Apolina Visits…
This month we visit our friend Camille Perry, in East London, U.K. Camille is co-founder of TOVE womenswear and mama to 6 year old Arno and 2 year old Ziggy.
You can find Tove at: www.tove-studio.com // @tovestudio
How do you best like to spend an Autumn morning in your neighbourhood?
We are very fortunate to live right beside Victoria Park to the east of London. The park is Londons oldest public park created in 1845 and at this time of year is so beautiful. The changing colour of the leaves on the old holt oak, willow and flowering cherry trees is so pretty. A wander through the park with breakfast at the Pavilion cafe beside the lake is our perfect way to spend a sunny autumn morning with the children.
Victoria park, East London- from Camille’s personal album
Which is your favourite park?
It would have to be Victoria Park, it is perfect for family time. Lakes filled with wildlife, ornamental rose gardens and two incredible play spaces for the kids. The play area for younger children has been designed by the V&A Museum and features a small beach and incredible playhouses all crafted from natural wood. If I had to choose another, it would be the wilds of Richmond Park that are stunning and great for roaming free and spotting deer.
What's your most inspiring gallery or museum?
The Geffrye Museum is lovely. It’s set in an 18th century almshouse buildings and surrounded by a Victorian walled garden (which my children love to tear around!). The various rooms show the change in the interior of houses through the centuries. I also love The Leighton House Museum in Holland Park. When I have time alone it’s such a beautiful space, with its patterned Arabic tiles and architecture. The Tate and the Natural History Museum are also hard to beat for a family day out.
Leighton House Museum- image via their Instagram
Do you have a favourite spot for dinner with kids?
Picnics in the crescent garden that we share with our neighbours and friends is our favourite place to have dinner on a summer’s evening.
Who serves the best coffee?
Wandering through the cobbled streets of Columbia Rd. Flower Market on a Sunday morning is something everyone in our family enjoys. There are numerous little cafes along the way amongst the flowers and hustle and bustle of the stalls. However, picking up a coffee and homemade bun from the Marksman is a favourite. They serve their legendary freshly baked buns from a small hatch at the start of the market and they’re delicious.
The Marksman, image via their Instagram.
And what's your favourite day trip out of town?
My children are happiest playing on a beach and the Kent and Suffolk coasts make for a great day out from our side of London. Herne Bay and Whitstable in Kent and Holkham Beach in Suffolk are favourites. Holkham Beach has huge sand dunes and a beautiful long flat beach with the whitest sand backed by pine trees. The historic Holkham Hall and its grounds are great for exploring with the little ones and The Victoria has a great organic locally sourced menu, which is the perfect spot for family lunch.