London, England
In 2015, we sold all our belongings, left our childhood home of New England, and hopped across the pond for our next chapter in life. We spent almost five years living abroad in London—the first year and a half in the busy neighborhood of Angel and the remaining time in the quaint Primrose Hill. The city was easy to fall in love with from both locations and it was tough to leave.
London Recommendations
This list is a compilation of things we enjoyed during our years in London. It mixes together known tourist attractions—most well worth their hype—with lesser-known gems in the city.
Logistics & General TIps
Oyster Card: A travel card that is used to get around on the tube and buses. You can buy them in advance online and they will get shipped to you before you leave for your trip OR hold off to buy them at any station. Chances are it will be more economically advantageous to pay as you go as opposed to purchasing a pass, especially if you plan on staying in and around Central London. Alternatively, you can also use any contactless debit or credit cards to ride on any of London’s public transit.
General Food & Drink: London (and England) is known for its fish & chips, Sunday roast, and Indian food (curry is actually a national dish). London is one of the foodiest cities in Europe (with over 10,000 restaurants) and offers cuisines from around the world. Also, of course, take advantage of the pubs for drinks.
Recommended Restaurants: The best place to find good spots is to use google and check their rating there. I'll call out a few more below in specific areas but here are some more that we like: Dishoom, No. 11 Pimlico Road, The Riding House Cafe, Dean Street Townhouse, J+A Cafe, and Opso.
Afternoon Tea: One of the most relaxing ways to experience some British culture is enjoying some afternoon tea. This usually consists of tea, sandwiches, scones, and some sweets. Our favorite spots to go are Sketch in Mayfair (more about this later) and Number Sixteen in Kensington.
Mews: Scattered throughout London are streets called mews. They are typically cobblestoned and lined with old carriage houses that people converted into modern homes—so really pretty. The best ones are around West London.
Theatre: We highly recommend seeing a show while you are here. When we visited here before moving, it was one of our favorite things we did. You can see what’s on here.
The London Pass: There is a card online that you can purchase if you find yourself wanting to go to enough of the tourist attractions or museums. Take a look through their offered list to check out. Note that most of London’s museums are free though.
Sandeman’s Free Walking Tour: A great way to see London by foot and pick up bits of history along the way is going on a three-hour walking tour that covers some of the city’s key highlights. They also offer more niche tours that cover topics such as London street art.
NORTH LONDON
Angel, Islington
Camden Passage: A busy local neighborhood that isn't really on the tourist map but there's one street we love, Camden Passage. It's pedestrian-only and has so many cute shops and eateries (Kipferl). On the weekends, there is also a great vintage market.
Angel Canals: As you will read throughout this list, there are many spots to hop on London’s canals for a stroll. Angel has a great short path you can walk that makes you feel somewhat removed from the city. There is also one of the canal locks that you can catch the houseboats using.
King’s Cross
Granary Square & Coal Drops Yard: While Kings Cross is mostly known for being a transportation hub, Granary Square in addition to its newly renovated Coal Drops Yard has more people coming to the area. Here you can enjoy plenty of hip boutiques and coffee shops. You can also find many restaurants in the old warehouses and food stalls on certain days.
Camden Town
Camden Lock Market: A large street food market where you can literally get any type of food you want. It's all so absolutely delicious.
Camden Market: Beyond the Lock Market is a full market where you can get lost exploring. There are a ton of vintage shops but also artists, new goods, and more.
Camden High Street: We wouldn't recommend spending too much time here since it is overcrowded and the shops have become quite touristy but the interesting part is the large sculptures on the outsides of the buildings. Camden is a very quirky part of town and you will see that here.
Primrose Hill
Regents Park / Primrose Hill: Primrose Hill is connected to Regents Park which is much larger (and has a zoo). We recommend taking a stroll through both and at the top of the Hill is a perfect view of the skyline.
Regent’s Park Rd (Primrose Hill High Street): Primrose Hill’s high street is a cute low-key street with lots of independent shops—our favorite, Primrose Hill Books—and places to eat—Manna, Greenberry, Lemonia, and Ripe Kitchen.
Chalcot Square & Side Streets: Primrose Hill is a small, quiet neighborhood with colorful homes. It's fun to get lost to find places like Chalcot Square. If you are a fan of Paddington Bear, the movies were filmed here and his home was on Chalcot Crescent. On Gloucester Ave there is the cute Primrose Bakery. Grab some cupcakes there and some coffee or hot chocolate too! There’s also coffee and light bites to be found at Melrose & Morgan.
Regent’s Canal: On Gloucester Ave you can hop on another one of London’s canals. This one will take you either to Camden Town toward the Lock Market and King’s Cross (all mentioned above) or on a more picturesque route through Regent’s park and onward all the way to Little Venice.
Hampstead
Hampstead Heath: A huge natural park with ponds. In it is one of the highest points in London where you can see the skyline.
Hampstead High Street & Flask Walk & General: Hampstead is one of the most village-like areas in London. It's the best place to get lost and wander. The high street has many cute shops and places to eat. Flask Walk is a cute pedestrian street to go down to start your wander. We also recommend The Holly Bush for a bite to eat or drink (also, a favorite spot for Sunday Roast).
THE WEST END
Bloomsbury
British Museum: The name is a bit misleading. From Wikipedia: “The British Museum is dedicated to human history, art and culture[...]. Its permanent collection [...] is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence and originates from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present.” The 5th most visited museum in the world. We’ve spent a little bit of time in here and it’s worth it if you like random history or want to see the Rosetta Stone. As with most London museums, it's in a beautifully designed building. Give yourself at least 2 hours.
Mayfair
Wander around. Mayfair is one of London’s most affluent and stereotypical neighborhoods. Use Old & New Bond Street as a spine, but be sure to wander off and see some of the smaller streets lined with old Victorian homes and boutique shops.
Sketch: Quirky restaurant and tea room. Each room has a fun theme that changes every few years. Be sure to visit the bathrooms for an interesting experience. We would recommend afternoon tea here since that's what most people go for. Definitely book ahead!
Marylebone
Marylebone High Street: High streets in London are the main streets in each neighborhood. Marylebone has one of our favorites. Check out Daunt Books (go upstairs), Pierre Marcolini (macarons), The Conran Shop, and La Fromagerie. As well as the nearby shop, Another Country.
The Wallace Collection: A smaller museum that is an art collection created by Richard Seymour-Conway (mainly 18th-century French paintings and furniture). It is in the Hertford House so wandering through to see the interior design and architecture is also what makes this place interesting.
St Christophers Place: Quirky pedestrian shopping area. A little off the beaten path from London's crazy Regents and Oxford Streets that are way overcrowded.
Soho
Restaurants: This might be the best food scene in London. There are lots to choose from but it does get pretty busy so we recommend making reservations ahead of time if you can.
Carnaby Street: Pedestrian shopping. Used to be a very hippie area but it's pretty mainstream now. It's a good place to walk around and grab a bite to eat. Visit Liberty London while there.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden: Pedestrian shopping area (if you’re familiar with Faneuil Hall in Boston, it has a similar feel). There are markets that take place here from time to time and street performers are always around.
Somerset House: This is one of our favorite places in London. There is a nice courtyard to sit in. They have outdoor events (concerts, open-air movies, ice skating) to keep an eye out for but you can also go inside for exhibits or eat at one of the restaurants to enjoy the old building.
Seven Dials: Shopping area with standard retail stores mixed in with some smaller hip local shops. The center of it is where seven streets come together at a roundabout—hence the name. Our favorite spot to visit here is Neal’s Yard. It's a funky colorful hippie place. There are natural remedies shops, healthy eats, and our favorite pizza place—Homeslice. Also, check out The Seven Dials Market.
Other West End notables...
Trafalgar Square: Public square set in the “point zero” center of the city named for the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars
The National Gallery: Art museum on Trafalgar Square
Piccadilly Circus: Busy intersection considered London’s Times Square
Leicester Square: Pedestrianised square
Chinatown
Hamleys: The oldest and largest toy shop in the world
WESTMINSTER
Buckingham Palace & St. James Park: See the changing of the guards. It gets crowded so if you want a good view you have to get there ahead of time to claim your spot. We recommend just standing along The Mall and seeing them march up from there, though. The palace is open from time to time to get in but check online ahead of time to see and book. Also, be sure to spend some time walking through the nearby St. James Park. There are good views of the London eye and it's a pretty/romantic park.
Westminster Abbey: Really beautiful and worth a wander through to get a piece of history. You can also opt-out of going inside and still enjoy the grand exterior.
Parliament / Big Ben: Right near Westminster Abbey along the river. One of the spots in London that you really feel you are here since it is so iconic. Head to the other side of the river and down on the river bank for the best view. From here we recommend walking the South Bank, especially in the evening.
Tate Britain: British art from 1500 on. Beautiful building as well. From here you can catch a ride on the riverboat to their sister gallery, Tate Modern.
Other Westminster notables...
10 Downing Street: The UK’s White House
Horse Guards Parade: Large, attractive parade ground off Whitehall
Churchill War Rooms: Museum comprised of the Cabinet War Rooms, a historic underground complex that housed a British government command centre throughout the Second World War, and the Churchill Museum, a biographical museum exploring the life of Winston Churchill
St. James’s Palace: One of the royal residences
Belgrave Square: One of the city’s grandest 19th-century squares (and one of the most prestigious addresses in all of London)
WEST LONDON
Hyde Park
Hyde Park: In the center of West London is its largest park. If you head here we recommend making your way to the Serpentine and walking along there. Visit Kensington Palace and the small Serpentine Gallery while here.
Little Venice
Canals: London has a system of canals and Little Venice is where they all cross. There are lots of houseboats, and restaurants on the water, and sometimes London’s famous boat bookshop, Word On The Water, is there, and it’s a quieter more residential part of the city. For a meal on the canal, check out The Summerhouse.
Clifton Nurseries: A pretty garden escape with a hidden place to have breakfast or lunch.
Notting Hill
Portobello Road Market: Runs every day but the fullest days to go are Friday and Saturday. The best part of the market is browsing through old antiques but there is also plenty of good food stalls too.
Hillgate Place: A quick stop and close to the tube. It's comprised of a few small streets with super colorful houses. Very pretty to look at and stroll through. Sometimes you'll get some vintage cars parked in there too or will stumble upon a fashion shoot.
South Kensington
Victoria & Albert Museum: One of the leading museums for art & design. It has a cute courtyard and is known for its cafe as well. While it always has interesting works on display, the building itself is also really cool...and it's free!
Natural History Museum: Also a great building and free to get in. Not too far from the V&A and another one of London's top museums. In the winter, there is an ice rink outside for skating.
Chelsea
Saatchi Gallery: A controversial contemporary art gallery that often hosts unknown artists’ work. Free entry.
Chelsea Physic Garden: Botanical garden focused on apothecaries. Check hours on their website before going as these change frequently for events.
Chelsea Embankment Gardens: The perfect place for a stroll along the river.
Richmond
A bit further out from the city but easily accessible by train. The area sits right on the river and is known to be a bit more down-to-earth and hippie-like. Grab a bite to eat at Petersham Nurseries serving seasonal local dishes or the quaint vegetarian-friendly Hollyhock Cafe then take a stroll through the expansive Richmond Park.
Kew Gardens: The Royal Botanical Gardens. Take a stroll through the expensive paths or wander into the beautiful old greenhouses.
Eel Pie Island: At certain times of the year, this artist community hosts open studios.
Other West London notables...
Harrods: Typically British luxury department store
Royal Albert Hall: Legendary concert hall
SOUTH LONDON
South Bank & Southwark
London Eye: The large famous Ferris wheel is right across the river from Big Ben. It's pricey to ride but it does offer some amazing views of the city if you are interested. It’s slow-moving, has seats, and is enclosed.
Tate Modern: As mentioned above—this is one of our favorite London museums. It houses a collection of contemporary art so new exhibits are always opening. Free to get in and huge but if you are interested, we recommend choosing a few floors to wander around or a particular exhibit to harrow in on unless you have a lot of time to spare. Be sure to head up to the viewing terrace to catch the beautiful views of London and the Thames.
Borough Market: London's oldest and largest food market. There are tons to grab here and we highly recommend it. It's all covered so it's even good on a typical rainy London day!
The Shard: Tallest building in London. You can take the elevator to the top for some great views!
Shakespeare’s Globe: Reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, an Elizabethan playhouse associated with William Shakespeare. You can tour it or even watch a play.
Shad Thames
Shad Thames (Street): Old warehouse street that has been converted into shops and restaurants. It's just by the river so you can hop over one street and wander along there as well.
Bermondsey
Maltby Street / Ropewalk: If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path, low-key food market this is it. One time we went, we ended up in the back of some weird storage unit and found a salt beef place.
LASSCO Ropewalk: Nestled into Ropewalk is this hip restaurant, bar, and shop. You can either sit down and enjoy the surroundings or walk around to browse through the rotating collection of items to buy. There’s everything from vintage chairs to handmade sweaters.
White Cube: A (free) top contemporary art museum with rotating shows. While there are two locations in London, the Bermondsey one is the larger and more well-known of the two. There’s always something interesting to check out.
Greenwich
Greenwich Park: One of London’s larger green spaces set on the Greenwich Maritime World Heritage Site. You can find the Prime Meridian Line, the Royal Observatory, and beautiful views of London. There is also a spot to see the deer that call the park home.
University of Greenwich: Great spot to wander around near the Thames and appreciate some old beautiful architecture. Go inside the Painted Hall and the Chapel in the Old Royal Naval College. Also nearby is the Queen’s House. And The National Maritime Museum.
Greenwich Market: A historic market also set on the Greenwich Maritime World Heritage Site. It houses a large selection of street foods and artists’ stands to wander through. Grab something and head over to the park to enjoy if the weather is nice.
Cutty Sark: A British clipper ship—one of the last and fastest tea clippers to be built. Now propped up on land for the public to get a closer look and learn about its history.
EAST LONDON
City of London
Tower of London: Historic castle on the river. Decently sized. Give yourself at least half a day here to walk along the walls and see the crown jewels. Keep an eye out for partially destroyed remains of London’s Roman wall.
Tower Bridge: Often mistakenly called London Bridge (which is a sadder-looking bridge). This is an iconic London landmark. You can pay to walk across the top of it but we recommend saving the money and just enjoying the view from the river bank on either side.
Sky Garden: At the top of one of London's skyscrapers is a garden you can take an elevator up to for views of the city. There is also a restaurant up there. It is free to do but you have to book in advance. The most popular times are sunrise and sunset for obvious reasons.
Museum of London: A museum documenting the history of London from prehistoric to modern times. Free entry.
St. Paul's Cathedral: A beautiful spot right on the river (by Tate Modern). You can go inside and you can also get out on top for some great views of the Cathedral and city.
Millennium Bridge: Connecting the north of the river right by St. Paul's Cathedral to the south at Tate Modern. Cool pedestrian bridge with pretty views.
Shoreditch
Boxpark: A hip collection of shipping containers with pop-up shops and eateries.
Brick Lane (Indian Food): One side of Brick Lane is full of Indian restaurants. They have people standing outside each to barter with you to come inside. They will say something like £20 for a drink and main course and you can chat with them to get the price down. Our favorite spot is the Brick Lane Brasserie.
Brick Lane (Markets): The other side of the street is full of markets that are mostly vintage but some are craft/artist. We go here sometimes when certain fairs are in town but it's a fun spot to go to and get lost in vintage clothing.
Spitalfields Market: Large covered market with food, vintage goods, and artists. Each day has different things so check the website to see what is on.
Columbia Road Flower Market: This is one of our favorite markets in London and it is only on Sundays. It can get really busy so the earlier in the day you can get there, the better. Otherwise, you are walking very slowly shoulder to shoulder with a crazy crowd. The perks about going later in the day, though, there are usually street performers (typically musicians). The streets are also lined with cute shops and places to grab a bite to eat. If you can’t make it on a Sunday, the area is still worth a visit.
Other East London notables...
Monument: Doric column commemorating the Great Fire of London (great views from up top)
Bank: The center of the financial world crowned by the beautiful Bank of England building
St. Katharine’s Docks: Marina and waterside community
