THE INSIDE GUIDE: LONDON
London: a sprawling metropolis where old-world charm meets modern vibrancy - a city that really does have it all. London's dynamic energy and timeless allure make it a destination like no other. A city where the past, present, and future come together.
stay
Each London neighbourhood has a completely different vibe with each area having it’s own unique personality and offering, so your hotel choice will really set the tone of your stay. Here’s our favourite picks from each haunt below
North A leafy haunt, rich in history
The Landmark, Westminster, NW1 6JQ
The Level at Melia White House, Camden, NW1 3UP
Kingsland Locke, Dalston, E8 2LQ
The Wesley, Camden Town, NW1 0JN
East - The Brooklyn of London
Buckle Street Studios, Aldgate, E1 8DB Read our full review here
One Hundred Shoreditch, E1 6JQ Read our full review here
Hart, Shoreditch, EC2A 3HU
Boundary, Shoreditch, E2 7DD
Central - The beating heart of the city
The Londoner, Covent Garden, WC2H 7DX
Broadwick, Soho, W1F 8HT
The Nomad, Covent Garden, WC2E 7AW
The Rosewood, Holborn, WC1V 7EN
West - Where historic charm meets cosmopolitan flair
The Hoxton, Shepherds Bush, W12 8QE
The Pilgrm, Notting Hill, W2 1HH
Ember Locke, Kensington, SW5 0SW
At Sloane, Chelsea, SW1W 8EA
South - Threads of culture, creativity, and community
The Hoxton, Southwark, SE1 8NY
Sea Containers, Southwark, SE1 9PD
Native Bankside, Southwark, SE1 9ED
H10 London, Waterloo, SE1 8RQ
We have only just touched the surface on London neighbourhoods - check out our London Guides to discover more about each haunt and our favourite spots in each.
“London is a cultural kaleidoscope”
see
‘A person who is bored of London is bored of life” and this is the truth. We have spent endless days exploring the streets of London and still always manage to discover something new. We’ve picked a few of our favourite things to see in the city if you’re new to London. If you’re a London regular, or if you want to see our niche picks for the city, see more from our Journal
For the art lovers: Perfect for art lovers or a rainy day in the city (there are many), London has endless galleries and museums to explore from Tate Modern, Tate Britain and the 180 the Strand to the V&A Museum and Natural History Museum, there are endless ways to immerse yourself into artistic experiences.
Neighbourhood watch: Immerse yourself in the multicultural fabric of London by exploring neighbourhoods like Notting Hill, Brick Lane, Chinatown and Little Venice, each offering its own distinct charm and character. These are our favourite places to visit when want to romanticise London life.
Park and Ponds: Providing some escapism from the midst of the city chaos you can relax and recharge. In Hyde Park where you’ll find lakes, the Serpentine Gallery and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. Wander around Hampstead Heath (our favourite) for the best views of London, visit the Zoo at Regent's Park or rent a boat on the lake. Kensington Gardens and St. James's Park are also perfect for leisurely strolls or picnics in the summer. If you’re lucky, you can even catch a festival at Hyde Park or Finsbury Park in the summer months.
For the sightseers: If you love a landmark then London has got it all; jump on an open top bus to see the iconic landmarks around the city including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament..Take a cruise along the River Thames to admire the the sights of the city a different angle - the Uber boat is actually really cool and affordable.
Markets:Wandering around markets is one of our favourite past-times. Try Borough Market for endless food haunts to choose from; Elliot’s is a must try for fresh grills and natural wines. Stroll down Portobello Road Market for that ‘Hugh Grant in Notting Hill’ vibe, where you’ll also find our favourite hang out Gold Notting Hill (where you’ll find us at least 2 days a week). Covent Garden Market and Camden Market are also fabulous for finding unique pieces and delicious food stalls.
City Skylines: For panoramic views of the London skyline head up to Sky Garden, or The Shard or for a more chilled out and social vibe, head to Shoreditch House or Franks. We have so many favourite London rooftops which we have listed here for the best views and the best vibes of the city.
Performance: Experience the magic of London's theatre scene by catching a show in the West End, home to renowned venues like the Royal Opera House, the National Theatre, and countless others. A firm favourite of ours is Royal Albert Hall - their Christmas concerts are truly magical.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Get lost in the botanical gardens of Kew, an extensive collection of plants and beautiful landscapes. Do not miss the stunning Palm House or Princess of Wales Conservatory. As always, we are obsessed the stunning aesthetics and fairytale-esque feeling of this botanical playground, so we highly recommend a visit here to escape city living.
“London - where history meets modernity”
style
London is famed for iconic designers and fashion houses, from established names like Burberry, Alexander McQueen, and Vivienne Westwood to emerging talents such as Molly Goddard, and JW Anderson.
Visit in Feb or September for fashion week where fashion-forward crowds converge on venues like Somerset House and the Brewer Street Car Park, transforming the streets into a vibrant runway of style and creativity.
Beyond the runways, London's streets serve as a living canvas for fashion expression, with residents and visitors alike embracing an eclectic mix of styles, from vintage chic to urban streetwear. Neighbourhoods like Soho, Notting Hill, and Dalston are renowned for their independent boutiques, vintage stores, and market stalls, offering a treasure trove of unique finds and one-of-a-kind pieces.
1. Soho : Our fave spots in Soho for shopping are Carnaby Street, Liberty’s and if we’re feeling expensive, a stroll down Bond Street - we’re always eye up new pieces from the Victoria Beckham flagship store.
2. Vintage Stores: Our favourite places to find vintage pieces are Rellik in Ladbroke Grove, Annies Ibiza in Soho if we’re feeling feathers and sequins or if not there’s always trenches, fur coats and vintage jewellery to be purchased on Portobello Road.
3. Dover Street Market: The best place to find avant-garde and emerging designers. The store features flagship spaces for brands such as Comme des Garçons, Maison Margiela, Balenciaga, and Off-White, as well as unique installations and pop-up experiences.
4. Interiors : The queens of interiors, we love shopping from home accessories and our favourites are the Soho Home flagship store in Chelsea, Sounds of the Universe record store to add to our vinyl collections, Assouline and magCulture for the coolest coffee table books.
We love dressing for London Street Style, shop our outfits here
soiree
London has it all. From clubs and bars to cosy pubs and speakeasies, the city comes alive after dark, pulsating with energy and excitement.
Rooftops Find us at the sleek and sophisticated Shoreditch House and 180 the Strand to the quirky and eclectic, Sushi Samba (great vibes) and Netil360 . For a more laid-back ambiance, hidden garden terraces like the Queen of Hoxton, Sessions Arts Club and Frank's Cafe offer a cooler, rustic vibe. Either way, up above means you’ll always be surrounded by the buzz of the city.
Wine and Dine A huge city means a huge list of restaurant recommendations. From more central dining, head to Mister Nice, Nomad, Cecconi’s and Harrys or if you prefer smaller, independent haunts head to St John, Jolene and Ritas. If you’re there for the aesthetic, spots such as Daphne’s and Jacuzzi are definitely TikTok worthy. Read our current list of must try London Restaurants here
Bottomless Brunch If you know London, you know they love a bottomless brunch. See our favourite spots for bottomless brunch in London here.
Night Clubs Head to Night Tales, KoKo or the exclusive and infamous The Box nightclub for a unique London experience (it’s always a wild night in there, trust us) where you can dance until the sun comes up.
Live Music + Jazz Nights London's live music scene is wild. From the O2 Arena to the legendary clubs of Soho, Camden, and Shoreditch, to Jazz nights such as Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, the Roundhouse, and the Jazz Café. Summer is filled with outdoor festivals and concerts,
Bars + Hang Outs We love a dimly lit, sultry bar to sip on cocktails until the early hours so it’s only fair to share our favourites. You’ll find us at Chiltern Firehouse, Scarfes Bar and Louie London regularly. We also love Side Hustle at The Nomad, Seed Library at One Hundred, Bardo at St James, Red Room at the Connaught for those dimly lit, date night vibe aesthetics. For our full list on our favourite bars in London, read more on our journal here.
Pubs For a more laid-back evening, traditional pubs and taverns can be found on virtually every corner. From historic watering holes like The Ten Bells in Spitalfields to quirky gastropubs like The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead, and our favourite Owl and the Pussycat in Shoreditch, there's no shortage of places to enjoy a drink and soak up the local atmosphere in a cosy setting.