Lauren Bravo is a freelance writer covering fashion, food, travel, sustainability and social trends for titles including The Telegraph, The Independent, Refinery29, Grazia and The Guardian. She’s also the author of two books, What Would The Spice Girls Do? and How To Break Up With Fast Fashion: a guilt-free guide to changing the way you shop – for good. Based in East London but forever running away to the seaside, she can usually be found thrift shopping or hunting out the finest carbs a city has to offer.
Her first book, What Would The Spice Girls Do? was published by Transworld in 2018, and her follow up, How To Break Up With Fast Fashion, was published by Headline in 2020.
What does a journey mean to you?
They say a change is as good as a rest, which is good because as a notorious over-planner, I rarely rest when I’m travelling. To me, a journey is all about anticipation – the thrill of a change of scene, breathing different air, pounding different pavements and the promise of a great snack around every corner.
Which country or location most inspires you?
It might not be a far-flung destination, but nowhere brings out my embarrassing inner poet more than Scotland. To me, Edinburgh is a perfect city: rugged hills, sandy beach, history, culture, architecture, cuisine – apart from sunshine, what more could you want? And the more I see of the Highlands and islands, the more I want to see. It’s incredible to think all that ridiculous scenery is just sitting there at the other end of my own country.
Where would you go back to and why?
Everywhere I’ve ever been to alone! I love solo travel and do it often, but I always come home desperate to take someone back with me and make sure I didn’t dream it all. I had a magical three days in Tallinn, Estonia in 2018, ate the most delicious rye bread of my life and have been yearning for a return visit ever since.
Top insider tip for London?
I recently discovered Porchester Spa in Bayswater, which is the city’s oldest Turkish bathhouse. It’s recently been restored and the 1920s tiled interior is stunning – but because it’s run by the council, you can get a day pass for £25. Nothing feels more decadent than a sneaky sauna and steam on a weekday afternoon.
Headshot by Alexandra Cameron
