We love where we work. We want to create spaces where our members can flourish both in work and life. For us, that means building communities in areas with soul. Places with history, where the streets tell as much of a story as the people on them, where something ground breaking is brewing behind every brick wall, where inspiration roams and magic lies in wait for those bold enough to find it.
Summer in London is hard to beat and we have whittled down our top picks in the WL hoods to eat, drink, sun soak and explore, so you can make the most of your work home.
First up is our first born, Camden.
Camden is notoriously home to one of the world’s most famous markets, it was the companion to the chaotic lives of many musical greats and bears the meandering Regents Canal right through its heart. It is also home to the OG Work.Life. In this post brit pop era, Camden remains as outrageous as ever. Though the old lockkeeper’s cottage may now be a branch of Starbucks- bustling, sparky and a welcoming home to all; Camden is still cool.
Eat
Camden market spills lovingly across the canal and most of the way to Chalk Farm. It’s truly a feast for the eyes, nose and tum. Whatever you fancy munching on- we can assure you- it’s there.
Doughnuts, sushi, high tea, poutine, juices, vegan pies, shish kebab, mac & cheese, curry, noodles, falafel, pho, steak, fish and chips, jerk chicken, burgers, fudge- hungry yet?
Your best bet with the market is to throw yourself in and see what you find. But our faves right now are Magic Falafel and Maize Blaze.
Just as it says on the tin, Magic Falafel delights with incredible vegan, gluten-free pita breads or salad boxes, full of home-pickled veg, shredded cabbage, homemade yogurt and chilli sauce- though if you can’t handle heat, tread carefully with the latter! If you linger around they’ll even throw you a couple falafel balls whilst you wait- ain’t nothing better than free food.
Maize Blaze is a Colombian street food stall that serves only three simple dishes. As they describe it:
‘Succulent grilled chicken marinated in Colombian sauce, with smoked paprika chorizo, sautéed mini potatoes, sweet fried plantain, garlic rice, slow-cooked mini potatoes, guacamole and balsamic red cabbage on a bed of our mixed leaf salad’.
It’s truly heavenly and not too heavy for enjoying out in the sun. Plus, it’s also gluten-free and they have a veggie and vegan option.
If it’s a little too grey for al fresco dining, there are plenty of indoor options. You’ve got your Byron’s and Wagamama’s, but if you’re looking for something a little more inspiring, then head down to Mornington Crescent and check out Asakusa.
It’s intimate and unfussy but serves hands down the best sushi we’ve sampled this side of the Shard. Gyoza, tempura and udon for days- we’d implore you to go here, but book if you can; it’s not a secret anymore!
For your british staple, we’d also 10/10 recommend Hook for crispy and flavourful fish and chips (check out our member perks page for a cheeky 20% WL members discount). Don’t tell anyone but we think it pips Camden’s infamous Poppies to the post.
Drink
Camden is famous for it’s long standing watering holes and dance destinations. With KOKO, The Electric Ballroom and The Roundhouse all within 10 minutes walk of each other- a night out in Camden is never going to be boring. But if you’re looking for a chilled post work tipple, or an afternoon laze around, we know of a few places.
Camden Brewery is based just along the road by Kentish Town West Overground. Not only have they just released their summer offerings- Inner City Green and Strawberry Hells Forever Lager- they also have a lovely outdoor area complete with a manned BBQ for those post (3) pint munchies. AND you can peer through the glass and watch them brew the good stuff.
The Edinboro Castle is our Beer Garden of choice during the summer months. Enjoy Aperol’s trending moment and sip on a spritz, or peruse the craft beers. Whatever your tipple, drink it in this well-established, clean and comfortable spot and unwind after work or stop off post Regent’s Park wandering.
Later on, head to Spiritual Bar on Ferdinand Street. Spiritual Records record label is based here so you’re always sure to catch great live music, plus it’s buy one get one free on Caprinha’s until 8pm…
It’s a little dark in there though so if you want to catch the last of the evening sun, head across the road to the Proud Camden rooftop where you can sit and watch the world go by whilst enjoying a live acoustic music set which is (not always welcomingly) pumped out of the speakers all around the area.
Explore
Don’t know about you, but we plan on spending as much of our sunny (speculative) Summer days on the grass, and our Camden space is ideally situated for long lunches spent park dwelling. We are a lovely, leisurely stroll away from two of London’s royal parks. Trot 10 minutes along the canal and you’ll find yourself by the penguin enclosure of London Zoo in Regents Park (feeding times are 1pm and 6pm, so if something smells fishy, it probably is.)
Venture past the penguins and you’re in prime position to sausage dog haven or admire the gardens. Taste of London are holding their annual restaurant festival from the 14th-17th June and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre shows a range of outdoor theatre-from comedy to music- all summer long. They are kicking off with Peter Pan which is on now until June 15th you can see prices here.
If you fancy a rug with a view then venturing off piste towards Chalk Farm will find you well on the way to Primrose Hill.
Everyone knows Primrose is ‘the expectation’ in the expectation versus reality paradigm of London.
Before you live here, you picture endless rows of pastel coloured town houses, greengrocers, beautiful cafes, rustic pubs, independent art shops, mini coopers and spaniels… In reality, there’s a lot more dirt, tube delays, grumpy barmen, litter and queues. Aesthetically pleasing in almost every way, Primrose Hill is the place to go and live your 90’s British rom com fantasy. With Pilates in the Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays you can prance and sweat with glorious views of the London skyline or sit back and relax, content in the knowledge that although the realities of London are out there, you’ll always have Primrose…
Experience
Camden has long since been a blank canvas for artists and performers who flock in droves to flaunt their eclectic wares. The high street itself is adorned with ornately designed shop fronts, with dragons and elephants jutting out into the street plus a mammoth display of intricate graffiti all around the area. You can bop to lively drum beats or even have a cup of tea with Alice’s mad hatter, but if you’re looking for even more spectacle, Etcetera Theatre sits just at the end of WL’s street.
Perching atop The Oxford Arms, ETC is one of London’s littlest theatres. A tiny but perfectly formed hub for fringe theatre, comedy and cabaret, find out what’s on and go delight in some culture on your work home doorstep. They regularly showcase new British playwrights, and right now The Wasp by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm is playing till the end of May!
It’s been 50 years since The Roundhouse was transformed from a train shed into a performing arts centre and the creative powerhouse hasn’t yet returned to the station… Their website has a super cool timeline of their history and showcases the massive variety in what they have offered and continue to offer to the Arts.
Head there whenever you can to catch spoken word or comedy nights (The Last Word festival continues until the end of June) or keep an eye out for some big-time performers and singers- the acoustics in this place are dreamy.
It’s a classic London tourist destination, but Camden exudes a warmth that makes you feel at home and truly part of something special. It’s an endlessly fascinating place to be, so come eat, drink and be mellow but don’t forget to stop by…
