London

There are so many unique and historic areas in London. These seven are just a few of them:

Brixton has been a favorite South London going-out spot for years. Brixton Market and Brixton Village, two labyrinth-like indoor markets, are crammed with boutique shops, cafes, bars and restaurants such as Pop Brixton, which dishes up sizzling street food, craft beer and cocktails in repurposed industrial containers. Nearby Brockwell Park is a pretty place for some relaxation on a balmy afternoon.

Earls Court

There are some impressive examples of early- to mid-Victorian architecture in the Earls Court ward. Gardens are beautiful traditional residential squares with many imposing properties fronting onto them and in the case of Courtfield Gardens, traditional cast-iron railings around the enclosed gardens have just been restored (the originals were removed in 1940 for scrap iron during World War II), creating a more authentic Victorian ambiance. A little further north, visitors will find terraced townhouses painted in pastel shades in a very picturesque setting with some fine floral displays. Earls Court is within easy walking distance of High Street Kensington; Holland Park, Kensington; Gardens/Hyde Park; the Royal Albert Hall; and the Natural History, Science, and Victoria and Albert museums.

Hampstead

If there’s one London neighborhood that should be on visitors’ lists, it’s this one. The village streets, pretty shops, and sprawling heath of Hampstead make it one of the most beautiful places in the city. Tucked-away pubs like the Holly Bush and the hidden gardens at Fenton House and Hampstead entice travelers to go back, again and again, always to discover something new.

Notting Hill

Notting Hill still has plenty of bohemian charm that made it hip in the first place. Portobello Market is one of the main draws for eclectic antique collectors, but Westbourne Grove, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park Road are worth exploring too. Every August, the Notting Hill Carnival celebrates the area’s sizable Afro-Caribbean population with a long weekend of festivities.

Shoreditch

Shoreditch is London's capital of cool. Once the setting for Jack the Ripper's infamous murders, today, this is a hip, urban area with trendy restaurants and tons of street art. It can also claim one of the best locations in London thanks to its proximity to just about everything. Shoreditch is a good choice for foodies and craft beer aficionados. Bars, pubs, restaurants, and cafes line the streets. The area has the reputation of providing any food at any time, from food carts to Michelin-starred restaurants. Shoppers will find boutiques selling vintage clothing, home goods stores showcasing top design talent, and local artisans creating unique and individualized wares.

Soho

Soho has always been the West End’s vibrant nightlife hub. As well as lively nightclubs, visitors will find sophisticated little bars such as Bar Termini in Old Compton Street, great restaurants, and dozens of unique boutiques to browse in. At Berwick Street market (one of London’s oldest which has been running since the 18th century), shoppers can pick up everything from sticky Danish pastries to Mexican burritos or Egyptian pita sandwiches.

St. James

St. James’s is an exclusive area near Buckingham Palace, with many fine-dining restaurants, The Theatre Royal Haymarket and Her Majesty’s Theatre stage West End plays. Art dealers surround Christie’s auction house, while the Royal Academy of Arts draws crowds to Piccadilly. Upscale shops include Fortnum & Mason, with its posh food hall, and Jermyn Street’s tailors. St. James’s Park is popular for picnics. St. James is the ideal spot for a luxury traveler to set down vacation roots, and Penthouse William is one of the most spectacular luxury vacation rentals in London. It has the most incredible views of many famous London landmarks. With accommodations for up to 10 guests, this penthouse has many luxury amenities such as a gym and spa, library, and a terrace rooftop for sunning and enjoying the incredible view.

London hasn’t always been known for its cuisine, but that has been rapidly changing with some truly fine dining establishments. Luxury travels might wish to try these five:

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester

One of just three London restaurants with three Michelin stars, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester has long been regarded as London’s ultimate fine-dining destination. The restaurant offers contemporary French cuisine in modern and elegant décor along with professional, friendly service. The seasonal menu changes frequently, but diners can expect a mix of British ingredients and French techniques. The restaurant also houses the most famous dining table in London, Table Lumière. It is surrounded by 4,500 shimmering optical fibers, which drop dramatically from the ceiling, cleverly allowing guests to enjoy the ambiance and buzz of the restaurant while being nearly screened from view.

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal was one of the city’s most anticipated openings. It is now widely considered to be one of the best restaurants in the country. Paying homage to historical British cooking, the menu reclaims traditional dishes dating back to the 16th century, reinventing them for the modern day. The menu lists dishes with the year they were first cooked. Fans of Blumenthal’s molecular gastronomy will enjoy the signature ‘Meat Fruit’ while the crowd-pleasing triple-cooked chips retain a place on the menu almost three decades after he first pioneered the dish.

Helene Daroze at the Connaught

This two-Michelin-starred restaurant showcases the talents of renowned French chef Hélène Darroze. The restaurant closed for two months to undergo a total facelift. Not only were the interiors modernized, but the menu as well. It reopened with a new a la carte offering that put a greater emphasis on British producers but still retaining odes to Darroze’s classic French training. The British-themed offerings include caviar with langoustine, oyster and runner beans, and Denbighshire pigeon with beetroot, wild blueberry and Mexican molé.

Hide

Hide is London’s epitome of fine dining. It has become one of the best restaurants in the city, and its reputation was sealed after receiving its first Michelin star only six months after opening. The restaurant is an innovative concept and is split into three distinct areas: Above, Ground and Below, and a selection of stunning private dining rooms. Hide Above’s menu changes often, but the signature dish is the nest egg, an eggshell filled with egg yolk, smoked butter, toasted mushrooms and cream.

The Lecture Room & Library at Sketch

The Lecture Room & Library at Sketch is chic, glamorous and trendy. It was elevated to the maximum three Michelin stars, putting it in an elite group alongside two others in the city. The eatery offers haute-cuisine in a plush setting of studded ivory leather walls, ornate plasterwork ceilings, and rich furnishings in purple and crimson. Diners can choose between a seven-course tasting menu or a full a la carte menu. There is also a vast wine list containing some impressively expensive vintages.

There is no other word than spectacular to use for London’s arts scene. These five venues have something for everyone:

Natural History Museum

This museum is a major attraction in London, with more than five million visitors annually. The museum is the guardian of more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years. The dinosaur exhibit is one of the most popular. Walk beneath the largest animal on earth and explore dozens of other exhibits representing 4.5 billion years of natural history. One could spend an entire day at this marvelous place and only see a fraction of what is offered. For travelers who love history and the natural world, this museum is a must-include on the itinerary.

The Royal Academy of Arts

Run by the Royal Academicians, artists and architects elected by their peers in recognition of their exceptional work, The Royal Academy of Arts is home to Britain’s longest established art school, the RA School. As an academy, the RAA has a broader role, to promote not just the appreciation and understanding of art, but also its practice. Every year since 1768, the RAA has held an annual Summer Exhibition, the largest open-submission art exhibition in the world. The academy’s art collection and architecture is presented in free displays throughout its home on Piccadilly. The RAA also puts on world-class exhibitions of art from around the world, welcoming hundreds of thousands of people to its galleries each year.

Somerset House

This working arts center was built on historic foundations around one of the most stunning courtyards in Europe. Somerset House is home to the United Kingdom’s largest creative community, which is overflowing with new ideas, fresh perspectives, and young businesses. The venue has about three million visitors annually who share the idea of creative enterprise and artistic practice. Take in the beautiful surroundings; sit and relax in one of the five cafes and restaurants. Nowhere else will guests find a major movie star introducing a world film premiere one moment and experimental dance music filling a cellar the next.

The Tate Modern

Contemporary art aficionados can see more than 100 years of art, from the birth of modernism in the early 1900s, to the most prolific works of today, at the Tate Modern. This is a permanent exhibit at the museum with a route that includes paintings, sculptures, installations and video works from worldwide artists. Artists include notables like Henri Matisse, Dia al-Azzawi and the Guerrilla Girls. There are also guest programs such as The Making of Rodin. Tate Modern houses the United Kingdom's national collection of international modern and contemporary art and forms part of the Tate group together with Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives.

The Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum, known affectionately by Londoners as the V&A, is the world’s leading museum of art and design with a permanent collection of more than two million objects spanning over 5,000 years. Much of the United Kingdom’s collection is housed here, including some of the foremost resources for the study of architecture, fashion, furniture, textiles, photography, painting, sculpture, jewelry, and more. The building’s foundation stone was actually laid by Queen Victoria in 1899.

London nights are endless and able to satisfy even the most discerning tastes. Here are five of the best places to spend an evening:

The American Bar at The Savoy

Whether a twist on a classic gin and tonic, one of its own legendary signature cocktails or an inventive challenge for the expert mixologists, the American Bar serves its drinks in style. Bartenders mix picture-perfect cocktails while guests listen to live music every evening, from classical piano to sultry jazz. This long-running bar has won many awards, including the recognition of the best bar in the world at the World's 50 Best Bars Awards in 2017.

Dolce Kensington

Dolce Kensington only opened in October 2019 but has quickly become one of the best exclusive clubs in London. The venue has been intricately designed by the highest level of interior designers giving this VIP club its incredibly luxurious feel. As guests walk down the staircase adorned by delicate lighting effects and glass panels, they enter the venue itself which is on two levels. The main level hosts the large dance floor surrounded by tables, while the higher level seats the larger VIP tables.

May Fair Bar

Watch on as tailored bartenders conjure dramatic signature cocktails. Innovative herbs and homemade ingredients will stimulate lively infusions from the opulent bar or sip champagne by the flute to feel classic elegance. May Fair Bar's cocktail list is filled with classics and surprises. Aperitifs like The May Fair Negroni and Stratton Street G&T sit proudly next to the unexpected flavors of Fire and Gold, My Sour Lady and the exotic tastes of Koshaku, a loving marriage between Japanese whisky and plum wine.

Punch Room London

Get comfy in the luxurious Punch Room bar and soak up the Edwardian ambiance. Located in the London Edition hotel, this wood-paneled lounge offers more than 30 punches which guests can enjoy listening to vintage soul, blues, ragtime and doo-wop. The décor is inspired by lavish 19th-century clubs.

Raffles Chelsea

Raffles Chelsea is the epitome of exclusive and VIP London clubbing. Extremely restrictive, Raffles is for the fortunate and the privileged. Founded in 1967, it is one of the oldest London member clubs on the scene and has enjoyed success for almost half a century. Those looking to enjoy a night in the only club that The Queen has attended, then Raffles is where to go, and The Queen is not the only Royal who has attended the club.

In a city that heralds its history, arts, sports and culture, London has many events which countless visitors attend each year. These six are particularly appealing:

London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week puts fashion in the spotlight during February and September and celebrates it with Londoners, fashion lovers, buyers, and media. Organized by the British Fashion Council, together with sponsors such as Mercedes-Benz, London Fashion Week presents collections from more than 250 designers to an international audience through hosting catwalk shows, designer showrooms and static presentations. In addition, there are many different VIP packages available, including prime seats to a top-flight catwalk show, behind-the-scenes access, an exclusive look at fashion week’s spring/summer or autumn/winter collections, and an incredible dining experience.

London New Year’s Day Parade

The London New Year’s Day Parade, more fondly known by Londoners as LNYDP, is a much-awaited event. Running alongside the parade is the LNYDP concert series and the Grand Finale of the London International Choral Festival performed in internationally-acclaimed music venues across the nation’s capital. A far cry from the inaugural parade in 1987 with 2,000 performers, recent parades have had more than 10,000 participants from the United States, UK, Europe, and beyond to delight a street audience of more than 500,000 and a TV audience, which reached more than 450 million on Jan.1, 2020.

Lord Mayor’s Show

The Lord Mayor’s Show has survived more than 800 years of turbulent London history, including plagues, fires, bombs and floods. The day is rooted in history and includes a mayor’s procession. The State Coach used is more than 250 years old, and the pikemen who guard it are almost as old as the show. Visitors will see businesses, livery companies, charities, Her Majesty’s Forces, the City Police, and Londoners from all walks of life come together to enjoy a splendid celebration of the city’s ancient power and prosperity, just as they did in the middle ages.

The BBC Proms

The BBC Proms encompass eight weeks of classical concerts over the summer, from the traditional to the contemporary. There is nothing like getting the real Proms experience in person at the Royal Albert Hall or one of the other Proms venues to soak up the atmosphere. A little tradition that’s been going for years is the chants heard at certain points during the concert’s last night. When stagehands bring the piano onto the stage, the arena prommers shout "heave," and the audience shouts "ho." It’s all part of the experience

Wimbledon Tennis

Wimbledon Championships, held in late June and early July, is one of the four annual “Grand Slam” tennis events along with the Australian, French, and U.S. Opens and is the only one still played on natural grass. Snagging a VIP package is the way to watch the action. VIPs and their guests will experience a day of world-class tennis in ultimate luxury. They will get prime viewing seats on center court; award-winning cuisine, world-class service, and complimentary fine wines; suites in impeccable surroundings; and private dining tables allowing for uninterrupted entertaining.

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is the spectacular Christmas destination in London! Located in the heart of London in Hyde Park, visitors can immerse themselves in all things festive for six weeks from November to January. The festivities offer an array of attractions, activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages. Thousands of sparkling lights transform the park at night, so enjoy a hot chocolate, mulled wine or Bavarian beer, and join in the festive fun. With more than 100 spectacular rides and attractions, thrilling shows, London’s biggest Christmas Market, Santa Land, restaurants, cafes and themed bars, this Christmas extravaganza will keep visitors topped up with festive cheer!

There is no chance of boredom in a city as alive as London. With so many activities from which to choose, vacationers can be assured to take away many memories. Consider doing one or all of these four:

The London Eye

The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames. It is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions giving riders a bird’s eye view of the city. Each capsule has a capacity of 25 passengers, and the wheel moves so slowly (two revolutions per hour) that it doesn’t need to stop for boarding or disembarkation of passengers, except for those with disabilities. The Eye is Europe's tallest cantilevered observation wheel and is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, with more than three million visitors annually.

Shopping in Soho, Bond Street, or Oxford Street

For serious fashionistas, Bond Street is the place to be seen in and to shop. The area boasts one of the biggest and best concentrations of designer shops in the world, including Prada, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Nicole Fahri, Armani, Versace, among others. Soho boasts some of the most popular shopping streets in London, and no visit would be complete without an afternoon of shopping in the area. Oxford Street is the granddaddy of all London shopping streets. At nearly one-and-a-half miles long, if shoppers can dream it, chances are they'll be able to buy it on Oxford Street.

Take in a Show in London’s West End

No trip to London’s West End is complete without seeing a theatre show. London has some of the best plays and musicals in the world. Theatre lovers will be familiar with some long-standing theatres in the area, such as the London Palladium, Apollo Theatre, Gielgud Theatre, Palace Theatre and the Lyric Theatre. There’s so much to see in London’s West End. There’s something for everyone from world-class plays to musicals, comedies, dance shows, and operas.

Visit the Museums

London is replete with museums and galleries. Vacationers who enjoy art, history, culture, architecture, and the like might wish to take a couple of days to visit. These are some of the best museums, not only in London, but in the world: The British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Science Museum, Royal Museums Greenwich, the Imperial War Museum, the Museum of London, the London Transport Museum, the Design Museum, and the Bank of England Museum.