When a Man Is Tired of London, He Is Tired of Life
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” — Samuel Johnson, 20 September 1777
Over 200 years later, it’s still astonishing how true those words feel. London remains one of the great cities of the world — a chaotic, brilliant melting pot of 8.2 million people speaking over 250 languages.
Of those 8.2 million, 37% were born outside the UK. That includes most of my friends. And honestly, it’s this multicultural mix that gives London its identity. Without centuries of immigration, London simply wouldn’t be London. If those Roman immigrants hadn’t rocked up 2,000 years ago, we’d probably still be living in a swamp.
I’m not here to give you a full history lesson — the Museum of London can do that better — so instead, here are a few random things I love about this city.
The Pub
London has over 7,000 pubs. Sadly, Anya and I haven’t visited them all, but we’ve certainly made a respectable dent in the list.
The pub is woven into British culture, tracing its roots back to Roman taverns. My favourite? The Faltering Fullback in Finsbury Park.
Hidden down a residential street, it should be a secret gem… but the secret’s long gone. It’s packed most nights, especially in summer when the legendary three‑tiered outdoor decking opens — a maze of stairways and platforms unlike anything else in London (except maybe the 6,000 pubs we haven’t tried yet).
The Green Side of London
Around 40% of London is parkland or open green space. It doesn’t always feel like it — especially when your face is wedged into a stranger’s armpit on a packed summer rush‑hour tube — but wander a little and the greenness hits you.
The Capital Ring is a 78‑mile walking route around London, split into 15 sections. This weekend I completed sections 9 and 10, leaving five to go.
It’s a brilliant walk through parks, riversides, woodlands and suburbs I didn’t even know existed. And, crucially, most sections end near a pub — nature’s reward system.
Other great London walks I’ve dipped into:
- Thames Path — 40 miles along the river from Hampton Court to East India Docks
- Regent’s Canal Walk — Maida Vale to Limehouse, following the water through some of London’s most interesting pockets
Murder (The Historical Kind)
Jack the Ripper is arguably London’s most infamous killer, terrorising the East End for a few months in 1888. While thirteen murders happened in the area over three years, five are widely believed to be his — each with a grim “trademark.”
The name came from a letter sent to the police, signed “Jack the Ripper,” and the media ran with it.
There are several Ripper walking tours in London. Anya and I did one recently — incredibly interesting, well organised, and excellent value at £9. You even finish at the Ten Bells, the pub where the victims were known to drink. It’s still open today, though thankfully much more civilised.
Weird but Wonderful
London’s famous sights could keep you busy for weeks, but the quirky corners are often the best.
Take the Hunterian Museum in Holborn — home to one of the oldest collections of anatomical, pathological and zoological specimens in the UK, based on the collection of surgeon John Hunter (1728–1793).
While modern hobbyists collect stamps or beermats, Hunter collected… well, anything that lived and died. Then he pickled it. There are over 3,500 specimens, including the skeleton of a 7ft 7in giant.
Entry is free, and while it may sound a bit twisted to see pickled babies next to pickled rats, it’s genuinely fascinating.
Hunter died in 1793. A shame he didn’t request to be pickled too — I’d have loved to look him in the eye and show him my beermat collection.
Food
Anya and I are foodies. If we’re not eating, we’re talking about eating. If we’re not cooking, we’re talking about what to cook. If we’re not eating while cooking, we’re cooking while eating.
London is full of restaurants and cafés serving food from every corner of the world.
We’re more café people than restaurant people, and after moving to North London we found our perfect spot just ten minutes away: The Step, opened in 2012 by local couple Mat & Nel.
It’s a proper community café — friendly staff, live music, photography nights, comedy, quizzes, arts and crafts. Great beer, even better coffee, and a menu that never disappoints.
The mackerel pâté is outstanding, and the brownie with ice cream might just be the best on the planet.
Everything is sourced locally, mostly organic, and there’s a spacious courtyard perfect for summer afternoons with friends or the Sunday papers.
Leaving London
In a couple of months, we’ll be leaving London — and we’ll be genuinely sad to go.
It feels like we’ve only scratched the surface. Mr Johnson’s words ring louder than ever: “to tire of London is to tire of life.”
There’s always more to explore. The city evolves constantly — new buildings rise, new pubs open, new communities grow — yet London somehow keeps its charm and its history.
I’ve no doubt Samuel Johnson’s words will still ring true in another 200 years.
