London Neighborhoods Guide - Where to Go & What to Visit for Tourists

By Katie Sagal

London is an amazing city, but it can often be quite overwhelming to first-time visitors. It’s a sprawling city, with diverse neighborhoods scattered all over the place that can be difficult to navigate if you don’t know what you’re looking for. To help out new visitors to London, we’ve put together a brief guide to some of the most popular or significant neighborhoods in London to visit, with a few suggestions on things to see and do in those areas.

South of the Thames (South Bank/Southwark)

One of the most happening spots in the city, the neighborhood South of the Thames is bustling with people day and night. Come here for top attractions, museums, shops, restaurants, and much more. Check out our post that features some of the more popular South Bank London attractions.

Things to Do South of the Thames

  • Take in a show at the Southbank Centre.
  • Shop the amazing Borough Market for your perfect souvenir.
  • Take the kids to Shrek’s Adventure to see their favorite characters brought to life.
  • Take a themed walking tour of the city that focuses on pop culture icons like the Doctor or 007.
  • Scare yourself silly at the London Dungeon.
  • Marvel at the wide variety of marine life at the SEA LIFE Aquarium.
  • Ride to the top of the one and only Coca-Cola London Eye.

City of London

The financial heart of the city, the area technically known as the City of London is anchored by the Bank of England, the Mansion House, and the Royal Exchange. Come here to see where all the movers and shakers work.

Things to Do in the City of London

  • See a show at the popular Barbican Centre.
  • Visit the elegant house of Dr. Samuel Johnson, one of England’s best-beloved writers.
  • Roam the rich expanses of the Museum of London, with over 7,000 inspiring and astonishing objects to look at.
  • Visit the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral for a tour of some of the most significant church architecture in the country.
  • Crane your neck to look up the simply named Monument, which commemorates the Great Fire of 1666.

Marylebone

Pronounced “Marr-le-bone,” this happening upscale neighborhood filled with homes, shops, attractions, and more.

Things to Do in Marylebone

  • “Meet” your favorite celebs from David Beckham to the Queen herself at the original Madame Tussauds.
  • Explore the weird and wacky world of Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
  • Fans of the new BBC drama Sherlock will want to visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum to learn more about the inspiration and sources for this pop culture icon.
  • Visit one of the best art galleries in the country at the Wallace Collection, with one of the most impressive collections of Old Master paintings in the entire world.
  • Cheese lovers should stop by La Fromagerie for a delightful section of their favorite fare.

Regent’s Park

Spanning 410 acres, this former royal hunting ground is today home to many top outdoors attractions, including gorgeous gardens, playful parks, and intriguing museums.

Things to Do in Regent’s Park

  • Meet the animals at the London Zoo, home to some of your favorite critters from around the globe.
  • Explore the exhibits and artifacts at the Jewish Museum, which explores the unique history of Judaism and Jewish culture in England.
  • Take the kids to the Primrose Hill Playground for a rollicking good time.
  • Enjoy a Shakespeare play at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
  • Wander through Queen Mary’s Gardens, an unmatched collection of 400 different varieties of rose among 30,000 individual specimens.

Notting Hill/Bayswater

These two adjacent neighborhoods are lively and filled with tons of cultural events and activities, not least of which is the annual Notting Hill Carnival, a famed celebration of Caribbean culture in Britain.

Things to Do in Notting Hill / Bayswater

  • Hop aboard a rental bike and tour this neighborhood (and the whole city!) at your own pace and direction.
  • For another wonderful park option, the immensely popular Hyde Park is located in this area.
  • Those interested in contemporary art should head to Graffik, an amazing collection of exhibits honoring modern street art.
  • Kensington Gardens represent another wonderful botanical option for the nature lovers.
  • Snap a photo of the Peter Pan statue.
  • Shop the historic Portobello Road for unique souvenir options.

Covent Garden

Located east from Charing Cross, this shopping district boasts a ton of history and culture with several modern shopping and entertainment options alongside traditional architecture.

Things to Do in Covent Garden

  • Take a city bus tour (that you can actually pick up in many of these neighborhoods) for a chance to explore it all.
  • Spring for a show at the Royal Opera House to see Britain’s most talented performers.
  • For the art lovers, Courtauld Gallery offers more master works of art to enjoy.
  • Americans will value the chance to visit Benjamin Franklin’s House, to see where this inventor and statesman lived before the Revolutionary War.
  • See an avant garde performance or classic show at the Donmar Warehouse.

Bloomsbury

This artsy area is the legacy of the famous Bloomsbury Group – including greats like Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster – and is today still a thriving artistic and literary community.

Things to Do in Bloomsbury

  • Head a few blocks north to the world famous British Library, an unparalleled research resource and a fun place to tour.
  • Visit the British Museum for a chance to explore one of the country’s top collections of art and artifacts (including Ancient Egyptian artifacts).
  • Lit lovers won’t want to miss the Charles Dickens House, where this popular nineteenth-century author wrote Oliver Twist.
  • Explore the bizarre and singular world of Sir John Soane, whose house has been preserved exactly has he left it for generations to marvel at his ingenuity.

Greenwich

Greenwich is probably most famous as the site of the Royal Observatory, which calculates the official time observed by the entire planet. But it’s also filled with other attractions from museums to historic ships. A visit here is worth the short trip out east from Central London.

Things to Do in Greenwich

  • Antique lover? You must stop by the Clock Tower Antiques Market for your next great find.
  • Visit the Cutty Sark, a speedy nineteenth-century clipper ship which is today preserved as a museum.
  • If you liked the idea of the historic ship, then the National Maritime Museum is another great destination for you.
  • The Royal Observatory is definitely a must – where else can you stand on the Prime Meridian AND see the calculations at work?

Knightsbridge

London’s wealthiest neighborhood, Knightsbridge is home to major shopping venues and tiny boutiques, all selling the top names in fashion and design. Come here with a hefty budget if you want to purchase anything. Otherwise, there’s nothing wrong with some active window-shopping!

Things to Do in Knightsbridge

  • The big highlights of Knightsbridge are the two iconic stores, Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
  • You can also enjoy a tasty meal at one of the many amazing (and predictably pricey) restaurants in the area.
Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Visiting London in January

January is London’s quietest month when it comes to visitor numbers, meaning there are usually some great flight and hotel deals to be had. What many people don’t realize is that London in January remains a hive of activity. Not only is it still possible to experience the Christmas festivities, but also to grab a bargain in the January sales and celebrate Spring Festival with the capital’s Chinese community. Weather in London in January London in January is typified by short days and cloudy skies. Whilst milder than most other capitals in northern Europe, temperatures struggle to hit double figures, with top daytime temperatures reaching eight or nine degrees Celsius. Rain can be expected at almost any time, although significant rainfall is limited to about a third of the month. Snow in the heart of the capital is rare, and deep snow falls even rarer. If weather forecasts hint at the possibility of a sprinkling of snow, the best places to enjoy the spectacle are attractions on the city’s outskirts such as Richmond Park or the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. When it comes to staying warm, be sure to pack plenty of layers, a trustworthy pair of waterproof boots and some thick socks. Then you’ll be ready for anything the unruly British weather might throw at you whilst exploring all that London vaunts, from New Year partying to renowned museums. New Year in London London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are beamed live across the globe. Even so, there’s nothing quite like being there in person. The countdown begins long before the midnight fireworks light up the skies above the London Eye, with restaurants booking up way in advance. The fireworks are followed by a New Year's Day Parade. One of London’s newest traditions – having first taken place in the late 1980s – the spectacle starts at noon in upmarket Piccadilly before passing through Trafalgar Square on route to the Houses of Parliament. The 10,000 participants form an eclectic mix of dancers, musicians and performers from every continent, alongside the homegrown delights of London’s Pearly Kings and Queens. But that’s certainly not the end of the seasonal festivities. Christmas in London doesn’t conclude until Twelfth Night (Epiphany) on January 6. Only then are the Christmas lights switched off, window displays removed, and Christmas trees taken down. The day is marked on the banks of the Thames at Shakespeare’s Globe by the appearance of the Holly Man. A character from pre-Christian folklore akin to the Green Giant, he symbolizes new life and is welcomed by suitably-clad dignitaries before wassailing (blessing) the river and the city. Grab a bargain As shopping destinations go, London in January has got to be up there with the best of them. By the start of the month the biggest sales of the year are already in full swing. Few stores want to miss out on the action, with Harrods and Selfridges among the well-known names slashing prices. Although the crowds tend to form at the start of this period, many of the best discounts are to be had when the sales are wrapping up in the middle of the month. They are swiftly followed by more shopping opportunities at the London Art Fair. Collating works from over 100 of London’s independent galleries, the fair has become one of the best places to scrutinize the capital’s up-and-coming artistic talent in close quarters. And whilst all the works of painting, sculpture and photography are for sale, browsers are also very welcome. Discover major cultural events Not content with one lot of New Year’s celebrations, the end of January (or start of February) sees another moment of feasting, this time for Chinese New Year or Spring Festival. Shifting on an annual basis with the new moon, the largest commemorations outside of Asia begin with a street parade in Chinatown containing a series of finely-decorated floats. Firecrackers then echo across Trafalgar Square to launch a day-long festival of lion dances, musical performances and a plentiful supply of authentic street food. It’s a Spring Festival tradition to mark the new year from high-up, with The View from The Shard and ArcelorMittal Orbit the perfect way to do this. January’s other big event is Burns Night on January 25. Scotland’s unofficial national day, restaurants across the capital join in with honoring the poetry of Robert Burns, author of Auld Lang Syne. Expect Scottish salmon to make an appearance, alongside haggis, neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes) rounded off with a portion of whisky-dosed cranachan. Or you could forgo this raspberry and cream concoction and jump straight to a whisky tasting at one of London’s cocktail bars. Tick off a museum or two January’s rainier days are just the excuse you’ve been looking for to jump headlong into London’s museums and galleries. Whatever your interests, you can pretty much guarantee there’s a collection somewhere in the capital that suits. For an overview of two million years of humanity look no further than the British Museum, whose riches include the Rosetta Stone and the Anglo-Saxon treasures of the Sutton Hoo ship burial. Less celebrated but still worth any amount of time you can dedicate to them are Kensington Palace and the Royal Greenwich Observatory. The palace in Hyde Park was the birthplace of Queen Victoria and is presently the home of Prince William and his young family. Meanwhile, the Royal Greenwich Observatory has been leading the way in mapping and timekeeping for four centuries. Pierced by the prime meridian, it’s one of the most photogenic places on Earth to have your photo taken with one leg in the eastern hemisphere and the other in the western. Whilst in the area, take a turn at some of Greenwich’s additional attractions, including the Cutty Sark, the last tea clipper sailing ship to be built before steam power took over. Capable of conducting the journey between Chinese ports and the southeast of England in a record-breaking three months, this elegant masted vessel kept Londoners’ obsession with tea fed for just eight years before swapping to a role in the wool trade. Don’t miss your chance to save with Go City There’s plenty to see and do in London in January. Many of the capital’s top attractions welcome Explorer Pass holders, allowing you to save on standard admission costs. So, if you’re considering January in London because of the deals available, don’t forget to add Go City to your list of budget-stretching buys.
Ian Packham
Mrs Lovett's pie shop at London Dungeon. Image credit: Merlin.
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Ultimate Guide to London Dungeon

Prepare to have your nerves well and truly shredded at London Dungeon, where a gruesome cast of characters from London’s dark and deadly past lie in wait for you. Not for the faint of heart, this popular South Bank attraction provides a fun and frightening grown-up alternative to its County Hall co-tenant, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, and the nearby London Eye. Join us on a journey into London’s darkest, dankest corners as we explore what to expect, when to visit and where to get tickets in our ultimate London Dungeon guide! London Dungeon: The Lowdown Formerly located at London Bridge and relocated to the South Bank in 2013, London Dungeon has been attracting and terrifying punters since way back in 1974, when it opened as a macabre exhibition of wax figures representing some of London’s most notorious former residents. It’s come a long way since then. Today’s London Dungeon is a fully immersive experience, designed to entertain, educate and frankly frighten the pants off anyone who dares to enter. Inside, 13 interactive shows and a whole host of actors tell tales from 1,000 years of London history, complete with dazzling special effects, blood-curdling screams, plenty of laughs and, yep, the occasional jump scare. In other words, this experience is not for those of a nervous disposition. There’s even a thrill ride, enticingly named Drop Dead. You might want to leave younger kids outside for this bit… You’ll meet grim characters galore in this dark, disgusting, noisy and noisome dungeon, among them knife-wielding villains like Sweeney Todd and Jack the Ripper, as well as getting swept up in gunpowder plots, witch trials and plagues. Creepy doesn’t even begin to cover it. Here, then, are the bits not to miss. London Dungeon Highlights The Descent. The fun (and fear) begins as soon as you step into the rusting old medieval life that’s about to deliver you (hopefully unscathed) to the Thames docks. Your host? A cheerful court jester with a sideline in horrible history lessons. This impish character will keep you company and regale you with bloodthirsty tales of yore as you descend into the bowels of the building, cogs grinding and chains screaming overhead. It’s quite the intro, but do try to conceal your fear: the last thing you need is for your new ‘friends’ to mark you out as the weak one… Guy Fawkes’ Gunpowder Plot. The year is 1605 and you find yourself in filthy rat-infested tunnels beneath the streets of London. What’s that over there then? That’d be a great big pile of explosives and a fuse just waiting to be lit. Discover how the Gunpowder Plot was foiled and what became of poor Guy Fawkes afterwards (spoiler: it ain’t pretty, folks). Curse of the Witch. The 17th Century was brutal. If you weren’t dying from the plague you were probably being accused of witchcraft and hung/burned/drowned for your troubles. Meet Elizabeth Sawyer as she awaits her own cursed fate at the notorious Newgate Prison. But is she really as evil as they all say? You’ll find out soon enough… Mrs Lovett’s Pie Shop and Sweeney Todd. These two make a lovely couple. Really they do! Though admittedly you might not wish to sample Mrs Lovett’s wares, or indeed sit for a shave in her paramour’s barber shop. You’ll kill yourself laughing at the bawdy jokes, pie-related puns, and cutting quips. But, whatever you do, don’t flirt with Mr Todd, or you might find yourself eating humble pie. Or worse. The Torture Chamber. Are you brave enough to be the torturer’s next ‘volunteer’? No? Well, saddle up, because he’s going to show you how the rack, the pear of anguish, the – um – chappy chopper, and other medieval instruments of torture work whether you like it or not. Try not to gag. Drop Dead: Drop Ride. No ordinary thrill ride (this is the notorious London Dungeon, after all), Drop Dead recreates the sensation of… Newgate Prison’s long drop. That’s right: the gallows. As well as (hopefully) surviving this experience, you’ll discover what happens to the human body during a hanging and find out exactly what a neck sounds like when it cracks. Nice.  London Dungeon: When to Visit Opening hours vary throughout the year but are generally 11AM–4PM (10AM–5PM on Saturdays). Hours vary during school holidays, on bank holidays and during the peak summer season. Check the official London Dungeon website for opening times on the date you want to visit. In any case you’ll need to pre-book a time slot. Book a slot earlier or later in the day and avoid weekends if you want to avoid the worst of the tourist hordes. After all, it’s already crowded enough down there in those stinking tunnels deep beneath the city streets… Closest Transport Links to London Dungeon The London Dungeon is just over the bridge from both Charing Cross and Westminster Underground station, and a short walk from Waterloo station. Disembark and stroll towards the Lastminute.com London Eye (the big round wheely thing on the South Bank – you can’t miss it) and you’ll find the London Dungeon right behind, in County Hall. London Dungeon: Tickets Entry to London Dungeon is included with an Explorer attraction pass from Go City. You can save up to 50% with the pass, which gives you 60 days to experience up to seven London tours, activities and attractions. As well as London Dungeon, the pass includes London heavyweights including the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London Zoo, The View from The Shard, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, and many more. You can also book direct via the London Dungeon website, where options include multi-attraction tickets and anytime entry. Save on London Tours, Activities and Attractions Save on admission to 100+ London attractions with an Explorer or All-Inclusive pass from Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Lion at the base of Nelson's column Trafalgar Square
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Best time to visit London

Britain’s capital is a captivating mix of history and culture year-round, and as such, there’s no best time to visit London. Caressed by the warming gulf stream, it experiences mild temperatures for its latitude – further north than Vancouver in Canada. Dodging a shower or two is a rite of passage for visitors to London, and even in the depths of winter daytime temperatures rarely fall below freezing. Each season shows another side to this constantly evolving metropolis of over nine million people. The crisp spring air brings out vast banks of flowering plants in the gardens of Kew and Hampton Court Palace, whilst summer is packed full of outdoor events. Fall’s changing weather makes a great excuse to explore London’s food scene, whilst winter encompasses Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day celebrations. What’s the weather like in London in spring? Roughly coinciding with the period from late March through to late May, spring in London sees a new found sense of momentum hit the capital’s streets. Temperatures may not have reached their peak, averaging 13 – 17°C, but the move to British Summer Time lengthens days and the city’s famed rainfall is no greater than at any other time of year. Things to do in London in spring London’s green spaces come back to life with a flourish in spring. Woodland bluebells and parkland daffodils erupt from the very beginning of March, with the cherry blossom of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Greenwich Park following closely behind in April. May then sees the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea – a nursing home for military veterans – taken over by the show gardens of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The world’s most prestigious horticultural event, it’s visited by everyone who’s anyone, including the royals. Don’t despair if umbrellas are the order of the day, there’s always the covered Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street, better known as the Walkie-Talkie building. When it comes to new life of the animal variety, look no further than ZSL London Zoo, the world’s oldest scientific zoo and a vital cog in active breeding programs for animals as diverse as gorillas to Galapagos tortoises. Typical weather in London in summer Historically, the summer months have been considered the best time to visit London as they give the greatest guarantee of good weather. This is the time of year when riverside restaurant terraces and rooftop bars come into their own. July is the hottest month of the year, with temperatures averaging a pleasant 22°C and headline writers going into overdrive should the mercury creep anywhere near 30°C. July is also a month of long, warm evenings doused in natural light until 10PM. The drawback is that humidity can become a factor, and you might want to swap the Tube for an open-top hop-on hop-off bus. Things to do in London in summer London in June, July and August is the time of outdoor festivals, from Trooping the Colour to the Notting Hill Carnival. The Queen’s official birthday celebrations, Trooping the Colour takes place on Horse Guards Parade in St James’ Park. Attended by the nation’s movers and shakers, it’s a Changing of the Guard on steroids, and sees the capital at its most majestic. Bridging the last days of June and first days of July, the leafy suburb of Wimbledon in southwest London takes center stage by playing host to possibly the world’s most coveted tennis competition. The Wimbledon Championships sees London go tennis crazy, with public screens popping up across the capital. But there’s nothing quite like being at the All England Club, whether with a grounds pass or on one of the show courts. Neatly wrapping up the London summer is the Notting Hill Carnival, spread across two days during the late summer public holiday. One of the world’s largest street carnivals, it traces its history back to the West Indian population that settled the area in the 1950s and 60s, and has become a much-loved part of the capital’s calendar. London weather in fall The steady fall in temperatures – to a daily average of 15°C in October and 10°C in November – means a warm coat is the order of the day. On the plus side, London’s thoroughfares adopt a mellower vibe with the steady fall of conkers from the capital’s horse chestnut trees. Stroll through Hyde Park, and as well as Wellington Arch and Kensington Palace you’ll find children and adults alike picking up particularly fine specimens of this inedible nut, since it holds a special place in the hearts of anyone who grew up in London. Things to do in London in fall The start of fall coincides with the Open House Festival, where usually private addresses are opened to the public. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the black door of the Prime Minister’s official residence at 10 Downing Street, or want to see where Phileas Fogg set off to go around the world in 80 Days in the Jules Verne classic, then this is the London fall event you won’t want to miss. Whilst Halloween is making headway in the capital, it’s still Guy Fawkes’ Night (Bonfire Night) five days later that takes the fall crown. Marked by backyard bonfires and public firework displays equal to anything on Independence Day in the US, it commemorates the foiling of a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament over 400 years ago. But Guy Fawkes’ Night isn’t even the oldest event to take place in London in fall. This honor goes to the Lord Mayor’s Show in the City of London, the historic ‘square mile’ bounded by the Tower of London, Temple Church (from Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code), the Barbican arts center, and the north bank of the River Thames. Riding in a glittering state coach the new Lord Mayor is welcomed to the city with a procession of cheerleaders, drummers, brass bands and costumed performers from around the world celebrating the capital’s diversity in an event dating to the 13th Century. London in winter Rarely does the London winter weather put too great a damper on the festive season. Temperatures generally hover around 3°C, so snow and any resulting disruption is rare. Outside of the Christmas period, winter is the cheapest time to visit London, although there’s still plenty to keep visitors enthralled and even now crowds aren’t unheard of. Things to do in winter in London Leading up to Christmas, major shopping areas like Oxford Street and Stratford’s Westfield shopping mall are filled with cheer. The city’s main roads are draped with Christmas lights, whilst stores do all they can to tempt shoppers through their doors with attractive window displays. A few short days later, London comes alive once more for its New Year’s Eve fireworks. Centered on the London Eye, the UK’s largest fireworks display contains some 12,000 individual fireworks in a display triggered by the ‘bongs’ of Big Ben. Needless to say, the revelry continues until the early hours. For those with romance in mind, the best month to visit London has to be February. The capital’s hotels and restaurants pull out all the stops to make any Valentine’s Day stay extra special, with a traditional British afternoon tea a great way to get things started. You then might consider taking in a show at the Southbank Centre, float along the Thames on a river cruise, or capture the sunset from The View from The Shard panoramic observation deck. Save on London attraction admission Admission to many of London’s top attractions can be enjoyed with Go City, combining flexibility with savings. Check out Go City on Instagram and Facebook for the latest.
Ian Packham

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