For something a little off the beaten path, a visit to the city
between mid-June to mid-Sept might lead you to Parkside
Farm in Enfield, where you can pick your own strawberries
and other fruit (you can’t carry these out of the country).
You can pay and the end – but check ahead in advance that
sufficient crops are available and confirm opening times.
For something a little quirky and alternative, the bustling
and popular Camden Market is worth visiting for a range
of alternative art pieces, clothes and artefacts – there are a
few veggie eateries here – such as VBurger, Club Mexicana,
Heaven Canal Café & Restaurant, ensuring you won’t go
hungry.
Stay
There is accommodation across the city to suit all budgets –
staying a little further from the city will save you moneywise,
with approximately an hour’s travel by metro to the centre
of the city, meaning that you should weigh up between cost
and time saving of staying outside of the centre. The chain
hotels offer decent accommodation and lowest prices,
and outside of peak times with an advance booking will be
cheaper (Travelodge for example). If you want the option to
prepare food at home (though with London’s veggie scene
to explore, I can’t imagine why!), Air BNB is a good option.
While the city has no vegetarian hotel, La Suite West hotel
near Bayswater station has a vegetarian restaurant on site,
allowing you to have breakfast from 7.30am if you have an
early day planned.
TIPS
- Weather in the UK is famously unpredictable. What could
start out as a warm summer’s day may lead to rain in the
afternoon. Pack according to the seasons but always
have suitable backup items of clothing in case of a
sudden change in the weather. Any temperature ranging
from 20-25 is generally considered hot in the UK. - There is no time of year to be particularly avoided. The
Christmas period, Easter, Valentine’s Day and school
holidays (6 weeks in July-August) are likely to be more
expensive (accommodation) and busier, the benefit
is that during the Christmas period, there is more to
see and do such as the Christmas lighting on Oxford
Street and Winter Wonderland. Public transport, shops
and attractions are non-operational on Christmas Day;
some restaurants remain open, though most restaurants
require advanced booking on Christmas Day. - Animal Aid usually hold a Vegan Christmas Fair in the
beginning of December – also look out to see whether
popular blogger Fat Gay Vegan will hold more events, as
his first Christmas Vegan Fair was held in 2016. There
are also other festivals held throughout the year by Viva!,
Vegan Life Live and VegfestUK. - It goes without saying you should never confirm any
travel plans until you have your visa. The good news is
that the latest information shows you can obtain your
Standard Visitor Visa (Tourist) up to 3 months before
you intend to travel. For the latest information including
eligibility and requirements, visit the UK government’s
website: http://www.gov.uk