Destination guide for London

London teems with tourists year-round, but hotels ramp up their rates around peak holiday periods (Christmas, Easter, and summer school holidays).  

Thankfully, most of London’s biggest bucket list experiences are weather-proof (most are indoor), so can be done all year round.

Summer (July and August) usually has the best weather, but come with horribly long queues for the major sights in July and August. Better to visit outside of these months. 

May, June and September are the best months – fewer crowds and decent weather. Christmas is also a special time in London – the festive atmosphere is unrivalled. 

London’s four main airports, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, are accessible by regular train and coach services.  

From Gatwick, take the train to London Bridge or Victoria (take the faster ones with only one or two stops). Fast trains to Luton depart from King’s Cross and from Liverpool Street to Stansted. The Heathrow Express goes direct to Paddington in 20 minutes, but you can also catch the Underground directly into the city centre – a much cheaper option and often more convenient option. 

Taxis from all the airports to the city centre are expensive and run the gauntlet of horrible rush hour traffic. Only take one if you can’t easily get there by train. 

The cheapest and best way to explore London is on foot or by self-service bikes. Central London is not as big as it seems and most attractions are within walking distance of one another.  

If you have to travel further, the underground train network (The Tube) is extensive and efficient, though avoid the weekday rush hours if possible. Buses are an excellent, unheralded and more pleasant alternative.  

Ubiquitous black cabs are the luxury, but pricey, option. Uber taxis are widespread and efficient, especially outside the city centre where black cabs are fewer. 

London is vast, and getting around can be time-consuming and draining. The key to enjoying a visit here is to base yourself as close to the experiences you are coming for, to minimise travel time. Being able to walk or cycle to where you want to go will make your visit significantly more enjoyable. 

Soho & Covent Garden 

Most first-time visitors stay in the centrally-located West End (Soho and Covent Garden), an area packed with bars and restaurants. West End theatres, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and many major landmarks and museums are on the doorstep. Streets are inevitably crowded, but hotels are well-insulated from the noise, and often hidden away down quieter streets. 

South Kensington 

Upmarket South Kensington is 15 minutes from the West End, a good choice if you’re coming for the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, Harrods or the Albert Hall. It’s easy to dip into the West End for sightseeing, with excellent bus and tube connections. 

The South Bank 

The South Bank (around Waterloo) is a good base if you’re coming for galleries and or the performing arts – the Hayward and Tate Modern are both on the banks of the Thames. It’s also home to the excellent National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe and the Old Vic theatres. It’s an easy 20-minute stroll to Leicester Square and the West End. 

Around Shoreditch 

The East End of London is funky, arty and gritty, home to design hotels, hip restaurants, art studios and graffiti. Shoreditch is the focal point – it is, however, a trek on the tube or bus to the main sights and landmarks from here – not good if you’re coming for sightseeing.  

Knightsbridge 

If designer shopping and high-end dining are your priority, opt for Knightsbridge, close to Harrod’s and Harvey Nichols and a stroll from Bond Street’s exclusive boutiques. 

Richmond  

If you’re coming for Kew Gardens or Hampton Court, head for swanky, leafy Richmond. This village-like suburb has upmarket shops and restaurants on its own high street, and has lovely riverside walks and pubs. It’s only 20-minutes by (regular) trains to the West End, so a great base for those don’t want to be in the crowded centre.  

Although London has a reputation as an expensive city, it’s possible to eat well and affordably almost anywhere if you do your research. Soho’s small grid of streets if choc-full of every type of eaterie, from Thai to Turkish, while the quiet side streets around Covent Garden also have a good mix of affordable – and upscale – restaurants.

Chinatown is a great option for Asian food, while Brick Lane – in the East End of London – is the place for curries of all kinds. For quick and easy street food, the new chain of Market Halls bring together a handful of food stands in one place, along with a bar and seating.

Upscale areas like Knightsbridge, Kensington and Mayfair are home to a high proportion of Michelin-starred restaurants, many in five-star hotels.

Regent Street is the place for the big designer brands, Covent Garden and Marylebone High Street for eclectic boutiques. Oxford Street has the tacky souvenir and discount stores. Bond Street has the top-end, exclusive shops and brands. Savile Row and Jermyn Street are filled with gentleman’s tailoring and dress shops. 

Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Liberty – London’s famous department stores – are a destination in their own right. London’s excellent markets are great for food and gifts. See our recommendations of where to shop.