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.

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Davenports Magic

This family run magic shop is one of the oldest and most established in Britain. Selling hundreds of different magic tricks, they cater for all ages and abilities. The staff even do demonstrations and could probably teach even the smartest wizard a trick or two!
Dennis Severs House

A Georgian house in the East End of London, with each room beautifully made up to recreate a different century.
Dennis Severs' House, 18 Folgate Street, London E1

Located in the heart of Spitalfields, this early 18th century Huguenot house is an extraordinary time capsule that springs open and surprises fortunate passers-by on occasional Sundays and Mondays throughout the year. Its creator and restorer, Dennis Severs, was an artist who used his visitors' imagination as his canvas, and lived in the house in much the same way as its original inhabitants might have done in the 1730s – by candlelight and without any running water or electrical power. Oft nicknamed the Mary Celeste House, to enter its door is to pass through the frame of a painting: one with a time, smell, noise and life of its own... Yet from the outside, the gas lantern and the bamboo-caged canary are only the merest hints of the treasures that lie within... Still one of London's best-kept secrets, there is no other heritage experience in the City that even comes close to it.
Detroit

Dark and moody cocktail bar off Seven Dials. Mojito isn't bad but its not as good as Christopher's. A good place to start a mojito-crawl as there's usually enough room for a few of you to sit down.
Docklands Bar & Grill

The recently opened Docklands Bar & Grill is an evolutionary new brassiere set in a stunning waterfront location in the heart of London Docklands. Overlooking the historic Royal Victoria Dock, the O2 and Canary Wharf, it provides the perfect setting for romantic dining or a group celebration.

The menu was created in coordination with Hugo Arnold, food consultant to the infamous Conran and Soho House and offers a varied appeal for diners at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Docklands Bar & Grill has handpicked local suppliers and offers produce from the likes of Clarke’s of Kensington (supplier of Fortnum and Mason and Harvey Nichols), London Cure and Billingsgate seafood to ensure the best and freshest ingredients. As a result, their food is perfectly cultivated, flawlessly cooked and beautifully presented.

Docklands Bar & Grill creates a guilt-free, relaxing environment for all its guests. Tap water is offered without having to request it, friendly staff are on hand for all your needs and a special children’s menu is available.
Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes

I loved this place on first site because the owner had an original idea. It might have been a cost cutting experiment, but it was pure genius – don’t bother to renovate the outside of the bar at all. On approach it looks like a couple of dodgy old shops and hence the name was born Dream Bags (half of it’s an old bag shop) Jaguar Shoes (you can guess what they sold there). It all gives it the vibe of being a bit of a secret – although word got out long ago about this little gem. Once inside the nonchalance continues with the exposed brick walls, dotted with select pieces of artwork, and a couple of very well worn leather sofas. It’s Hoxton, so obviously the music is of the indie variety, but it’s well chosen and varied. There’s a good selection of drinks, especially cocktails - I had the best mojito of my life in this place (and I’ve had a few). I’ve got to admit that there can be a slight pretension in the air – but it is a London bar after all, so don’t let that stop you. If the Hoxton thing is your cup of tea, it’s definitely one not to miss.
Electrowerkz

A legal club that looks and feels like a grimey warehouse, Electrowerkz is London's fashionably hedonistic nightlife scene at its best.

Unlike many more expensive and trendy venues now found in the city center, it's all about music and fun in this Angel venue.

Different clubnights and guests regularly take control of the sound system, although you'll find the music is mainly a variation on pounding techno beats here.

Look out for the monthly Bangface event for a modern interpretation of 1990's rave culture along with acclaimed DJs from the worlds of breakbeat, electro and dub.
Elk in the Woods

Gorgeous little gastro-pub with delicious, inventive food and a friendly atmosphere.
Fabric

Fabric is London's only superclub that manages to remain true to the underground. Friday nights are rough, gritty and urban, showcasing breakbeat culture in all its forms. Everything from drum and bass through to hip-hop via breaks, dubstep and funk are showcased here, often with the added incentive of live acts. Saturday is all about the beats, and nowhere else can promise as strong a line up of deep, techy, forward thinking dance music, with residents including taste-maker Craig Richards playing alongside hand picked members of the global DJ elite. From room 1's vibrating dancefloor to the 2nd rooms ear-shattering bass, no discerning fan of electronic music can miss Fabric whilst on a tour of Londons nightlife.

77a Charterhouse Street , London EC1M 3HN 020 7336 8898
Finsbury Circus Gardens

Between Liverpool Street and Moorgate stations and flanked by grand stone buildings, Finsbury Circus Gardens are a relatively-large green oasis in the heart of the City of London. I like to come here occasionally for a sandwich under the trees, to feel the tube trains rumble under my feet, and to people-watch.

Finsbury Circus Gardens are the most “developed” of the City of London’s green spaces. There is a bandstand and the City of London bowling green, and the small “Pavilion” wine-bar and restaurant. Despite these attractions, I like to come here to sit on the grass with a sandwich and watch the world go by. It is always amazing to me just what a cosmopolitan place the City of London is – with people of many nationalities either lolling on the grass or strolling around the perimeter of the park. For most of the year, the bandstand is unused. During the summer a series of free lunchtime concerts take place , with the musicians sometimes competing with the noise from apparently never-ending reconstruction work on nearby buildings.

The bowling green appears to enjoy sporadic action throughout the year, although I have no idea if enthusiastic amateurs could sign up for a game on impulse.

Finsbury Circus Gardens are best visited when it is not raining – although the bandstand and the wine-bar can provide emergency shelter. It was open for a great snowball-throwing occasion in 2005, but unfortunately closed when snow made another rare appearance in London last year. In addition to the grass, there are plenty of benches to sit on. There are also plenty of nearby take-aways if you need lunch.

Finsbury Circus Gardens are open from 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday. They are also open on weekends from April to September.