FEATURE STORY

Markets Markets

Beaches Beaches

What’s on offer? The feeling of sand between your toes isn’t one you would normally associate with London — the nearest serious stretch of beach is at least a train ride away in Southwold. Come
the summer months, though, some ingenious solutions are wheeled out to provide city
dwellers and visitors with the chance to
sunbathe, picnic and build sandcastles on
the ‘urban beaches’ that pop up in and
around the capital. A beach event of a spontaneous nature is Reclaim the Beach,
which usually takes place around Festival
Pier when good weather and favourable
tide conditions align; look out for posters
around the South Bank. Small beaches also spring up where you might least expect
them — last year, the London Festival of Architecture included the construction of Southwark Lido, a small beach club in the borough’s back streets.

Where? Various city locations.

Price(s): The city seaside is free.

Contact: www.visitlondon.com

What’s on offer? Enjoying the sun while partaking in
some retail therapy has to be one of the great summer opportunities, and several open-air markets provide just that chance. Ely’s Yard at the Old Truman Brewery is a brand new attraction, running each Sunday from the beginning of June throughout the summer — expect eclectic home furnishings and a great food area with an international selection. Covent Garden, meanwhile, prepares to welcome the return of its Real Food Market, which will serve up gourmet bites and
run all the way through to September. Favourites from the two previous years include Maldon oysters, British wine and grilled mushroom sandwiches — arrive early to avoid queues. Camden Market is, of course, in the open air all year round, but it’s at its most lively in summer, with plenty of pub beer gardens in which to enjoy a refreshing pint or two between browsing for bargains.

Where? The Old Truman Brewery is on Brick Lane. Covent Garden is in central London (Covent Garden Tube). For Camden Market, it’s Camden Town or Chalk Farm Tubes. Price(s): Free.

Contact: www.trumanbrewery.com
www.coventgardenlondonuk.com www.camdenlock.net

From top left: Clothes in Camden Lock Market; urban beach; relaxing at Ben & Jerry’s Sundae Festival

28 W2L SUMMER 2009