Planning a trip to London can be a daunting task. There's just SO MUCH to do and see! It's impossible to cover the whole city in one trip, in fact I've lived here my whole life and I still feel like I've barely scratched the surface. But in my 30 years (and counting) exploring my hometown I'd like to think I'm starting to know my way around fairly well. As such I've put together a London bucket list guide of all the must do experiences, from sightseeing and neighbourhood explorations to restaurants, bars and nightlife.
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Where to Stay in London
London Neighbourhood Guide
London is a massive city, so it can be a bit overwhelming trying to decide where to stay. There's thousands of hotels, hostels, airb&bs, and plenty more to choose from, so your best bet is to decide which neighbourhood you'd like to stay in, and take it from there!
Covent Garden / Leicester Square: Right in the heart of the action and most sights will be within walking distance, if it's your first time in London this is a great base for exploring My pick: Henrietta Hotel, NoMad Hotel
Mayfair: For the uninitiated, Mayfair is one of London's fanciest neighbourhoods. Expect heritage hotels with hefty price tags. If you can afford to splash the cash, you'll be in a prime location for discovering London. My pick: Claridge's, The Dorchester
Kings Cross: Ideal if you're coming into London by train, and is generally very well connected to all of London by tube. Some really cool hotels, and it's a generally bustling area for restaurants and bars. My pick: St Pancras Renaissance, The Standard
Shoreditch: If you're the kind of person that likes to stay in the vibiest, most happening neighbourhoods, you'll enjoy Shoreditch. It's a hub of restaurants, bars, and nightlife, but can be quite noisy on the weekends. My pick: Mondrian, The Hoxton
Kensington and Chelsea: This is a more genteel, well heeled area with a more residential feel and some beautiful hotels. My pick: Artist Residence (pictured), The Portobello Hotel
Things To Do in London
Unusual London Experiences
- The Painted Hall: A breathtaking Baroque painted hall inside the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Book a tour here.
- God's Own Junkyard: A free to enter neon light museum housed in and industrial estate in Walthamstow.
- Sir John Soane's Museum: A free house and museum in Holborn, full of weird and wonderful artefacts collected by it's late owner.
- Novelty Automation: A unique shop filled with satirical arcade games with themes such as "Divorce" and "Money Laundering" in Holborn.
- St Dunstan in the East: A derelict church in East London that has been turned into a green space (and popular photo shoot location!).
- Strawberry Hill House: A Gothic Revival castle and museum in South London, with beautifully restored 18th century interiors.
- Eltham Palace: A former medieval palace turned Tudor residence that underwent a transformation in the 1930s and is now a prime example of Art Deco design.
- Supper Club Tube: A 6 course Latin American tasting menu aboard a Victorian line tube carriage in Walthamstow.
- Punch Drunk: Immersive theatre on a whole new level, Punch Drunk allows viewers to step inside new worlds whilst storylines play out around them. Check the website for current shows.
- Rowans: Iconic bowling venue in Finsbury Park, but it's also so much more. What it lacks in sophistication it makes up for in party vibes. Play arcade games, pool, darts, or just hit the dance floor.
The London Sightseeing Hit List
- London has some of the best museums in the world, and better yet, they're largely free. Head to Cromwell Road for The National History Museum, Science Museum (great for kids!), and my personal favourite, the V&A. Check out ancient artefacts at The British Museum, brush up on your history at The Imperial War Museum, or immerse yourself in all things art and design at The Design Musuem.
- Another free London activity for you! London is full of amazing green spaces to relax, picnic, play, or even catch an open air concert or show. Hyde Park is the big 'un, or Regents Park and Holland Park are two of the prettiest.
- In the mood for some sightseeing? Head to Westminster to gawp at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Cathedral, and The London Eye.
- My best tip for seeing the sights is to take a boat such as Uber Boat along the Thames, which offers views of many of the big hitters.
- Borough Market is the city's most famous market, with countless stalls selling fresh produce and street food. It's always heaving with tourists and locals alike, but it's a quintessential London must-do.
- In London on a Sunday? Make like a local and head East to Colombia Road Flower Market. Make a reservation at a nearby pub for a post-market roast, and you'll have the most authentic Sunday like a Londoner!
Explore London Neighbourhoods
5 Neighbourhoods to Explore
Soho
Once known as London's seedy red light district, Soho is now a buzzing hub of restaurants, bars, and nightlife as well as home to the city's LGBTQ+ community.
Notting Hill
Yup, like in the movie. Head here for picture perfect pastel houses, quaint local businesses, and if you're lucky, maybe even a roguish, charming bookshop owner.
Shoreditch
London's hipster and nightlife hub, but equally fun to explore by day with plenty of vintage shopping, street food, and some of the city's best restaurants.
Camden
A tad touristy but fun nonetheless, Camden is known for it's sprawling market, plus lots of grunge bars and live music venues.
Greenwich
Genteel Greenwich in South London is further out but worth a day trip, with sights including the beautiful Old Royal Naval College and views from Greenwich park.
Shopping in London
Oxford Street
Oxford Street and the surrounding area is easily London's most famous shopping destination. It hosts all the biggest high street names, whilst nearby Regent Street and Carnaby Street have more mid range and bespoke brands. Head to Bond Street for the biggest names in designer fashion, and Savile Row and Jermyn Street for suiting and menswear.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden has a few shopping areas, including Floral Street, Seven Dials, and the piazza, which hosts the famous market.
King's Road
Head to Chelsea for the genteel King's Road, which hosts boutique, mid and high end brands (as well as a very nice Zara).
Westfield
If you're looking for a shopping centre, retail behemoth Westfield, with branches in White City and Stratford, is your best bet. You'll find everything under one roof here, although you may get lost in the process. Avoid weekends, and if you have a choice, the White City branch is that bit nicer.
- The View From The Shard: unparalleled London views from the tallest building in the UK. You can save money buy booking tickets in advance, which start from £28. Click here for tickets.
- Sky Garden: a free viewing platform at the top of the Walkie Talkie building. You can book free tickets in advance of your visit to ensure entry. There's also several bars and restaurants you can book into if you fail to nab a free ticket.
- The Rooftop: Views, cocktails, and small plates at The Trafalgar St James hotel, overlooking Trafalgar Square
- Frank's Cafe: An iconic Peckham hangout atop a car park, serving up negronis with a view every Summer
- The Nest: A cosy plant filled rooftop bar at The Treehouse Hotel just off Oxford Street
- Sushi Samba and Duck and Waffle: Two buzzy restaurants at the top of Heron Tower in East London with 360 degree views
- Roof Terrace at One New Change: A free roof terrace in a shopping centre offering close up views of St Paul's Cathedral
- Lift 109: 360 degree views of London from one of the chimneys of Battersea Power Station, overlooking The Thames
- Searcy's at The Gherkin: a chic circular bar and restaurant atop the iconic Gherkin building in The City
- London parks: Primrose Hill, Greenwich park and Alexandra Palace are some of the best for sweeping views of the city
- The Garden at 120: A free garden rooftop at 120 Fenchurch Street, overlooking many of the city's biggest landmarks
Read More: 5 Rooftop Bars in London
London Eats
Must-try British dishes
Fish and Chips
Pretty much what it says on the tin, this is easily Britains "signature" dish. It's found on most classic pub menus, or if you want to be really authentic you should pick up some to go in newspaper from a local chippy, drenched in lashings of salt and vinegar. Yum.
Sunday Roast
Another pub staple, a roast is a must when you visit the UK. It's usually served on a Sunday, although some menus will have a roast option all week, and consists of beef, or alternatively chicken, pork, or a veggie substitute, alongside trimmings such as roast potatoes, various vegetables, yorkshire puddings, and gravy. It's hearty feel good food, and not to be missed.
Afternoon Tea
Whilst I'm not much of an afternoon tea gal myself, it's a fairly quintessential British meal. Afternoon tea consists of, yep, tea, as well as occasionally champagne, finger sandwiches, scones, and sweet treats such as mini cakes. It's more of a special occasion experience, and tends to be offered by higher end hotels and more traditional restaurants.
Full English Breakfast
The best way to start the day is a Full English with all the trimmings. It's basically all the best breakfast foods in one delicious dish.
Breakfast and Brunch in London
- The Good Egg: Middle Eastern inspired breakfast and brunch staples in Stoke Newington and Soho (pictured)
- Egg Break: egg-centric cafe in Notting Hill
- The Black Penny: cosy rustic cafe serving up hefty breakfasts in Covent Garden, Sloane Square, and Southbank
- Daisy Green: chain of Aussie-style restaurants across London. Try the bacon naan, it's a real winner.
- The Breakfast Club: A chain of breakfast only "caf's" across London, used to garner queues of hipsters but the hype has thankfully died down. Head to the Liverpool Street branch to discover the secret speakeasy.
Must Try London Restaurants
- Dishoom: Everyone's favourite Indian with multiple sights across London. Book in advance or prepare to queue
- Fatt Pundit: Another Indian, this one serves up spicy Indian meets Chinese fare in Soho and Covent Garden
- Bao: Does what it says on the tin, serving up some of the best bao in London, with branches in Soho, Borough and King's Cross
- Bancone: Simple but tasty, and very affordable pasta in Soho and Covent Garden
Aesthetic London Restaurants
- Circolo Popolare (pictured): Stylish Italian trattoria decorated with 20,000 bottles by restaurant behemoths Big Mamma. Very popular, so book in advance.
- Bacchanalia: Sumptuous Greek and Mediterranean restaurant in Mayfair decked out with Damien Hirst artworks.
- Dalloway Terrace: An elegant seasonal floral bedecked terrace offering a modern European menu in the Bloomsbury Hotel.
- Brasserie of Light: Art Deco dining room in Selfridges department store, serving a British and International menu overlooked by a striking Pegasus artwork.
- The Ivy: A London staple, with distinctively lavish and colourful interior design. There are branches across London and further afield, however in my opinion the prettiest is Chelsea Garden thanks to it's beautiful outdoor courtyard.
- Sketch: Famously known for it's pink hued chairs and David Shrigley artwork in "The Gallery", this iconic venue recently had a yellow makeover but is still looking good. There's several other spaces with their own themes and menus, but it's particularly popular as an afternoon tea spot.
- Bob Bob Ricard: Fine dining Russian cuisine in an Art Deco space, best known for the "press for champagne" buttons at tables. I've never been for precisely this reason, with my propensity for champagne it would be dangerous!
- Linnaean: A multi-purpose space in Vauxhall, Linnaean is home to various beauty treatments, as well as a picturesque pastel and floral filled restaurant.
- The Florist: An airy, expansive space with a beautiful blossom tree feature. Technically just outside London in Watford, but so pretty it's worth a mention.
- Bar Douro: A Portuguese tapas spot with distinctive blue tiled walls and rustic furnishings.
- Sushi Samba: Sushi Samba is a lively high end dining spot serving up Asian meets Latin American plates. Head to the Bishopsgate branch for views over London, or take in the aesthetics at the photogenic Covent Garden branch (pictured).
Fine Dining and Special Occasion London Restaurants
- Nobu: You'll find celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa's eponymous Asian fine dining restaurant in Mayfair, Marylebone and Shoreditch.
- Hakkasan: Another major player in Asian fine dining, Hakkasan has two branches in London. My favourite dish is the miso black cod, and on my last visit the chocolate peanut dumplings blew me away.
- Le Comptoir Robuchon: Classic French fine dining in the heart of Mayfair, this restaurant is the legacy of the most Michelin awarded chef ever Joel Robuchon, so you know it's good.
- Goodman: Arguably the best steak in town. However everything they do here is delicious, and fairly reasonably priced for the quality. Goodman has branches in Mayfair, The City, and Canary Wharf.
- Session Arts Club: An oh so chic spot in Clerkenwell in an old judges dining room. I've not actually been myself as reservations are hard to come by, but it's on the bucket list!
- Trishna: Another one I've yet to try, but this Michelin starred Indian fine dining experience always tops best London restaurant lists.
A Few More Favourites
- Speedboat Bar: Fiery hot Thai dishes in a kitschy Soho spot, inspired by the late night canteens of Bangkok.
- Hoppers: Another one for spice lovers, Sri Lankan hotspot Hoppers serves up, you guessed it, hoppers, alongside roti's and curries.
- Kricket: A hip modern Indian spot in Soho, Brixton, and White City. Get the Keralan fried chicken, thank me later.
- Wun's Tea Room and Bar: A stylish Soho Chinese restaurant with a great dinner and weekend brunch menu.
- Zephyr: Greek cuisine is having a moment in London, and chic Notting Hill joint Zephyr is one of my favourites. Save room for the incredibly moist orange cake.
- Smoking Goat: A cool Shoreditch Thai restaurant (pictured). If you get one thing, make it the delightfully sticky and moreish fish sauce chilli wings. But then get everything else too!
- Bubala: Middle Eastern vegetarian fare that's so good you won't even miss the meat.
- Yauatcha: Elevated Cantonese dim sum including incredible dumplings and sweet treats.
- Casa Pastor: Delicious Mexican fare in hip Coal Drops Yard, King's Cross.
London Drinking and Nightlife
London is one of the best cities in the world for bars and nightlife, so this section could be a full guide, nay, a full dedicated blog, in itself. There are countless bars and nightlife venues worthy of a spot on this list, from cosy neighbourhood wine bars to all night warehouse ragers. You'll find spots all over town, from LGBTQ+ pubs down in Vauxhall, to industrial sized raves up in Tottenham. However a lot of the major nightlife is concentrated in a few areas.
Shoreditch in East London is one of the most popular nightlife neighbourhoods, with countless bars and venues in the streets surrounding Curtain Road and Shoreditch High Street. It's hipster facade has waned in recent years and it's become a mainstream destination, if a little rowdy on the weekends when it gets inundated by stag and hen dos from around the country. If that puts you off, head slightly further out to Dalston and Stoke Newington for plenty of cool drinking and dancing spots.
Soho is another great nightlife neighbourhood and a London classic. It's particularly popular for the plethora of gay bars and pubs. However it's generally open to all, and a whole lot of fun. If you're looking for something more well-heeled, try the bougie bars and clubs of nearby Mayfair. However it's not my scene so I'm afraid I don't have too many recommendations!
If you look through this and don't see your favourites mentioned, I should flag that these are mostly personal picks, plus a few honourable mentions. If you like speakeasies, intimate spots with good cocktails and nostalgic vibes, you'll be right at home.
The Best London Bars
- Nightjar: Speakeasy-style cocktail bar with live music in Shoreditch.
- Mr Fogg's: A collection of quirky bars across London with playful nostalgic themes (pictured).
- Trailer Happiness: A cosy basement tiki rum bar in Notting Hill.
- Happiness Forgets: Another Shoreditch speakeasy (yep, there's a few of these!), in an intimate basement space.
- The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town: A speakeasy bar through the fridge at the Spitalfield's Breakfast Club branch.
- Bandra Bhai: A 90s Mumbai inspired smugglers den meets cocktail bar.
- Lounge Bohemia: Creative cocktails set inside a retro 70s sitting room space in Shoreditch.
- Discount Suit Company: A former tailors stockroom turned cocktail bar in Spitalfields.
- Cahoots: Nostalgic cocktails served up inside a retro train, as well as ticket office and signal room spaces. A quintessential London experience!
- Swift: No gimmicks, just a really good cocktail bar with three branches throughout London.
- Lyaness: A chic spot in Sea Containers hotel by bartender extraordinaire Mr Lyan (pictured below).
- Experimental Cocktail Club: A cosy townhouse turned cocktail den behind an unmarked door in Chinatown.
- Doña: A fun pink-tinged mezcal and music bar in Stoke Newington.
- Fitz's: I'm not generally one for hotel bars, but Fitz's is the exception thanks to it's glamorous, nostalgic vibes and giant disco ball.
The Best London Pubs
- The Churchill Arms: An Instagram stalwart, this photogenic Kensington pub is covered in hanging baskets in Summer, and Christmas trees in Winter. It's also a Thai restaurant!
- The Dickens Inn: My personal favourite, this spacious but cosy spot spans several floors waterside in the picturesque St Katharine's Docks.
- The Old Bank of England: (pictured), A beautiful pub housed in the old Bank of England's Law Courts in Holborn.
- The Blackfriar: A unique pub set in an Art Nouveau Grade II listed building and former site of a Dominican Friary.
- The Faltering Fullback: An Irish pub and Thai restaurant in Finsbury Park renowned for it's multi-level beer garden.
- The Cross Keys: This cosy Covent Garden spot is filled with quirky memorabilia.
- The Porterhouse: An expansive pub spread over 12 levels in Covent Garden.
- Vaulty Towers: Slightly bizarre (but a lot of fun!) pub in Waterloo filled with theatre props and quirky decor.
- The French House: This tiny Soho establishment is famed for being the hangout of the likes of Charles de Gaulle in WW2, Francis Bacon, Lucien Freud and many more of London's literary and art crowd over the decades. You'll probably end up standing on the pavement, but it's all part of the experience!
The Best London Nightlife
- Moth Club: An old working men's club turned gold bedecked venue, this is a personal favourite for the glitter ceiling (I'm easily pleased!). See up and coming artists at intimate gigs, or dance away the night at feel-good nostalgia fuelled club nights.
- Bethnal Green Working Men's Club: Quirky queer space with drag, burlesque, and LGBTQ+ nights.
- Village Underground: A staple of the East London nightlife scene, expect a diverse lineup of gig and club nights in an old warehouse.
- Dalston Superstore: This eponymous Dalston spot is a legendary queer venue.
- EartH Hackney: The Village Undergound team have breathed new life into a derelict East London cinema with this multidisciplinary gig and nightlife venue spread over three spaces.
- Omeara: An industrial space in Southwark featuring up and coming talent as well as club nights.
- Night Tales: A sprawling beer garden under railway arches in East London, expect DJs and pizza till the early hours.
- The Glory: An East End pub meets queer performance space, expect drag, cabaret, and club nights.
- Heaven: A London institution, this queer venue is packed out most nights with revellers partying to a soundtrack of Britney and Beyonce. It's totally cheese, but still a lot of fun.
- FOLD: It may not look like much from the outside, but this South East London spot on an industrial estate is making a name for itself with great programming and major club nights.
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