A Local’s Guide to London with Jules Pearson

London local Jules Pearson is a self-proclaimed ‘busy bee’.

Along with running Londonontheinside, a website that shares London’s hippest trends, coolest new bands and event pop-ups, she’s also part of the team behind The Hoxton, a series of hotels which started life in Shoreditch, now found in Holborn and Amsterdam with NYC and Paris up next.

As co-founder of London On The Inside, Jules takes full advantage of trying out the latest happenings across London, from pop-ups and underground gigs to themed cocktail bars and open-air restaurants suspended in the sky, all of which are duly shared with the site’s loyal social followers.

With London On The Inside recently named one of the top ten Twitter accounts in London, who better to share with us her top tips for a short break in the city?

“When someone visits me in London, the first place I take them to is Broadway Market on a Saturday because it has such a great vibe, loads of amazing street food and a big park to sprawl out in when you’ve over-eaten.

Summer is the best time of the year to visit London because you can take advantage of all the outdoor spaces – it’s actually the 3rd greenest city in the world!

You get the best view of London from Primrose Hill. You can see the whole London skyline and all the iconic buildings. Cycling is the best way to get around London because it’s the fastest, cheapest and easiest way.

I love that the city is a cultural melting pot, that no one’s afraid to try new things –  no matter what food you fancy you can find it here. That’s a huge plus for me as I love eating.

Kopapa in Seven Dials is an amazing place for breakfast in London because of the Turkish eggs it serves. SO GOOD. You can’t beat Daddy Donkey Mexican Grill for lunch. I always order the pulled pork burrito.

The best place to enjoy a coffee is Shoreditch Grind at Old Street. Full of hotties!

If I could only choose one place to have dinner in London it would be Jar Kitchen in Covent Garden because it’s a small really understated restaurant that serves amazing food without trying too hard.

Ruby’s in Dalston is a good bar to have a drink in the evening because it’s cosy with low lighting and has great service. Try the Bloody Ruby. Don’t leave London without trying the Fried Chicken Bun at Chicken and Sours on Kingsland Road.

London is such a big city with so much to see and do.

To make the most of your time, it’s always a good idea to read up on some aspect of the city you’re interested in before you visit, that way you’ll recognise places that are relevant to things that interest you – whether that’s history, fashion or films. Alternatively, watch the movie Notting Hill – it’ll inspire you to spend the day pottering around West London, picking out the locations – also it’s a classic British film. 

Most people head to Oxford Street for shopping but I’d recommend Shoreditch because you have BoxPark a pop-up mall made from shipping containers containing high street brands and emerging designers alongside small local businesses.

Whilst you’ll find a whole host of boutiques selling everything from high fashion to tea on Redchurch Street and the surrounds. 

The best thing to do for free in London is to take a walk around Hampstead Heath and maybe have a dip in the ponds.

When it’s sunny, there’s no place like London Fields. It’s one of the only parks in London where you’re allowed to have a BBQ in so there’s always a great atmosphere.

The butchers on Broadway Market, Hill & Szrok come in pretty handy too with their takeaway BBQ kits.” 

Flights to London

- Fiona Hilliard