London is a city that rewards you for slowing down. It is a place where a walk through a park can feel cleansing and soothing, and where every building and street brims with history.
KonMari is hosting our in-person Consultant Program course in London again this October, so we thought we’d share some of the team’s — and Marie’s – favorite places to include in our itinerary. From museums to antique markets to simply walking through London’s many beautiful neighborhoods, there’s something for everyone.
Whether you’re considering joining us for the October course or planning a trip to London for other reasons, here are some KonMari-approved ways to experience the city.
Note: A ✸ denotes one of Marie’s personal favorites.
Stay
Each of London’s neighborhoods offers a distinct feel and experience. Here are some favorite areas:
- Kensington/South Kensington puts you close to the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum and Hyde Park. If you love visiting museums, this is a great neighborhood to stay in
- Notting Hill is charming and walkable, with good cafes, pubs, and restaurants
- Canary Wharf/Docklands will bring you nearest to where the October course takes place, at ExCel London (more info here)
Explore
- A morning at ✸ Hyde Park is a simple, soothing way to begin your visit to the city. In October, the trees turn gold and the air feels crisp – the textbook definition of autumn in London.
- Among its many collections and gorgeous galleries, The British Museum holds the Rosetta Stone, which is worth navigating the crowds to see
- ✸ Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A): One of Marie’s absolute favorites. Its collections span fashion, textiles, ceramics, jewelry, photography, and furniture from across centuries and cultures. Free entry. Allow at least half a day.
- ✸ Dennis Severs’ House in Spitalfields is a gorgeous example of London’s rich history. The house museum feels as if its Huguenot inhabitants have just stepped out – with candles still burning and food on the table. A uniquely moving experience that invites you to really see the objects around you
- Portobello Road Market is less a meal than a ritual: vintage stalls, street food, and produce, best wandered slowly.
- ✸ Booksellers Row (Cecil Court) is a 17th-century street lined with nearly two dozen antique bookshops, and it was one of Marie’s favorite discoveries last year (see her own photos in the carousel below)
Shop
KonMari Tip: Don’t forget to perform a joy check before acquiring any souvenirs! Several of the places on the following list are worth visiting just to see first-hand, even if you don’t purchase anything.
- ✸ Alfie’s Antique Market near Marylebone is four floors of furniture, ceramics, and curiosities, each with its own story – ideal for anyone who appreciates seeing objects that have stood the test of time
- You could spend all day exploring London’s famous department store, ✸ Harrods, but the food halls alone (the produce and chocolate halls pictured above) are worth a long visit
- ✸ Hamleys, a world-renowned toy store, is an excellent excuse to reconnect with a sense of play and also for parents to pick up souvenirs to take home
- Liberty London, still the gold standard for curated homewares with a rich history and beautiful flagship store
- Daunt Books in Marylebone is an original Edwardian book shop filled with oak shelves and natural light — it also happens to be an excellent place to find a book to read on the flight home!
