By Georgie Twigg
Former Great Britain hockey player Georgie Twigg won gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and bronze in London in 2012, and is due shortly to qualify as a solicitor. She is an ambassador for the Hockey Women’s World Cup, which gets under way in London this month.
Favourite view
My favourite view of London is from our offices at [law firm] Bird & Bird near Chancery Lane. Every morning, I have breakfast on the 11th floor in our canteen with floor-to-ceiling windows — and I’m still not bored of the fantastic view towards the river Thames. Depending on the weather and time of year, one morning the view could be stormy and dark, and the next the sun could be streaming in. I love that you can look out and see the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye — all iconic places.
Where to live
Having lived in Fulham and now in Clapham, south-west London will always be my favourite place to live. When I was in Fulham, I loved all the little boutiques and cafés that you can wander round and pop into at the weekend. Clapham, which attracts young professionals, certainly has a lot more going on, with so many restaurants and bars, and you’re never short of someone to see or something to do.
Where to eat out
I’m a big brunch fan and my favourite place in Fulham is Local Hero, where they do great coffee and delicious food. In the summer, there’s a lovely little outside area and I’d definitely recommend my favourite dish on the menu, which is courgette fritters with halloumi and a poached egg.
Megan’s on King’s Road, Fulham, is a favourite spot of mine for lunch or dinner, with vibrant salads and grilled meat and fish on offer. It has a beautiful covered outside area, which is lit up in the evening and creates a lovely intimate atmosphere.
Where to drink cocktails
Amuse Bouche is a great cocktail bar in Parsons Green serving fantastic champagne cocktails. It is perfect for after-work drinks and at the weekend there is live music. In the winter, a fire is lit, creating a cosy atmosphere, and in the summer, as the drinks flow, the windows are opened on to the street.
Where to discover culture
For something a bit different on a summer’s evening, I head to an outdoor cinema showing with a picnic. My favourite places for viewings have been Somerset House and Kensington Palace. It’s a great way to watch a film under the stars.
Where to work out
We’re lucky that there are a lot of green spaces in south-west London, which is what you want when you are out running. In Bishops Park you can run alongside the Thames and there’s lots to distract you, such as the urban beach, moat garden and plenty of other runners. When I was training full time with Great Britain it was a great escape from the normal training venue and perfect for weekend running sessions.
Where to relax
London has an array of markets well worth a visit. Small farmers’ markets at the weekends, such as those in Queen’s Park or Parsons Green, are great for picking up fresh local produce. Then there are the larger markets; two of my favourite are Borough Market for its amazing food and Columbia Road Flower Market for its stunning blooms.
Richmond Park is beautiful to cycle round and explore at the weekends. If you’re lucky, you might even see some deer.
The Hockey Women’s World Cup takes place in London between July 21 and August 5
Photographs: Leo Goddard; Alamy; Getty Images/Perspectives; Getty Images/iStockphoto; Ken Taylor/Dreamstime; Wei Huang/Dreamstime
