Our Eco Guide to London: Do, See, Stay, Eat, Shop
Eco Travel Editor Holly Rose
Instagram: @leotielovely
London is a feast for the soul. As you plan your spring and summer travel, here are a few of our favorites.
SLEEP
The My Hotels chain began greening themselves several years ago by joining forces with Healthy Planet and Friends of the Earth, which led them to put recycling bins in all of the rooms, use eco-friendly and toxic-free cleaning products in all their hotels, and even add a honey beehive to their rooftop to bring awareness about the importance and current plight of the honey bee. Their concierge works with Green Taxi, all printing is done on recycled pulp and they use energy-saving light bulbs in their hotels. » MY HOTELS
LISTEN
One of the most beautiful venues in London, the historic Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington. If you make it to London in the summer, get yourself a ticket to the Proms concerts, which have been held annually since 1941. » ROYAL ALBERT HALL
SHOP
In the heart of Chelsea, the Good Place brings a new kind of luxury to the shopping experience, with each product telling a story that supports people and the planet. Their consciously curated collections offer a constantly changing selection of beautiful ethical brands from around the world, ranging from fashion and accessories to homeware and gifts that contribute to the planet and its inhabitants in a positive way. » THE GOOD PLACE
MAKEUP
Hidden in a cozy corner of Covent Garden, Neal’s Yard Remedies was one of the first first natural, holistic, organic, cruelty-free beauty brands in London when it opened its doors in 1981. Neal’s Yard brings the expertise of an apothecary to health and beauty, creating a beautifully British brand that offers sustainable souvenirs to last you months, and in some cases years to come. » NEAL’S YARD REMEDIES
BOUTIQUE
Thanks to their strict policy on transparency, when you shop at 69b Boutique you can be sure the items have been made in an ecological and ethical way. It’s a wonderful way to discover new brands while exploring Broadway Market. » 69B BOUTIQUE
DAY MUNCH
Notting Hill holds the latest addition to the green living movement with a menu free from dairy, refined sugars, meat, additives and chemicals. The menu is made on recycled hemp paper, and the entire menu is organic and tasty. Plus, there’s a selection of coldpressed juices, cocktails and wines to go along with it. » FARMACY
ICE CREAM
Head to the café and creative venue Canvas Café for one of their homemade nice creams made with coconut milk and banana and then blended with almond milk to make a delicious milkshake. They then add raw, vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free homemade cake, with optional raspberry, beets, coconut, matcha, chocolate, avocado, dates and nuts. It’s a party in your mouth like none other. And they call it the Vegan Freakshake. They also have a delicious menu of food, made fresh daily, with plenty of vegan options to satisfy your needs. » CANVAS CAFÉ
BEER
A visit to Britain isn’t complete without a pint, but you can green up that pint with Toast, produced by Hackney Brewery in East London as part of a partnership with food waste charity Feedback to create quality pale ale from surplus loaves of bread. You’ll find it in craft beer shops and restaurants throughout London. » TOAST ALE
COCKTAILS
On top of Queen Elizabeth Festival Hall is a hidden garden with cocktails and snacks, surrounded by a garden built and maintained by volunteers, including leaders from Grounded Ecotherapy, a recovery group for adults who have experienced homelessness and mental health issues. With a beautiful view of the Thames and the bustling Southbank below, it is a peaceful oasis above the city that is both unique and relatively unknown. » QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL ROOF GARDEN
ZERO WASTE
Tiny Leaf Restaurant is London’s first organic, zero waste restaurant, turning surplus food donated by local food suppliers into gourmet vegan and glutenfree dishes. With its daily changing menu, Tiny Leaf offers food and drinks that are creative and delicious, creating a culinary experience which is both conscious and unique. » TINY LEAF RESTAURANT