Get ready to buckle up with the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix Night Race this weekend from 14 to 16 Sept 2018! Once again, the streets of Singapore will be illuminated waiting for the engines of the cars to roar into life zooming past one another, trying to claim the number 1 spot in the race.
If you’ve just flown into Singapore for the F1 race and are keen to explore a more unique side of Singapore (or if you're just looking to beat the crowd and roadblocks over the weekend), head to our side of the city and visit The Elly Store at Cluny Court and the area around Bukit Timah. Here's what you can find!
Constructed in 1928, Cluny Court is a cluster of shophouses featuring ornate decorative elements distinctive of those between 1900 and 1940. We chose this historical conservation building as our first home because it emanated a lovely warm shopping ambience and housed curated, independent labels.
Whilst the first floor is filled with gorgeous cafes, a lot of people don't know there is a second storey filled with independent stores! In total, this shophouse is home to 38 eclectic stores, of which 10 are F&B. Read our previous post on the 10 places you can eat at Cluny Court to find out about the F&B outlets.
Conveniently located next to Botanic Gardens MRT Station, Cluny Court is easily accessible via the Downtown Line and the Circle Line.
Here's how you might want to spend a day out at Bukit Timah!
First Stop - Start your morning with a walk in the Singapore Botanic Gardens from the Bukit Timah Gate.
Take a train to the Botanic Gardens MRT station and you'll be at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Singapore Botanic Gardens needs no introduction. The more than 150-year-old Gardens is a star visitor attraction in Singapore. Established in 1859 by the Agri-Horticultural Society, 60 acres of land were transformed from a disused plantation into a beautiful garden amidst our city. It offers a wide array of flora and fauna; from bonsai trees and succulents to rainforests and a garden of orchids.
There are specialised attractions within the Gardens itself, including the Ethnobotany Garden, Learning Forest, National Orchid Garden and Jacob Ballas Children's Garden.
Make sure you visit the National Orchid Garden, which boasts the world’s largest orchid display, with over 60,000 plants and orchids. It also houses orchids named after the likes of Elton John, Jackie Chan and even Princess Diana and Nelson Mandela.
*The Gardens is also packed with events over the F1 weekend! Join a guided tour* around the National Orchid Garden or have a melodious evening with YST (Yong Siew Toh) Conservatory Orchestra and Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra as they come together to celebrate the German-Singaporean friendship and ties on 15 September. Registration for National Orchid Garden Guided Tour is required 15 min prior the start of the tour.
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Second Stop on your walk - Jacob Ballas Children's Garden
(Photo credit: National Parks Board)
If you still have the energy to keep walking, make your way over to the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, one of the gardens present in Botanic Gardens! This garden was designed with children in mind! It encourages children to be one with nature as they explore and learn the different plantations and the environment they grow in. The more active and adventurous kids would be heads over heels with the Forest Zone with tree houses, trampoline and a suspension bridge! There’s more than enough room to run about!
(Photo credit: National Parks Board)
Budding gardeners can explore the Farm Zone and Orchard Zone to learn more about the different plantations and find out how their favourite fruits, vegetables and drinks are gathered and processed!
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Third Stop of your day - Adam Road Food Centre
Feeling famished after a morning of activities?
Head down to Adam Road Food Centre for lunch, one of the best food haunts in the Bukit Timah neighbourhood.
If you're new to Singapore and want to try our local delights, this is the place to go! There is a great selection of Chinese, Malay and Indian local delights! Our top recommendations are Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak (which has been crowned the best Nasi Lemak in Singapore), Adam’s Indian Rojak (great for sharing!) as well as Adam Road Noo Cheng Big Prawn Noodle. Cool down with a bowl of iced Cheng Teng from Teck Kee Hot & Cold Dessert. (Disclaimer: brace yourselves for long queues, but the food is worth the wait!)
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Final Stop of your day - Cluny Court!
Head indoors when it gets too hot after lunch in sunny Singapore and find a cafe for coffee. Recharge with cupcakes or freshly baked breads before you start shopping at the beautiful curated boutiques and home decor stores.
Need a designed-in-Singapore gift to bring home after your Singapore holiday? Visit us at The Elly Store and pick up baby onesies and dresses from local designer brand, Elly! Watch this video to find out how to get to our store from the Botanic Gardens MRT station. See you soon!
