Sally is a host in the true sense of the word. She's not just renting out space, she's welcoming you into her home and her neighborhood. You can ask Sally for food recommendations, directions, public transportation hacks, and other support navigating logistics and culture in London. She even hooked me up with lateral flow tests, a key travel need these days. If you are lucky you may even enjoy a cup of coffee with Sally and learn about the interesting ways she's using art to make our world better.
The space itself is a cozy and calm studio that surpassed my expectations. The long if narrow layout makes the space feel much larger than it is. There's room to stretch your legs on the walk from the front door to the bathroom in the back. There's an truly functional kitchen that has the all the things you need to cook and has been stocked with basic ingredients and more. Sally was kind enough to make sure the staples I wanted were there when I arrived. The bathroom makes great use of the space by being a show room too, so none of that cramped studio shower feel. The studio is full of interesting architectural details that tell the story of how it make to be, and gives just a little insight into the design of rest of the building it is part of.
The location is not in the heart of a hip neighborhood, but don't let that stop you, staying here has it's own charms and advantages. And, you can easily get anywhere you need to go in London from the bus stop that is literally directly across the street. The Overground is a short walk away as are cute neighborhoods with restaurants, groceries, and shops. But the best part of the location is that Wanstead Flats park is across the street. I thoroughly enjoyed the escape from the city to go running or walking in the tall grasses and woods. There are a few ponds and lots of interesting birds to look at. It's a wonderful place to explore.
I had a great stay at Sally's place, and, if I find myself in London again, I would definitely stay there.