The elegant city of London is a spectacular location to spend a holiday in, although it may seem a bit overwhelming for those on their first trip to the city. It is a massive city that has numerous neighbourhoods sprawled all over the city, which could be quite a challenge to navigate if you are new to London.
One way to ensure that you need not travel too much is to stay at the hotels near Piccadilly Circus London, which is a nice central location in the city. Staying in the city centre has its own share of benefits with both time and money saved on travel.
The Piccadilly London West End hotels are great to stay at as they offer the best in luxury at a very affordable cost. And their convenient location in the heart of the city makes it easy to get to the many attractions in the vicinity. For those who are new to London, here are some of the most popular neighbourhoods with tips for sightseeing and various other activities in the areas:
South Bank/Southwark
This is one of the most exciting and vibrant area in London. Situated along the banks of the Thames it always is crowded from morning to night. With great restaurants, museums, shops and plenty of attractions it is out of the most happening parts of London.
Activities to do
- Visit the famous Southbank Centre and watch a show
- Drop in at Borough Market for great souvenirs
- Take the kids on a tour of Shrek’s Adventure
- Join any of the terrific themed walking tours in the area
- Visit the scary interiors of the London Dungeon
- Enjoy the amazing marine life at Sea Life Aquarium
- Hop aboard the Cocoa-Cola London Eye for a scintillating ride to the top and the best aerial views
Regent’s Park
It is spread over 410 acres and formerly was used as a royal hunting ground. Now the place is home to a number of wonderful museums, terrific gardens and wonderful children’s parks.
Activities to do
- A great place to take the kids too is London Zoo with species of animals from across the planet
- Learn more about Judaism and Jewish culture in Britain with a visit to the Jewish Museum
- Spend the afternoon with the kids at Primrose Hill Playground
- Enjoy a classic Shakespeare play at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park
- Take a tour through the stunning Queen Mary’s Gardens, with more than 400 different varieties of rose
City of London
It is the business and financial hub of London, and is officially termed as the City of London, with prominent financial institutions like the Royal Exchange, Bank of England and Mansion House.
Activities to do
- Enjoy a performance at the famous Barbican Centre
- Take a tour of the home of Dr. Samuel Johnson, out of the most loved writers of London
- Explore the vast expanses of the Museum of London with its incredible exhibits
- Plan a trip to one of the most iconic landmarks St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Visit the Monument built to commemorate the Great Fire of 1666, and climb its 311 stairs for great views
Marylebone
It is one of the trendiest locations in London, with upscale shops and homes among a host of other great attractions.
Activities to do
- See some of greatest celebrities up close and in person, from the Queen to Tiger Woods at the original Madame Tussauds waxworks
- Make a beeline to the strange but captivating Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
- Admirers of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’ creation Sherlock Holmes, can visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum to learn more about the iconic character
- Check out the stunning collection of Old Masters paintings at one of the best art galleries in the nation, the Wallace Collection
- If you passionate about cheese head to La Fromagerie for the best varieties of cheese
Covent Garden
It is situated to the east of Charing Cross and is great spot for shopping. It also houses a number of historic gems and offers fabulous entertainment and shopping venues amidst stunning architecture to admire.
Activities to do
- One of the best ways to explore the area is to take a city bus tour
- Pay a visit to the Royal Opera House to see some of the country’s best performers’ ply their trade
- If art is your passion the Courtauld Gallery is just the place to visit
- Take a tour of Benjamin Franklin’s House, to see where he lived in London before the American Revolution
- Catch an avant-garde or classic theatre performance at Donmar Warehouse.
Notting Hill/Bayswater
Both the neighbourhoods of Bayswater and Notting Hill are adjacent and house loads of activities and events all though the year. One such popular event is the Notting Hill Carnival that celebrates Caribbean culture in Britain.
Activities to do
- Hire a Boris bike and take a wonderful tour of the neighbourhoods at your own pace
- Explore the amazing scenic beauty of Hyde Park in the area
- If you enjoy contemporary art, drop in at Graffik that has a fine collection of modern street art
- Another botanical treasure trove to visit in the area is Kensington Gardens
- Visit the Peter Pan statue and click some photographs
- To get some great souvenirs head along to Portobello Road
Bloomsbury
The area has earned acclamation as being a focal point for arts thanks to the Bloomsbury Group, with literary greats like E.M. Forster and Virginia Woolf
Activities to do
- Spend the day at the world famous British Library to the North of the area
- Another great attraction is the magnificent British Museum, home to the finest collection of artefacts and relics, including the famous Rosetta Stone
- If you have a penchant for literature a visit to Charles Dickens House is not to be missed
- One of the more unusual yet interesting museums to visit is Sir John Soane’s Museum with its unique collection
