Swiss Cottage is only minutes away, by tube, from the heart of London but if you fancy staying close to the Lodge then there is plenty to do and see in the local area. Swiss Cottage is an affluent and cosmopolitan part of the city and this is reflected in the local amenities particularly in the wide variety of places to eat. If you wish to discover what's available in the local area then don't hesitate to ask a member of staff for recommendations. A selection of what's available now follows.

Camden Market
Camden and its market attracts enormous crowds or Londoners and tourists alike.
From the Lodge you can either walk or take the bus and if you want to make the most of Camden's vibrant night life you can make use of the night bus to get back!
www.camdenlock.net

To download guides on Camden's Market and Nightlife go to the Visit London site at: www.uk.visitlondon.com/city_guide/maps_guides/villages/camden

Abbey Road
The location of Abbey Road Studios made famous by the cover of the Beatle's album of the same name. If you re-enact the scene and email us the picture we'll put it up in our visitors gallery!

Theatre
Next to Swiss Cottage underground station you will find the Hampstead Theatre. The Theatre identifies and produces important new writers whilst challenging established writers and seeking out the best international work to bring to London. The plays are sometimes provocative, always intelligent, and often full of laughter.

Cinema
Two cinemas are located within a short walk from the Lodge; The Odeon Cinema is located adjacent to Swiss Cottage underground station whilst the Vue is located in the magnificent O2 Centre next to Finchley Road tube station.

O2 Centre

The O2 Centre's nature theme and free-to-view aquarium make it a unique retail experience. The centre boasts a host of restaurants and shops including Books etc, China Red, Cumin India, Fine Burger Co., Nando's, Old Orleans, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Walkabout, Vue, Yo! Sushi and Zuccato. The centre also hosts the London International Gallery of Children's Art which devotes itself to encouraging the creativity of children and to the promotion of international understanding through cultural exchange.

Freud Museum
If you fancy something a bit more intellectual then a short walk will get you to the Freud Museum. The museum, located at 20 Maresfield Gardens , was the home of Sigmund Freud and his family when they escaped the Nazi annexation of Austria in 1938. It remained the family home until 1982 and the museum preserves Freud's library and study just as it was during his life time. The museum also contains Freud's remarkable collection of antiques and hosts a research centre of outstanding value to the professional community.

The Central School of Speech and Drama

The Central School of Speech and Drama has been going much longer than a great many university drama departments. The choice of name - the Central School - highlighted the School's commitment to a broad range of training systems for vocal and dramatic performance. It espoused principles that were firmly held yet responsive to change. That sense of continuing critical openness to new developments is a lasting hallmark of the School.

Library & Sports
The lodge is also close to the comprehensive Swiss Cottage Library and the impressive new Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre which boasts a 25m main pool, 20m teaching pool, four badminton courts and extensively equipped gym. The centre also plans to add a climbing wall and kids play zone in the near future whilst a small park is located between the sports centre and the Hampstead Theatre.

Shopping
Finchley Road itself boasts a multitude of restaurants, shops and cafes. All the main UK outlets have a presence somewhere on the road and shops close by include a Marks & Spencer Food, Habitat, Woolworths, WH Smiths, Sainsbury's, Argos and many more.

Drinking
Of course there are many pubs close by including the Swiss Cottage pub, North Star and chains such as Weatherspoons and Walkabout.