What to Buy for a Friend who Lives in London

Photo by Anthony Delanoix on Unsplash

So you have a friend living in London? Clearly they are person with a highly refined sense of style, discerning taste, and enjoying the high-life already. These are wonderful traits in a friend, but boy does it make them hard to buy presents for!

We are going to assume that they have been here for a while, they have worked out how the transport system works and understand the basics of taking an umbrella everywhere. You are looking for something not that they need to survive, but that adds a little extra spice to their lives.

Here at eatsleeplondon.com, we would be delighted to help you meet this challenge with a carefully selected list of gifts. Read on...

A herb garden

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

The recent lockdown has had people all over the world thinking about growing their own food. Taking on a full allotment and aiming to grow everything a family needs might be beyond most people, but growing some herbs on a kitchen window-sill is easy to do, looks and smells delicious, and who knows, your friend might even cook with their homegrown produce.

Viridescent Indoor Herb Garden Kit The kit contains everything required to grow, and a selection of herbs from Basil, Parsley, Chives and Mint. It even comes with some chalk to add labels for your herbs or write a personalised message on the blackboard panel.
Vritable Potager CONNECT Moonlight Gold If you have money to burn, and your friend so far not been plant-friendly, you could consider this self-watering version. It comes with an app, allowing the herbs to be monitored while away, and a 3 week reservoir of water.

Trip to Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens are quite magnificent. You can stand and gaze in awe at trees planted over 250 year ago, when King George III was on the throne and America was yet to rebel against him. At the same time Kew is a centre of scientific excellence and conservation. It can be toured in a day, and yet still have secrets after a lifetime.

Gin

Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash

Gin is perpetually associated with London. It used to be the drink of the poor. Known as 'mother's ruin', toxically strong gin was available for a few pennies at every street corner. London seems to be in the grip of another gin craze over the last few years, but now the product is sophisticated, subtle and superb. Its still available on every street, but sadly not for a few pennies anymore. The Gin Box Shop has a wide range of gin gift sets here.

Cream tea

Photo by Sebastian Coman Photography on Unsplash

The London Cream Tea is a strange, unique ritual. You are shown to your seats by a young man or woman in the dress of an earlier age. You drink tea from china cups and saucers (pinky raised, naturally!). You eat tiny cakes and sandwiches, sans crusts, from a multi-level tray.

However, the strangeness is part of the occasion, and part of the fun of it. In creams teas, as in most things, you pay for what you get. While many chains provide cream teas, very few compare with the offering at Fortnum & Mason - this gift package for two comes from lastminute.com.

If the view is as important as the cakes, it would be hard to go wrong with The View from The Shard and Sparkling Afternoon Tea for Two at Brasserie Blanc, which includes a glass of prosecco.

Tube scarf

The London Transport Museum is a gem in Covent Garden, perfect to entertain the kids for a hour or two. It also happens to sell some scarves and other pieces made from the icon London Tube material. Our favorite is the District Moquette Design Lambswool Scarf, shown above.

Selection of Cheeses from Borough Market

Borough Market has developed into a serious foodie heaven over the last few years. It isn't exactly the place to do your weekly shop, but it is great for an occasional treat or present. Mons does a wonderful cheese called Beaufort. If you add a bottle of olive oil (try The Olive Oil Co) and some soughdough (available throughout the market, but don't leave it too late in the day to buy) then you are set.