If you’re paying a visit to the United Kingdom, you’re in for a treat. It’s a country that’s brimming with history and culture, from the magnificence of Buckingham Palace to the majesty of the Lake District. But if it’s London you’re looking forward to seeing in particular (it’s currently in the top five sustainable cities in the world) you might be wondering what to do. Well, here are a few ideas – from eco friendly hotels to the best places for sustainable dining, this is how to have a vacation to London you won’t ever forget…
Book a room at an eco-friendly hotel
If you’d like to stay in the heart of the city, consider One Aldwych in Covent Garden – it’s a five-star hotel that’s been awarded the Luxury Eco Certification Standard (LECS). Or, for something a little cheaper but with a serious focus on the environment, try Qbic – its bathrooms are filled with organic toiletries and it generates some of its own electricity via solar panels. Its cleaning products are 100% chemical free and its mattresses are made by a company which makes organic mattresses only (from materials such as coir fibre, cotton and lambs wool).
Eat at a zero-waste restaurant
Cub, in Hoxton, is a zero-waste restaurant with a particular focus on suitability. Not only does the restaurant grow some of its own ingredients on site, its interior has also been carefully designed, with tables made from recycled yoghurt pots. A £45 set menu pairs incredible food with fantastic drinks over multiple mouth-watering courses and, while the ingredients make repeat appearances throughout the set menu in order to save on food miles, don’t make the mistake of thinking it’ll be boring… it’s anything but and has received very good reviews.
Try vegan street food
Some London activities aren’t necessarily eco-friendly, but are simply too good to miss. For example, you’ll doubtless want to see Big Ben or exploring the Tower of London, watch a theatre performance in the world-famous West End, or ride the London Eye. But, you can keep an eye on your green credentials by hiring a bicycle to get around London rather than taking public transport such as the underground.
And, you can you refuel yourself by skipping the junk food at the chain restaurants by eating some vegan street food instead. For example, sample the jackfruit burrito from Club Mexican (in Camden), devour a fragrant serving of dahl at the Spice Box (you’ll find it on Broadway every Saturday between 10am and 4pm) and feast on the plantain pancakes with bean stew at Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen (you’ll find this on Brixton Station Road).
Sip zero-waste cocktails
Finally, Shoreditch is a trendy part of London, but you’ll be particularly impressed by Scout – an eco-friendly cocktail lounge. The cocktails on this menu consist of ingredients that are foraged, as well as those that are bought from farmers and growers in the UK. For example, you can sip on a cocktail made from green peas (sourced from Essex, England), sorrel, caraway, egg white and smoke. Or how about a cocktail made from purple carrots (sourced from Nottingham, England), hemp seeds, sour carrot and liquorice?
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to have a green trip to London that you won’t ever forget. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to pack your suitcase and see it for yourself.
What are your favorite things to do in London?
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