1 Hotel Mayfair
A choice new stay for eco-conscious luxury travellers
City Guide
London
London shows no sign of relinquishing its status as one of Europe’s most alluring cities. It truly has something for everyone – a packed cultural calendar, history on practically every street corner, a thriving culinary scene and various green spaces that provide welcome respite from the busy centre. While major tourist sites like Big Ben and the London Eye steal the spotlight, visitors who venture off the well-worn track will be duly rewarded.
When to go:
London’s weather is notoriously unpredictable and drizzly, but there’s enough to do indoors for that not to matter too much. Temperatures start to become pleasant from April onwards, peaking in August. The cultural calendar is most lively from September to December.
How to get around:
The London Underground and the city’s extensive bus network will get you almost everywhere, but within Zone 1 of the transport network it’s sometimes quicker to walk. Santander bike-shares are also a great option, costing £1.65 for single journeys up to 30 minutes. But beware: the city’s narrow, winding roads and traffic congestion mean that travelling on two wheels is not for the faint-hearted.
Where To Stay In London
Pan Pacific London
Luxurious hospitality with a Singaporean flair in the heart of the City
InHabit Queen’s Gardens
Mindfully designed for modern travellers
Green Rooms
Self-described arts hotel with discounted rates for creatives
Fox and Anchor
Classic pub with six elegant rooms, some with roll-top copper baths
Where To Eat In London
Mali Vegan Thai
An authentic local favourite
Bancone (Golden Square)
Refined antipasti and pasta in Soho
Carousel
Restaurant, creative hub and event space all rolled into one
Bob Bob Ricard
An iconic Soho institution with a British-Russian menu
Borough Market
An all-in-one wholesale and retail market hall
Where To Drink In London
Cahoots
A London Underground-themed cocktail bar with live music
The Gin Bar at Holborn Dining Room
A classy gin joint with over 500 varieties
Howl at the Moon
Lively pub specialising in craft beers and real ales on tap
69 Colebrooke Row
Award-winning cocktail bar on a back street in Islington
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
A legendary London pub on Fleet Street
What To Do In London
Museum of Shakespeare
A museum dedicated to Shakespeare, built on the remains of the iconic Globe Theatre
Saatchi Gallery
A hotspot for discovering emerging artists
Horizon 22
London’s newest free viewing platform
Southbank Centre
Buzzy arts centre along the river Thames
Newport Street Gallery
Works from the personal art collection of Damien Hirst
Where To Shop In London
Marylebone
A chic neighbourhood with some of the best shops in town
Camden Market
Largest market in London and open seven days a week
Columbia Road Flower Market
Best place to pick up flowers and trees on Sundays
Old Spitalfields Market
Former Victorian market hall now filled with modern activities
Liberty
A high-end department store in a Tudor Revival building