Neighborhoods To Wander: London

London is a place I hold dear in my heart. It’s where I went on my first business trip abroad long before I became a travel advisor. It was cold and drizzily in the way London is, but I jumped on a Big Red Bus and did some sightseeing anyway. I will never forget going over the Tower Bridge on that trip, visiting St. Paul’s and just sitting in pubs having a pint. I fell in love quickly!

I’ve now been to London multiple times but it never fails to surprise me. It is at once ancient and modern and the people warm and funny and, with neighborhoods that capture your imagination, endlessly entertaining.

Want to learn what neighborhoods to visit while visiting London? Read on.

Best Neighborhood in London for Sightseeing: South Bank and Bankside

When it comes to sightseeing, South Bank and Bankside are excellent for access to big attractions – London Eye, Tate Modern, the Shard – and the City of London also has its share of popular sights, but both have few places to stay. South Kensington is great for museums and shopping; hotels tend to be pricey. Covent Garden and Soho are good all-rounders due to their proximity to the river, Westminster, and other top sights, and ample accommodations are a boon.

Best Neighborhood in London for Nightlife: Soho

The best area in London for nightlife is in Soho. The neighborhood is a good mix of trendy cocktail bars (many of which also do great food, traditional English pubs, theatres, and basement clubs with DJ nights, including a number of gay venues. There are only a few hotels in Soho, slightly set back from the action. Other good areas for nightlife include Camden with its live music venues and East End, with its legendary clubs.

Best Neighborhood in London for Food and Restaurants: Covent Garden

Some of London’s best eating is done around Covent Garden. The dense cluster of streets is packed with restaurants ranging from inexpensive Indian, Mexican and Brazilian mini-chains to upscale fine dining and traditional pubs serving excellent local food. Covent Garden is a 5 min walk to Chinatown and also Soho, jam-packed with artisan coffee shops and global offerings. Hotels around Hyde Park offer London’s best Michelin-starred dining. Camden, the East End, and King’s Cross are great for street food.

Best Neighbourhood in London for Families: South Kensington and Marylebone

South Kensington is one of the best places to stay in London for families. The neighborhood is relatively quiet, and there are two stellar museums with plenty of interactive exhibits for all ages. Just to the north is Hyde Park, with its playgrounds and the family-friendly Winter Wonderland during the colder months. Marylebone is another good option, within easy reach of both Hyde Park, London Zoo in Regent’s Park and Madame Tussauds – popular with older children.

Best Neighborhood in London for a Local Vibe: Camden

It’s hard to get more ‘local’ than Camden. The graffiti-tagged, gritty streets still resist gentrification and, Camden Market and the tour narrowboats on Regent’s Canal aside, this is still a working-class neighborhood. Stop by Barfly, Underworld or another local pub and you might catch the next big thing in alternative rock. In the East End, Brick Lane is ‘Banglatown’; like other parts of east London, it retains a strong immigrant feel, with curry houses, Bangladeshi cafes and sari shops.

Ready to Get Started?

Ready to discover these London neighborhoods on your own? Contact me 703-969-4311 or email info@jbj-travel.com