On Sundays, in the car park is THE best place to get authentic Thai food in London…read more For 5 pounds I got a bamboo shoot salad swimming in super-spicy fermented fish sauce and decorated with mint leaves, plus a bag of sticky rice to help me with the heat. Seriously spicy. The real deal. For a further 5 pounds I got two boxes of Thai desserts, including a mouthwatering box of banana custard and purple sticky rice. I could have spent a lot more... Isaan sausage, Northern sausage, Satays, Fried Fish... every tupperware box was so tempting. The food sold here is the closest thing I've found in the UK to real Thai street-food, but it is literally sold out of the boot of people's cars. It's stuff they've made at home and brought to share with Thai tongues. Finding this is a foodie dream come true. Oh, and the temple is gorgeous too.

So beautiful visited with my mum and aunt last year for Thai New Year Songkran. There was music…read moreand dancing, blessings from the monks, Thai artifacts, ingredients and Jewellery for sale and the food. Oooh, the FOOD!!! Stalls and stalls and stalls of everything Thai. Real Thai food proper Isaan dishes like my Grandma used to make, Thai sausages I have never found outside of the country, authentic Thai tea ***sigh*** why can't everyday be like this? The temple is stunning and there is a lovely little garden/park for walks. very serene on a non-festival day. Visiting again next weekend for Songkran hope to take more pictures you must visit it's just gorgeous.

I went on a retreat organised by this company in September 2024. My experience was not good. The…read moreretreat was a brainwashing exercise to recruit people into the Triatna cult, which I subsequently discovered was founded by a peodophile. I was triggered by the actions, behaviour and 'demands' of the 'leaders' during the retreat. I was left feeling duped, offended, shocked and bitterly disappointed at what I thought would be a peaceful, self-nurturing experience. I was particularly concerned that there were young women on the retreat, who were obviously triggered by the events. No support was offered for these vulnerable young adults. No information was shared about organisations they may access once back at home after the retreat. Mental health issues came up for many people I spoke to on the retreat however, at no point did any 'leader' offer on-going support. This is a dangerous practice. If you want to convert to Buddhism it might suit you. If you're looking for an experience that promotes self-growth don't bother.

I went to a few meditation classes and attended other events. During the break there is lots of…read moreinformation about other classes and retreats. They are very good at luring you in, using a lot of self help speak, attracting vulnerable people. But I discovered that the centre and their founder, Sangharkshita, has a very dark past as part of a wider movement. I'm not sure if the movement has fully moved on from this, there is a very strong sense of hierarchy and shutting down of critical voices by older members. I get a sense there is a lot of individuals suppressing dark thoughts here by believing they are enlightened. And of course there is the fact that Suella Braverman was a regular attender to the centre (until it broke as a news story) and was allowed to become a Mitra in the movement. For me that sums up LBC and the whole wider movement.

From the Buddhist movement in Japan that is building, donating and erecting these peace pagodas…read moreworldwide. It has 4 golden statues (one on each side) representing phases of the Buddha's life. You climb a short set of stairs to see them all. Overlooks the Thames on one side.

When I worked in South Kensington I used to cycle home from work along the Chelsea embankment…read more Every night I would stare across at the giant golden buddha on the opposite bank and wonder what on earth it represented and how it came to be. Since then I have had time to investigate. In 1985, the decision was taken to build a Peace Pagoda here in Battersea Park to join the dozens of other examples dotted around the globe. There is only one monk in residence currently, but apparently you can watch him ringing his bell and chanting every morning - though I haven't visited early enough to witness this yet! Even without him, the Peace Pagoda is a striking addition to Battersea's skyline. If you visit, take a few minutes to walk right around the structure and admire the individually-carved wooden decorations such as dragons and other mythical figures.

Open and welcoming evenings of formless meditation and teachings which explore how we may relate to…read moreour life experiences in a more simple and direct way. I would recommend the class for anyone interested in meditation and the Buddha's teachings.

From the owner: Courses introducing Buddhist meditation which are suitable for both complete beginners and…read moreexperienced meditators.

Holloway Road isn't usually known for its calmness and tranquility, but set foot in the North…read moreLondon Buddhist Centre at no. 72 and you'll soon discover a world of relaxation in the city. I've recently dropped in on some classes and am hoping to find the time to attend more in future. The centre is housed in a beautiful ornate building that's been rennovated to house two "shrine rooms", two study/course rooms and a large reception with a bookshop and a small cafe. The atmosphere is always friendly and accommodating, and the staff are happy for you to browse, grab a cup of tea or chat to other visitors outside of class times. Last time I visited there was a small bring and buy sale going on, and it's well worth dropping in to find out what's going on locally. During my first class, myself and around half a dozen others learnt how to put into practice "Mindfulness of Breathing", which aims to enhance our awareness and peace of mind. I've dropped back in on this class several times subsquently, and always leave the session with a feeling of clarity and restored calmness. At my second session, we were introduced to the concept of Metta Bhavana or the development of loving kindness, which aims to promote a spirit of generosity in our daily experience. I'd definitely recommend it!

I grew up crazy Irish Catholic and while I've left all that behind, I've not exactly picked up…read moreBuddhism in its place. Until now. Get your zen on, bitches. The first time I ended up here, at the rather dubious North London Buddhist Centre, I had mixed feelings. I wandered in for one of their cheap 10 quid yoga classes with a feeling not unlike total trepidation. A little old lady was behind the desk and when I enquired whether yoga was on here, in this weird shop, she snapped 'yes, but you have to pay me first!' Yeah, alright love. So apparently yoga was being held there. Somewhere. It's a shop with books for sale, yoga stuff and a kitchen in the back. And yoga, apparently. A bunch of 'street' looking youths were lolling around on the sofas in tracksuits staring at a TV on the wall. It turns out they were also waiting for yoga. Um... okay. It's a far cry from the pristine yoga studios I was in now. Lots of random people were milling about, I guess they have some kind of mediation on there too. Or a twelve step programme, I spotted lots of addiction books too. Weird. Eventually we all went down to the yoga room. It's a little studio with mats, yoga props and a statue of Buddha in the corner. The 'youths' all did yoga in their tracksuits and hoodies. Seriously, north London wha? I've been twice now, I wasn't thrilled with the first instructor, not sure what style of yoga she was teaching but it wasn't for me. The second 'Dynamic' teacher was a bit better but still quite different to what I am used to. Classes are quite small and not very busy, I'd recommend you go as it's only a tenner. More disciplined yogis probably won't get much out of these classes but when you are injured, it's fine. When I want a proper yoga workout, it probably won't be here that I will be.

It was amazing how the children from the audience asked questions and the monk was giving answeres…read moreprecisely.