Visitors to London may have heard of Oxford Street and Soho, but there is more to the city than that. This neighborhood guide will help you decide where you want to spend your time. Here's what you need to know about London's best neighborhoods, whether you're looking for art and culture, or where to go for a family day out.
There are many neighborhoods in the West End, including Soho, Covent Garden, Chinatown, Theatreland, and Bloomsbury. Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum are all included in this area. You should be able to visit the British Museum and the National Gallery for up to a half-day, and at least a couple of hours at places like Buckingham Palace.
The West End has theaters, nightclubs, bars and restaurants and is a great place to go out for a night on the town. Oxford and Regent Streets have high street brands, Covent Garden has market stalls and boutiques, and Soho has independent stores.
The South Bank is a must-visit area for art lovers, architecture buffs and theater goers. Europe's largest arts venue, as well as Shakespeare's Globe, are located in this popular area. If you're looking for family entertainment, you'll find the London Dungeon, Sea Life Aquarium and London Eye all grouped together. There are many bars and restaurants in the neighborhood, but if you want to experience a true gourmet experience, you'll want to go to one of the food stalls at the quieter Maltby Street Market.
The South Bank has seen prices rise to match those found across the river, but if you're an arts and culture type of person, this is the area for you.
The best neighborhoods in London are the ones that are well-groomed. The Science Museum takes you on an interactive exploration of materials, space and time, as well as the Natural History Museum, which covers everything to do with nature. Excellent dining and shopping, beautiful parks and grand period architecture are included. You can easily spend a day at each one of the museums and then head off to explore the wonderful shops of Knightsbridge. One of London's greatest parks is Hyde Park, with a boating lake, rose gardens, and graceful parkland.
You can boast that you have got the Queen for a neighbor if you can find a decent place to stay. This is the city's museum district, and it is just a 10 minute walk from the center of town, thanks to London's public transport.
The Square Mile, also known as the City of London, punches well above its weight for its many attractions. The Tower of London, Museum of London, and St Paul's Cathedral are all within walking distance of each other. The Sky Garden is an indoor garden on the 43rd floor of the Walkie Talkie that has amazing views of London. The City is mostly empty in the evenings and weekends, allowing for people-free exploration of its alleyways and churches.
Those that are here tend to be expensive. This is probably the best- connected neighborhood in the whole of London, so what you're really paying for is convenience and quiet evenings in one of the world's noisiest cities.
There are a lot of excellent restaurants in this part of London. It's home to the Portobello Road Market, which sells an eclectic mix of fashion, trinkets, antiques and street food, as well as the Design Museum, which covers the history of modern design. It's cheaper to stay in the neighborhood than it is in the center of London.
There are a lot of reasons to stay here. This is a lovely place to wander because of the mansions, churches and canals. It is possible to find nightlife in Shepherd's Bush.
The historic city fringe neighborhoods of Spitalfields and Hoxton are known for their nightlife. Cocktail bars, nightclubs, converted warehouses and night spots are just some of the places in the region that serve alcohol. The east is well connected and convenient, but expect the evenings to be noisy and the streets to be busy. The area's boutiques, vintage shops, markets and cafes, as well as being one of the city's best spots to see street art, can be explored during the day.
The East End has no boundaries but is accepted to include the neighborhoods of Dalston, Hackney, Whitechapel, Bethnal Green, Stepney, Mile End and Bow. Since 1901, the Whitechapel Gallery has displayed modern and contemporary works and is a favorite of art students. The best way to explore this part of London is to ride a bike along the Regent's Canal. You can follow the waterway to the east at Victoria Park or the north at the Union Canal. On a Sunday, visit the Columbia Road Flower Market. The rates for accommodations are better if you go further east. The journey time into central London will start to get longer but the Tube and Overground links are good so it is a worthwhile compromise.
Limehouse and the Isle of Dogs can be found on the north side of the river. The converted warehouse buildings that were built in the early 1800s contrast with the ultramodern tower blocks of Canary wharf. The Museum of London Docklands is a great place to learn about the city's maritime past. There is a cable car that takes you to the O2 on the other side of the river.
Located close to the heart of London, the Docklands is a great place to base yourself away from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
If you want to spend a week in North London, you can explore its parks, check out the sights, and enjoy the nightlife. King's Cross has become a cool new place with markets, fountains and public squares. If you want to take a stroll or bike ride along the Regent's Canal, you should head to Regent's Park.
Staying in North London is popular with people wanting to be close to King's Cross, where the prices for accommodations are higher. High prices can be found in hotels aroundCamden.
There's a food market, an antiques market, grand architecture, history galore, plenty of pubs, several museums to choose from, and a huge park to keep any little. The center is located next to the river. The Royal Observatory is a great place to learn about space and time, as well as see the views of Canary wharf. Lovers of British maritime history will want to visit the National Maritime Museum.
As the furthest east of all the neighborhoods and a largely residential spot, Greenwich is definitely one of the quietest and should be more reasonably priced, but the lack of options means that isn't always the case. There is a water taxi and a light railway that connect the two towns.
South London includes a number of places. The Horniman Museum and the world's first purpose-built public art gallery aren't the only things that aren't here. There are vibrant nightlife, charming village vibes and a strong sense of community in the suburbs. The Indian influence in Tooting is reflected in its food stalls and cafes. There are many pubs and bars in the area.
Staying in South London gives a very real glimpse of what it's like to live in London for most people, it's busy, poor and with the least reliable transport connections. This is the cheapest place to stay if you want to tolerate the extra time to get into town.
The leafy neighborhoods of the southwest of London don't feel like they are part of London. The areas are only a short train ride away from the city. If you're not careful you'll be paying central prices but with the added bonus of a steep daily train fare to get to all the central action.
You can go to the deer-spot in the park and explore the maze of the palace. You can go to the historic pubs on the river when you're finished.
The article was first published in March of 2021.
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