East London city guide for fabulous travellers | Minka Guides

East London city guide

for fabulous travellers

Exhibitions in London - Wildlife Photographer of the Year - share CREDIT Minka Guides

Incredible exhibitions in London right now

One of my favourite things about living in London is the amazing array of galleries and museums this city contains. From immersive installations to classic works of art, there is always something fascinating to see and...

Queer things to do this autumn in London - Glamrou - share CREDIT Soho Theatre

Queer things to do this autumn in London

I know, I know. Like me, you can’t quite believe that it’s...

Queer things to do in London this summer - Hotter SHARE CREDIT Soho Theatre

Queer things to do in London this summer

It’s official, my darlings: summer is finally here! Summer in London is...

Spring in London - Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser CREDIT V&A

Fabulous things to do this spring in London

It’s official, my darlings: spring is finally here! Spring in London is always highly...

Literary staycation UK CREDIT Filip Urban-Unsplash

A book lover’s UK literary staycation

No matter their budget, health, age or location, book nerds like myself...

easyHotel Old Street double bed CREDIT Minka Guides

Review: easyHotel Old Street

The recently refurbished easyHotel Old Street is a budget 3-star hotel located...

Kip Hotel Hackney @minkaguides Kip Large Double room

Travel United Kingdom

Review: Kip Hotel Hackney, East London

Open since early 2016, the Kip Hotel is a budget 2-star hotel...

The East London Hotel @minkaguides bar

Review: The East London Hotel

Open since summer 2018, The East London Hotel is a budget 3.5-star...

Point A Hotel London Shoreditch @minkaguides dining area

Review: Point A Hotel London Shoreditch

Open since early 2017, the Point A Hotel London Shoreditch is a...

feminist exhibitions @minkaguides nasty women

5 Feminist exhibitions to see this weekend

If you’re feeling inspired by the incredible Women’s March that happened around...

east london locals guide @minkaguides

Fabulous East London locals’ guide

I clearly remember the theme tune to EastEnders from my childhood; it...

I live, breathe, eat, drink and work in East London, which means from budget to big night out I’ve had the chance to experience most of what it has to offer.

Fabulous local: Iain’s guide to East London

East London city guide CREDIT Minka Guides

#MinkaGuidesEastLondon

See ya Australia 👋 Thanks for five pretty calm

See ya Australia 👋

Thanks for five pretty calm, relaxing months. For the abundance of time with some of my favourite people. For the amazing amount of love and support. For rediscovering old friends and finding lovely new ones too 💞

Oh, thanks for ensuring I didn't see a single danger noodle on this trip 🐍

I'm gonna miss wearing shorts all day, every day 🌞

Till next time 🤗

📷: my mum

Goodbye Sydney. Thank you for six+ incredible week

Goodbye Sydney. Thank you for six+ incredible weeks 💕

When I set off on this Australian adventure, I promised myself I wouldn't fall in love on this trip. After all, I've had my fair share of long-distance romances over the past few years, and the current cost of flying Down Under is enough to diminish anyone's amorous glow 😂

What I didn't anticipate was falling back in love with Sydney 💓 Next month, it will be 19 years since I left, and on every return trip, my feelings about it have been pretty meh. Especially after seeing the lockout laws of 2014-2020 almost kill the much-loved nightlife scene here.

But Sydney was the first city I fell in love with, and coming back to see how it is blooming again has been so beautiful 🌻 Especially during a sunny summer and World Pride, which TBH I was pretty unsure about in advance, but turned out to be an amazing experience of inclusive queer joy 🌈

I've had a truly memorable time here, reconnecting with old friends and lovers and meeting new ones too. I've felt like there's been some kind of crazy magic in the air this whole time ✨

How typical of me to get NRE for a city 😂 Yes, I know that the high of this brief encounter cannot be sustained, and living here wouldn't feel quite so intoxicating. I get that Sydney isn't always THIS great 🌞

But it's been a reminder of the enormous privilege I have. To even have the choice to live here again in the future. In a city and country built on stolen land, whose sovereignty has never been ceded ⚫️‍💛‍🔴

📷: @beestar108

We definitely weren't the meditation 'type' 🧘

We definitely weren't the meditation 'type' 🧘

Or so we thought! Turns out, meditation is for everyone, in whatever way works for you ✨

I loved having this conversation with the transformational coach, celebrant, death doula, breathwork facilitator (and close friend of mine), @lucy_cargill 🤗

We chat about our long journey to discovering meditation, the apps @insighttimer and @wakingupapp, plus how you too can start meditating for as little as 5 minutes a day 😊

Shout out to the cawing crows, the crying baby and the many dreamcatchers that make up the background of this conversation 😂

Click the link in my bio if you want to read the full transcript ☝

📍This video was filmed on 10 January 2023 in Goa, India (Lucy) and Melbourne, Australia (Minka). I respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Melbourne is located and pay my respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Hey there 42 ✌️

Hey there 42 ✌️

I present you with... The Face of 2022 😂 Actua

I present you with... The Face of 2022 😂

Actually, I had a pretty incredible year and feel enormously grateful for it ✨

I managed to see pretty much EVERYONE I love during 2022 (which is an outstanding achievement for me) 🏆 For the couple of folks I missed, here's hoping I see you in 2023 🤗

I also made SO MANY amazing new friends on my travels this year. It has made me so happy staying Insta pals with you all and seeing how your lives have grown since we met. So, if our paths first crossed during 2022 and you're reading this, then I'm sending you big love ❤️

These photos are from one of my most memorable weekends this year. Not only because I was at Primavera Sound and surrounded by some of my favourite people but also because of where I was at psychologically/emotionally/etc.

I knew by that point in May where my journey was heading for the rest of that year and I finally felt really ready to embrace it. So, let's see what you have for me, 2023 ✨

Wishing you all a safe, fun and fabulous start to the new year 😘

I spent Christmas with my mum for the first time i

I spent Christmas with my mum for the first time in 14 years 💕🎄🌞

I also got to spend it with my eldest and youngest siblings (@prettysparklywistfulgirl & @jtwales94 ) and their families 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

Hope you all had lovely ones too 🤗