London Travel Guide
London’s status as a truly global city is indelible. New visitors tend to focus on the West End and its surrounding areas, immersing themselves in classic icons of The Big Smoke; from black cabs and red double decker buses to the gothic turrets of the nearby Houses of Parliament. The shopping options match up to any city, with the flagship high street stores on Oxford Street towering like a beacon. Close by is Carnaby Street, with its rich modinfluenced tradition, Bond Street’s jewellery emporiums and Covent Garden’s card-draining mix of designer and vintage shops.
But for those not there to shop, there’s a bevy of cultural attractions to keep the most ardent sightseer amused; from the National Portrait Gallery, to the Tate Modern and, of course, Buckingham Palace.
For the new foodie generation, a vibrant scene ensures you can dine in all corners of the world in a day. Whether you want the three star Michelin dining of Restaurant Gordon Ramsey, the exquisite ramen of Bone Daddies or the life affirming smoked meats of Kiln, you’d have to be the fussiest of eaters to not pack on a few pounds.
You’ll quickly realise, however, that London is a sprawling city with life bursting from every seam, and that many of the city’s true treats exist way from the centre. East London is the city’s creative hub, with the country’s most forward thinking nightclubs, bars and galleries dotted around Shoreditch, Dalston, Hackney and Peckham. Head out south west for the bucolic beauty of the deer-populated Richmond Park, or the dizzying array of fauna at Kew Gardens. And if you want to attend a football match or concert, the iconic Wembley Stadium is in the north east and has a capacity of 90,000.
With over 300 languages spoken in the city, you’ll find a different smell on every corner and a new sound in every shop. It’s the beauty of a place that, ultimately, doesn’t just feel like the centre of the world but like the world in one city.
Tucked into a curve of the Thames, London began life as Londinium, a small Roman port village connecting the territory of the Trinovantes tribe with that of the Catuvellauni to the north. But importance came at a price and in AD61, the settlement was razed by the armies of Iceni Queen Boudicca.
Next to occupy the site were the Saxons, who took control after the Romans withdrew, and withstood several onslaughts from the Vikings before being ousted by the Normans in 1066. The Saxons left Westminster Abbey behind. The Normans built castles instead, with the Tower of London’s White Tower begun under William the Conqueror. Subsequent years saw the city become England’s dominant metropolis, with Whitehall Palace in the centre of London joining the Tower as England’s seat of power.
But while England’s kings and queens – and occasionally its peasants – continued to bring about changes to the city’s architecture, it wasn’t until the reign of Elizabeth I that it developed a reputation for culture, thanks in no small part to Shakespeare and the famous School of Night.
Although the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was foiled, the next century would be marked by turmoil, with London enduring civil war, plague, fire and the only execution of an English monarch in history. With the advent of the Georgians came stability and empire, with London growing rich. This continued during the Victorian period, with London remaining prosperous throughout the WWI and the Great Depression that followed.
WWII put an end to the party, with the fearsome Blitz unleashed on the British capital reducing much of the East End to rubble. A sluggish economy in the 1960s and 70s compounded the malaise, as did IRA bomb attacks in the 1970s and 80s. Despite their best efforts, London has bounced back, gathering steam in the 1990s and hosting the Olympic Games in 2012. Today, it is one of the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world.
• Marx and Engel’s Communist Manifestowas first published in Liverpool Street in 1848.
• Cock Lane in Holborn got its name because it was the only street licensed for prostitution in mediaeval times.
• More than 1,000 bodies are buried beneath Aldgate Station in a plague pit dating from 1665
- Weather / Best time to visit
London, the sprawling capital of England and the United Kingdom, has a temperate oceanic climate. Contrary to popular belief, London only receives an average precipitation of 602mm (24 in) a year, less than New York (1,268mm/50in), Amsterdam (805mm/32in) and Paris (641mm/25in). But when it rains, it tends to drizzle, prompting locals to complain about the weather.
- Spring (March to May) brings cool, pleasant weather with temperatures climbing from 10°C (50°F) in March to 17°C (62°F) in May; this is a good time to visit London and enjoy spring blossom in its many parks. The city also hosts a series of events including the London Marathon in April.
- Summer (June to August) is warm, with highs averaging 20-23°C (68-73°F), though it can feel warmer in built-up areas due to heat stored in buildings and pavement. The city bustles with tourists while Londoners congregate outside and enjoy some sunshine.
- Autumn (September to November) is another great season to visit London as the weather is mild and the summer crowds have gone home. Temperatures wise, the average high drops from 19°C (66°F) in September to 10°C (50°F) in November.
- Winter (December to February) in London is mild, but can be grey and wet. December is a good time to visit as London turns festive and stores offer big discounts to entice shoppers. January is often the coldest month with an average high of 6°C (43°F) and an average low of 3°C (37°F). Temperatures don’t usually fall below freezing and snow is rare.
Getting around London
London is divided into nine fare zones, with zones 1 & 2 being central London, and then increasing in number the further outside the city you get. Heathrow Airport for example is in Zone 6. The below transport options will cover all the zones.
Transport in London is operated is by
TfL, which stands for “Transport for London”. TfL are the government body responsible for all aspects of the transport system in London, from roads to rails and ticketing to maintenance.
There are a number of ways to pay for transport inside London, including buying an individual ticket, using a contactless card, using an Oyster card, using a
visitor Oyster Card, purchasing a travelcard, or purchasing a visitor Oyster card along with your
London Pass.
From tubes to buses to boats to black cabs, figuring out the most efficient and cheapest ways to get around London can be daunting if you’re not familiar with the city.
Transport for London operates London’s public transport network and provides comprehensive information on all forms of transport in London. The London Underground, commonly referred to as the ‘Tube’, is the oldest underground system in the world. The network is divided into six zones, determining the price of tickets.
Transport for London
Address: 14 Pier Walk, London.
Telephone: +44 343 222 1234
Opening times: Mon-Sun 08:00-20:00.
Website: www.tfl.gov.uk
You can hail black cabs in the street or book them through
Dial-a-Cab
Telephone: +44 12 4224 2424
Radio Taxis
Telephone: +44 20 7272 0272
Minicabs should be booked over the telephone; a reputable city-wide firm is Addison Lee
Telephone: +44 20 7404 9000
There is a daily charge for all vehicles entering the congestion charging zone in central London from Monday to Friday between 0700 and 1800. See Off-road parking is available 24 hours at
NCP garages
Telephone: +44 345 050 7080 situated around London. Street parking in central London can be extremely expensive.
In the UK, cars drive on the left side of the road and signposts and speed limits operate in miles per hour. The national speed limit is 70 miles per hour for cars on motorways (freeways) and four-lane highways, 60 miles per hour for two-lane highways, and 30 miles per hour for built-up areas. Around schools and more residential areas this is reduced to 20 miles per hour.
Parking in London can be tricky. Off-street parking is available at some underground and train stations. In most London streets parking restrictions apply between 8:30am-6:30pm, Monday to Saturday and parking is pay and display, where you buy a ticket from a machine or pay via phone. Be aware of the Red Routes (marked with double red lines) where parking, box junctions, and bus lanes are monitored.
London is always very busy but peak times include weekdays 7:30am to 9:30am and 4:30pm to 6:30pm.
London has a public-use bicycle scheme called Santander Cycles. Over 10,000 bikes can be found at 700 docking stations situated every 300 to 500 meters across the city. Bikes are available on a pay-as-you-go and membership basis. For pay-as-you-go access, go to a docking station with a credit or debit card to get started. Bikes are available round-the-clock and year-round.
Telephone: +44 34 3222 1234
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Website: www.tfl.gov.uk
London Bicycle Tour Company
Address: 74 Kennington Rd, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7928 6838
Website: www.londonbicycle.com
London, the UK’s capital and one of the most popular cities in the world, needs little introduction. Situated in the south-east of England, the city is filled with endless fun and interesting things to see and do. Impressively varied architecture, the winding River Thames, stately parks, iconic shopping streets and hipster neighborhoods are just a few of the things that attract visitors throughout the year.
If you renting a car, you can explore London on your own terms, discovering the full extent of its magic.
In order to hire a car, drivers must be at least 21 years old, depending on company policy. All drivers without an EU licence must carry an International Driving Permit.
Our simple booking system makes it easy to reserve online before you go, offering flexible short- and long-term rental, all at great prices with no hidden charges, so when you arrive all that’s left is to discover the best of this exciting city.
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Book popular activities in London
Things to see in London
Attractions
- Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
The gongs of Big Ben are arguably London’s most recognisable sounds, and adjoined to it is the Palace of Westminster where the House of Commons and the House of Lords convene. The most ancient part of the place
is over 900 years old and tours – including afternoon tea, should you so wish – are bookable throughout the year.
Address: Elizabeth Tower – Houses of Parliament, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7219 3000
Opening times: Mon-Sat 09:00-17:00 (days subject to change throughout the year).
Website: www.parliament.uk
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
The Queen’s London home is an icon and it’s worth timing your visit to catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place daily at 1130 from April to July and on alternate days the rest of the year. From lateJuly to September you can also tour the interior State Rooms while the Queen goes to Scotland for her summer holiday.
Address: Buckingham Palace Road, London.
Telephone: +44 303 123 7300
Opening times: Daily 09:30-19:30 (22 Jul-31 Aug) – 09:30 – 18:30 (01 Sep – 01 Oct).
Website: www.royalcollection.org.uk
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
This infamous royal fortress on Tower Hill was begun by William the Conqueror in 1078 and remained a royal residence until the mid-16th century. Today it houses the priceless Crown Jewels, the Royal Armouries collection and its famous ravens who – should they ever leave the tower – legend says would instigate the falling of the British Crown.
Address: Tower Hill, St Katharine’s & Wapping, London.
Telephone: +44 20 3166 6000
Opening times: Daily 09:00-17:30.
Website: www.hrp.org.uk
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: Yes
The dome of St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most distinctive features of the London skyline. The present building, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, was completed in 1710 on the site of the original cathedral that was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The inside of the dome, named the Whispering Gallery due to its incredible acoustics, offers a close-up of the frescoes of the life of St Paul.
Address: St Paul’s Churchyard, London.
Telephone: +44 207 246 8348
Opening times: Mon-Sat 08:30-16:30. Sun open for worship only.
Website: www.stpauls.co.uk
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Millons of visitors pass through the doors of British Museum each year to admire its vast collection of antiquities, art and sculpture. It has the world’s most comprehensive collection of Egyptian antiquities outside of Cairo. Priceless collections include the famous Rosetta Stone and a 5,000 year-old sand-dried mummy. Admission is free.
Address: Great Russell Street, London,
Telephone: +44 207 323 8299
Opening times: Daily: 10:00–17:00 (Fridays: 20:30) – Last entry: 16:45 (Fridays: 20:15).
Website: www.britishmuseum.org
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
London’s highest skyscraper is a vertigo-inducing 72 stories and 310m (1,016ft) high. The striking, tapered, glasspanelled edifice houses restaurants, apartments, and a luxury hotel. Close to the summit, it boasts a viewing area where visitors are treated to spectacular 360 degree views that extend for 64km (40 miles) across the city.
Address: 32 London Bridge Street, London.
Telephone: +44 84 4499 7111
Opening times: Daily 10:00-20:00 (winter); 10:00-21:00 (summer).
Website: www.the-shard.com
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall is arguably the most impressive gallery room in London, with its changing pieces of artwork created bespoke to fill the 3,300m2 space. As well as unique temporary exhibitions, its impressive permanent collection features the likes of Salvador Dali, Damien Hurst, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.
Address: 53 Bankside, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7887 8888
Opening times: Daily 10:00-18:00.
Website: www.tate.org.uk
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
This stunning museum of art and design is a must visit for all lovers of pretty things. Founded in the 19th century as a museum of the decorative arts, the V&A’s 11km (7 miles) of corridors trace a path through paintings, jewellery, furniture and textiles dating from 3000BC to the present day.
Address: Knightsbridge, Cromwell Road, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7942 2000
Opening times: Sat-Thurs 10:00-17:45, Fri 10:00-22:00.
Website: www.vam.ac.uk
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
The vast Victorian building that is the Natural History Museum is divided into different zones exploring all our planet’s natural beauties. Highlights include a full-size, 4.5 tonne skeleton of a blue whale, an earthquake simulator and the state-of-the-art, £78 million Darwin Centre that – among 22 million-odd specimens – houses an 8.62 metre (28.28 ft) long squid called Archie.
Address: Kensington, Cromwell Road, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7942 5000
Opening times: Daily 10:00-17:50. Closed December 24-26.
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk
Admission Fees: No (except for major exhibitions).
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
This unusual but elegant museum houses the world’s finest collection of handheld fans. On the first Saturday afternoon of each month, visitors can also join a fan making workshop (advance booking is required). Alternatively, enjoy a delicious Afternoon Tea in its beautiful muraled orangery overlooking a secret Japanese garden.
Address: Greenwich, 12 Crooms Hill, London,
Telephone: +44 20 8305 1441
Opening times: Tue-Sat 11:00-17:00, Sat 12:00-17:00.
Website: www.thefanmuseum.org.uk
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
The Gallery of Modern British Art opened in 1897, around the collection of sugar merchant Henry Tate. It now holds an unrivalled collection of British paintings from 1500 to the present day. Much 20th-century art has moved to the Tate Modern, however, some remains on rotation here, from Paul Nash to David Hockney.
Address: Westminster, Millbank, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7887 8888
Opening times: Daily 10:00-18:00.
Website: www.tate.org.uk
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
This interactive horror theme park gives visitors the opportunity to explore the darker side of British and European history. Visitors can go on various themed rides based around historical murders and executions, and escape the whims of the Dungeon’s actors, who dressed in gruesome costumes, lurk in dark corners and pounce at at unsuspecting tourists.
Address: Lambeth, Westminster Bridge Road, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7654 0809
Opening times: Sat-Wed, Thurs 11:00-17:00, Fri 10:00-16:00.
Website: www.thedungeons.com
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
London Travel Information Centre:
Address: Piccadilly Circus Underground Station, London.
Telephone: +44 343 222 1234
Opening times: Daily 09:30-16:00.
Website: www.visitlondon.com
There are tourist information centres scattered across London, although the Piccadilly Circus Travel Information Centre is the most central office.
- City of London Information Centre
Address: St Paul’s Churchyard, City of London.
Telephone: +44 20 7332 1456
Opening times: Mon-Sat 09:30-17:30, Sun 10:00-16:00.
Website: www.visitlondon.com
There are tourist information centres scattered across London, although the Piccadilly Circus Travel Information Centre is the most central office.
The information centre has a team of multilingual helpers eager to assist, plus furnish you with all the flyers, guides, tickets, travel cards and foreign exchange options you need to kick your holiday into gear.You’ll find smaller information centres at Holborn and Greenwich stations.
The London Pass
www.londonpass.com allows free access to over 60 attractions (including the London Aquarium, Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Shakespeare’s Globe). The London Pass option also includes an Oystercard to cover all London buses, tubes and trains. The card is available for one, two, three, six or ten days ranging in price from £62 to £169 for adults, and you can buy one at the airport and tourist information offices around London. While the card does get you into most of the big ticket attractions in town, you’ll want to have your sightseeing boots on to get your money’s worth.
Things to do in London
- Brave London’s wild side with a secret adventure
Whether you kayak under Tower Bridge or join in at an underground concert, Secret Adventures shows visitors a side of London they haven’t seen before and, in the case of the secret skinny dip, perhaps don’t want to see again. Activities vary but are always wild. Book early.
Telephone: +44 203 287 7986
Website: www.secretadventures.org
- Climb over a London landmark
Daredevils with a head for heights can scale the dizzying summit of the O2 dome, one of the city’s iconic landmarks. Attached by a harness, adventurers who brave the 190m-high (623ft) rooftop walkway are rewarded with panoramic views, which are particularly stunning at dusk.
Telephone: +44 208 463 2000
Website: www.theo2.co.uk
- Pull on your plus fours for a unique round of golf
It may not be a sprawling green course, but Alexandra Palace’s pitch and putt, affords fantastic views over London.
Telephone: +44 20 8365 4343
Website: www.alexandrapalace.com
Urban Golf, is technological in its approach play with state-of-the-art simulators instead of tees.
Telephone: +44 207 248 8600
Website: www.urbangolf.co.uk
And crazy golf fans should try Plonk Golf’s four courses
www.plonkgolf.co.uk.
- Race down the Olympic white water rapids
Around 30 minutes’ north of London, hurtle along fast-flowing waters at the exhilarating Lee Valley White Water Centre built for the 2012 London Olympics, visitors can learn basic rafting techniques before tackling the rapids and stomach churning drops along the choppy 300m-long (984ft) route.
Telephone: +44 3000 030 616
Website: www.gowhitewater.co.uk
- Swim inside an art installation
For an exhilarating spring and summertime plunge, head to one of London’s outdoor pools. The water-filled clay pits on Hampstead Heath and the heated London Fields Lido.
Telephone: +44 20 7254 9038
Website: www.better.org.uk
Whilst King’s Cross Pond Club, is a natural art installation you can swimming.
Telephone: +44 203 818 6500
Website: www.kingscrosspond.co.uk
Both are favoured alfresco swimming spots by trendy Londoners.
London tours and excursions
London tours
The areas of Shoreditch and Hackney are home to some of the world’s most iconic street art and graffiti. Shoreditch Street Art Tours runs two tours daily, lasting three and a half hours each and led by respected graffiti blogger
No Lions In England (real name: ‘Dave’). Street Art London also run tours on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, and you’ll see work by over 40 artists adorning East London walls and shop shutters.
Telephone: +44 7834 088533
Website: www.shoreditchstreetarttours.co.uk
London looks best from the water, so see famous London landmarks while gliding down the Thames on a London boat tour. If you want to cruise in style, you can dine and sup cocktails cruises with Bateaux London. For a truly unique experience, London Duck Tours runs tours of London on an amphibious craft, which rumbles through the streets before plunging into the Thames for a cruise.
London excursions
Harbouring one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe, Oxford is steeped in historic architecture and traditions. Take a university tour, go for a punt along the river and delve into the centre’s comprehensive network of shops. Found 97 km (60 miles) northwest of central London, it’s the perfect escape to find a spot of tranquillity and summertime romance.
Telephone: +44 1865 686 430
Website: www.experienceoxfordshire.org
For those who crave the creative ambience of London in a smaller setting, take a trip to the seaside resort of Brighton. Located 97 km (60 miles) from London, on the south coast, it’s an hour’s train ride from Victoria or London Bridge stations and bears its alternative, hipster-ish credentials proudly; expect vintage shops, vegan restaurants, craft beers pubs, dirty burger joints and little dogs everywhere.
Telephone: +44 1273 290 337
Website: www.visitbrighton.comShopping in London
London is one of the world’s great shopping cities. From designer jewels to thrifty vintage clothing to cutting-edge technology, it is all here in abundance. Central London’s packed high streets make for an exhilarating shopping experience, while a more leisurely browse can be found in quaint pockets such as Dulwich, Hampstead Village and Parsons Green.
King’s Road in Chelsea, SW1, has a long-standing reputation for fashion, as does Notting Hill in West London, while in the East, Shoreditch boasts cutting-edge boutiques and oodles of vintage.
Oxford Street, W1, Regent Street, W1, and Kensington High Street, W8, brim with high street clothing, and Tottenham Court Road, WC1, is packed with electrical goods.
Old and New Bond Streets, W1, are home to a high-end array of international designers, such as Prada and Gucci, with nearby Conduit Street sporting more off-the-wall designers, such as Vivienne Westwood. Covent Garden, WC2, is a charming hub of specialist shops and craft stalls, and Carnaby Street, W1, is awash with trendy purchases.
In the East End, you’re never too far from a fantastic market, whether it’s the en mass bric-a-brac of Petticoat Lane, E1, the stylish clothing of Spitalfields, E1, the foodie heaven of Broadway Market, E8, Brick Lane’s assortment of trinkets, E1, or the wonderful Sunday flower market on Columbia Road, E2. In the north, there’s iconic and edgy Camden market, N1, and West London’s famous Portobello Road antiques fare, W10, is still going strong. London Bridge’s Borough Market, SE1, is renowned for global cuisine, and Brixton Market, SW9, sizzles up delicious Caribbean fare.
Oxford Street’s key department stores include Selfridges, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis.
High-fashion Liberty is on Great Marlborough Street, W1, with hip Carnaby Street just behind.
Harrods in Knightsbridge, SW1, is a huge tourist attraction, and Fortnum and Mason, W1, is good for British foodstuffs.
Westfield London, in Shepherd’s Bush, is a giant shopping mall filled with high street and designer brands. Sister mall Westfield Stratford City, Europe’s largest urban shopping mall, recently opened by the Olympic Park in East London.
Shops in London are open:
Monday to Saturday 09:30-18:00, with some open until 20:00.
Many open Sunday 120:0-1800.
Late-night opening (usually until 20:00) is on Thursday in the West End and Wednesday in Knightsbridge.
Beside souvenir shops proffering a plethora of London Underground and Royal Family themed paraphernalia – some vaguely useful (London Tube Map tea towel) and some, well, not so much (William and Kate dolls, anyone?) there are some lovely souvenirs to be found. Museum and gallery shops are stocked with interesting purchases – the Tate Modern in particular has funky items spanning home wear, jewellery and artwork – and for luxurious British gifts, there’s distinguished department stores Fortnum & Mason and Harrods.
Most major shops in the West End are part of the Tax-Free Shopping scheme run by Global Refund, which offers VAT (currently charged at 17.5%) refunds to visitors from outside the EU.
Telephone: +44 300 200 3700
Website: www.gov.uk/tax-on-shoppingRestaurants in London
The food scenes in London are teeming with a smorgasbord of different cultural influences and tastes. Whether you eat in Michelin-starred restaurants, slurp noodles or gorge on freshly caught fish and chips, you’ll never have to skimp on quality.
The London restaurants below have been handpicked by our guide author and are grouped into three pricing
Categories:
Expensive: (over £75)
Moderate: (£25 to £75)
Cheap: (up to £25)
These restaurant prices are for a three-course meal for one, including tax and service but excluding alcohol. A service charge of 12.5% will be added to your bill in most restaurants. If service is not included, 10% tipping is customary.
Expensive
Cuisine: French, European
One of London’s longest-standing Michelin fine dining restaurants, Pied à terre is known for the subtly refined flavours delivered by a team of talented chefs using only the freshest produce. The setting is intimate yet unpretentious, and the service is top-class.
Address: Fitzrovia, 34 Charlotte Street, London.
Telephone: +44 207 636 1178
Website: www.pied-a-terre.co.uk
Cuisine: French, European
If you are looking for perfection, visit this three Michelin-starred restaurant that bears the name of an international chef. The menu is considered modern French, showcasing artful dishes best paired with the choicest of wines. Book well in advance.
Address: Chelsea, 68 Royal Hospital Road, London.
Telephone: +44 207 352 4441
Website: www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com
Cuisine: British, European
The Ivy’s reputation precedes itself, being well publicised as the favoured haunt of celebrities and socialites. Its prime West End location also lends it to the pre- and post-theatre crowds who come to feast on its modern British dishes in their droves – if they can get a seat. Safe to say, booking is essential.
Address: 5 West Street, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7836 4751
Website: www.the-ivy.co.uk
Moderate
Cuisine: Indian
London’s oldest North Indian restaurant, Punjab is the go-to place for a flavourful lunch or dinner. The Chicken Tikka Masala is a must-try for many first-timers, and if you are looking to capture the essence of India’s Maharajas, choose any one of the Punjab Specialities from the menu.
Address: Covent Garden, 80 Neal Street, London.
Telephone: +44 207 836 9787
Website: www.punjab.co.uk
Cuisine: British, European
The Clink is a charity-run restaurant located within a Category-C prison in Brixton. The restaurant aims to help prisoners get back into society by allowing them to work towards gaining the necessary qualifications. Expect traditional British meals served beautifully and at reasonable prices. Must book at least 72 hours before arrival.
Address: HMP Brixton , Jebb Avenue, London.
Telephone: +44 20 8678 9007
Website: www.theclinkcharity.org
Cuisine: Vegetarian, vegan
Relaxed, eclectic cafe serving Italian & Korean fusion vegan fare such as pasta & kimchi. We serve healthy, homemade vegan food in Shoreditch inspired by Chef Mauro’s Italian heritage and his wife’s Korean culture.
Address: 164 Brick Ln, London.
Telephone: +44 774 979 9469
Website: www.veganyes.co.uk
Cuisine: Cantonese, Chinese
A contemporary dim sum restaurant, Yauatcha serves up elegantly simple and delicious fare, exemplified in dishes like ‘Spicy soft shell crab with almond’ in two locations across London, one in SoHo, another on near Liverpool Street Station.
Address: 1 Broadgate, London.
Telephone: +44 203 817 9888
Website: www.yauatcha.com
Cheap
Cuisine: British
Londoners have been enjoying pie and mash since the 1700s and back then, the pies were filled with eels from the Thames. Today, eels have been replaced by minced beef, chicken, lamb, cheese or just vegetables, but pies continue to deliver cheap and flavourful meals to the masses. At Goddards at Greenwich, the family has been making pies since 1890 and they still serve handmade pies every day.
Address: Greenwich, 22 King William Walk, London.
Telephone: +44 208 305 9612
Website: www.goddardsatgreenwich.co.uk
Cuisine: International
With many branches throughout London, Patty & Bun serves delicious burgers at affordable prices. Tucked between pillowy buns can be a juicy beef patty, buttermilk chicken, lamb, mushroom, tempeh or even a plantbased patty.
Address: Marylebone, 54 James Street, London.
Telephone: +44 207 487 3188
Website: www.pattyandbun.co.uk
Cuisine: British
For many international visitors, no trip to London is complete without trying fish & chips. Poppies at Spitalfields is a traditional fish & chips shop decked out in 1950s memorabilia. Fresh fish and light batter is the winning combination here.
Address: Spitalfields, 6-8 Hanbury Street, London.
Telephone: +44 203 161 1422
Website: www.poppiesfishandchips.co.ukNightlife in London
London Nightlife. Late night London pulses with verve and diversity; bars and clubs suited to all tastes are open 24 hours a day and, on any given night of the week, you’ll find a party and new friends to fill it with.
Conversely, the city has tragically seen half of its live music venues shut their doors over the last decade. A feeling pervades that, slowly, the independent locations that remain the city’s creative heart are being razed in favour of faceless chains and apartments for the privileged few.
Regardless, the potential in the city is, quite literally, intoxicating. The West End’s Soho is the city’s de facto gay area, though it also has a rich history of hard drinking pubs. The hippest bars are now over in Peckham, though for a cocktail-in-a-jam-jar fix you could head to the formerly-mean streets of Dalston and Hackney. Angel or Clapham have a wealth of options, and though the streets of Camden and Brixton – traditionally the heartland of punk and reggae in the capital, espectively – aren’t as raw as they once were, there’s still a special energy on these rain-splattered pavements.
Even though in theory there are no longer any fixed closing times and a number of venues have applied for extended or 24-hour licences, in practice most pubs and bars still close at midnight. Concerts normally start at 2000, and clubs usually open at 2200, and stay open until 0200 during the week and around 0400 at weekends.
Bars in London
Tucked in a tiny, winding street off Tottenham Court Road is one of the few remaining bastions of classic London drinking culture. The velvet sofas may be faded and the toilets may be ropey, but the vinyl jukebox doesn’t stop until the beers do. A joy.
Address: Fitzrovia, 42-44 Hanway Street, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7636 0359
Website: www.bradleysspanishbar.com
London is blessed by a wealth of Irish bars, but The Auld Shillelagh might be the best. With its narrow bar, it’s not one to visit if you don’t like bumping elbows with strangers, but there’s nowhere better when the Irish are playing rugby. Goes without saying that the Guinness is transcendental.
Address: 105 Stoke Newington Church Street, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7249 5951
Website: www.theauldshillelagh.co.uk
If a traditional English pub is what you are after, then the 17th-century George Inn is the perfect starting point. It’s been serving mead since medieval times, and is listed as a Grade 1 building. If you need to soak up the ale afterwards, Borough Market is just round the corner.
Address: Southwark, 75-77 Borough High Street, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7407 2056
Website: www.george-southwark.co.uk
Clubs in London
Its status as Peckham’s hippest club is a hard one to challenge, nowhere has done more to put the area on the nightlife map as this multi level venue in Block A of the CLF Art Cafe. You’ll find all strands of dance music there, though it’s most famous for its legendary, twice-monthly South London Soul Train club night.
Address: Peckham, 133 Rye Lane, London.
Telephone: +44 207 7732 5275
Website: www.busseyrooftopbar.com
Fabric has long been the spiritual home of UK club culture and features sets from the world’s best DJs playing techno, house, drum n’ bass, electro and everything in between. It sells out its 2,500 nightly capacity most weekend nights and if you asked most seasoned UK clubbers for a recommendation, they’d send you here.
Address: Clerkenwell, 77A Charterhouse Street, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7336 8898
Website: www.fabriclondon.com
It’s definitely at the cheesier end of the scale, but G.A.Y is an icon of London gay culture. Situated on Soho’s Old Compton – traditionally the home of the capital’s LGBT scene – the three floors offer a flamboyant array of entertainment, with theme nights, drinks promos and a video jukebox system drawing large, party-hard crowds.
Address: Soho, 30 Old Compton Street, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7494 2756
Website: www.g-a-y.co.uk
Situated in the site of an old bus garage, Ministry of Sound was the UK’s first Nightclub dedicated to ‘house’ music.The music has become so popular that the Ministry of Sound also has its own record label, boasting to launch the careers of artists such as Example, Wretch 32 and Sigala.
Address: 103 Gaunt Street, London.
Telephone: +44 20 7740 8600
Website: www.ministryofsound.comLondon Food and Drink
London is a foodie’s heaven and one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, is home to culture-rich ethnic communities that speak over 300 languages and dialects. Multiculturism is woven into many aspects of London life and accordingly, restaurants reflect this in their representation of favourite dishes and tastes. But if you think that food in London is all about immigrants and their traditional recipes, you’d be wrong – reliable and comforting British classics are still ubiquitous, especially in pubs.
Where better to start on your London food journey than with fish and chips? England’s most famous dish is available throughout the city and comes in many shapes and sizes. Best enjoyed out of a hot paper wrap from a typical fish-and-chip shop aka a chipper (and generally takeaway only), the meal should be eaten with a miniature wooden fork for extra authenticity. The fish is usually cod (but haddock, skate, and rock are not uncommon), covered in a crispy deep-fried batter. Chips are thick-cut fried potatoes and sides can include anything from pickles and pickled eggs to mushy peas and curry sauce. Most pubs and many restaurants serve some version of fish and chips, but you’ll find a pretty perfect serving of the dish at Masters Superfish in Waterloo.
While real ale (which is relatively flat and warm) still has its fans, the craft beer revolution has been the heart of London’s beer scene for the last decade. Inspiration from American IPAs and pale ales’ heady hops awakened London’s senses, leading to a mass of new breweries supplying the demand for these eclectic ales. The greatest example of this can be found on the Bermondsey Beer Mile, a long stretch of railway arches in South London housing several independent breweries side by side. Complete the mile and you’ll have an excellent grasp of nouveau London beer (and maybe a terrible headache the next day).
The Full English is another dish that finds its way onto menus everywhere, from posh brunch spots to greasy spoons (aka cheap cafes). Consisting of eggs (usually fried or scrambled), sausages, bacon, fried tomatoes, black pudding, baked beans, mushrooms, and toast, the breakfast is best enjoyed with a classic builder’s tea on the side to cut through the greasy, calorific mass. The antithesis of a healthy berry and granola parfait, this is a breakfast that will make you want to skip lunch. For an indulgent Full English, try any outlet of Hawksmoor or experience it in classic, inexpensive form from either the nostalgic E Pellicci in Bethnal Green or Maria’s Market Café in Borough Market.
A relatively new craze in London, the Sri Lankan hopper was always destined for great things in the city—who could resist the concept of a rice and coconut pancake filled with curry, relish, and fried eggs? Find them in Hoppers, the hip Soho restaurant that played a large part in exposing the Sri Lankan classic to the masses; just expect long lines at this no-reservations spot.
Typically enjoyed between an early lunch and late dinner, Afternoon Tea is a very British way to spend an afternoon. A true Afternoon Tea consists of cakes, pastries, finger sandwiches sans crusts, and scones with jam and clotted cream displayed on a tiered stand and served with pots of loose-leaf tea. In many establishments, you can expect a tea menu (and the fanciest might even have a tea sommelier) where you can consider the likes of Earl Grey, Assam (the Queen’s favorite teas), Darjeeling, and Ceylon. For pageantry, tradition, and quality, few afternoon teas compare to that of The Ritz.
The 1970s saw a wave of Bangladeshi immigrants arriving in London and setting up restaurants along Brick Lane and the surrounding area; competition clearly (and luckily for London diners) bred success. These days, there’s a mix of Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani restaurants, all serving some of the finest curries anywhere outside of Asia. Aside from classics like vindaloo (super-hot), madras, and tandoori meats, the range of sweet, salty, spicy, and sour curries makes it one of London’s best-loved cuisines. Away from Brick Lane, stylish curry restaurants with contemporary leanings can be found in the shape of Gunpowder in Spitalfields, Booma in Stockwell, and Dishoom in various locations from Shoreditch to Kings Cross.
While Soho has lost much of its independent dining scene, next-door Chinatown is much the same as it has always been, aside from the odd new bubble tea shop or Sichuan joint. That means reliably good dim sum can be found throughout the neighborhood in any one of Gerard Street’s litany of restaurants; look out for the ubiquitous all-day dumpling menu. Try Golden Phoenix for its pleasingly Hong Kong-style interiors, Bun House for hip late-night eats, and Din Tai Fung for the Taiwan export’s exquisite pork soup dumplings.
Best enjoyed while outside in the sun, Pimm’s is a gin-based liqueur typically mixed with lemonade and ice, then filled with sliced strawberries, cucumber, and mint (and orange if you’re feeling fancy). Popular at weddings, regattas, Wimbledon, horseracing tracks, and cricket matches, it is the British version of the Aperol Spritz and even more refreshing than water.
Historically London’s most popular spirit, gin has been rejuvenated over the last decade thanks to a range of small-batch distilleries joining the likes of established London brands like Hendricks, Tanqueray, and Sipsmith. The “ginaissance” is very much in vogue and visitors can expect to find full-on gin menus and a variety of tonics. Try Mr. Fogg’s Gin Parlour for a faux-Victorian, gin-based drinking experience or Princess Louise in Holborn for an authentic representation of one of London’s former “gin palaces”, complete with private bar-side cubicles.
While pasta in London is well-regarded, it’s unusual to see huge crowds lining up for the chance to sample well-crafted ravioli. But that’s the story at Padella, the Borough Market restaurant whose legendary pasta inspired levels of hysteria not seen on the city since the dawn of the no-reservations, walk-in burger joints of 2012. After trying the beef shin pappardelle and simple tagliarini with garlic and chilli, you’ll be ready and willing to line up to try out the rest of the menu in no time.
Cured in brine and slow-boiled for hours, the delicacy of salt beef belongs sandwiched between two beigel (yes, that’s bagel to you Americans) halves, slathered in hot English mustard, and topped with pickles. The sandwich is available throughout the city in locations like the famous Brass Rail in Selfridges department store, at Monty’s Deli, or most evocative of all, at Brick Lane’s historic 24-hour Beigel Bake, where every beigel comes with a dollop of East London charm.
With origins dating all the way back to the Roman era and a first mention in an 1863 British newspaper, the humble sausage roll is without a doubt one of Britain’s most beloved snacks. At its core, it’s simply pork sausage meat surrounded by flaky pastry casing, shaped into a long, slim roll and cooked in the oven to deliver a substantial hit of calories. Of course, the quality varies depending on where you buy it, but like pizza, sausage rolls are pretty much always good, whether it’s a cheap bakery-bought roll or a gourmet wedge infused with fennel and black pepper.
If it’s one thing London is known for, it’s the sheer number of food stalls, markets and outdoor street food markets that pop up all around the city. They’re not all made equal though!
Because there are so many amazing food streets in London, you’ll find lots of innovative cuisine that you can’t find elsewhere. You’ll often get to try incredibly interesting new flavors if you know which ones to go to. From weekend pop-ups in Bermondsey to hip Hackney’s Broadway Market, here’s where visitors can eat their way through six of London’s finest outdoor food markets:
- Borough Market: Located just off the London Bridge tube station, this is London’s oldest food market and still one of its very best. Here hundreds of traders peddling everything from local produce, cheese, and charcuterie to street food, artisanal skincare products, and craft beer set up shop six days a week, the busiest days of which are Fridays and Saturdays.
- Broadway Market: This is the place to be on sunny Saturday afternoons in Hackney. More than 130 vendors pack Broadway Market, from Regent’s Canal to London Fields, until 5pm year round. Expect decadent desserts, gooey grilled cheese sandwiches, Scotch eggs, Indian curries, and much more.
- Maltby Street Market: Ropewalk: Occupying a narrow alleyway running alongside the overground train tracks—some vendors set up within the archways—Ropewalk hosts some of London’s best street food vendors every Saturday and Sunday. Come hungry.
- Druid Street Market: Just around the corner from Ropewalk and open every Saturday, Druid Street Market offers a small but well-chosen variety of chefs specializing in fried oysters, baked goods, and more. Pop into adjacent The Bottle Shop or Anspach & Hobday craft brewery for a quality brew or two.
- Whitecross Street: Sandwiched in between Barbican and Shoreditch, this weekday lunch market features talented street food chefs hawking, among other tempting treats, authentic Thai cuisine, wraps, burritos, and sweet and savoury pies.
- Brockley Market: Though well off the beaten track for most visitors, dedicated foodies will find this Saturday-only market well worth the effort for its good vibes and lovely selection of seasonal produce, organic meats, and delicious street food.
The London best food and drink festivals – celebrating the best in modern cuisine, mixology, delicious global dishes, and independent produce. There is something for every food and drink lover; you are guaranteed to be in pure food heaven.
With a feast of interactive features to feed the soul, eat, drink, shop and enjoy yourself across our distinct areas, each with their own unique atmosphere. Celebrity experts will offer their top tips and advice to inspire visitors to perfect delicious feasts.
You’ll also find independent artisan food producers selling an eclectic selection of fresh food, the best street food vendors, mixologists, and a wealth of the UK’s top brands all celebrating the finest seasonal food and drink.
So get your taste buds ready: this is the list of the best UK’s food festivals in London that you cannot miss. If you plan a trip to London during the coming months, check the upcoming London food events; perhaps you can add one or two food fairs to your London checklist.
London best food and drink festivals:
- Whisky Live London.
- Bath & West Food & Drink Festival.
- London Wine Festival.
- Burghley House Spring Fine Food Market.
- Bishop Auckland Food Festival.
- Foodies Festival.
- The Great British Food Festival.
- The North Leeds Food Festival.
London Hotels
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