An autumn weekend in London, with tips from Rossella Beaugié
Afternoons at the Wallace Collection and private evenings at the British Museum. The culinary melting pot and shopping in the Pimlico Road Design District. A tour of the City with the founder of The Thinking Traveller.
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I see London as a multifaceted and inspiring metropolis. It is perhaps one of the most progressive cities in terms of inclusion and diversity. Although Brexit has led to a noticeable decline in the number of young Europeans moving here, the city remains vibrant and has an extraordinary ability to reinvent itself. I love its multiculturalism – a true melting pot where languages, cuisines, religions and traditions coexist naturally, making everyday life creative and dynamic. From the architecture of the buildings – with new skyscrapers standing side by side with Georgian or Victorian buildings – to the parks: what were once simply green spaces have become social and cultural hubs.
Every neighbourhood has a strong identity, and London is a collection of well-connected villages, each with its own character. My husband Huw and I live in Muswell Hill, in the north: a green, hilly area with small independent shops and a strong sense of community. My weekend begins on my bike, cycling through the park to the gym, where I take a Vinyasa Flow class to start the day with the right energy. Then I do a bit of shopping and head home for breakfast. During the week, a classic breakfast for me is my homemade kefir with granola, served with matcha tea, citrus essential oils, walnuts, almonds and pistachios, along with fresh fruit. At the weekend, however, I’m happy to treat myself to brunch with poached eggs on the ever-present avocado toast.
I spend Saturdays with my family, if the children are at home, or with my friends, reading, doing a bit of gardening or visiting exhibitions. The British Museum’s Members’ Evenings are truly charming, but I also often visit the Victoria and Albert Museum – an inexhaustible source of inspiration – the Tate Modern for its contemporary vibrancy, and the Wallace Collection, which is more intimate and perfect for a cosy afternoon surrounded by art and period furniture.
I love secret London – the London of the little mews tucked away behind the main thoroughfares, of private gardens, neighbourhood markets, or along the canals between Little Venice and King’s Cross. For lunch, I often go to the Greenberry Café on Primrose Hill, the Coal Office at Coal Drops Yard for its Middle Eastern dishes to share, or to Moro at Exmouth Market, which offers a good selection of Mediterranean specialities. Saturdays are also for shopping: I’m lucky enough to have a dear Italian friend who’s an interior designer, and with her I’ve discovered the Pimlico Road Design District for its antique dealers and historic British brands, such as Fermoie or Colefax and Fowler, and One. World in Parsons Green, a little farmhouse-style gem.
Other must-visit spots include Liberty London, Tom Dixon in King’s Cross for contemporary lighting, and Soho Home on King’s Road for those who love interiors with a bold character, as well as the vintage stalls at Spitalfields Market. My passion for hunting down furniture and homeware stems from my professional background at The Thinking Traveller, the company I co-founded with my husband. Saturday evenings are often spent at the cinema or the theatre.
