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Hidden London | London | London Parks, Gardens & Mews

5 Beautiful Plant Shops in London To Visit Today (2026)

Read More 5 Beautiful Plant Shops in London To Visit Today (2026)

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candaceabroad

There are few things I love more than spending an

There are few things I love more than spending an autumn afternoon wandering around London bookshops 📚🍂

Every autumn I tend to do a little bookshop crawl, and these are a few I always end up coming back to. Especially lovely with crisp weather, a rainy day and coffee along the way. ☕️

Save this route for your trip 📌

📚 Judd Books // @juddbooks

82 Marchmont Street, Bloomsbury

Two floors of new, second-hand and bargain books and very easy to lose an hour in.

✈️ Travellers’ Tales // @travellerstaleslondon

87 Wimpole Street, Marylebone

A whole bookshop dedicated to travel, with travel writing, guides and beautiful books from around the world.

📖 Word on the Water // @word.on.the.water

Regent’s Canal, King’s Cross

A floating bookshop packed with new and second-hand books inside and out.

And for coffee along the way:

☕️ Fortitude Bakehouse // @fortitudebakehouse

Bloomsbury, and perfect to pair with Judd Books.

☕️ Redemption Roasters // @redemptionroasters

In Coal Drops Yard, an easy final stop after Word on the Water.

Save this for your next cosy day in the city. 🍂

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
London Bookshops // Best Bookshops in London // Autumn in London // London Bookshop Crawl // Cosy Things to Do in London // London Coffee Shops // Bloomsbury // Marylebone // King’s Cross

#LondonBookshops #AutumnInLondon #LondonBookshop #ThingsToDoInLondon LondonTravel

I’ve been coming to this London neighbourhood for

I’ve been coming to this London neighbourhood for years for woodland walks, cosy pub stops and a wander around the village, and it never disappoints (especially in autumn)

There’s so much history tucked around here too, from its famous Victorian cemetery to some seriously beautiful old London houses.

Comment HIGHGATE and I’ll send you my full neighbourhood guide with everything to see, eat and do while you’re here.

Is this more your speed than central London?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—

Highgate London, North London, London Neighbourhoods, Autumn in London

#Highgate #NorthLondon #LondonTravel #AutumnInLondon

One of my favourite neighbourhoods I explored in B

One of my favourite neighbourhoods I explored in Brussels 🇧🇪

Matongé is Brussels’ best-known African quarter, with a history closely tied to the city’s Congolese community. Its modern story really began taking shape in the 1960s, when Maison Africaine opened nearby to welcome Congolese students studying in Belgium. Over time, restaurants, shops, salons, clubs and other businesses grew around the community, eventually becoming the Matongé we know today.

The neighbourhood is compact, so I’d give yourself just a few hours to have a good wander. Here’s some bits to get up to:

🧵 Browse the African fabric shops along Chaussée de Wavre

🛍️ Walk through Galerie Matongé and the surrounding local businesses

📚 Pop into Librebook, a lovely multilingual bookshop

🎨 Look out for local art and cultural spaces

🍽️ And absolutely eat at L’Horloge du Sud

While I was at Librebook, I asked the person working where I absolutely had to eat nearby. They sent me straight to L’Horloge du Sud, a longtime neighbourhood staple bringing together African food, culture and community (I had chicken maafé with peanut sauce and plantain and it was easily one of my favourite meals in Brussels).

One of the things I love most about travel is spending time in neighbourhoods that help you understand a city beyond its most photographed sights, and Matongé definitely did that for me.

Comment GUIDE and I’ll send you my full Matongé neighbourhood guide with the history, exact stops, where to eat and my self-guided walking route 🇧🇪

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Matongé Brussels • Brussels neighbourhoods • Black culture in Brussels • Congolese community Brussels • Things to do in Brussels • Brussels travel • Belgium travel • African food Brussels

#Matonge #Brussels #BrusselsTravel #BelgiumTravel #ᴇᴜʀᴏᴘᴇᴛʀᴀᴠᴇʟ

My first trip to Brussels was a solo trip at 19, a

My first trip to Brussels was a solo trip at 19, and I left pretty unimpressed. My second was a quick stopover, so I didn’t really give the city much more of a chance… This year I came back for a third time, slowed down, explored Matongé, Sablon, the museums and neighbourhoods I’d missed before, and completely changed my mind. Turns out Brussels just needed more than a quick first impression. 🇧🇪

Have you ever given a destination a second chance?

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Brussels Travel, Is Brussels Worth Visiting

#Brussels #BrusselsTravel #BelgiumTravel #europetravel

ad Athens may be famous for the Acropolis, but som

ad Athens may be famous for the Acropolis, but some of my favourite memories from the city were the neighbourhood wanders, rooftop evenings, long coffee stops and an unreasonable amount of Greek food. Here’s some top tips for your own trip 🇬🇷

And while you’re planning, don’t forget to sort your data. With a @yesim.app eSIM, you can have internet ready from the moment you land, without spending ages searching for a physical SIM card. You can manage it all in one app, with plans covering more than 200 destinations, unlimited data plans available and no contracts or hidden fees.

Use my code CANDACE15 for 15% off yours in my link in my bio!

Is Athens on your list? 📌

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Athens travel • Athens Greece • Athens city break • Athens travel tips • Things to do in Athens • Greece eSIM
#yesim #yesimapp #esim #internetfortravel #travelwithyesim athens

Ready for autumn in London? Comment AUTUMN and I’l

Ready for autumn in London? Comment AUTUMN and I’ll send you my full London autumn guide straight to your DMs—with 30+ of the best things to do, eat, see and experience in the city this season. 🍂

Autumn in London is unbiasedly my favourite (sorry, London summer lovers…).

The air gets crisper, the streets start lining themselves with golden leaves and, dare I say, it’s also one of the most romantic times of the year in the city.

From autumn walks and cosy bookshops to Halloween at Kew, Guy Fawkes Night, seasonal events and autumn day trips, London is such a spectacular place to spend the season.

And if you want the planning done for you, I’ve also updated my Autumn in London itineraries for the season, with fully planned autumn days and mapped-out routes so you can just pick a day and explore 🍂

Are you in London this autumn?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
#autumninlondon #fallinlondon #autumninlondonitineraries

Autumn in London, Autumn in London walks, Autumn in London Itineraries, Fall in London Things to Do

I’ve always had the opinion some things are touris

I’ve always had the opinion some things are touristy for a reason. I’m not going to Paris and skipping the Eiffel Tower because it’s “been done”, and I’m certainly not going to Rome and avoiding the Colosseum for the same reason, and I feel exactly the same way about London 🇬🇧 (note: Shrek’s Adventure will never be one of them…)

Here’s a few to 📌SAVE for your trip:

🫖 Afternoon tea - to experience the British tradition exactly where it came from, London has some brilliant ones.

🏛️ Our free museums - because having access to 5,000 years of collections like these without paying admission is something I never take for granted. The V&A is forever my favourite.

🥐 Borough Market - yes, it’s busy and firmly on the tourist trail, but there is genuinely excellent food here. I’m partial to a Ginger Pig sausage roll and some Drunk Cheese to take home.

What’s your travel philosophy: touristy for a reason, or hidden gems at all costs?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
#londontourist #londontravel

London Tourist, London Travel, London Travel Tips, First Time in London Tips, London Things to Do, London Itinerary

Hello hello 👋🏽 back from taking a page out of Euro

Hello hello 👋🏽 back from taking a page out of European culture with being MIA in August (I knew they were onto something) but oh so excited to be back. It almost feels like a new school year but for social media in a way, so wanted to properly reintroduce myself if you’re new here!

I’m Candace and I traded the East Coast for London back in 2016 and never looked back. Since then, I’ve built my entire career around writing and sharing all my favourite recommendations from this fabulously iconic city and beyond.

If you’re as keen on London, UK and Europe travel as I am, you’re in the right place! I’m constantly sharing detailed guides, city itineraries and the occassional jaunt from London to abroad, with a goal to help you experience everywhere I share for your own travels. 🌍

Let me know where in the world you’re following from or if you’ve recently moved to London / the UK (warning-you may never leave…)

Cheers!

Happy Londoning and Happy Travels,

Candace x

—

London Travel Blogger, London Travel Writer, London Travel Presenter, London Life, London Recommendations

Let’s spend a weekend in Brighton from London 🌊🚆 📌

Let’s spend a weekend in Brighton from London 🌊🚆 📌 SAVE for later!

If you’re looking for an easy seaside city break from London, Brighton will always be one of my favourites.

Here’s what I’d get up to:

🏨 Where we stayed:

@guesthousehotels No.124 Brighton, right on the seafront opposite the West Pier — with sea-view rooms, terrace drinks, breakfast and Field Trip Spa downstairs.

DAY ONE

☕ Brunch at @oleaspecialtycoffee before exploring North Laine

🛍️ Vintage treasure hunting at @snoopersparadisebrighton + a wander through The Lanes

🏰 See the wonderfully over-the-top Royal Pavilion @brighton_museums

🎡 Walk along @brightonpalacepier, then spend some actual time on Brighton Beach

🍸 Head back to @guesthousehotels for tipples & nibbles on the seafront terrace

🍕 Finish with Brighton-born Neapolitan pizza at @fattoamanopizza

DAY TWO

🍳 Have a slow breakfast at @guesthousehotels

🎨 Pop into Hove Museum of Creativity @brighton_museums

🚲 Wander or cycle back along the Hove seafront

💆🏾 Make time for a treatment at Field Trip Spa @guesthousehotels

🦀 End with seafood, wine and West Pier views at @thesaltroombrighton

🚆 Before being reluctantly dragged back to London…

P.S. - You can find my full 2-day Brighton itinerary on Candace Abroad (in my bio!) to plan this trip for yourself 🌊

Would you do a weekend in Brighton?

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Brighton, Weekend in Brighton, Brighton Weekend Guide, London to Brighton, Brighton Things to Do, Brighton Restaurants, Brighton Hotels, UK Seaside Breaks

#Brighton #VisitBrighton #BrightonAndHove #WeekendInBrighton #uktravel

My work for Candace Abroad has brought me all the

My work for Candace Abroad has brought me all the way to Kazakhstan 🇰🇿

Had the brilliant opportunity to speak at TBEX Asia, teaching travel bloggers and writers how to turn their travel expertise into social media content this week, and it was a dream.

Beyond Candace Abroad, I’m really passionate about sharing what I’ve learned with other creators in this industry, so getting to speak about a topic I care so much about was incredibly special.

A huge thank you to everyone who made this trip so memorable, including @visitalmatykz and @tbexevents, my incredible local food tour @experiencealmaty, a lovely pop-in to @almatymuseumofarts, one of the best massages I’ve had on my travels at @asiathaispa, and all the wonderful people I met along the way.

If you’d told me at 18, when I first moved to London, that I’d one day be running a business in an industry I adore and travelling around the world to speak, I wouldn’t have believed you.

A reminder to never limit your dreams or convince yourself they’re unrealistic—especially as a woman.

And if you’re organising a conference, workshop or event and would like to have me speak, I’d absolutely love to hear from you 💻🌍

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Almaty Kazakhstan, TBEX Kazakhstan, Travel conference speaker, Travel content creator, Women in travel, Europe Travel Content Creator Speaker, UK Travel content creator speaker

#TBEXKazakhstan #VisitAlmaty #KazakhstanTravel
#TravelSpeaker womenintravel

Leaving London and ending up on the Isle of Wight

Leaving London and ending up on the Isle of Wight for the day sounds ambitious, but it’s absolutely doable.🛥️🌊

I lived there for a summer in 2018, and even now I still think it’s one of the loveliest ways to feel away from London without going especially far.

The journey is half the charm too — where you’ll take a train south, followed by a ferry across the Solent into beaches, seaside towns, old castles and Queen Victoria’s former summer home.

Comment SEA and I’ll send you my full guide to planning an island day or weekend trip here for yourself (especially with the bank holiday coming up 🌊).

Is the Isle of Wight on your list?

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Isle of Wight, London Day Trips, UK Travel, England Travel

#isleofwight #londondaytrip #uktravel #englandtravel #ukdaytrips

One of the loveliest ways to do theatre in London

One of the loveliest ways to do theatre in London come summer 🎭🌿

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has been part of London summers since 1932, tucked away inside Queen Mary’s Gardens with an auditorium completely open to the sky.

And a very fun pre-show if I do say so myself…

Come early for a wander through Regent’s Park, drinks at the theatre’s rather impressive bar, pizza or something from the grill, or take your time over a picnic on the lawn before settling into your seat to watch the sun start to disappear.

The 2026 season is still going strong, with CATS running until 19 September, Anansi the Spider from 15 August–6 September and live music taking over the theatre later in September.

Practical bits:

📍 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Inner Circle, London NW1 4NU
🚇 Around a 10-minute walk from Baker Street
🎟️ 2026 theatre tickets from £15
⏰ Gates usually open 90 minutes before performances
🌂 London is London and the auditorium is completely uncovered, so bring layers and a raincoat, just in case…

Would you watch a show here? ✨

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London theatre, summer in London, things to do in London, Regent’s Park

#RegentsParkOpenAirTheatre #LondonTheatre #SummerInLondon #ThingsToDoInLondon #regentspark

Afternoon tea is one of my favourite little joys i

Afternoon tea is one of my favourite little joys in life 🫖✨ (albeit the reality that the average Brit is absolutely not sitting down to finger sandwiches and a tiered cake stand every week).

Still, there’s something so incredibly lovely about making an occasion of the tradition founded by 7th Duchess of Bedford simply from feeling hungry before lunch and dinner.

The annual celebration has been running since 2010, with hotels and restaurants across the UK putting on special menus and afternoon tea experiences to celebrate. A few of my London favourites lately:

🌿 Templeton Garden — with seasonal pastries, finger sandwiches and warm scones overlooking their hidden garden

📍 1–15 Templeton Place, London SW5 9NB

👗 The Kensington — especially if you love fashion. They do lots inspired by the latest V&A exhibitions.

📍 109–113 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5LP

🥟 Dim Sum Library — if you want afternoon tea without the usual afternoon tea. Cue handmade dim sum, Chinese teas and more!

📍 136 Long Acre, London WC2E 9AD

🥐 Café François — a gorgeous French take beside Borough Market, with beautiful pâtisserie, French-inspired savouries and braided babka for scones.

📍 14–16 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AD

🌸 The Original Maids of Honour — one to save for after Kew Gardens. It’s wonderfully old-school, has been serving Kew for more than 150 years and, naturally, you have to try one of their famous Maids of Honour tarts…

📍 288 Kew Road, Richmond TW9 3DU

Now the only afternoon tea question that really matters…

Jam first or cream first? 🤔

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
afternoon tea London, Afternoon Tea Week 2026, best afternoon tea London, themed afternoon tea London, things to do in London

#AfternoonTeaWeek #AfternoonTeaLondon #LondonAfternoonTea #ThingsToDoInLondon #londonfood

ad You’ve probably crossed @towerbridge before—but

ad You’ve probably crossed @towerbridge before—but have you ever actually gone inside it?

It’s one of London’s most photographed landmarks, but there’s so much more to it than the view from outside.

A ticket gives you access to the High-Level Walkways, Glass Floors and Engine Rooms, as well as free audio tours in multiple languages, family activities and the Tower Bridge Cat Trail. You can also take part in their brilliant ‘Ask An Expert’ sessions on selected dates.

Ready to book? Until 1 September, you can get summer tickets for just £15.80 for adults and £7.90 for children, with family tickets starting from £28.40. 🇬🇧

SAVE this for your London summer plans ✨

Have you ever seen the inside of Tower Bridge?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x
—
Tower Bridge, things to do in London, London summer activities, Tower Bridge tickets, Tower Bridge Glass Floor, Tower Bridge Engine Rooms, London attractions, London sightseeing, family activities in London
#TowerBridge #LondonSummer #ThingsToDoInLondon #LondonAttractions LondonTravel

P.S. Comment LASSO and I’ll send you my full Ted L

P.S. Comment LASSO and I’ll send you my full Ted Lasso filming locations guide, including more Richmond and Twickenham locations, filming spots across London, AFC Richmond’s real stadiums, café recommendations for your Richmond Green picnic, where to stay, the best Ted Lasso tours and more practical tips ⚽️💙

It took a minute for me to get on the Ted Lasso train…but I started to ‘Believe’ and the rest is history…a 3-season binge later 😂 Here’s some bits to get up to for your Ted Lasso day:

🌉 Start at Tower Bridge, from the very first episode when Ted moves to London

🚇 Take the District line from Tower Hill to Richmond

🧺 Pick up some bits and have a picnic on Richmond Green, Ted’s neighbourhood park

🪑 Visit Ted and Coach Beard’s bench

🏠 Walk down Paved Court to see Ted’s flat

🛍️ Pop into the official Ted Lasso shop

🍽️ Eat at The Prince’s Head, aka the Crown & Anchor exterior

& of course, explore more of Richmond!

Are you a Ted Lasso fan?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—

Ted Lasso filming locations, Ted Lasso London, things to do in Richmond London, Richmond filming locations, Twickenham filming locations, AFC Richmond stadium, Selhurst Park, Ted Lasso season 4, American in London

#tedlasso #tedlassofilminglocations #londonfilminglocations #tedlassoseason4 #americaninlondon

SAVE my exact 3-day Kuala Lumpur itinerary for you

SAVE my exact 3-day Kuala Lumpur itinerary for your Malaysia trip 🇲🇾

I thought Kuala Lumpur would be a quick stopover I’d visit one day. Instead, I spent nearly a week eating my way through the city, wandering through temples and museums, escaping into tropical gardens and briefly wondering whether I should start an entirely new life in Asia…let’s see!

New on the site is my full 3-day Kuala Lumpur itinerary, with an easy route you can follow so you can spend your time actually enjoying KL rather than zigzagging across the city.

Inside, I’ve included the specific restaurants, cafés, bars and local businesses I recommend, alongside practical transport tips, where to stay, the best day trips and even more recommendations I couldn’t fit into this video!

Comment KL and I’ll send the full blog post your way ✨

Is Kuala Lumpur on your radar?

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur Itinerary, KL Itinerary, Malaysia Travel, Malaysia Travel from UK

#travelblogger #malaysiatravelblogger #malaysiatravel

Okay, this is one of the best—and weirdest—places

Okay, this is one of the best—and weirdest—places to get ice cream in London this summer 🍦

The Ice Cream Project has returned to Anya Hindmarch’s colourful corner of Belgravia for its fifth year, transforming everyday food brands into flavours you’d never expect to find in an ice cream tub…

Think Lurpak salted butter, Kikkoman soy sauce, OXO stock cube, Paxo stuffing, Green Giant sweetcorn, Euthymol toothpaste and Aunt Bessie’s Yorkshire puddings. Yes, really.

Thankfully, you can sample two flavours before committing to a scoop—ideal for trying the wackier ones without ending up with an entire tub of toothpaste ice cream. 😅

But for something more tried-and-true, while still being just the right amount of different, go for the Walker’s Shortbread. Buttery, biscuit-like and genuinely delicious, it was easily my favourite.

The whole thing takes place inside Anya Hindmarch’s The Village, a collection of playful concept stores around Pont Street, with the equally lovely Anya Café nearby. Once you’ve finished, make an afternoon of it exploring Belgravia, Sloane Square and Chelsea.

Practical bits:

📍 11 Pont Street, London SW1X 9EH

🗓️ Open until 16 August 2026

🍦 £4.50 for one scoop; full tubs are £16

🕙 Monday–Saturday, 10am–6pm; Sunday, 12pm–5pm

📍 Expect queues, particularly on weekend afternoons—and they sometimes close the queue early when it gets too long. I went on a Tuesday afternoon and it was only a few minutes wait.

Let me know whether it’s made your London list 📌 and which flavour you’d be brave enough to try…

Happy Londoning,

Candace x

—

The Ice Cream Project, Anya Hindmarch ice cream, unusual ice cream London, summer in London, things to do in Belgravia

#TheIceCreamProject #SummerInLondon #LondonIceCream #ThingsToDoInLondon #londonsummer

One for your London summer. 🎬🌇 If you’re looking

One for your London summer. 🎬🌇

If you’re looking for something a little different to do on a warm evening in London, this one’s well worth adding to your list.

Grab a cocktail, tuck into a pizza, watch the sun set over London’s skyline, then settle in for a movie—all in one place.

I’ve also rounded up even more of my favourite things to do in London this summer (and year-round) over on the blog if you’re planning a trip.

Practical Bits:

📍 Rooftop Film Club, Bussey Building, Peckham

🚆 3-minute walk from Peckham Rye Station

💷 Tickets from £8 (comes with headphones)

🍕🍸 To eat/drink: Stone-baked pizza, cocktails & cinema snacks available

🌇 Tips: I’d get there 30–60 minutes early to enjoy the sunset views!

📌 SAVE for your summer list & Happy Londoning 🌞

Candace x

—

London summer • Rooftop Film Club • Peckham • London rooftop cinema • Things to do in London

#LondonSummer #VisitLondon #ThingsToDoInLondon #Peckham #londonlife

Time for a summer day in Hampstead 🌞 Reminiscing

Time for a summer day in Hampstead 🌞

Reminiscing on days of being a local here, and all the incredible bits to get up to come summer time (although Hampstead in autumn is not to be beat!)

From wandering along its High Streets, to local café brunches, Hampstead Heath walks and swims, stately home visits and drinks at one of London’s oldest pubs.

Comment HEATH and I’ll send you my full guide to the best things to do in Hampstead year-round, including the best streets, viewpoints, museums, pubs, cafés and all the best places in the neighbourhood you shouldn’t miss. 🏡

Have you been to Hampstead in summer?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—

Hampstead London | Things to do in Hampstead | Hampstead Heath | London neighbourhood guide | London summer itinerary

#Hampstead #HampsteadHeath #LondonGuide #ThingsToDoInLondon #londonsummer

There’s a place you can swim in London where no me

There’s a place you can swim in London where no men are allowed. 🏊🏽‍♀️🌿 and it’s called the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond!

P.S. - It can feel a little intimidating before your first visit, so I’ve written a full guide with how to book, what to bring, how to get there and everything you need to know. Comment POND and I’ll send it straight to you!

Kenwood Ladies’ Pond has been a women-only swimming space since 1926, and it’s honestly one of the most freeing places I’ve experienced in London.

You can’t film inside, but I went for a swim, read in the meadow afterwards and loved every second.

Have you heard of it or had a swim here yet? 📌 ADD to your London list!

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
#KenwoodLadiesPond #HampsteadHeath #HampsteadLondon #LondonSwimming #ThingsToDoInLondon

Hampstead Heath, Kenwood Ladies’ Pond, London Hidden Gems, London Summer Things to Do, Things to Do London Summer

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