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Almost six months after my last mini-break, in  Bath , I was craving R and R, and the call of the sea was particularly strong. This latter urge was not unique to me and a quick search for lodgings in a host of English seaside towns for the bank holiday weekend yielded very few options. But I was determined to get out of London for a few days, especially given the promising weather forecast, and I managed to book one of the last hotel rooms left in Canterbury, just seven miles from the Kent coast. With Canterbury as my base, I was able to explore the cathedral city and visit three seaside towns. Not bad going for a long weekend. CANTERBURY Accommodation I stayed at ABode Canterbury , a boutique hotel in the heart of the historic city centre, a few minutes' walk from all of the main attractions, both train stations and the bus station. The staff were welcoming and my "Desirable" room was comfortable and well-appointed; I even had a cathedral view when standing on tiptoe. My...

The window seats at the original White Mulberries  cafe may have one of the best views of all the coffee shops in London, especially when the yachts in the St Katharine Docks marina glint in the sunshine. London's speciality coffee scene has changed a lot since my 2014 write-up , but the coffee, all-day breakfast and sweet treats at White Mulberries are still great. White Mulberries'  second location , in Hay's Galleria in London Bridge, is even closer to my Bermondsey home. A couple of minutes' walk from London Bridge station and a few steps from the Thames, Hay's Galleria is a converted wharf with various shops and cafes under a high, vaulted roof. The eateries' seating areas are classed as outdoor seating — so they have been able to welcome customers even before the impending return of indoor hospitality in England — but the roof provides shelter from the elements.  White Mulberries' cafe has about nine or ten small tables in their outdoor area. You can b...

Update (June 2023): Unfortunately, Craving has now permanently closed. Back in the summer of 2018, which now feels like a lifetime ago, I took the Tube up to Tottenham Hale for the  launch party  for Daniel 's 'Succulent Lover' art exhibition at a coffee shop then called Craving Coffee. It was a great night for art, tacos and cocktails, but I arrived too late for coffee, and have been meaning to go back ever since. I finally made it last weekend, although it's now called Craving , and has recently moved across the road in the industrial estate where it's located. Like many small businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic meant 2020 was particularly challenging, but after a successful crowdfunding campaign , owners Matt and Rachel were able to re-open and re-think. Coffee is very much still on the menu at Craving, but the new name reflects the broader offering, which also includes cocktails, wine and an Asian-fusion food menu. They also have outdoor seating, with large paraso...

Intermission Coffee  is a great name for a coffee shop that opened during the coronavirus pandemic: who among us hasn't felt, at some point, as though the whole of the last year has been an extended intermission while we wait to get our lives back?  The West Hampstead coffee bar opened last August, and it came heartily recommended by my friends at Saint Nine . But West Hampstead is a bit of a jaunt from Bermondsey and then London went back into lockdown, so it's taken me a little while to visit. I picked a great day for it, though, as the sun was shining as I stepped out of the Tube and crossed the road into the open courtyard of Heritage Lane. There are a couple of other shops and some public benches, but Intermission has its own yellow-accented outdoor seating too. Green features prominently in the design, from the shopfront to the ridged counter and the espresso machine, as well as the plants. The coffee shop is small — and at the moment, only two customers are allowed in a...