Montréal à la London
Architecture Gastronomy History Pub, microbrewerie Tea room United Kingdom The city
Montréal may be North America’s French capital, but its English community and history have long contributed to the one-of-a-kind mosaic of the city. So much so, that London’s busy vibe and regal splendour are easily felt with this itinerary of experiencing Montréal à la London.
Cardinal Tea Room
Birra
As a truly international city, Montréal features some of the best the world has to offer with its own unique spin, right at your fingertips. Montréal’s ties to Old Blighty is commemorated in the English Rose’s proud placement on the city’s flag and coat of arms. And those looking for a taste of the UK’s bustling capital need look no further than Montréal’s English neighbourhoods and cultural hubs, fuelled by an afternoon tea service at one of the city’s vibrant tea houses or a tipple at a locally beloved bar or pub. And it’s all easily accessible with our version of the Tube underground rail system, Montréal’s iconic métro!
Start with a wander through the English-speaking neighbourhood of Westmount, punctuated by classic Victorian houses, gorgeous gardens, the charming shopping street Greene Avenue and the must-see gems of the shimmering Westmount Conservatory and Greenhouses and stately red stone Westmount Public Library. Architecture fans will also love Mies van der Rohe’s combined business and residential towers Westmount Square which wouldn’t look out of place on London’s South Bank and stands tall as just one of the reasons Montréal was named a UNESCO City of Design.
The younger anglophone community congregates in the West End quartier Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, home to Concordia University’s Loyola Campus featuring the Victorian Gothic Revival Loyola Chapel at its heart. Busy cafés and open-air patios keeps things vibrant, and used bookstores, record shops and small restaurants line the streets. And each May, PorchfestNDG sees hundreds of local musicians performing on the neighbourhood’s characteristic porches.
History buffs need look no further for the perfect selfie locale than the 115-foot high Nelson Monument towering over Place Jacques-Cartier or the heroic statue of Queen Victoria overlooking Square Victoria since its installation there in 1872 (Victoria lovers will also find a younger version of her seated on the steps of McGill University’s Strathcona Music Building). A meal and beverage at the plush Ritz Carlton in the heart of the historic Golden Square Mile is sure to make you feel like royalty, while the Jean-Talon Market gives London’s Borough Market a run for its money in farm-fresh produce and gourmet artisanal creations.
Whereas London is semi-affectionately referred to as The Big Smoke, Montréal has been ranked the Most Sustainable Destination in North America for its dedication to environmentally-friendly initiatives and green living. From the sprawling gardens and leafy park spaces across the city that give Hyde Park and Kew Gardens a run for their money, to the mighty flow of the St. Lawrence River rivalling that of the Thames, Montréal’s urban natural spaces are a breath of fresh air during any city sojourn.
And who needs the budget-breaking ticket prices of the West End? Montréal’s world-class English theatre scene has been treading the boards in the city for centuries, centred at the Centaur Theatre in Old Montréal, a perfect ending to a day of Montréal à la London!
Mark Hamilton
Mark Hamilton is the community director for QueerMTL, an internationally-touring musician with his projects Woodpigeon and Frontperson and a graduate studies student of history researching LGBTQ+ activism in the city. He’s lived in Montréal since 2015, during which time he’s most often spotted atop a BIXI bike usally running a few minutes late.