London is my one of my favourite cities in the world as it holds a special place in my heart because it is where I was born. Every time I visit, I discover and learn something new, original, creative, and vibrant. London is a constant source of inspiration to me.
Like a lot of travellers, I often enjoy utilizing this city as a stopover on my way to Europe, Africa or Asia.
But how does one cover the best things to see and do in just a few days? Allow me to take you on a magical ride through my eyes on the best places to see in London. (Click on the bold names for links to more details)
Location, Location, Location. – Your Hotel Location is Key
The best hotels are located in the centre of the city so that you are able to walk to sites, cafes’ and restaurants. You also want to be in close proximity to an underground station (subway).
One of my favourite hotels is Citizen M Tower of London not only because it is a beautifully decorated boutique hotel, but also because you have Tower Bridge right there and you are right across from the Tower of London and literally right beside Tower Hill Underground station.
From this hotel, you can also hop on the number 15 Bus which takes you into the Financial District (The City) and then through to the very heart of London including the Strand and Trafalgar Square and ends at Charing Cross. It is one of the best bus routes to see central London in 30 to 40 minutes.
I am embarrassed to say that my last trip in January 2018 was the first time I had ever toured the Tower of London only because of the endless line ups in the summer seemed like a waste of time to me. So it was awesome to book my ticket the day before, and just walk cross the street and tour this massive Tower the next day. If you want to explore and learn the history of London dating back to year 1066 when the Royal Family of the day ruled; this is a great place to start because the establishment of London started at this location. It is fascinating to me to see Tower walls that are over 1000 years old. In recent years they have created a beautiful ice rink on premises for families to skate; drawing in many locals and tourists on the weekends during the winter months. Excavations all over this local city area have uncovered ancient walls and that date back thousands of years and are strategically integrated adjacent to the modern architecture of the London buildings including the Citizen M Hotel Tower Hill.
Tour of London
Trafalgar Square is a great central point in London because after taking in the fountain monument at it’s central point, you have the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery and St. Martins In The Fields Church right in front of you to explore for a few hours. Afterwards, you can walk along through Leicester Square, where all the cinema and theatres are on the way to Covent Garden, one of London’s oldest and largest markets. So much to see on this walk that is only 9 minutes long.
Carnaby Street is one of London’s popular shopping districts. Formally, the hub of the hippie music and fashion scene in the 1960’s. It has lost a little of it’s edge and has fewer independent shops these days and more major brand stores have moved in but it is still a great place to pass through; British Singer, Liam Gallagher has a store here called Pretty Green. Carnaby Street is located off Oxford Street and near Regent Street, which are larger shopping districts so you can do all three of these streets easily because of their close proximity to each other. Lots of quality restaurants, cafes’ and pubs here too.
One of my favourite areas in London to visit is Shoreditch near Liverpool Street or Old Street Stations in East London. I love the shops on Brick Lane with lots of independent and high-end consignment shops, South Asian Restaurants and record stores. It is a very trendy area. Old Spitafields Market is my personal favourite market in London because it has lots of London based designers and artisans that display their wares. The goods are top quality, reasonable priced and original in style. On weekends you will find this market and shopping district bustling with people shopping and dining locally. Great restaurants here.
If you are willing to go off the beaten track in London and venture further out into smaller districts; I would suggest going to The South London Gallery in Peckham, which is a 10 minute walk from Peckham Station in South East London which is being gentrified at the moment with lots of condo construction and trendy shops and cafes’ opening up. Below is an installation by Katharine Grosse whose art was painted directly on the walls of the gallery rooms. Gorgeous colours of unique expression.
You could spend a month in London and only cover a sliver of what the city has on offer. There is always a new hotel, store, festival, play, or art gallery opening. But my intent is to give you a taste of what the rich and vast London culture has to offer. It warrants many visits making it arguably one of the best cities in the world.
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