TRAFALGAR TRAILS - Alternative attractions in London

Jamila Gordon, Contributor

London is a cosmopolitan mix of the developed and developing worlds, of the established and the avant-garde. Considered by some as a hallmark of modernism, London has tremendous versatility, catering to the needs of everyone, from royalty to paupers. No matter what you are interested in or like doing, London will be able to satisfy your requirements.

Bustling, interesting, and full of character, the markets and flea markets are where you see London life at its best. It's the ideal place for early Sunday risers because these markets start to close down by mid-afternoon and are in full swing by 9 a.m.

Petticoat Lane and Brick Lane markets are Sunday flea markets that sell clothing and knick-knacks. The Camden Market attracts huge crowds of locals all weekend and it is lots of fun.

The Portobello Road Market is probably London's most popular amongst tourists. It's a little unique because it's not a one-day market where fruits and vegetables are sold during the week and general goods are sold on Fridays and Saturdays (closed on Thursdays and Sundays). You can find anything on Portobello Road, from expensive antiques at the Notting Hill end to reasonable used and 'nearly new' stalls at the Westway end. In the two-mile-long market, you can find souvenirs, hot food, high fashion, cheap socks, cloth and sewing accessories, multi-pack batteries, and all other kinds of 'swag' (term used for cheap/everyday goods bought in bulk and resold at discounted prices in the ubiquitous two-for-one or three-for-two styles).

Public toilets are hard to find at these markets, but there are two fully automated toilets at the Portobello Market located where the road intersects with Longsdale, and another on Tavistock.

London has magnificent parks and public gardens. A visitor to London would be remiss not to spend some quality time in at least one a day. St James's Park is arguably the most beautiful in London. It is next to Buckingham Palace. Hyde Park is central London's largest and apparently gets very loud on Sundays by the park's Speakers' Corner.

Kew Gardens are the Royal Botanical Gardens and are described as "a haven of tranquility amid the urban sprawl" by Lonely Planet. There is an entry fee for these gardens as well as the gardens of Hampton Court Palace, with its deer park and 300-year-old maze and the ever-famous Kensington Palace, which was the former home of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Why not consider catching a boat from Westminster Pier down the river to Greenwich, where you will pass the site of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, stop at the Tower of London, continue under the Tower Bridge aka 'London Bridge', and past many famous docks? This tour is about £10 return.

London is in no way short of eateries, pubs, and night-time entertainment. The essential events guide is Time Out, published every Tuesday. Though most pubs close at 11 p.m., there are plenty of late-night clubs, but beware that the last underground trains leave between 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., after which you must figure out the night-bus system, take a taxi, or be prepared to take the first train out at 5 a.m.

Make sure to catch a performance at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre one evening when there is no rain because there is no roof and a no-umbrellas-allowed policy in place. The theatre is only open for performances from May to September (it's too cold any other time of year).

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