London locals seem to know all the little hidden gems. Living there you’d have to accumulate a strong list of underground spots away from the tourist traps. That is until its gets a write up in Lonely Planet, and every second person on a holiday comes to check out ‘your’ bar. I have the same feeling when ‘my’ local breakfast cafe gets a write up, you know the following few Saturday mornings ‘your’ cafe will be filled with café hoppers following the latest trend around Sydney.

Neal’s Yard is exactly this. A hidden gem, which seems a world away from the rat race of tourists just a stone through away. I met up with a friend of mine who lives in London one morning, as most Aussie’s in London, you meet at the rare coffee shop – Monmouth Coffee at Seven Dials, I highly recommend.

Roz is also a photographer, so we planned to shoot my outfit whilst meeting up. Location is key, with Roz noting she knew of this small but vibrate Courtyard bursting with colour, covered with foliage and full of quirky shops a short walk away – the ultimate location for an #explorerjojo post. The urban oasis is scattered with small potted trees and colourful octagonal benches surrounded with leafy green plants. Whilst there you have the option of purchasing an icecream, booking in for a massage, ordering 20inch pizza’s, devouring savoury porridge and buying organic beauty products all within a couple of steps of each other.

 

Location
Down a small alley in Covent Garden between Shorts Gardens and Monmouth Street

Best way to get there
Covent Garden Tube Station- 3min walk
Leicester Square Tube Station – 5min walk

Must Visit
Start at Neal Street and work your way down the vibrant shopping district before reaching Neal Yard
The famous Neal’s Yard Dairy cheese store
28 Grain – I sat here for a few hours eating porridge working from my laptop.
Whilst you’re in the area be sure to check out Seven Dials

 

Vest | Living Doll similar here and here
Skirt | (similar here and here)
Top | (similar here)
Sunglasses | here
Boots | (similar here)
Bag | (similar here)
Necklace | Markets

Photographer | Rosalind Alcazar