How to Spend a Perfect Sunday in London
I spent a good chunk of time in London last summer and one thing that I grew very fond of was coming to the end of the week. Back home, Sundays were meant for laundry, deep cleaning the home, and planning for a beautiful week ahead. However in London, Sundays meant flower markets, having flat whites with an almond croissant, and of course, indulging in Sunday roast. If you’re currently visiting the city and figuring out how to end off your week on a great note, here is your guide to having the most perfect Sunday in London!
Sundays in East London
10 AM | Grab a coffee at the best cafe in East London: Jolene
Jolene is a crowd favorite and for good reason. They make a killer flat white and they have the best pastries that will leave your tastebuds oh so happy. I especially love how effortless the cafe is. I mean, even the logo screams effortless, yet super cool at the same time.
I love that the pastries are placed on some brown paper with some tongs on the side, you place an order and grab your coffee from the outside, and you just hang out on the bench that’s right outside or on the curb. It’s literally the go to hang out spot on a Sunday morning.
I love seeing everyone hang out outside of Jolene. From scoping out the cool London girls and what they’re wearing, seeing groups of guys with cigarettes and bedhead (wearing clothes from the night before?), and families with their strollers filled with coffee and pastries, it’s a great time. A happy time.
So first things first, grab a coffee and a pastry and fuel up for the next stop.
Location: 67 Redchurch St, London E2 7DJ, United Kingdom
Hours Open: Monday-Friday, 8-3PM | Saturday & Sunday, 9-4PM
11 AM | Grab some flowers at the Columbia Road Flower Market
The Columbia Road Flower Market isn’t just another flower market. This is a market full of good eats, more coffee, vintage + secondhand shopping, and cute boutiques.
You might be staying at an Airbnb, or you might be staying at a hotel. Perhaps you’d want to decorate your Airbnb with some fresh flowers for the week (that’s what we did) or you want to gift someone with flowers (that’s also what we did), there’s always a reason to buy flowers, especially at the Columbia Road Flower Market!
Rain or shine, the Columbia Road Flower Market is the place to be on Sundays. On one of the Sundays, we scored some really great vintage sunnies, watched some Irish tap-dancing, and watched live music. On another Sunday, it was pouring, but we bought bunches of flowers, perused through the little shops, and bought a few more knickknacks for the home.
Location: Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG, United Kingdom
Hours Open: Every Sunday from 8-3PM
1 PM | A Proper Sunday Roast at The Owl & The Pussycat
As mentioned in my London Restaurant Guide, I seriously loved The Owl & The Pussycat. Very much so that I found myself there every single Sunday.
This is a very comfortable, homey place smack-dab in the middle of Shoreditch. You can watch games at the patio in the back with locals or eat upstairs with your family. The service is very warm and friendly as well. The entire experience is a 10/10.
In case you’re unfamiliar, a Sunday roast is a British and Irish staple meal for Sundays. This is where friends and families get together to have one big feast comprised of roast potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, gravy, lots of sauce, and of course some bread pudding at the very end.
It’s a very hearty meal, and something that I miss the most. I cannot wait for my first Sunday roast when I get back to London one day!
Location: 34 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DP England
Hours Open: Monday & Tuesdays, 11AM-11PM | Wednesdays – Saturdays, 11AM-12AM | Sundays, 11AM-10:30PM
3 PM | Stroll Around Shoreditch
Shoreditch is one of my favorite neighborhoods in London. It’s super hip and trendy. You’ll find lots of street art, amazing cafes (seriously, one flat white is just not enough!), cool vintage shops, and some of the coolest people in London. Also, stop by Glassworks London for some new sustainable and eco friendly clothing pieces on your way out!
5 PM | Go to the best Thai restaurant in London: Churchill Arms
I love that the best Thai restaurants in London can be found inside the pubs. Such a great combo! I ate at a few Thai restaurants in London, however Churchill Arms was the one that stood out most to me.
All of their meals were so flavorful and authentic (and very filling), and the ambiance was super cozy.
Location: 119 Kensington Church Street, London W8 7LN England
Hours Open: Mondays – Saturdays, 11AM-11PM, Sundays 12PM – 10:30PM
And that, is the perfect Sunday in London
Grab some dessert after and call it a day! I hope this one day London itinerary helped you and makes you fall in love with London even more!
I also curate travel itineraries, so if this is something that you’d be interested in, you can learn more here!
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