Blog by Hritvi, resident of Lilian Knowles House (London)

To call any place your home, it is important to find places nearby that you can tell others - this is what makes my local area special. As a resident of Lilian Knowles House for almost a year, I am extremely glad that I have many such spots, which have only brought many happy memories and made it so much easier to make London feel like home😊

Let me share some of my absolute favourites out of these, and you, the reader, can decide whether they are worth visiting or not!

1. ZeroToOne Coffee

Distance from LKH: 2-3 minutes walking, address: 19 Widegate St, London E1 7HP

A newly opened coffee shop with only one other branch in London, Zerotoone takes its coffee seriously and comes up with the best coffee drinks in the area. For Christmas last year, they introduced holiday specials such as Brown Sugar Cookie Latte, which included a unique base of cookie-infused milk as well as a tiramisu-inspired hot coffee. If you are a purist, they also have a selection of classic coffee drinks, with their Vietnamese Coffee (Cà Phê Sữa) being their best-known drink! They have a loyalty scheme card for regulars, where every 10th drink is on the house :) Additionally, they host many cool events, such as cupping events, where you get to smell different coffee beans and know the difference between them all, and night café days.

2. Elder Gardens

Distance from LKH: 3 minutes walking, address: Lamb St, London E1 6UJ

This garden was laid out as a public park in the late 1990s, as part of the housing development that runs along the north side of the park, and I only discovered it in early spring while ‘park hopping’ with a couple of friends. Located in a quiet corner in Old Spitalfields Market and surrounded by a quiet residential complex, this garden is in fact, nothing special at first glance. However, there are three reasons why I consider this to be one of my favourite green spaces in London: a) it’s a patch of green in the most unexpected location, and luckily for LKH residents is very close, b) you can always grab a snack from Spitalfields market and choose to have it in this cosy corner and c) it’s the type of garden where you can lounge for hours with no one bothering you. If you are a LKH resident, I would so recommend coming here on a stressful day and just soaking up the sun and the quiet when your mind goes fuzzy with work or academics!

3. The Kati Roll Company

Distance from LKH: 3 minutes walking, address: 7 Artillery Ln, London E1 7LJ

Who says all food in the UK is bland?! Try this spicy and yummy Kati roll, and you’ll keep coming back to it! To explain briefly, a Kati roll is a wrap usually with meat, chutneys and onions, and is popular in Kolkata, the capital of the state of West Bengal, India. This is a great place for a snack or even a light lunch and they also offer student discounts, along with a loyalty card. They have both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian food options, both equally flavourful, and oh, you must get the extra chutney with it to make it even more zingy! They also run offers on Deliveroo at times and are usually available on Too Good to Go.

4. The Star by Liverpool Street

Distance from LKH: 4-5 minutes walking, address: 94 Middlesex St, London E1 7EZ

Searching for a new drinking spot but are bored with the usual pubs and bars? The Star by Liverpool Street hosts karaoke nights every day for free, as well as a huge range of drinks. This is a great place to go with friends or coursemates for a fun hangout! The drink selection is extensive, and the energetic, welcoming vibe makes it ideal for both small hangouts and bigger celebrations. I have also had a friend of mine throw a birthday party here and it was an absolute blast!

5. Guildhall Art Gallery

Distance from LKH: 15 minutes walking, address: Guildhall Yard, London EC2V 5AE

Tucked behind the Barbican Centre, the Guildhall Art Gallery beats most museums I have visited in London (except the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, which is also a great museum). The moment you start approaching the museum, you are immediately transported out of the city's hustle and bustle of London. This is truly an underrated gem, and hence, any time you visit feels like a personalised experience. The most exciting of their exhibits is the ancient ruins of the Londinium, the Roman Amphitheatre built in the 3rd century BC, along with a map of London in the 1500s (a fun activity to do: try and spot your locality on the map!) Apart from that, the museum is full of artistry, both classical and modern, with a specific focus on Evelyn De Morgan’s work in the 1800s. The museum also has the cutest gift shop where you can buy postcards, games, and souvenirs. My recommendation is to visit this museum, even if you do not live near LKH!

These are some of my favourites around my student accommodation. What are some of yours?