Of all the places I have gone and will go, London will always be my favorite. At age 8, I vividly remember my grandparents bringing me back some souvenirs from their own London trip and I’ve been hooked ever since. Several trips later, including a brief stint living there during my study abroad term, and I still can’t get enough. This comprehensive guide to the city has my recommendations on where to stay, eat, and explore, as well as some tips and tricks that might come in handy.
STAY
It’s no secret that London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and this unfortunately extends to accommodations. However, it’s entirely possible to find well-priced places to stay if you look hard enough. Here are some suggestions that range from budget-friendly to high-roller.
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Airbnb: To get the most bang for your buck in London, especially if you’re traveling with three people or less, your best bet is to hop on Airbnb. There are hundreds of cute flats to rent for a fraction of the cost of an actual hotel room
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The Hoxton (Shoreditch): This place is the heart of the action in East London. The hotel has the coolest vibe and decor, which is not surprising since it’s located in one of the trendiest areas of the city. While it definitely airs more on the hipster side of things, the hotel staff were incredibly accommodating and the nightlife in the area is amazing!
The Rembrandt: Location, location, location! This hotel is walking distance to several of West London’s hottest tourist attractions. With the Victoria & Albert Museum across the street, the Natural History Museum down the block, and Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens/Palace a quick stroll away, you won’t have to go far to pack in some quality spots.
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Soho Hotel: This hotel is truly one-of-a-kind…literally. Every room is designed in a unique style by the hotel owner and design director, Kit Kemp, so no two rooms look the same. Soho Hotel is also walking distance to many of the main areas you’ll want to see like Covent Garden, Seven Dials, Oxford Circus, and, of course, Soho itself.
The Savoy: If budget is of no concern for you, this place checks every virtual box you can think of. It’s swanky, sophisticated, and the service is impeccable. The Savoy is truly luxury at its finest. Even if you don’t stay here, consider popping into their American Bar for a drink. It may be small, but it won World’s Best Bar 2017 so it’s well-worth your time.
*Tip: Whenever I go, I try to split my trip between both the east and west sides of the city so I’m not wasting time going back and forth for whatever is on agenda for the day. There are plenty of major sites to hit on each side of the city, so why not organize your itinerary geographically for a smoother experience!
EAT
London is similar to New York City in the sense that even if you lived there for 100 years, you could never run out of delicious restaurants to dine at. It was hard to narrow it down, but these six spots are top-notch in their price range and can hopefully give you a jumping off point for the rest of your culinary adventures in London.
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Pret a Manger: This chain has thousands of locations across the UK, so it’s not necessarily unique, but DANG is it good. Their food is so fresh and the quality of ingredients is unparalleled by any American chain I’ve experienced. Any time I’m not dining at an actual restaurant, I’m grabbing a sandwich from Pret. May even need to start a petition to bring one to Denver.
The Churchill Arms: Chances are you’ve already seen this little gem of restaurant on Pinterest, but it has an interesting twist! Located in Notting Hill, the building appears to be a beautiful old English pub, absolutely covered in ivy and plants, and then you walk inside and SURPRISE! They serve Thai food. I love a good Thai meal (ours here was delicious) and this was a good reminder to never make assumptions based on the way something looks.
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The Wolseley: For a restaurant located next door the The Ritz, this place is surprisingly affordable. I recommend going for lunch or brunch (order the croquet monsieur or eggs Benedict…divine!) And then taking a stroll around Green Park next door afterwards.
Rucoletta: This tiny Italian joint is hidden down an alleyway near St. Paul’s Cathedral, and man am I glad we stumbled upon it. The menu was well-priced and had so many options that I had a veryyy difficult time deciding what to order. I eventually settled on mushroom risotto (highly recommend), but looking around the restaurant at other patrons plates, I really don’t think you can go wrong.
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Rules: If you have one splurge meal, make a reservation here. Rules is the oldest restaurant in London (opened in 1798!) and serves traditional British food with an incredible ambiance to match.
Aqua Shard: Another restaurant known for British fare, but this spot creates traditional dishes with a modern twist. This is one of many posh restaurants on the top floors of London’s skyscraper The Shard. Make a reservation for lunch or early dinner when the light is still good to get some of the most breathtaking views of London.
*Tip: Sometimes tipping culture can be confusing in other countries, especially since Americans are well-accustomed to leaving 20% of the bill as our tip. In London, a 10-15% tip is customary when dining at restaurants, HOWEVER many restaurants will add a 12.5% discretionary service charge to the bill before they bring it to you. In this case, this acts as the tip and you do not need to leave anything extra (unless you wish to tip your server twice). No matter what country you’re in, it’s always helpful to do your research so you can tip appropriately.
EXPLORE
There are so many things to do and see in London, it can be almost overwhelming. Below you'll find the things that top my list in each category, and those I think you can skip.
See
Hyde Park: Don’t let weather hold you back from exploring this gorgeous stretch of nature. During warmer months, you can bring a picnic, rent a bike, or simply lounge in one of the many classic striped chairs they have scattered throughout. And in the winter you can experience Winter Wonderland for one glorious month, where you can Christmas shop, eat, and stroll to your heart’s content. Kensington Palace is also housed on Hyde Park grounds, so don’t forget to swing by and say hello to Prince William and Kate! ;)
Notting Hill: This quaint neighborhood in London has been a huge draw since the 1999 Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts film of the same name. The charming travel bookshop Grant's character owned is now, tragically, a cheesy souvenir store, but the area maintains its appeal regardless. Saturdays are a madhouse with the Portobello Road Markets, so you might want to avoid the area during that time if you're not into crowds. Or, take a walk around the neighborhood instead of the busy main streets. There are plenty of adorable houses in an array of colors, like Rainbow Row, one of my 5 hidden gems of London that you can read more about here. Pick a stoop, any stoop and you've got yourself a perfect backdrop for your Insta.
A show in the West End: London's variety of shows and musicals rival that of New York City, so while you're in town why not pick up tickets for a night at the theater? Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables, two of my all-time favorite shows, are the two longest running shows in London and are both phenomenal! Newer shows like The Book of Mormon and classics like The Lion King are also on stage there, so you really can't go wrong!
Do
Tower of London: A staple in any visitors’ London itinerary. I’m not much of a museum girl, so the Tower of London is my go-to stop for British history. The crown jewels are housed on site and, as one could expect, are spectacular, but the Tower offers so much more. My personal favorite? The “torture” chambers. I find the old-school torture methods equally horrifying and fascinating.
Westminster Abbey: Another tourist staple that's not quite as stale as a museum. You could spend hours walking around the abbey taking in all of the history.
Harry Potter Studios: For any Harry Potter super fan, this is an absolute must experience. You can view real sets and wardrobe items from the films, and even “fly” on your own broomstick. It’s a bit tricky to get there, but it is completely worth it. Keep in mind, the studios are huge and have so much to offer, so I would recommend budgeting at least 6 hours round-trip.
Shop
Harrods: ICONIC. I don’t think this one even needs an explanation, but here we go… Harrods is the pinnacle of luxury department stores. Take a stroll around the Food Halls and grab a bite to eat, then make your way through the many floors and marvel at just how large this store truly is. Once you’ve covered enough ground, take a break and head to the fifth floor for a glass of bubbly in the Perrier-Jouët Champagne Terrace. More details about this hidden Harrods gem in my previous blog post here.
Liberty: Lesser known than its Knightsbridge counterpart Harrods, Liberty is just mere blocks away from one of the busiest intersections in London: Oxford Circus. Tucked away between Carnaby Street and Regent Street, this department store is less sophisticated, high-end luxury and more eclectic, trendy luxury. Like Harrods, it’s worth a look around even if you don’t end up purchasing anything.
Topshop Oxford Circus: I will be the first person to admit that this particular flagship store is absolute MAYHEM, especially during the holiday season. But alas, the three floors of relatively affordable clothing, accessories, and shoes never fail to coax me back. For my fellow Americans, Topshop is so much cheaper in the UK than if you bought it in the US or online. So take advantage accordingly!
Skip
London Eye: Sure, you see it in practically every photo of London, but the experience is expensive and not really worth it, in my opinion. Still want a killer view of the city? Hit up one of the restaurants in the Shard (like Aqua Shard, mentioned above) and you can get food, drinks, AND a view to die for.
Abbey Road: While the famous Beatle’s album cover location is technically in central London, it’s a bit out of the way and nothing too exciting. It’s just a regular street, so if you wanted to go for the iconic crossing photo you’d be dodging cars left and right.
Buckingham Palace: Unless you’re touring the inside, this isn’t necessarily something I would insist that you see. During the changing of the guards, crowds about five people deep are smushed against the gates, so good luck glimpsing anything exciting.
*Tip: In my opinion, the best way to get around the city is by tube (also known as the underground), which is London’s subway system. It is super simple to navigate, and far cheaper than taking a taxi cab considering London’s traffic. Order a visitor’s Oyster card ahead of time with a prepaid amount, and you can simply swipe at the turnstiles and go!
This should cover the basics, but there’s so much more that London has to offer. Stay tuned for pub and cocktail recommendations, as well as British etiquette tips that’ll help you blend in with locals. Until next time!
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