DK Travel : London

A city of infinite colour and variety, London is both richly historic, tracing its roots back over 2000 years, and unceasingly modern, at the forefront of fashion, music and the arts. There is a fantastic amount to interest and entertain the visitor here: a selection of the best of the best is explored here.

Clink Exhibition

London’s first prison now houses a small exhibition devoted to crime and punishment.
Clockmakers Museum

The Clockmaker’s Museum is well-signposted in the Guildhall – by following the signs past a couple of security checks I managed to avoid gate-crashing a traffic-planning meeting and a farewell lunch in the rooms between the main entrance and the museum. The museum itself is small and full of interesting clocks – lots of ticking and tocking and, shortly after my ten-to-twelve arrival, plenty of chiming and cogs whirring. Noon is definitely the time to be there.

The museum’s exhibits are beautifully-presented and clearly-annotated. There is plenty of intricate craftsmanship to be seen, and the skill on display is quite impressive. I am not a clock expert, but I did enjoy some of the annotations (clearly aimed at more-knowledgeable people than me). There is the nautical deck-watch with its silver case. Flat spiral balance spring with stud on a flexible arm an interesting feature. I also appreciated the “Verge escapement worm and wheel regulator” of a smaller clock.

The historical context of London clockmaking is also interesting. My favourite exhibit is of the clock taken by William Parry on the ship “Hecla” during his failed attempt to reach the North Pole in 1827. I also liked a small presentation of watch keys – in the shape of “two pistols, a skull, a horse’s hoof, a fox mask, a pomegranate, a hand, and an eagle”.

The museum is open from 9:30am to 4:45pm, Monday to Saturday. Impressively, it is also closed “briefly from time to time for re-winding”. I enjoyed my short visit, and would recommend the museum to passers-by, or to anyone with some interest in clocks and clockmaking.
Club Gascon

Top-notch cuisine from southwest France. Pick three or four “taster” dishes, such as squid or cassoulet, from four themed sections, or there is a five-course gourmet “tasting” menu, including wines.
Club Gascon

Inspired Gallic cooking means you need to make a reservation weeks in advance. The original idea here is that there are no starter or main courses. Dishes are categorised under half a dozen themed headings, and you put together three of four to make a meal. Each one is a rare combination.
Colin MacInnes

MacInnes (1914–76) documented the teenage and black immigrant culture in Notting Hill in the 1950s.City of Spades (1957) andAbsolute Beginners (1959) are set among the coffee bars, jazz clubs, drink and drugs scene at a time of great unrest.
Columbia Hotel

The Columbia has a delightful leafy setting overlooking Kensington Gardens. Originally five mansions, and once used as a US military officers’ club, it has magnificent rooms and is much more opulent than its prices suggest.
Columbia Road Market

Londoners head east on Sunday mornings for the bustling street markets. In addition to Petticoat Lane in Middlesex Street, with its bargain clothes and household items, and Brick Lane’s bric-à-brac, there is the teeming plant and flower market in Columbia Road. Ten minutes’ walk from the north end of Brick Lane, Columbia Road is a delightful cornucopia of all things horticultural at bargain prices.

Columbia Road Market
Commercial Tavern

Although possessed of a dull and misleading moniker, the Commercial Tavern is a wonderful place to while away an evening. A cross between a Cath Kidston shop and eighteenth-century bordello on the inside, its narrow staircase up to the second floor and private room only opens up at 6.30, so be sure to be lurking round it if the downstairs bar is busy. With baby blue picnic tables outside in the summer and a relaxed atmosphere it's one of my favourite East End pubs.
Contemporary Ceramics

The best of British ceramics, made by members of the Craftsmen Potters Association, are on sale here. Prices are reasonable and the work is bright, original and inspiring.
Coq d’Argent

Fine City sights from this rooftop garden bar and French restaurant

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Restaurant price categories

For a three course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes, and extra charges.
- under £15
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Hotel price categories

Prices are for a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under £70
- £70–£100
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