London’s Top Mooch Spots

By Erin Deborah Waks

The Cambridge English dictionary defines the verb ‘to mooch’ as: to walk or do things slowly and without much purpose.

I’d say I agree, but with one caveat. There is a purpose, just one that few would deem ‘productive’. The purpose of mooching is to relax and soak up your surroundings.

What separates a mooch from an activity - say, shopping, or going to a restaurant - is that very little planning is involved. The whole idea is to pick an area and wander around aimlessly, stopping at regular intervals for whatever you feel so inclined to do.

For me that would be, in no particular order, finding a coffee shop, eating, shopping, popping into a gallery, strolling, taking pictures, having another coffee and browsing an area.

There are probably hundreds of untouched gems in London, areas just begging for a gang of twentysomethings (or, indeed, of any age) to mooch. This, however, is merely a run-down of my top five spots to mooch. I hope my recommendations don’t provide too much of a plan to ruin said mooch…

Neal's Yard, Covent Garden

I love Covent Garden - who doesn’t? - but it can get overcrowded. Instead, follow the back alleys around Seven Dials to find this quaint square filled with artisan shops. You’ll make your way there past plenty of vintage shops, if that’s your thing, but the crowning glory is when you step into the colourful, quiet paradise nestled between typically London buildings painted in non-typical hues.

Bakeries here are excellent (26 Grains, St John Bakery) but the best, for me, is the al fresco wine bar La Compagnie, especially on a warm evening.

Hampstead

Hardly off the beaten track, but you know what they say - if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Hampstead is the best for a reason. If you like National Trust buildings, start off at Fenton House and Garden (for me, the treasure is in the latter), followed by a mooch around the overgrown haze that is Hampstead Heath.

Then, for coffee, you’ve got plenty of options: The Coffee Cup or Mayalita for an old classic, Hagen or Sourdough Sophia for something modern.

Oh, and, this Londoner’s biggest secret - this little neighbourhood is home to the city’s best cookie: the chocolate and nut cookie from the Ginger & White takeaway booth.

High Street Kensington

Having spent more time in this area in the last two years than ever before, I can safely say it has more to offer than expensive houses and mums pushing strollers in lululemon gym sets.

Japan House, Leighton House and The Design Museum are fabulous cultural institutions to visit, and if you fancy some greenery you’re a mere stone’s throw from Hyde Park and Kensington Palace.

Food-wise, on Sundays the farmer’s market is your best bet. But if you’re looking to sit down, I’ve heard great things about The Holland, Grato and, of course, Flat Iron.

A hidden Georgian bakery called Entree does the best coffee and baked goods in the area, and the flower stands here, while expensive, are truly exquisite - bouquets like the French do them. Nearby in Belgravia, Cleo is one of the best brunch spots I’ve been to in the city, blending modern and classic that provided the perfect backdrop to my best friend’s 25th birthday.

The thrift shops are decent here, too, owing to the average wealth of a resident in the area…

Primrose Hill

I’d like to say my best friend and I discovered Primrose Hill before it was cool, but that’s just not true. We did, however, spend plenty of time here in our late teens and early twenties, sampling everything from the perfectly Parisian interiors of Soutine in nearby St John’s Wood to the instagrammable brunches at Drunch. And it’s safe to say we found some winning spots.

Overpriced but undeniable delicious is Oka (order the crispy rice salmon bites - trust us), and Italian haunt Pesantissimo is great. But there’s also great independent shops, coffee shops (Arvo, Greenberry) and book shops to explore.

Don’t forget to take your provisions up to the top of the hill itself and watch the city go by below.

Marylebone

I could spend days in Marylebone, just mooching around. Seriously.

The Wallace Collection is one of my favourite starting points for a day here, and keep an eye on their website for free guided tours, often at 2.30pm. I went on one of these recently and found it the most genuinely engaging art tour I’d ever been on, complete with all the titbits of historical information you couldn’t learn just by walking around.

Viral bakery Arome is nearby, famed for its milk honey bread (honestly amazing, but be prepared to queue), but wander the quieter streets of Marylebone for so many options. Chiltern Street is a great place to start, as well as the high street, and there is Regent’s Park 15 minutes away if you fancy some grass or a lake.

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