On The Ground

Insider tips for travellers to London

Destination advice from passionate travellers – Cathay Pacific’s own people

April OTG

Dominique Tardif

Cabin Crew Base Manager

The wanderer

I never tire of wandering around London. With its contrasting architectural styles, public squares, historical buildings, exhibitions and shows, there’s always something new to see.

We asked our London-based cabin crew to rank their top three things to do in the city. They were: a walk along the South Bank from Tower Bridge to the London Eye, with a lunch stop at the Tate Modern or Borough Market; getting lost in the V&A Museum; and B Bakery’s afternoon tea bus tours, serving high tea onboard original Routemaster buses.

My tip is to explore Brixton, a district in south London that has a vibrant art and music scene. Enjoy live music at the Brixton Academy or The Windmill pub, then try a pop-up restaurant around Brixton Market. Make sure you visit a friendly watering hole like Stir Coffee or Effra Social in Brixton Hill, too.

V&A Museumcredit: ©Victoria and Albert Museum, London
©Victoria and Albert Museum, London
OTG April

John Fitzgerald

Business development manager

The history buff

Close to Liverpool Street station is Old Spitalfields Market, where a melting pot of immigrants – including French Huguenots, Irish people, Jewish settlers and Bengalis – has defined East End culture.

Today, Old Spitalfields Market is a regenerated neighbourhood of boutiques, cafes and pubs alongside the Anglican Christ Church on Commercial Street and restored Huguenot houses. Visit Brick Lane for the best curry houses and the Jewish bagel bakeries, followed by a pint in a traditional London pub.

Those interested in the macabre should visit the Ten Bells pub – it was here that at least one of Jack the Ripper’s victims had their last drink (a nighttime Jack the Ripper tour around Spitalfields is a must). When you’ve finished exploring Spitalfields, nearby are the glitzy bars and clubs of trendy Shoreditch.

Busy food stalls, Brick Lane
Doug McKinlay / Lonely Planet Images / Getty Images
OTG April

Kawai Wong

Social media specialist

The efficient traveller

If you’re a first-time London visitor, you could do worse than to head to London Victoria station. All the Instagrammable London spots are close: Westminster Abbey (where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge got married); Buckingham Palace (spot those furry-hatted soldiers who guard the Queen); and The Mall, the road that runs from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square. Plus, Sloane Square’s upmarket shopping is a stiletto-friendly walk away.

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Discovery online brings together all the inspirational travel writing from our two inflight magazines, Discovery and Silkroad. Be sure to look out for the print editions when you next fly with Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon.
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