The atmosphere is lovely. Just the right balance between style, poshness and friendliness. Wonderful location for London nightlife.
Did you know that LSE was founded in 1895 by Fabian Society members Sidney Webb, Beatrice Webb, and George Bernard Shaw. Shaw once said “Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance”
The church was founded in 1185 by the Knights Templar, and like all their churches is round in imitation of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. It now serves the Inns of Court.
Built by Sir Joseph Bazalgette in the 1860’s as part of his scheme to provide a modern sewage system, this riverside development was a reaction to the Great Stink of 1858, and traffic congestion.
With 21 acres, this is the largest single-run arts centre in the world. The Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery, and Queen Elizabeth Hall form the backdrop to the hustle and bustle of markets.
While the daily changing of the guards is a tourist magnet, this majestic palace is a London icon and home of the Queen. You know that she is in residence when the flag is flying above the palace!
Westminster Abbey was built by Edward the Confessor and completed just before his death in 1065. Since William the Conqueror all the kings & queens of England have been crowned here.
Big Ben refers to the 13 ton bell in the clock tower of Westminster Palace. Opinion is divided as to whether it was named after the then Commissioner of Works, or a famous prize-fighter of the time.
The Bankside Power Station was built as a ‘cathedral of power’ in 1963, but closed in 1981. It reopened as one of Europe’s finest modern art galleries in 2000. The Turbine Hall is 35m high.
Piccadilly is named after a type of broad lace collar fashionable in the early 17th century, the ‘piccadil’. The best examples were sold by a local tailor whose shop became known as Piccadilly Hall.
One of the gallery’s most famous pictures is the Chandos portrait, which is said to be of William Shakespeare by his friend Richard Burbage. But some dispute its provenance.
Head down the stairs, take a seat and lose track of time in the dark candle lit cellar. If cheese and wine is your thing then you’ll love Gordon’s. Read more.
A wonderful place for people watching on a sunny day or as a romantic meeting place at dusk, but look out for the pigeons. A visit to the National Gallery is also highly recommended.
Originally a deer park for Henry VIII, so he could hunt while staying at Whitehall Palace, the park was laid out in a formal style by Charles II, when Pepys came here to watch ice skating.
Never miss this place/market if u intend to visit London. Such a great mix of luxury brands, hand crafted shops, weird shops, and restaurants. There are also lots of entertaining street performers.
Best latte and flat white in Covent Garden. Queues are long but the coffee is worth the wait.
My favorite sports pub in London. People are very friendly and they have a nice TV setup. I always meet someone new when I visit this place.
Awesome independent sweet shop in the quieter and nicer part of Covent Garden. The also sell candy jars, perfect gift fodder.
Though not everyone is a fan of the recent redevelopment of Spitalfields (particularly those pushed out by the rising rents), the market has been afforded a new lease of life. Read more.
Erol Alkan "Still the greatest record store on the planet, Rough Trade East has unparalleled service or knowledge. I'd be lost without Sean, Chris or Nigel's recommendations".
Missed breakfast? Never fear, the Breakfast Club - as it's name suggests - won't let you down, because "it's always breakfast-time somewhere in the world" Read more.
With thousands of flowers crammed into one noisy Victorian terraced street, London's Columbia Road Flower Market is a taste of the Old East End. Read more.
"Tayyabs' long-marinated grilled lamb chops remain one of life's great savoury pleasures - a complex hit of sweet 'n' smoky, hot 'n' spicy flavour, edged with a crisp, blackened strip of fat..." Read more.
Dishoom’s a convivial brasserie that loosely styles itself after the ‘Irani’ cafés of Mumbai. What you won’t find in India is such an abundance of bacon and sausage: there’s even a sausage naan roll. Read more.
Hard to find but well worth it - an unspoilt old pub with lovely atmosphere, unusual guest beers, and bargain toasted sandwiches Read more.
There’s nothing more quintessentially British than a classic Liberty of London print. Scoop up the iconic shirts and accessories for friends back home.
Borough Market is an unmissable destination for food lovers, catering to top chefs in search of premium ingredients and grazing epicures hungry for freshly prepared mouthfuls of culinary excellence.
On London’s funkiest boutique street, neoclassicism and 1960’s futurism meet in this funky and stylish restaurant. A true out-of-this-world experience.
Reminiscent of a Twin Peaks cabin with moose heads, mirror balls, and retro wallpaper, this hidden basement bar is delightfully quirky. Read more.
Great little spot tucked away behind Great Eastern Street. Pre or post-game your dinner at Tramshed or Rivington Bar and Grill here. Cosy_booth_date_night_situation.gif
A late-closing cocktail bar that boasts live jazz and a gifted bunch of bartenders who have compiled a well-crafted list featuring liquid legacies from the cocktail's golden era. Read more.
Excellent starters. Fresh, creative and delicious British food. Really enjoyed it! Had salt cod, mussels, pheasant & Jerusalem artichoke. Excellent!
Great lunchtime deal - 2 courses £19 and 3 courses £24. Lovely hazelnut and apple frozen pannacotta and the white peach entree (vegetarian) was tasty and refreshing. Can make bookings, even on the day
On the face of it, let alone in a "budget eats" feature, £5.70 seems an awful lot to pay for a bacon butty. But the St John bacon butty is indisputably worth every one of those 570 pennies... Read more.
Great modern take on american food, Slow drink Service at vip bar, too many paparazzis in the front, celebs inside & lindsay lohan taking selfies in the bathroom. Worth the hype! Book in advance.
Since 2010 this gastropub has been selling takeaway ice creams as a sideline, which has proved popular wilth strollers from nearby Hampstead Heath. Read more.
Stunning Bar. Live singer in the piano. Great cocktails. Classy bar food. Ask Adam for one of his special cocktails.
Instinctive and buoyant, but tamed by the presence of age. There’s a contemporary edge, but it is polished with precision and poise... Read more.
Europe’s largest brick building was given classical flair by architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The station went off-line in 1983. In 2010 plans were approved for redevelopment into offices and homes.
The British Museum began from the collection of naturalist Sir Hans Sloane which he left to the nation on his death in 1753. Now it houses 7 million objects including more than 100 Egyptian mummies.
It might look like it was built in 1920s Uzbekistan (then turned inside out) but, believe it or not, the Barbican is about to celebrate its thirtieth birthday. Read more.
This glorious Victorian gothic castle, built of Portland stone in 1882, is also a publicly accessible court with 88 courtrooms, elaborately carved oak-panelled walls, marble galleries and bad wigs. Read more.
The first national lottery was held in 1569, and the result was announced at the west door of (the old) St.Paul’s cathedral. It is unknown if the winner let it change him.
A reconstruction of the famous Elizabethan open-air theatre where Shakespeare worked, true to the spirit of the original, celebrating and educating about Shakespeare’s work.
