My favourite speakeasy is also the first one that we visit. Cahoots Postal Service is a 1940s themed bar disguised as a post office. The entrance has a desk and mailboxes, and an attendant enquires about a package. I offer my name and am directed to a phone. A call rings through, instructing us to push the classic red postal box and discover the bar behind it. When we enter, the bartender checks that we won’t tell the police, effectively getting us in “cahoots” together.

I love speakeasies, and this theme does not disappoint. The menus are hidden in newspapers. You can order Air Mail, which is a drink secured in a thermos and delivered via tubes in the ceiling. I order a drink in a package-like ceramic glass, while Elisa’s arrives slotted in a mini London telephone box, and unfortunately tastes like pickle juice. Adam’s drink, the Winston Churchill, comes in a mug with its namesake face on the front, and undeniably tastes the best.

We celebrate Adam’s birthday at Cahoots Underground. Located in an abandoned tube station, follow the inconspicuous opening down through the tunnels to a lively bar. Musicians take requests, and the bartender even presents us with free birthday shots. While it’s simply too loud for me to enjoy with my hearing loss and tinnitus on a Saturday night, I can image how some people would love this spot.

Finally, we find possibly the coolest and most authentic speakeasy in London. Discount Suit Company looks like a derelict, boarded-up shop in a slightly sketchy area after dark. But don’t give up—peek in the door and you’ll find a bouncer guarding steep steps to a truly underground bar. In the basement, with a low exposed beam ceiling, wooden bar and bare brick walls, this cozy speakeasy serves up strong drinks in a crushingly teeny former tailor’s storeroom. We meet three Londoners who are also celebrating a birthday and demand to know how us “tourists” found such a “local” spot. What a compliment!

2 Bookstores

There are a ton of classic, unique, cozy, huge and famous bookstores in London. Over the weekend, we only visit two, and I only buy two books. A miracle!

After snagging a breakfast bagel, I dash across the street and into Brick Lane Books. With a small section of special books, I’m drawn to the collections of short stories from their UK-based fiction contests. I like buying books only available in the country I’m travelling to, when possible, so I pick up an anthology of creative writing.

Next, we escape the rain by dipping into Waterstones in Picadilly Circus, and my jaw drops. Six floors (SIX) of books await our exploration. Deep in the stacks, I unearth a book by a UK neurologist I’d lamented not buying back when I visited Ireland in 2019. Six years later; I find it here! It’s a beautiful full circle literary moment.

1 Epic Weekend

From fantastic restaurants to fun bars, wandering the expansive city and getting lost on the tube, we had an epic weekend in London. Not simply because of what we did, but because of who we were with. I’m endlessly grateful for my Korea reunion crew and I can’t wait to see everyone again soon.