A Neighbourhood Guide On Where To Stay In London, UK

It’s a city made for visitors with a multitude of interests: everyone from history buffs to shopping enthusiasts, foodies, businesspeople and culture vultures flock to London and feel quite at home.

Regardless of whether or not you fit into one of these categories, the key to enjoying London is identifying a borough that will best play to your interests. Each district holds its own distinct charm and flavour, with some vastly different from their neighbours.

We’ve rounded up all the best things to see, eat and do in London as well as the overall vibe of London’s various neighbourhoods so you can tailor your next visit to suit your own interests.

CENTRAL LONDON

Westminster

In a nutshell: you’ll have to find your own way swimming upstream against the crowds of tourists, but Westminster is non-negotiable; it’s a must-stop to learn about some of the most iconic buildings and people in London’s storied history.

Westminster is the political centre of the city and one of the most popular spots for sightseers, as the plethora of London postcards on offer will attest. You can peek through the gates of Buckingham Palace and watch the Changing of the Guards; take a picture in front of 10 Downing Street, the highly guarded home of the British prime minister, Boris Johnson, and pop around the corner to pay a visit to Big Ben.

Editor’s note: your selfie will need to wait another year as it’s still smothered with scaffolding for a four-year renovation. (Big Ben’s Bell is expected to recommence tolling in 2021.)

Westminster Abbey is not only a gorgeous work of Gothic architecture but a longstanding focal point of London culture– from its role as a burial site for kings and queens of old, such as Elizabeth I, to its role as the wedding venue for William and Kate.

Some of London’s most prestigious museums are in Westminster, including the fee-free National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. If you want to continue learning, the Churchill War Rooms offer a fascinating look behind the scenes of the UK’s operations during World War 2.

Get your culture fix at The National Gallery

Soho/ Mayfair

In a nutshell: this buzzy district exists like a microcosm of London with lots of street life and energy, great shopping, food and culture.

Hit up some of the city’s best high streets: head to the regal Regent Street for a big city vibe or shop the independent boutiques on Carnaby Street.

The West End is also the home of London theatre, with plenty of critical-thinking, innovative performances as well as classic ones. Make sure to stop by the TKTS ticket booth at the center of Leicester Square for discounted tickets.

Covent Garden Market is a mix of food stalls and shops with roving street performers and near to the hub that is Seven Dials, which has a range of great restaurants. Try Indian at Dishoom, a massive slice of pizza at Homeslice or rich hot cocoa with chocolate whip cream at Hotel Chocolat. Editor’s note: check out Neal’s Yard, a colourful cobblestoned laneway tucked just out of sight from Seven Dials. Neal’s Yard Dairy is in prime position here and is a top spot for spotting cheese-loving celebs.

Looking for a spot of tea and a dollop of clotted cream? Some of London’s best high tea parlours are tucked away in Soho, including sketch and Mr. Fogg’s Gin Parlour.

sketch is one of London’s best tea spots

The City

In a nutshell: the centre of business and London’s iconic modern architecture.

In the centre of the business district, you can feel the ambition in the air as suit-clad business men and women strut around under the shadow of London’s distinctive skyscrapers. Many of these buildings are comically nicknamed. You have the Cheese Grater (The Leadenhall Building), the Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) and the Walkie Talkie (20 Fenchurch St).

Whether you’re visiting the area for business or pleasure, there’s no need for the city to be all work and no play. Visit the good old Duck and Waffle any time (literally– it’s open 24/7) for a great view of the city from the 40th floor and to enjoy inventive dishes, many of which don’t include duck or waffles.

For something less modern and more historical, attend a mass or climb the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral and learn its long, tumultuous history. And, of course, don’t forget the Tower of London – the dingy dungeon where many were executed and where the Royal Jewels are now on display.

WEST LONDON

Notting Hill

In a nutshell: a neighbourhood made for lazy Saturday brunches and strolling along colourful townhouses and outdoor markets.

There’s nothing better than a leisurely bike ride through Hyde Park to Notting Hill for a cozy Saturday morning brunch at Eggbreak, Farm Girl, or perhaps Granger and Co.

Portobello Market is one of Notting Hill’s main attractions, open in some capacity every day except Sunday. Saturday is its main day and Friday pays special attention to antiques. The backdrop to the market’s vendors of produce, old-fashioned hats, hand-painted tea cups and antique maps is a picture-perfect, colourful row of townhouses that coincidentally makes for quite an aesthetic photo.

Kensington + Chelsea

In a nutshell: a decidedly posh area of town with a bevy of great museums and shopping.

The mews of Kensington and Chelsea are beautiful and relatively peaceful. There are plenty of high-scale shops, boutiques and fooderies to discover, but don’t expect anything to be very cheap.

On Exhibition Road, you may encounter more people thronging around three fantastic museums: the Victoria & Albert Museum (known for its art and fashion exhibits); the Natural History Museum; and the fascinating Science Museum. All three are definitely worth braving the crowds for.

Other than academics and shopping, the Kensington and Chelsea boroughs boast two notable entertainment sites: catch a game at the Chelsea Football Club or a show at the historic Royal Albert Hall.

Fancy housefronts are the norm in Chelsea

NORTH LONDON

Camden

In a nutshell: As the epicentre of both British grunge and punk music, Camden is a hotspot for London counterculture, great thrift shopping and street food.

Stepping into Camden Market feels like stepping into a different world. More than 1,000+ stalls, cafes, bars and shops populate the windy market alleys. You’ll find anything and everything from handmade jewellery to the best falafel in town to a well-known electronic rave shop to a cafe with every imaginable brand of cereal.

There are also plenty of thrift shops and, if you’re willing to do some digging, chances are you’ll walk away with some unique (and cheap) souvenirs that are better than any touristy shop could sell you.

If you’re looking to go out at night, Camden has a slew of clubs and bars to choose from, like renowned rock ‘n’ roll joint The Underworld.

Camden market is one of London’s most recognisable

Hampstead

In a nutshell: Perfect for those looking to catch a fresh breath from the city.

Hampstead Heath is a natural haven located about six kilometres outside the city centre. Parliament Hill overlooks London, providing a particularly nice atmosphere for picnics or reading. However, there are plenty of other hilltops, gardens and green spaces to explore if you want to wander off the beaten path.

Hampstead has long been a creative haven for London’s most famous writers and artists. You can still visit John Keats’ house.

Apparently there is a green side to London

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SOUTH LONDON

Brixton

In a nutshell: this trendy, multicultural neighbourhood south of the Thames is usually disregarded by tourists.

In the past few years, Brixton has risen from the ashes of being considered a bit seedy and undesirable to being a trendy, vibrant neighborhood more than worth a visit. Saturdays are the best days to experience the outdoor markets in all their glory. Expect all sorts of stalls and food: Brixton is a jumble of all sorts of cultures, from Caribbean to Asian to London hipster.

The nightlife in Brixton is just as vibrant as the daytime markets. If you’re looking for a club try Phonox; if it’s a pub you’re after the Duke of Edinburgh has an atmospheric outdoor beer garden.

Expect over 80-something traders at Brixton Market

South Bank + Southwark

In a nutshell: this is a great area for families along the south side of the Thames River as it’s full of entertainment and arts.

Cross over the famous Millennium Bridge (you may have seen its untimely destruction in the sixth instalment of the Harry Potter franchise) and you’ll stumble directly upon two megaliths of London art from both the past and the present: Shakespeare’s Globe, where you can still watch performances in the historic, thatch-roofed theatre and the Tate Modern, where the work of today’s most talented and forward-thinking artists is on display.

A stroll along the Thames is a great vantage point to view the city skyline but if you want to take it to the next level, buy tickets for a ride on the London Eye, a massive Ferris wheel that takes your sightseeing to new heights.

Borough Market in Southwark is one of London’s oldest (and possibly most famous) food markets, comprising hundreds of stalls from vast cheese selections, to baked goods to cultural dishes of every kind.

EAST LONDON

Hackney + Shoreditch

In a nutshell: The original birthplace of the London hipster, Hackney and Shoreditch supply the city with great street art, markets and nightlife.

If you are into coffee, street art, succulents or thrift shopping, chances are the East End is for you. Peruse the plants at Columbia Road Flower Market and check out yet another one of London’s best markets at Old Spitalfields Market.

The Boxpark, made up of boxcars, calls itself the ‘first pop-up mall’ and is a great place to shop, eat and drink. There’s burgers and noodles and loungewear and eyewear and more.

Boxpark calls itself the ‘first pop-up mall’

Greenwich

In a nutshell: A neighbourhood of great international significance and pleasant vibes just outside the city.

Similar to Hampstead, Greenwich is a great spot to get out of the city and learn a thing or two. The Royal Observatory opens the door to a world of information on space and the local Greenwich Prime Meridian Line is where the east meets the west. The line is literally drawn on the ground, giving you the opportunity to stand in two time zones at once.

Once you’ve taken the obligatory selfie on the meridian line, wander around the rest of the peaceful Greenwich neighbourhood until you find a cosy pub where you can pop in for a cold pint.

Greenwich college is another great place to learn

Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK.

Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

Why is it so hot in Europe?

Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

How travel is impacted

A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius — A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris — People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.

A neighbourhood guide on where to stay in London