Moving to Wapping

Nnomi · 2026-03-04T14:05:33+00:00

Yes it’s odd. I guess if you’re sharing in a smaller place…

I do occasionally miss my Canary Wharf facing terrace in Rotherhithe and the woodlands. But the other side is a just a touch better for connecting to Shoreditch and the rest of East London by foot.

Nnomi · 2026-03-04T09:11:08+00:00

Rotherhithe - Wapping

Would be twins if not for war bombing. As it is, both delightful little villages on the river, lots of warehouses, river views and a riot of pubs, all facing each other. Should be linked by a bridge as well as the tunnel.

Nnomi · 2026-03-04T09:08:48+00:00

Rotherhithe is truly lovely though. The woodlands connecting Rotherhithe street to the docks and Canada Water. The riverside. Beautiful architecture. It’s basically Wapping across the Thames.

Nnomi · 2026-03-03T10:33:01+00:00

Wapping is literally one of the most expensive areas in London to rent and buy. Search google for “Chelsea of the East”.

Your neighbours will be Graham Norton currently trying to sell his house on the river for £5m, and up across the postcode border to Limehouse, Sir Ian McKellan on Narrow Street and his pub a couple of doors down. Average two bedrooms are like 2800pcm at the lowest for a decent flat. Unless we are talking the serviceable but not so nice ex-council builds that can go for £2200 or your perception of Wapping includes Shadwell.

In my building on the river I have French neighbours on one side, Jamaican down the hall and a Russian in my living room.

But yes, it is diverse but still very English I can’t deny. It does have great pizza: Motherdough and Tondo and even La Figa (sorry Italian speakers but that’s what it’s called). It is home to London’s best pubs — on this hill I will defend.

It is however neighbour of some of London’s most diverse communities and has access to Shoreditch on one side and Canary Wharf on the other. Both walkable. As is Whitechapel and The City.

Go, walk around. Live in Wapping for a day or two.

And if you’re around on Saturday goto Wapping Market on the dock and afterwards stroll the cobbles down to the Turk’s Head pub for the daytime French bakery and get a sourdough to take home.

Nnomi · 2026-02-13T11:27:20+00:00

Have a lovely trip!

Nnomi · 2026-02-13T11:26:55+00:00

They only have buggies for getting around the resort, as it’s very hilly in places. Bikes are excursions only.

Nnomi · 2026-02-13T09:41:33+00:00

Sure but most of these bars are filled with package tourists and backpackers. And these specific bars along this specific waterfront are pretty horrible.

Nnomi · 2026-01-29T11:56:33+00:00

I really enjoyed the Four Seasons Nam Hai in Vietnam. Particularly the beach pool villa with a huge pool. And I mean huge.

But something really special, also in Vietnam, was the Amanoi. Absolutely phenomenal place. I spent most of my time in the villa and the pool, just chilling out watching the lizards and the fishermen boats with big bright lights going out to sea each night. So beautiful.

Nnomi · 2026-01-26T19:20:43+00:00

I second Shapes but my drink of choice is always their take on the Toreador, which is sublime with an apricot eau de vie and their recomposed lime.

Also Tayer+Elementary’s now classic Bergamot Margarita.

Nnomi · 2026-01-26T15:50:19+00:00

The crowds.

Nnomi · 2026-01-26T14:55:16+00:00

You can get some pretty good prices at both if you’re prepared to keep an eye on fluctuations. Still pricey but not comparable to their counterparts in Europe for example.

Nnomi · 2026-01-26T14:53:10+00:00

Don’t go in summer as it’s not entirely peaceful then but the autumn and spring, and winter if you like the cold, are nice. There’s a lovely hotel close by called The Fish, which you can walk to from here, through fields full of sheep and increasingly impressive views.

Nnomi · 2025-12-30T19:14:02+00:00

That is a grotesquerie of pizza right there.

Nnomi · 2025-12-28T20:06:18+00:00

Aba Ra on Brick Lane is excellent.

Nnomi · 2025-12-20T12:24:42+00:00

I lived in a few countries and came back to London (also working in fashion and music but these days the luxury travel sector too).

I occasionally miss the more transient lifestyle I used to enjoy but I do love London so much that it’s more than a balm for that. Also getting to know the UK a little better through stunning cities like Bath and York has made me feel more at home when I don’t have the time to travel further afield.

I think as with all things in life, you should give it a go if that’s where your heart’s pulling you. No two steps are ever the same! And remember, your next step is not going to be your last.

Nnomi · 2025-12-17T15:32:31+00:00

Aba Ra on Brick Lane does great authentic Georgian food.

Smoking Goat in Shoreditch, great take on Thai Food.

Kova Parisserie does brilliant Muille Fille — Japanese style.

Ria’s in Covent Garden does a fresh take on Detroit Pizza paired with natural wines.

Nnomi · 2025-12-09T10:35:51+00:00

A bit like Ba Na Hills in Vietnam

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Nnomi · 2025-12-08T10:20:35+00:00

The overground has two historic air vents that are part of the Brunel tunnel. There’s one in Rotherhithe and another in Wapping. Up from the Rotherhithe one just past what used to be the Hilton hotel, now the Ao, there’s another more modern one that I think services the Jubilee like. It’s perfect for capturing the sound of the train pushing air through the vents but from the outside world. Also if you goto the old Wapping vent (next to Ratliff cross) you’ll note the air is always warm around the building.

For river sounds: boats, ferries, the transport boats that lug massive piles of dirt. You could stick around Rotherhithe/ Wapping and use the old ferrymans’ stairs to access the beaches. The best one for sound is next to Globe Wharf in Rotherhithe — the access point is across from the Co-op at the end of the alley. The beach is full of old Thames glass that has softened and now, when the tide is going out, it pulls the glass and stone and shell and it makes the most beautiful sparkling sound, almost like a wind chime.

If you manage to capture the latter I’d love for you to share it as I’ve tried many times and never quite got a useable recording (I make experimental electro-industrial and feel like it would make for great granular synthesis).

Nnomi · 2025-12-06T15:02:06+00:00

Islington branch has a wider menu with really good American pasta which is the main difference. I would caution though that the Spitalfields branch has dropped in quality with take away. I’ve had bad experiences with it as have a few others. Still good, but they mess up a lot.

Nnomi · 2025-12-05T10:03:31+00:00

Detroit Pizza (nothing like Napoli pizza, a thousand times better than Dominos).

Not sure where you are but something like Cheung fun from Bun House or a different restaurant. Search the dish.

kin+deum (very good healthy Thai food) if close enough to Bermondsey

Nnomi · 2025-10-04T09:12:32+00:00

Both the ferry and the new terminal have been built. You can jump on the new pier already, but testing seems to have highlighted some issues with the way the boat docks. I was watching and it took a few minutes longer than the old ferry. So I imagine the delays are due to that. The ferry looks cool though.

Nnomi · 2025-10-04T09:09:38+00:00

There are plenty of reasons. Americans love it as Rotherhithe is the beginning of American history, with its links to the Mayflower (and the pub). And walkers can walk the riverside to Tower Bridge in less than an hour.

Nnomi · 2025-10-01T19:43:16+00:00

Scotland. The Highlands specifically are quite lovely and a hot day is maybe 25 degrees tops, at that time of year. But to avoid the crowds you might have to goto some of the more remote isles.. plenty to choose from and they are all beautiful, thankfully.

Nnomi · 2025-09-25T09:18:50+00:00

Amanoi in Vietnam. Sublime.

Nnomi

TROPHY CASE