London Bars: Take in the City From One of London's Rooftop Bars This Summer

There is no doubt that the sunshine of the past few days has bathed Londoners in post Olympic optimism… and what’s more -  it’s Friday! Bask in the evening sun on one of London’s rooftop bars, and take in the spectacular views that these venues have to offer. Boutique London Lets gives you a list of our favourite places to experience the loftiest of alfresco dining and drinking.


Frank’s Café and Campari Bar:

Frank's Cafe and Campari Bar

This south London hotspot is a laid back haven for Londoners on a summer night. You can find Frank’s on the sixth level of a disused carpark just minutes away from Peckham Rye train station. After an intriguing climb to the top, you reach a concrete roof ‘garden’ filled with the delights of a pop up gallery, bar and alfresco bar and restaurant. With spectacular views reaching across the city, you can experience the London skyline as you sit back and enjoy a chilled beverage at a low cost, with beers starting at £1.50 and cocktails priced at no more than £5. Frank’s attracts a diverse crowd of Londoners from across the capital and you can spot every kind of character sat upon the weatherworn wooden benches that cover the yellow parking lines on the concrete floor – you can’t get away from what Frank’s started as, but that’s all part of its charm.


Kensington Roof Gardens:
For an evening of luxury, head to the prestigious Kensington Roof Gardens and enjoy a glass of champagne one hundred feet above the bustling streets of Kensington High Street. Expect scenic gardens adorned with full size trees, fountains, flamingos and a stream filled with fish as well as deep and comfortable sofas, shisha pipes and carefully placed uplighting. This land of luxury is effortlessly sheek, with an atmosphere of exclusivity filled with successful types spanning all age brackets that dress to impress. Entry to Kensington Roof Gardens is only available to members and guests, and carries an extortionate entry price of £25. This is undoubtedly one of London’s best nightlife experiences.

Kensington Roof Gardens

Queen of Hoxton:
For a killer barbeque, hanging gardens, soft lighting and panoramic views of the city head to East London’s Queen of Hoxton, arguably the best rooftop bar that London has to offer. The roof terrace is positioned in such a way that when the sun shines, it bathes in sunlight throughout the day so bask upon a deckchair and tan yourself, cocktail in hand in a unique urban setting. When the sun sets, the Queen of Hoxton reopens as a rooftop cinema club, screening classics from across genres and decades.

Queen of Hoxton

So there we have it, our favourite rooftop haunts for a balmy summers evening. Boutique London Lets provide a number of serviced apartment in prime locations across London, all within easy reach of these rooftop bars.

Spotlight on Old Spitalfields Market: our favourite London Market

When it comes to markets in London, Boutique London Lets knows what's what. London is world famous for it’s retail hotspots – you’ve got Bond Street, Oxford Street and King’s Road all within easy reach of each other and Westfield Stratford and Shepherd’s Bush dominating either end of the city. On top of the high street names, London boasts an impressive array of street markets… but you needn’t hop from one to the other – Old Spitalfields market offers you everything you could possibly want. A dream come true for collectors and shoppers alike.

Old Spitalfields Market (Photo Credit: Stephen McKay)

The market is open seven days a week, offering shoppers something different each day – BLL gives you the lowdown on the four main days of Shopping:

Thursday offers an eclectic mix of antiques and collectables, including ceramics, antiquarian books, vintage fashion and jewellery, retro, militaria and old vinyl – there is so much to root through, you’ll be sure to pick up some gems!

If it’s rare and collectible vinyls that you’re looking for, you can visit the Old Record Fair that joins the market on the first Friday of every month. Otherwise, Friday’s at Spitalfields market are a hub for clothes and art lovers alike.

On Saturdays, you can expect themed markets, stocked by vintage clothes collectors as well as start up labels whilst Sundays offer a mish mash of items with something for all the family.

Only five minutes walk from Liverpool Street Station, Old Spitalfields Market is in easy reach of the Boutique London Lets apartments situated in the city and is only a short walk away from Shoreditch High Street and Hoxton overground stations. Don’t spend your time in London on the high street: discover the eccentricities of Old Spitalfields Market and come across some fabulous, one of a kind pieces, tucked away just to the east of the City of London.

Wall Murals: An Interesting Alternative to the London Art Scene.

London is a melting pot of innovation and design and undoubtedly the number one spot in Europe for alternative tourism. London artists have used the walls of the city as an urban canvas, to tell and retell the stories of local residents: come with Boutique London Lets on a tour down the streets of Brixton, Soho and Kilburn and spot the London murals, giving an interesting and honest portrayal of London life.

We begin our journey in Kilburn to view the largest permanent public graffiti art mural ever commissioned in the UK. The 300m2 mural was put together by the Signal Project in 2004 and has come to represent and define the area, reflecting its vast multiculturalism and historic roots, with subtle references to local themes – it is clear that the local community had some say in the creative process.  You can spot images of people moving between the city and the countryside, as well as famous locals and fanciful creatures. Drop by Kilburn Station (Jubilee Line) to see this incredible piece of London design.

Kilburn Mural, London

Next up, we are spoiled by the colourful designs that are painted upon the walls of Brixton. They say that a picture speaks a thousand words, and never has this been more fitting. Many of these murals were painted in the aftermath of the Brixton riots of 1981, and portray ideas relating to the politics of the time and are considered a representation of the local community. The London Mural Preservation Society recently funded a restoration project, to repair the Brixton murals and ensure their conservation.  The murals of Brixton are all within walking distance of each other and are well worth a visit, should you wish to experience London as it is to the local community.

The recently renovated Brixton Windmill mural in Brixton, London

Our last stop brings us to Carnaby Street and the Spirit of Soho, designed to document the A to Z of life in Soho. The image boasts a bizarre collection of images to represent a potted history and geography of Soho – an array of fruit and vegetables, next to shifty bunch of men trying to sneak a peek up the skirt of a woman, next to images of local hotspots and residents. Stop off at Oxford Street Station (Bakerloo and Victoria Line) to see this London artwork.

The Spirit of Soho, off Carnaby Street, London

London boasts an incredible array of urban art works, all of which can be viewed with the tap of an Oyster Card. All of the London murals featured in this post are within easy reach of all Boutique London Lets apartments - just hop on the tube and see them for yourselves. Get to know London and what it means to locals - not something you'll find in a guidebook!

Your Stay in London this August - Head to Notting Hill Carnival!

Notting Hill Carnival should be number one on your list of things to do during your stay in London this Summer. Boutique London Lets gives you the essentials on London's biggest street party!

London at its Most Vibrant! (Photo Credit: PA)

WHAT: A street carnival that has stayed true to its Caribbean roots - something so vibrant, lively, diverse and colourful that it has grown and grown annually since its birth in 1964. Expect 50,000 costumed performers, colourful floats, traditional Caribbean food stalls, Calypso music and steel bands as well as 40 sound systems that will keep you dancing all weekend long.


WHEN:  Held every year on the Sunday (26th) and Monday (27th) of the August Bank Holiday weekend, the street festival is the biggest of its kind in Europe. The Carnival Bands take to the streets around 9am on both days, finishing up by 7pm. Sunday is Children's Day, with a shorter parade route and competitions. Monday is the day of the main procession.


WHERE: Notting Hill is in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. See the 'HOW' section for information on transport routes to and from the Carnival.


WHY: Notting Hill Carnival began in 1964 as a way to showcase the steel band musicians of Earls Court, and a reminder to local residents of their Caribbean roots. It was a celebration of the abolition of slavery and the slave trade and an expression of newfound freedom.


HOW: The Carnival can be easily reached by public transport, but be sure to plan your journey in advance. Your best bet is travelling to High Street Kensington (Circle Line), Bayswater or Paddington and taking the short walk to Notting Hill as Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill Gate, Royal Oak and Westbourne Park stations are likely to be closed or running a restricted service on account of the large amount of congestion. There is limited parking available so it may not be the best option to take the car.


Boutique London Lets has a number of apartments for rent in central and exciting locations - all our locations have great transport links, so travelling to and from the Carnival shouldn't be too much trouble. Get your dancing shoes on and make the most of your August Bank Holiday Weekend in London!

Make The Most Of The Summer And Dine Al Fresco - A Must Do During Your Stay In London

At long last, you can really make the most of your summer stay in London as the sunshine returns to the capital! After weeks upon weeks of rain, Londoners are smiling again! So why not make the most of the summer sun, and spend your holiday in London outdoors – and meal times needn’t be any different. Boutique London Lets presents al fresco dining at its best.



The River Café, Thames Wharf, Hammersmith:
Enjoy the culinary delights of this Michelin starred restaurant, from the comfort of the sunny Thames riverside. Placing an emphasis on the finest ingredients, The River Café offers a bright and fresh take on Italian home cooking and is widely regarded as the best Italian restaurant in London. It has received a consistently good response from critics for its atmosphere, so on a sunny day, it is not one to be missed. Menus are tweaked daily in response to the weather, and expect to pay above average prices. Still – you get what you pay for!

The River Cafe on a Summers Day!

The Serpentine Bar and Kitchen, Hyde Park:
For an al fresco dining experience that won’t break the bank, try the Serpentine Bar and Kitchen, found at the very heart of the ever picturesque Hyde Park. The Serpentine serves a delightful all day dining menu, with much of the food cooking in a wood-fired oven to create a beautiful blend of French and English cuisine. The Serpentine is the place to go for al fresco afternoon tea, with a lunch menu of sandwiches and cakes. Their intention is to create a retreat for Londoner and tourists alike, and have done so quite successfully with their blend of home cooking and its beautiful natural setting. You can expect to pay around £8-15 for a main course.

Serpentine Bar and Kitchen at the Heart of Hyde Park

The Albion, Islington:
The Albion gives you a bit of the traditional English country pub in the heart of the hustle and bustle of London. In the summer, you can expect all food to be cooked fresh upon the grill of an outdoor barbeque, and diners can look forward to ordering a whole suckling pig for ten to share. Upon the summer menu is a mix of freshly cooked meat, fish and vegetables, as well as a wide selection of lagers, beers, real ales, ciders and an extensive wine list developed by experts from across the country. You can expect to pay around £10-17 for a main course.

Enjoy the Sun at The Albion in Islington

So there we have it! Make the most of your stay in London this summer. If Olympic fever has tired you out, take some time out and enjoy lunch in the summer sun. For other ideas on how to enjoy the summer nights, have a look at our blog on outdoor cinemas in London – why not do something a little bit different with your evening?