
Favorite London Places in Quotes
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When Emma from Adventures of a London Kiwi asked me to participate in a mini-travel linkup focusing on favorite travel quotes, I couldnβt say no. In fact, I was already thinking about doing a little roundup of favorite places to visit in London, and figured this would be the perfect opportunity to combine my favorite quotes together with some of my favorite places in London.
βWhen a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can affordβ β Samuel Johnson
Getting tired of London is something I couldnβt see happening. I still find new gems, ones Iβve read about, or just ones I stumble upon during one of my wanderings through town. I still canβt believe that I only found out the location of the bright and colorful Nealβs Yard last winter. I was back in town for a few days and had read about this colorful place on plenty of travel blogs and in guides, but somehow I never managed to find it (or actively look for it, for that matter).
βThe world is a book and those who do not travel read only one pageβ β St. Augustine
Iβm taking this quote a bit too literally with this example, but my favorite bookstore in London has to be Stanfords on Long Acre. This historic travel bookshop is a true heaven for travel lovers. I can spend hours here, just taking in all the inspiration of the thousands of books and maps that are available.
βIβm leaving because the weather is too good. I hate London when it is not rainingβ β Groucho Marx
Yes, it rains a lot in London, and yes I still love it. When a miracle happens and the weather stays sunny for a few days, itβs a real treat to explore London town. Visiting one of the Royal Parks is one of my favorite activities on such days. Bringing a good book/friends to chat with, a picnic blanket and enough food and drinks (read: Pimms) to last a whole day, is the best preparation for that.
βThe first condition of understanding a country is to smell itβ β Rudyard Kipling
Everywhere you go in London, you’ll be surprised by new and different smells. Rather unpleasant might be the smell of all the fumes of the cars and cabs that fill the city, but βsmellβ beyond that and you can find some wonderful fragrances of Β fresh veggies and meat at the markets, as well as food from all over the world. To really experience this wonderful selection of essences you want to go to East London or to Camden Market, where street food is widely available in all the food stalls.
βIt is not the walls that make the city, but the people who live within them. The walls of London may be battered, but the spirit of the Londoner stands resolute and undismayedβ β George VI
Iβm extremely fond of people from London. In general, I think that they are much more polite and friendly than people in the Netherlands. I also know Londoners for being proud of their city. They hate commuting through the masses though, but when you visit during a less crowded moment during the year, you occasionally find the London commuters stopping for a couple of seconds along Southbank, to take in that magnificent view of St Paulβs β their St Paulβs.
‘Tourists donβt know where theyβve been, travelers donβt know where theyβre going’ β Paul Theroux
Let things be clear, Iβm not a Londoner. I was born and bred in the Netherlands, and although Iβve lived in London for a little while, Iβm still a tourist while Iβm there. A tourist Γ³r a traveler: I take both roles with great satisfaction. Playing the tourist when Iβm visiting places on purpose, and playing the traveler when I wander somewhere and stumble upon something new. While I was doing a walk this winter in Chelsea for example, I foundΒ myself lost in the little streets and alleyways of the borough. The beautiful mews I then found can only be discovered that way.
βThe English language is like London: proudly barbaric yet deeply civilised, too, common yet royal, vulgar yet processional, sacred yet profaneβ – Stephen Fry
The English language is a special one and has developed tremendously over the years. One βmagicianβ with the English written and spoken word obviously was William Shakespeare. A phenomenon in the literary world and his work has been passed on for generations and for generations more to come. And whatβs better than seeing a Shakespeare play in action live at the Shakespeareβs Globe Theater?
βTo awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the worldβ β Freya Stark
When I woke up that first morning in London I listened to the birds outside of my bedroom and it finally clicked: Β I was going to spend the next six months in this city. I had a few days before I was due into work for the first time, so it was time for exploring. I remember it quite vividly that one of the first things I visited in London was the British Museum. The Central Hall and the mummy collection was what impressed me most.
βOne must be in London to see the springβ β George Moore
Yes! Spring in London is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. When trees are filled with blossom and when young baby ducks cheerfully swim around in the London ponds. The best way to enjoy this season in London is to just wander around aimlessly in one of the Parks or in boroughs such as Chelsea, Notting Hill and Richmond. Β If you are a true flower fan though, head to Kew Gardens for a plant and flower overload.
‘A traveler without observation is a bird without wings’Β β Moslih Eddin Saadi
Sometimes I feel that I see London too much through my camera lens instead of through my eyes. However, with photography comes the skill to observe I guess, because without observation, youβre getting nowhere. There are a few places in London which I can visit over and over again, and still being able to find new things with my (camera lens/) eyes. One of those places is Greenwich, with its beautiful park, stunning buildings and the lavishly decorated Painted Hall.
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Surely, there are so many more favorite places of mine in London. And I’m sure that there are also plenty out there still waiting for me to be discovered. As you might know already, I’m graduated and will be searching for a job and a place to live in London from October on. As scary as it feels at this point, I’m super excited for the big move. I will get the chance to explore the city to the fullest, and with the ease these days to meet like-minded people, it should go much more smoothly. I’ve now for example joined the Outbound Team, which represents an app that connect travelers. Meeting new people has neverΒ been thisΒ easy!
For more inspiration, check out the blogs of these amazing girls:
- Jaime – Angloyankophile
- Dannielle – ChicaDeeDee
- Kelly – Flat Eleven
- Rebecca- RunawayKiwi
- Angie – SilverspoonLondon
- Emma – AdventuresofaLondonKiwiΒ
All photos and opinions in this post are my own


What beautiful quotes and photos! I love the quote about being tired of London – it’s a favourite of mine. My post is going up tomorrow – wooop!
Lauren xx | The Lifestyle Diaries
Excited to read your post and the posts of the others!
Such great quotes, Maaike! I think my fave is St Augustine’s, βhe world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page, It really sums up life for me!
Thanks Suze! It was quite the puzzle to fit everything in I must say π Yes, I love that one too!
Love Stanfords. I probably go there once a month just to breathe in the air of the travel books. I love the map on the floor and the collection of maps upstairs, so much fun. Happy weekend π
I did exactly the same when I lived in London. The collection is amazing! Have a good weekend Julie!
Love this concept Maaike! I think the combination of such great quotes and photos is fantastic!
Also I’ve never actually been to Stanfords so will be adding it to my list for my next visit to London – thanks for the inspiration π Victoria x
Thanks Victoria! Emma really gave me the idea by proposing to do a travel quote post. I just put my own twist to it π And I’m glad it was inspiring!
I adore all of these – London is one of the genuinely insane, amazing cities…
It really is! Many thanks for inviting me Emma!
Wonderful photos and quotes! We are having 18 hours layover in London this Saturday and I can’t wait to see some of this places!
Hope you have a great time in London and thanks for stopping by the blog!
This is a really love post. Even though I’ve lived in London almost 12 years, I still often feel like a tourist!
Thank you so much Kirsty π