Our Travels in a Nutshell: London, Day 2

Sunday, June 29

After weeks of staying at B&Bs and having to have breakfast at a set time, we were able to sleep in this morning as the apartments we're staying in don't include breakfast. It was great having a lazy Sunday morning as we planned our day's activities.

Our apartment is close to Euston Station so we were only about a 20 minute walk from Camden with it's markets and Lock, so we decided to head there. Being a Sunday it was very busy but there was a great atmosphere and it was very cosmopolitan. The weather was typical of London with a cool breeze, grey skies and occasional drizzle but ideal for wandering around all the market stalls and buildings.

Punks "photo busking" with their hairdos

Crowds at Camden Market

Noelle at Camden Lock Market

Inside the Camden Lock building

The market stretched from the street to the inside of the old Lock building and then to the Stables (where the horses that pulled the barges on the canal were looked after). The whole thing was really well done with brilliant sculptures, old archways which now house shops, cobblestone lanes and loads of atmosphere. The stalls had unique handicrafts, vintage goodies, a large variety of food options and loads of souvenirs so there was something for everyone to make it a terrific day out.

One of the sculptures in the Stables Market

Shops built into the arches

Part of the Stables Market in Camden

After exploring every nook and cranny we were ready for a change of pace but, just as we were about to leave, the rain got heavier. Luckily we'd brought our umbrellas so we soldiered on and headed for Regent's Park via Primrose Hill. It's fabulous that a city as large as London has so many great parks and they are big too. We felt like real Londoners enjoying a leisurely Sunday stroll through a park!

We entered Regent's Park at the London Zoo entrance and made our way to the Inner Circle where Queen Mary's Garden is located. The rain had stopped by this stage and as we strolled past the playing fields people were playing cricket, soccer and tennis, whilst kids were having great fun on their scooters. There were a lot of picnics happening too as the Brits made the most of a nice Sunday afternoon.

Crossing the canal into Regent's Park near London Zoo

The entrance to Queen Mary's Garden was through the Jubilee Gates which are really impressive - the Brits certainly do fantastic gates for royal celebrations. The gardens were magnificent with roses of many varieties, delphiniums in all shades of blue and mauve, pretty ornamental lakes with water birds frequenting them, and all making for a very tranquil atmosphere despite being in the centre of London!

The Jubilee Gates