Home to Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tate Museum, Westminster Abbey… We could go on and on about all the history, art and culture that await in London. One of the world’s most visited cities, it’s also one of the most diverse, with citizens from all over the world calling it home. Thanks to this, London is wonderfully multicultural, especially when it comes to food. In the mood for Ethiopian injera (traditional dish)? You’ll find it here. You’ll also find the very best of European, Asian, Latino and Caribbean eats alongside local British dishes.
London is a city that offers something unique to every visitor, whether that’s a stroll in the Sky Garden 43 floors above the ground or a trip to the V&A museum. There’s picnics in Hampstead Heath in summer, and cosy mulled wine at Borough Market in winter. All-year round, London packs a punch in architecture, music, theatre, food, drink and fashion.
And while the city itself is never dull, it’s also a great place to explore other parts of south UK. From seaside road trips to Mersea Island to a magical trip to Stonehenge, you’re perfectly positioned to see many British highlights. Â
Navigating London’s roads can be intimidating if you’re not used to driving in the UK, but stay alert and be aware of any differences to what you’re used to and you’ll be just fine. Here’s some important tips for renting a car and driving in London.
Just 90 miles from central London (about 2 hours drive) lies Stonehenge, the pre-historic monument that’s still shrouded in mystery. The Stonehenge Visitor Center is excellent, although there’s no doubt that the 4,500 year-old stone circle is the main attraction. Stop off in the village of Avebury, which is also world-famous for its spectacular stone circle before returning to London.Â
Take a trip to the seaside at Mersea Island to splash in the sea, admire the candy-coloured beach huts and feast on fresh Native oysters. This paradise place is just over 2 hours away from London. Take note though, that twice a day Mersea has a high tide. Sometimes this covers the road and prevents anyone from entering or leaving this magical little island! Check the tide times in advance. Â
The Oxford/Cambridge debate reigns strong, but if you can only pick one famed University town to visit, Cambridge won’t disappoint. The ‘city that changed the world’ is home to more Nobel Prize winners than any other city. There’s a lively local feel here, with a great art, music and food scene to enjoy. You’ll find plenty to explore after visiting Cambridge University and its major landmarks, like King’s College Chapel and the library.
Stratford-upon-Avon (also known as just Stratford), is a charming Tudor town along the banks of the River Avon. It’s famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Naturally, highlights include historical Shakespeare attractions, including the bard’s former home. While you’re here, be sure to catch a play in the Swan Theatre’s traditional Elizabethan stage where the world-famous Royal Shakespeare Company perform.Â
If you’ve been binge watching The Crown then a day trip from London to Windsor is the perfect activity. It’s just 45 minutes by car. Windsor Castle is the largest occupied castle in the world and remains a working palace today. The Queen usually spends weekends here and the castle grounds also contain St George’s Chapel (where Prince Harry and Meghan held their wedding ceremony). You can take private tours of the castle and grounds. Â
The Cotswolds are a popular weekend escape from London: in just over 2 hours, you’ll be surrounded by picturesque villages made of honey-coloured stone. The Cotswolds is an area of nearly 800 square miles of unspoilt countryside with more than 3,000 miles of walking trails. Spend the night in a grand country house inn, sip on ales at traditional pubs and see medieval churches, rolling hills and market towns.Â
This scenic fishing town in Kent has long attracted Londoners in need of some R&R by the seaside. Well known for its fresh seafood and annual oyster festival, Whitstable also has a buzzing arts scene. There’s an amazing Farmer’s Market that showcases produce from within a 30 mile radius and cute cafes. At low tide, enjoy ‘The Street’ on Tankerton Beach: a natural path that takes you right out to sea. Â
The vibrant, multicultural, multilingual capital city of England (and the UK) is packed with action, architecture, history, music and culture. London has been a settlement for over 2,000 years with the first major settlement founded by the Romans around 43 AD, but with history and artifacts that can be traced back to before the Bronze Age.
The city was originally named Londonium by the Romans, during the invasion between 43 – 61 AD. After this, Londonium took over from Colchester as the capital of England, reaching a population of 60,000 by the 2nd century; the invasion of the Vikings soon followed. From there on, London grew and grew into the great city it is today. The options are endless – this is a city where you can live for years and still stumble across something new and exciting.
London was officially the world’s largest city from 1831 to 1925. While it might not hold that title anymore, it still has that metropolis vibe, with new sights, sounds and flavours to discover on every corner. All those incredible Caribbean and Indian restaurants you see across the city? Following WWII, London became home to many immigrants from Commonwealth countries such as India, Jamaica and Pakistan.
Such rich history and cultural growth has turned the London into a modern day business hub and financial centre, a vast and densely populated city and urban area jam packed with shopping arcades, trendy bars, boutique hotels and restaurants, theatres, museums and iconic landmarks and attractions that will challenge the history and fame of most other major world cities. Basically, London has it all. Here’s where to stay for your London trip…
Located in the heart of popular Soho with easy access to Leicester Square, we picked this luxury 5 star boutique for its quirky and unique interior decor, modern look, superb location and rooftop terrace bar. The hotel is built around a tree-filled garden with a bronze sculpture centrepiece and has 91 individually designed bedrooms each with their own theme. It also offers outdoor dining, a spa, a gym, a private events room and bowling alley.
This 4 star beautiful hotel is in the heart of Covent Garden, perfectly located for visiting Covent Garden market and all of the other bars, restaurants, niche and boutique shopping which Covent Garden has to offer. Its 18 luxurious bedrooms are inspired by an Italian design and the hotel has an Italian theme throughout. Some of the rooms offer panoramic views across London, West Minster and the London eye, whilst all rooms have free WiFi and flat screen TV.
Outstanding city views from the rooftop bar & grill, and located in the popular and quirky Shoreditch area of London. Boundary Hotel hosts a rooftop terrace with outdoor dining, as well as 2 other restaurants and onsite bars, you’ve got everything you need in this boutique 5 star hotel, but nonetheless you are still only seconds away from heaps of trendy Shoreditch bars and nightlife. The hotel is a true boutique accommodation with only 17 luxury bedrooms.
Since 1718 Hazlitt’s has been offering London’s visitors exceptional hospitality and a quality London service whilst being situated off the main road yet close enough to the action. Close to Soho Square, and half way between Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road, Hazlitt’s is ideal for London attractions, shopping, eating and nightlife. The hotel has 30 rooms, a bar, restaurant and 24 hour reception.
Minutes from Buckingham Palace, in the heat of Historic London, Henry the 8th built his palace in 16th century St. James, London. Dukes, London offers classic luxury bedrooms and also luxury suites as well as the legendary Dukes bar. A 5 star boutique guest house with 87 classic guest rooms, a restaurant, 3 bars and lounges, a full service spa and 24 hour business centre, Dukes provides the perfect and convenient spot for staying and visiting historic London.
In the top north east corner of Hyde Park, the Montcalm is a 2 minute walk from Marble Arch. A luxury 5 star central London hotel, the Montcalm is at the start of the famous shopping district of Oxford Street. With 143 beautiful guest rooms, 2 restaurants, a bar, a full service spa and a pool there are a lot of reasons this is one of the best hotels in London.
Popular areas of London include Shoreditch for nightlife, Soho and Leicester Square are buzzing with Nightlife and very central, Covent Garden is quirky and Paddington makes easy access to central London by tube and Heathrow via train.
London is expensive and you will be looking anywhere between £150 to £300 for a room depending on the hotel, area, and time of year.
You can easily spend a week in London and not see everything, London is an extremely big city packed with history and culture. A long weekend can be as action packed as you want it.Â
The most exclusive areas in London including Park Lane, Knightsbridge and Chelsea.Â
There are numerous famous hotels in London such as the Savoy, the Ritz and the Dorchester.
The average price of a reasonable meal per person is between £11 and £30, London is expensive. If you go for the posher stuff it can be significantly more than this.Â
London isn’t famous for any particular food, however it is renowned for its multi-cultural and fabulous world restaurant scene. You will find literally everything you can think of in London when it comes to food from around the world.