WHERE TO STAY IN LONDON

Where to stay in London

London is an enormous city full of amazing things to do. Maximise your trip by getting the low down on where to stay in London.

The Best Areas To Stay in London

London’s sights are as diverse and spread out as the city itself, so it’s hard to choose a ‘best’ area in this cosmopolitan city. Some neighbourhoods are more central than others, though, as most visitors enjoy walking or using public transport to explore.

The West End (Covent Garden, Soho, Leicester Square, Oxford Street, Mayfair) is considered very central to sights, theatre, restaurants and nightlife. There are a number of hotels in this area, particularly at the upmarket end. Families also love this area, because it offers so much variety. Also centrally located are Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia – they are within walking distance of the West End, shopping and the iconic British Museum. They offer a wide selection of accommodation. North of Fitzrovia you’ll find King’s Cross, a great transport hub to sights, airports and the Eurostar, with cheaper accommodation than the other neighbourhoods mentioned. Victoria Is situated right on the edge of the West End; it’s great for transport to Gatwick and features numerous hotels in every category.

Kensington is situated southwest of the West End. It offers great transport facilities, as it’s on the Piccadilly line, so you can reach central London and Heathrow Airport with ease. It’s also home to numerous attractions and gorgeous luxury hotels.

Across the Thames you’ll find South Bank and Bank Side, home to lots of popular sightseeing attractions, a smattering of boutique hotels and some chain hotels. In  City of London there are some good attractions as well as budget hotels. In the upmarket hotels here one can often get weekend bargain rates. Also located in this area are Camden and the East End – both offer budget accommodation. 

What you need to know about areas of London

Best Neighbourhood in London for Sightseeing: South Bank and Bankside

South Bank and Bankside are perfect for major sights such as the London Eye, Tate Modern and the Shard. The City of London boasts a number of great sights, but they don’t have a lot of hotels. South Kensington has some excellent museums and shops, but the hotels in this area are expensive. Covent Garden and Soho are excellent for accommodation and sightseeing. 

Best Neighbourhood in London for Nightlife: Soho

Soho offers excellent nightlife options, with hip cocktail bars, great pubs, theatres and clubs, including some good gay venues. It offers few hotels and they are located away from the bustle. Other areas in London that are great for nightlife include Camden which boasts numerous live music venues, and the East End, home to some legendary clubs.

Best Neighbourhood in London for Food and Restaurants: Covent Garden

Covent Garden is notorious for its good restaurants, from Indian and Mexican to Brazilian, as well as fine dining and plenty of traditional pubs. It’s also just a 5-minute walk to Chinatown and Soho, with their stunning selection of eateries. Around Hyde Park you’ll find some hotels offering some superb Michelin-starred dining. For street food, head for Camden, the East End and King’s Cross.

Best Neighbourhood in London for Families: South Kensington and Marylebone

South Kensington is ideal for families: it’s relatively quiet and home to 2 great museums. Hyde Park, to the north, is full of playgrounds and family-friendly activities.  Another good choice is Marylebone as it’s close to Hyde Park, London Zoo in Regent’s Park and Madame Tussauds, all popular attractions.

Best Neighbourhood in London to Stay for a First Timer: Covent Garden

Covent Garden is centrally located with a wide choice of restaurants and entertainment. It’s also within walking distance of many of London’s famous sights, including the National Gallery, Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. You’ll find lots of transport connections to other parts of the city, including boat rides on the Thames. And there are plenty of hotels in this area. 

Most Romantic Neighbourhood in London: Mayfair, Marylebone or South Kensington

Mayfair is charming and discreet, home to legendary hotels like the Ritz and the Connaught plus some superb restaurants. In South Kensington, there are some stunning luxury hotels on the edge of Hyde Park, and hip Marylebone is home to some superb boutique hotels and less formal eateries.

Best Neighbourhood in London for a Local Vibe: Camden

This working-class neighbourhood is a real local hangout. The pubs here will give you an authentic taste of London, there’s plenty of alternative rock being played live in the clubs and the district still has a strong immigrant feel. 

Best Neighbourhood in London for Walking: Covent Garden/Leicester Square/Soho

This popular area is great for walking and exploring, with its little streets lined with shops, restaurants and bars, pedestrianised areas and central location close to the West End. It’s full of fabulous attractions and leafy parks… sheer bliss.

Safest Areas of London

London’s safest neighbourhoods are usually the most affluent ones. Belgravia, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Mayfair and South Kensington are all relatively safe. Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia are also very safe, but be cautious at night. Covent Garden is generally fine, although be careful late on weekend evenings.

Unsafe Areas of London

Parts of the East End, such as Hackney and Shoreditch, can be a little scary at night but are still pretty safe. King’s Cross may have been rejuvenated, but be careful in the area around the train station, especially  late at night. Camden is OK during the day but has an edge at night. Soho and Leicester Square can also get rough around the edges late at night and it’s best to be cautious in Hyde Park after dark.

Top spots for tourists to hit

1. Covent Garden

Charming and one of London’s main entertainment areas, Covent Garden with its iconic 19th century market is quirky, eclectic and artistic. It’s full of restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs and there are numerous popular attractions in the vicinity.

2. Kensington, Belgravia, & Chelsea

With leafy Hyde Park to the north and Green Park to the east, these 3 opulent areas offer excellent museums and art galleries and 2 of London’s most upmarket department stores (Harvey Nichols and Harrods). Kensington Palace, close by, offers Royal attractions and Belgravia is designer fashion heaven. They also offer many of the city’s finest restaurants.

3. Westminster & St James

Very upmarket areas with restaurants and hotels to match. The area is home to numerous London sights, excellent art galleries and Royal residences. And let’s not forget Westminster Abbey…

4. Soho & Leicester Square

Lively, upmarket, and central, these 2 neighbourhoods are home to several major sights and a haven for designer fashion and music. Soho is close to vibrant Chinatown and touristy Leicester Square, which is renowned for its movie premieres and entertainment options.

5. Camden Town & Primrose Hill

As basic as it gets, Camden Town is home to the sprawling Camden Market – 4 adjoining markets that sell every possible item imaginable, from vintage clothing to art and street food. The area is also the birthplace of British rock music and boasts a youthful atmosphere with lots of noisy pubs and live music venues. In complete contrast there’s nearby Primrose Hill with its coffee shops, gastropubs and chic stores, a great place to stalk celebrities.

6. The City

Home to London’s ultra-modern skyscrapers that dot the skyline and the city’s financial heart, the City boasts more famous sights than any other area in London. Here you’ll find everything from Roman ruins to the Tower of London, with plenty of surprises in store, including excellent museums and restaurants. Bustling during the week, the City is silent on weekends.

7. Oxford Street, Marylebone, & Mayfair

These 2 neighbourhoods are both shopping heaven, with Oxford Street between them. Marylebone and Mayfair each have their own distinct personalities: Marylebone is fashionable with lots of designer stores and upmarket restaurants, as well as famous Madame Tussauds. Mayfair is discreet and classy, full of deluxe hotels and superb menswear outlets along famous Saville Row.

8. East End/Spitalfields

This area used to be seedy, but it’s lost some of that bad rep and become a lively and diverse area with some superb restaurants, markets, shops and a bustling nightlife.

9. The South Bank, Bankside, & Greenwich

The boats that sail along the Thames offer easy access to some of London’s attractions that are not so central, such as Greenwich and a selection of UNESCO-listed museums. There are some great dining options here, too, including fine food and down-to-earth street delights. 

10. Bloomsbury, Kings Cross, & Fitzrovia

Head north of Oxford Street to Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia. You’ll find the British Museum in Bloomsbury as well as some excellent cafes and restaurants. In nearby trendy Fitzrovia there aren’t many sights to see, but the lively bars and pubs there are well worth visiting. Kings Cross in the north has been regenerated; it’s home to the British Library as well as some great street food.