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 Famous Red Double Decker & Others |
London Transport 24-hour hotline London, London United Kingdom +44 20 7222 1234 |
Buses in London now come in two types: driver-only buses which you board at the front and those with conductors which are boarded at the rear. It's best to have some change ready when boarding a bus, £5 notes are usually okay but many drivers and conductors will balk at anything larger. Bus fares are cheaper than those for the Tube, and are simply 80p for a journey inside of zone 1 (central London) or £1 for a journey outside Zone 1. 'Travelcards' provide unlimited travel on buses, and can be bought at tube stations and most newsagents. You can also get passes which are valid only on buses from the same outlets as sell travelcards, and from tourist centres. UK Senior citizens are entitled to free travel, and children travel at a reduced rate. There is a penalty for being caught without the right ticket. Bus stops are everywhere, and signs indicate which buses will stop at that station. If you are one of the only people waiting, you may want to halt the bus to make sure it stops. Regular bus services end somewhere between 11p and 12.:0a. Night Buses then provide a limited service running between Trafalgar Square and various outlying areas. For details about routes and times ask for the free booklet 'Buses for Night Owls' from the number below. One-day travelcards are not valid on Night Buses, and fares are higher than daytime ones. Stationlink buses (+44 020 7222 1234) stop at every major London train station every hour. Fare is a bit higher than normal buses. For local bus maps, call +44 020 7371 0247. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Comfortable fluidity |
9 Calvert Avenue London E2 7JP United Kingdom +44 20 7613 3073 http://www.allycapellino.co.uk/ |
Renowned for her wide, loose trousers, Ally Capellino's unstructured and timeless clothes are sold alongside bedding in her neutral-colored boutique. Her shift dresses are perhaps the trademark of her style, be it for the spring/summer or autumn/winter collections. She opts for comfort with understated elegance in natural and oatmeal-type colors. There's also a diffusion line - ao - which has the same sort of gear in cheaper fabrics. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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London's ultimate flea market |
Brick Lane London, London E1 6QL United Kingdom +44 20 7770 6100 http://www.bricklanemarket.com/ |
Developed during the 18th century by farmers selling livestock and produce outside the City's boundaries, the market today offers everything from fruits and vegetables to reduced-priced goods and bankrupt stock. Set among the curry houses and Asian restaurants of the vibrant Brick Lane area - home to many of London's Indian community - the market bustles with activity and is the place to find bargains on goods, including televisions, clothes, cameras, bikes and - yes - even kitchen sinks. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Carla S O  |
 Photo: Britta Carlsen |
 Photo: Dave! |
 Photo: Jade Terry |
 Photo: Timo Günthner |
 Photo: Anthony White |
 Photo: J Pan |
 Photo: vetek zmetek |
 Photo: Carsten Jungfer |
 Photo: cynthiak.fountain |
 Photo: Lisa Faith Phillips |
 Photo: Daniel Bobadilla |
 Photo: Jon Millington |
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British classics on the cheap |
29-53 Chatham Place Hackney London E9 6LP United Kingdom +44 20 8985 3344 http://www.burberry.com |
If you don't mind making a detour to Bethnal Green, you can save up to a third on your favorite Burberry classics. A wide selection of women's wear, men's wear and children's wear, as well as British goodies like shortbread are available. After you rummage through classic jackets, blazers, trousers, purses, wallets, and of course, trench coats, you can wander through the markets of this East London neighborhood. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Alexia |
 Photo: jufineath |
 Photo: Jenifer Semenza |
 Photo: James Chiou |
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'Happy Gardening'! |
Columbia Road London, London E2 7RG United Kingdom http://www.columbia-flower-mar... |
Are you planning to transform your drawing room into a mini garden? Then Columbia Road is where you should halt. This Flower Market offers you fantastic deals in your floral pursuits! Visit this place on a Sunday and treat your eyes to a colorful and exotic exhibition of fresh flowers and bouquets put up for sale. Gardeners and nursery owners, in need of cheap yet quality products are regular customers of the market. Apart from a wide selection of garden products, the market also has a few potteries that sell hand made pots. And if you are exhausted after a long walk along the street, stop over at one of the small eateries for a quick bite. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: J. Nordberg |
 Photo: salimfadhley |
 Photo: Trevor Bowden |
 Photo: salimfadhley |
 Photo: Natasha Sandmeier |
 Photo: TwoCrabs |
 Photo: unresttwothree |
 Photo: Sanjay Mistry |
 Photo: Romy Boettger |
 Photo: Dan Stevenson |
 Photo: james diggle |
 Photo: Hristina Djuric |
 Photo: Mat Waugh |
 Photo: Nick Normal |
 Photo: Michael Matischuk |
 Photo: Christine |
 Photo: Miia Caraballo |
 Photo: Bergin O'Malley |
 Photo: Stefenie Miller |
 Photo: Hooi Kuan Tan |
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Lilies or Lisantheums |
Columbia Road Hackney London, London E2 United Kingdom http://www.columbia-flower-mar... |
A great Sunday morning out. Arrive early for breakfast at one of the cafés, and stroll amongst the plants, bulbs and cut flowers. But if you want the best bargains, wait until the end of the day (that is, late morning!) when cut flowers and pot plants are sold cheaply - but if you hate crowds, get there, do your business, and leave early. Stalls span a large stretch of the beautiful cobbled street, which has original Victorian shop fronts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Amanda Moulson |
 Photo: dan robinson |
 Photo: Kerstin Martin |
 Photo: juju vail |
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Licensed |
3-11 Brunswick Place Owner Drivers Radio Taxi Service Ltd, Brunswick House London, London N1 6DX United Kingdom +44 20 7426 3420 / +44 20 7251 0581 (Office) http://www.dialacab.co.uk/ |
There are licensed black cabs that can be called in advance. The most popular are Computer Cabs (+44 20 7286 0286), Radio Taxis and Dial-a-Cab. Usually run 24 hours. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Holli Gregg |
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Emerging Hot London Designers |
Old Spitalfields Market (The Horner Buildings) London, London E1 United Kingdom +44 20 7375 0441 |
The people who brought you Alternative Fashion Week have launched a monthly market at Old Spitalfields' Horner buildings. This event is set to become 'the' platform for London's emerging and established fashion and accessory designers, positioned between trendy Hoxton and London's latest art and design hot-spot, Spitalfields, in the atmospheric listed Eastern half of the covered market. The market is held on the first Thursday of every month. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Grin and bare it |
118 Columbia Road London, London E2 United Kingdom +44 20 7729 6962 |
Like NinetyFour, Fred Bare is only open during theColumbia Flower Market on Sundays. A huge range of great hats - from Stetsons to those large brimmed, organza hats perfect for garden parties - are all here at greatly reduced prices compared to similar hat purveyors like Harvey Nichols or Harrods. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Tattoos and piercing for the stylish |
144 St. John Street Clerkenwell London, London EC1V 4AU United Kingdom +44 20 7253 5085 http://www.into-you.co.uk |
Eschewing the traditional bikers and rockers image of body art salons, Into You is a refreshingly clean and fashionable establishment that has earned a reputation as one of London's premier sites for body piercing and tattoos. Owners Alex Binnie and 'Curly' are well known body artists, so whether you want a 'flash' tattoo (one transferred from a look book), a custom tattoo or a piercing, you'll be in safe hands. If the thought of having an inked needle repeatedly stab your skin makes you wince, you might just want to peruse some of the stunning, hand-made silver jewellery instead. You wimp. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Things to take back home |
18 Cheshire Street London, London E2 6EH United Kingdom +44 20 7729 6253 http://www.labourandwait.co.uk/ |
Everything you need to put your home in order can be found at this store. Functional and simple, Labour and Wait sources high-quality everyday objects from all over the world. You can buy your tools and utensils for setting up your kitchen. You will also find your brushes, glue, pans, and bags. You can buy your carpentry, crochet, radio receiver and knitting sets, thermometer, whistle, and cookery book here. If you're looking for some comfortable shirts and shoes, you don't have to look elsewhere. This place is ideal for those of you setting up a new house. It's also perfect if you simply want to replace a simple household object or give someone a gift voucher. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Anne Byrne |
 Photo: CloudJuice |
 Photo: johanochtora |
 Photo: Jerry Ma |
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Laden with goodies |
103 Brick Lane London, London E1 6SE United Kingdom +44 20 7247 0787 / +44 20 7247 2431 http://www.laden.co.uk/ |
When David Beckham first stepped out on the town with his Mohican haircut, wife Victoria chose to wear a customised baseball top from a collection of one off designs by Adele Laden, owner of the Laden Showrooms. Other stars have been swift to follow suit, with Geri Halliwell, Hear'Say and Samantha Mumba all having been seen sporting the designs of a lady who started her career at Camden Market. With in-house designers including Alphabet, Mandoza, Shaft and Uptight Clothing, Laden Showroom is the place to go to discover the best up-and-coming designers, as well as some great vintage choices. For the full experience visit on Sundays when the shop gets crowded and witness the designers plying their trade on site. Alternatively if you want to shop in a more relax environment go in the middle of the week and browse to you heart's content. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Made to measure designer clothes |
41 Clerkenwell Road London, London EC1M 5RS United Kingdom +44 20 7490 5229 |
Ever fancied having your own ideas for clothes become reality? Yes? Welcome, then, to Malapa. All you have to do is pop down to the store with your own ideas, and their team of expert in-house designers will knock up a unique creation just for you - while you wait! On the other hand, if you prefer something off the peg, owners Rodney Reid and Sharon Cowan have rented space to fashion students and graduates as well as more established names. Past and present labels include Sophie Maxwell, Ne Quittez Pas and Jo Sinclair. Beware, though - exclusivity doesn't come cheap! Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Vietnamese neighbourhood grocery store |
185-187 Mare Street Hackney London, London E8 3QE United Kingdom +44 (0)20 8986 5946 |
Hackney is home to a small Vietnamese community, but most of the stuff at this neighborhood grocery store can be found in Chinatown. If you're in the area, however, you should pop in (perhaps after tasting the fresh and wonderful concoctions at nearby Huong-Viet)to pick up some fish sauce, rice paper wrappers, vegetables, meat or some deli goods. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Unstarry jewellery workshop |
94 Columbia Road London, London E2 United Kingdom |
In sync with the spirit of East London, this stylish jewellery boutique is more workshop than ostentatious designer store. Contemporary designers are well represented, including Simon Rees, Ann Black, Laure Lee and Lars Sture. It's usually open during the Columbia Flower Market on Sundays. Unfortunately, you can't call to check since there's no phone number - how quaint. The immense range of stock means you can buy a nipple or belly ring for a mere £15 or a wedding ring for thousands. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Pesticide-free food delivered to your door |
1-7 Willow Street London, London EC2A 4BH United Kingdom +44 20 7729 2828 http://www.organicsdirect.co.uk/ |
Organics Direct allow you to have the finest quality organic, vegetarian delights delivered directly from the farm to your home or workplace within 24 hours. They stock over 450 organic products all hand picked from the country's premier small farmers and growers - not big businesses - so everything dropped off at your doorstep is fresh and fairly traded. So, whether you fancy pizza or pasta, cakes or cereal, or just fancy getting sloshed on organic wines and beers, Organics Direct is the place to show off just how eco-friendly and health conscious you really are. A standard 3-5kg vegetable box costs £13.45 and delivery is included on orders up to 20kg. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Bridal wear and more |
152-160 City Road Kemp House, Suite 331 London, London EC1V 2NX United Kingdom +44 (0)20 8442 8301 http://www.rochad.com/ |
This is an online boutique and shop selling couture, bridal wear, accessories and much more. The availability of made to order gowns, using your specific measurements and fabrics of the highest quality, is one of the many unique selling points of Rochad. Even after more than 25 years in the business, this enterprise continues with the passion and zeal of a dedicated seamstress. Taffeta, wool, duchess satin, crepe back satin, organza, and jersey are some of the fabrics you can wrap yourself in - take your pick! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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For women only |
57 Hoxton Square London, London N1 6HD United Kingdom +44 20 7613 5458 http://www.sh-womenstore.com/ |
Self-proclaimed "different" fetish shops have been cropping up all over London - and not just in Soho. This women's only boudoir-style shop opened in 1992 to give women with a wild side the chance to indulge in a bit of rubber, PVC, leather, open-crotch panties and corsets plus assorted sex paraphernalia in a friendly environment. Men are not allowed inside unless they are accompanied by a woman. Call for a catalogue. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Historical meat market |
West Smithfields Clerkenwell London, London EC1M United Kingdom +44 20 7236 8734 |
Smithfields is one of a kind, still on its original site and still using porters to carry the meat carcasses. It only sells wholesale, but you can buy smaller cuts of meat from the poultry section. Try to visit in the wee hours, perhaps after a night of clubbing in the area, to get a real feel - not to mention smell - of the place. Afterwards, why not visit the historical Fox and Anchor pub, which starts serving at 7a specially for the market workers. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Tom Ledger |
 Photo: Sonia Khan |
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Men's fashion gets rocking |
59 Rivington Street London EC2A 3QQ United Kingdom +44 (0)20 7739 3636 http://www.start-london.com/sh... |
Get your hands on the latest fashion trends from Milan, Paris or London in this designer gallery that has changed the face of East London. 'Start' is the place where "fashion meets rock 'n' roll" articulate the proprietors of this store. Pick up that leather jacket you have always coveted, order for a tailored suit, or just stock up on your designer denim collection. With a floor dedicated to shoes, Start sells the biggest labels in men's accessories and perfumes. You could also drop into the 'Start' women's store nearby or shop online. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Not just any beauty parlor! |
137 Commercial Street Spitalfields London, London E1 6BJ United Kingdom +44 (0)20 7377 2737 http://www.taylortaylorlondon.... |
If you are among those who consider magazines like Vogue their fashion bible, Taylor Taylor salon is a must-visit. Part of a reputed salon chain, this salon in Spitalfields has been beautifying London's fashionistas from head to toe. Manicures, pedicures, massages, aromatherapies, waxing and hair treatments are some of the luxe services offered here. The men need not feel left out, there are a host of treatments for them too. Those in need for some big-time pampering and have the cash to spare can opt for packages like the Taylor Taylor Tranquillity Pack and the Taylor Taylor Total Bliss, replete with food and cocktails offerings! Check the website for details. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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The Everest of tailors |
32 Elder Street Spitalfields London, London E16BT United Kingdom +44 20 7377 5770 http://www.timothyeverest.co.uk/ |
Everest is an East End tailor who decided to open shop on home turf—not that the off-Savile Row location has deterred the likes of Tom Cruise, Harvey Keitel and Jarvis Cocker from spending a few thousand on beautifully crafted pieces of bespoke couture. Prices start at around GBP900 for a two piece (jacket and trousers) and orders are by appointment only. Everest also caters for women. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Asian delights |
199-337 Whitechapel Road London, London E1 1DT United Kingdom |
If you need those special spices or vegetables for that South Asian meal you're making, then this market is the place to come. Every type of speciality Asian ingredient and spice is here, from cyan pepper to creamed coconut. All of which makes the market a glorious combination of colours, smells and cultures. If not, enjoy browsing through rather spaced out stalls - at the beginning of the century, the roads needed to accommodate the hay market - of clothes, appliances, bric-a-brac and linen. Renowned kosher deli, Blooms, is just down the road. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: O l i v i e r |
 Photo: cactusbones |
 Photo: cactusbones |
 Photo: Jason Koskie |
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 Photo: Oli Wheatley |
 Photo: tabbynera |
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Long-standing flea market |
Whitecross Street Between Old Street and Fortune Street London, London EC1Y 8QJ United Kingdom |
There's been a market in Whitecross street since 1244, when the area was no more than a shanty town and the market's location meant that it avoided paying City taxes. Unfortunately, no such duty-free haven exists today and being on the edge of the City means that is gets extremely crowded around lunchtime as office workers pack out the inexpensive cafés that line the street. The stalls sell a bric-a-brac type ensemble of towels, clothes, tablecloths, bags, clothes and other cheap and cheerful goodies and are a great place to go hunting for bargains Review © 2007, Wcities |