London
Why we love London
From the unique vintage markets of Portobello Road or Camden to the huge high street shops of Oxford Street, Regent Street and Westfield, London is a shopper’s paradise. Check out trendy Shoreditch, buzzy Brick Lane and colourful Chinatown. Food lovers will be spoilt for choice with every kind of cuisine, thanks to an international crowd that spills into every delicious corner.
Hike up its iconic landmarks and sip a cocktail in its tallest building, The Shard, or take in the view from one of its many rooftop bars. Immerse yourself in a leading cultural scene with no fewer than four international orchestras, a plethora of West End theatres and live gigs from Wembley to the O2 (Millennium Dome). And discover world-leading museums and galleries, from the Natural History Museum to London’s two Tates.
It’s becoming even easier to explore London sustainably too, from excellent public transport to eco-friendly eateries. For some downtime, soak up some rays in one of the city’s Royal Parks or the green lungs of Hampstead Heath or Greenwich – London is the world’s first National Park City, after all.
Britain’s biggest city has everything – and then some more!
Meet London’s cuddliest resident
Say hello to Britain’s favourite bear at the immersive new Paddington Bear Experience, as you help the Brown family prepare for ‘Marmalade Day’. Explore the locations you’ll recognise from the Paddington films, and go shopping for souvenirs in a real-life Gruber’s Antique Shop.
Take in the views
London has plenty of incredible viewpoints, including rooftop bars, city parks and Britain’s tallest building. Many are completely free to visit, so it’s easy to enjoy our capital’s iconic skyline. Check out 23 of the best views in London.
Peek into the future
Be transported 100 years into the future at the Natural History Museum’s innovative mixed-reality exhibition, Visions of Nature. Don a special headset to discover how eight different ecosystems around the world might look in a century, without leaving London.
Art – but not as you know it
On the banks of the Thames you’ll find Tate Modern, the trendy younger sister of Pimlico’s Tate Britain. Free to enter, you can take in 360-degree views of London, and eat and drink here too.
Feast at Borough Market
The mother of all food markets in London. Dating back to the 13th century, Borough Market is an institution. From gourmet and sustainable to butchers, bakers and cheesemakers – this is the place for all things food.
Be dazzled by the Tower of London
Discover some of Britain’s goriest history on a visit to the Tower of London. Marvel at the Crown Jewels, meet Beefeaters and get the chance to see armour worn by kings hundreds of years ago.
Hit up London’s Southbank
A giant of culture, Southbank Centre is made up of a few places that house London’s most desired events, from music to poetry. There’s books, cafes and multiple venues hosting some of the capital’s must-see performances.
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Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the city from the top of the London Eye, The Shard or Sky Garden, or venture Up at the O2.
Experience royal life at Buckingham Palace, relive 1,000 years of history at the Tower of London or watch a performance in one of the city’s eight Royal Parks.
Marvel at the Houses of Parliament and hear Big Ben chime, climb the 528 steps inside the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral or catch a theatre show in the West End.
Discover world-leading museums and galleries, from the Natural History Museum and National Portrait Gallery, to Tate Modern and British Museum.
Find unique vintage markets on Portobello Road, Camden or Spitalfields, or browse the high-street shops of Oxford, Regent and Carnaby Streets, as well as department stores Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.
Check out trendy Shoreditch and Brick Lane, or Borough and Camden Market, for everything from Michelin star restaurants to street food.
Fun fact
Fun fact
The name given to London’s iconic clock, Big Ben, is technically incorrect. Big Ben is the name given to the huge bell inside the tower. The building itself is called Elizabeth Tower.
Did you know?
Did you know?
London is home to four UNESCO World Heritage sites: 1) The Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and Saint Margaret’s Church, 2) the Tower of London, 3) Maritime Greenwich and 4) Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
The ‘City of London’ is England’s smallest city by size at just 1.12 square miles (2.9 square km) and is commonly referred to as the Square Mile.
London is the only city in the world to have hosted the Olympic Games three times, in 1908, 1948, and 2012.
London’s Underground is the oldest metro system in the world, with electric trains operating since 1890.
- Europe’s largest urban shopping centre can be found in Westfield Stratford City in East London, covering 1.9 million square feet (177,000 square metres) and housing more than 300 retail spaces and restaurants.
Things to do in London
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Featured things to do
A sleepover at London Zoo
Stay overnight with the animals, get a private evening tour of your favourite wild beasts, eat dinner within a whisker of a lion and sleep among the cacophony of baboons and parrots.
Learn more about London Zoo
London Pride
Discover London’s Pride festival as it retraces its original route from 1972 through Hyde Park, Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square.
Learn more about London Pride
Green and pleasant
Escape the city for Petersham Nurseries, a garden centre with a Michelin-Green-Starred difference. Autumn brings a host of seasonal events to enjoy, from wreath making to tablescaping. After getting crafty, relax in the greenhouse restaurant where seasonal ingredients take pride of place.
Learn a new skill at Petersham Nurseries
Christmas festivities
London glows with twinkling Christmas lights, bustling shops, ice rinks and seasonal theatre performances each Christmas. Visit the capital city to get a taste for the festivities.
Discover London at ChristmasPlaces to stay in London
Notting Hill
Stroll past brightly painted houses, buzzing cafes and pubs and visit its famous market in the home to one of the world’s most iconic festivals – The Notting Hill Carnival.
Soho
Super-central, trendy and with an all-night buzz – Soho is ripe for exploring. Hungry? You’ll find cafes, bars, restaurants and ice cream parlours here and in nearby Chinatown.
Hampstead
Stay in this leafy and affluent part of London that has great bars and delis, restaurants and is home to the city’s green lungs – Hampstead Heath. And of course, you can grab one of best views here, at Primrose Hill.
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Getting to London
The capital is served by six international airports, including London Heathrow and London Gatwick, with direct and connecting routes to destinations all over the world (shop for a TfL Visitor Oyster card, Heathrow Express tickets and Stansted Express tickets here). Travelling by train is an eco-friendlier option and the capital offers 12 major stations, including Waterloo, Euston and Paddington. St Pancras International is the city’s Eurostar hub, with multiple direct connections to Europe.
Getting around
London is incredibly well served by public transport, much of which runs late and through the night. Take your pick from the Tube, Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, buses and boats, or the IFS Cloud Cable Car for a different perspective of London’s skyline. Shop for a London visitor Oyster card, London Day Travelcard or a Group Day London Travelcard to use on all modes for your stay. All services and numerous stations are wheelchair accessible.
Alternatively, grab a Santander Cycles Day Pass and get 24 hours of unlimited 60-minute rides for £3.50. Hire from one of hundreds of docking stations to enjoy London by bike.
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Want to know more?
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