A canal boat and bridge in London's Little Venice

Things to do in Angel London

By Ian Packham

The north London neighborhood of Angel manages to do something most city areas aren’t able to – successfully combine the stylish with the down to earth. This is what has made pretension-free Angel a magnet for creatives from British television stars to chart topping acts.

Named after a now-lost pub – The Angel Inn – this part of London may lack the big ticket attractions like St Paul’s Cathedral and The View from the Shard but you miss out on Angel at your peril. Why? Just take a look at these top things to do in Angel London and the surrounding area!

Regent’s Canal

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Reappearing in Angel after disappearing under the streets of north London for around half a kilometer, Regent’s Canal slips silently through the neighborhood close to several small community parks and gardens. Footpaths and sidewalks follow it all the way to its eastern end at Limehouse but even the shortest walk gets you under the skin of this well-to-do yet still quirky part of London.

What’s more, with plenty of pubs on the route there are various options for enjoying views of the tranquil canal side and some conversation over a pint.

Upper Street

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Vying against Caledonian Road to be Angel’s most desirable address, Upper Street is more than a main thoroughfare. Stretching north from Angel Underground station, it’s often the first road in the neighborhood visitors see, and doesn’t disappoint.

If you’re hungry there’s a world of options to choose between, with Mexican, Vietnamese, modern British and European cuisine just some of the choices. But if shopping is more your bag, there’s also plenty you won’t find anywhere else thanks to the independent boutiques of what Charles Dickens once called the ‘devil’s mile’.

Emirates Arsenal Stadium

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Soccer fans can get their fill of the action with an Emirates Arsenal Stadium Tour. Having been one of north London’s top teams for more than a century, there’s certainly a lot to take in at The Arsenal’s new 60,000 seater stadium.

As well as standing pitch side you’ll have a chance to take in the exhibits and nostalgia of yesteryear at the club museum. Renovated in 2016 and updated with the latest achievements and important signings, the only way better to get a sense of what the club means to the area is to return on the day of a big match.

Little Angel Theatre

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Performance spaces aren’t hard to come by in Angel, with even the local library doubling up as a live music venue. However, few are able to charm its audiences quite as well as the Little Angel Theatre.

One of the top things to do in Angel London with children, this puppet theater is aimed primarily at under 12s. Basing many of its productions on children’s books old and new, it also hosts various fun days and clubs to get kids away from their screens and thinking creatively.

Postal Museum

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‘Going postal’ may be slang for having an angry outburst, but its origins surely have nothing to do with the Postal Museum, covering everything from the world’s first pre-paid postage stamp – the penny black – to how a modern letter can get from A to B in under 24 hours.

The highlight of any visit has to be a ride of the mail train. A network of underground tracks entirely independent of the Tube, this miniature railway was once a vital cog in the postage chain. Today it provides visitors with 20 minute rides beneath the streets of Angel.

Union Chapel

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If you’ve been brought up with the sober singing of the Church of England it can initially feel a little strange heading to a functioning church to see a band. Hear the notes bubble around the vaulted ceilings and you’ll soon understand why this has become a leading live music venue despite its relatively small size.

Elton John, Patti Smith and Beck have all performed here in the past, with ticket sales going to the structures upkeep and charitable foundations.

Sadler’s Wells

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Another performance space with an incredible pedigree, Sadler’s Wells has existed in various forms since 1683 – the current 1500 seater auditorium is the sixth to bear the name.

Although predominantly known for ballet, the company welcomes in many of the world’s top dance troupes as well as performing its own productions, meaning its possible to enjoy a night of everything from Andalusian flamenco to local break dancers.

Camden Passage

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Turn off of Upper Street and into Camden Passage and you’ll go back a couple of centuries to Georgian London in a pedestrianized road that has managed to survive the ravages of redevelopment and the Blitz to become an area so well known for its antiques dealers it rivals Portobello Road.

Whilst some of the former antiques stores have been turned into galleries, cafés and clothing boutiques this only increases the reasons to make this one of the things to do in Angel London. Plus, there are still more than enough antiques available at the covered Pierrepoint Arcade Market on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays to complement the Thursday and Friday bookstalls.

Victoria Miro Gallery

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Situated in a former warehouse space beside Wenlock Basin – a dead end in Regent’s Canal – the Victoria Miro Gallery is one of London’s small private galleries. No less impressive because of that, its focus is on contemporary art. Representing both established and new faces from around the world, it’s a place where you can see works by the likes of Chris Ofili and Grayson Perry – both Turner Prize winners – even if you have no intention of buying.

Discover London’s Angel with Go City

With its independent spirit and pubs lining Regent’s Canal, London’s Angel neighborhood has a very different vibe to Greenwich or the areas around the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. From antiquing to stadium tours the things to do in Angel London are many and varied as we’ve hopefully shown.

Travel with Go City and you can take advantage of all this diversity and make huge savings on entry to many of London’s top attractions! Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest.

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The streets of London are often crowded with shoppers
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Is London safe?

Although crime rates have risen in recent years, this shouldn’t take away from the fact London is one of the safest cities in the world. Its nine million residents move about without worrying much about their day-to-day safety, and the vast majority of its 30 million annual visitors go home with nothing but warm words for its attractions, if not the prevailing weather conditions. Is London safe? Broadly speaking yes, noting that nowhere can ever be declared 100% trouble free. With that in mind, here’s all you need to know about staying safe in London as a visitor to help ensure you don’t become one of the unlucky few who fall victim to a crime. How safe is London? Visitors to London face the same risks as in any big urban environment. So as one of the largest cities in Europe, it has its fair share of dodgy characters whilst ranking favorably against Paris, Madrid and Zurich when it comes to personal safety. Its crime statistics can be misleading for those who don’t know London well. For instance, the boroughs (neighborhoods) responsible for some of the capital’s most important landmarks, like the Tower of London and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre have some of the highest crime rates. What the statistics don’t say is that much of this crime takes place in residential housing estates away from these attractions. The crime figures related to supercool areas of the capital, such as east London’s Dalston, should be much more concerning for visitors. Pickpocketing is a particular problem. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the leafy suburbs around Richmond in the west are the safest. However, the best tip for any visitor worried about safety in London is to assume petty crime can take place anywhere, and act with caution accordingly. London’s global status means terrorism also sadly remains a threat, although the likelihood of getting caught up in an attack is tiny. There’s little you can do to mitigate against this threat except immediately call the emergency services on 999 if you see anything suspicious. Common threats to safety in London For the most part, staying safe in London is about following common sense and trusting your instincts. In other words, you shouldn’t do anything you wouldn’t do at home. Then the biggest risks you’re likely to face are currency counters with unfair exchange rates and looking the wrong way when crossing a road – the British drive on the left. The risk of pickpocketing or mugging is highest where large crowds congregate, since they provide criminals with plenty of cover. Keep a close eye on valuables in crowded spaces, and never place money or a phone in your back pocket. Being aware of your surroundings is always important. Criminals may attempt to steal your bank card and PIN through well-practiced distraction techniques at ATMs, whilst mopeds have been used for snatch and grab crimes against those using their phones in public. Use ATMs inside bank branches whenever possible – they are not usually hard to find. At the same time, never leave a bag unattended, for example, when going to a bar or counter to order food and drinks. Not only is there a risk of it being stolen, but also of it getting blown up by the bomb squad as a security risk. If you find yourself in need of help, you shouldn’t worry about approaching uniformed police officers. No officer can demand identification, nor will they issue fines to be paid on the spot. Any who do are scammers pretending to be plain-clothes officers. Is London safe at night? Increasingly becoming a 24-hour city, evenings in London can be sublime, with the city’s landmarks lit up and its pubs coming alive. Travel across Piccadilly Circus at midnight, and you could be mistaken for thinking it was the middle of the day. It’s best to stay on well-lit streets after dark all the same, which will often have the added security of CCTV cameras. If you choose to walk, do so confidently. Otherwise opt for London’s public transportation. Both its red buses and Underground trains are safe at night, though best avoided during the rush hours of 5 – 7PM because of overcrowding. Certain bus routes, usually denoted by an ‘N’, operate throughout the night to link major locations such as train stations. The main Tube network shuts down around midnight. But the advent of the Night Tube sees a service on some central lines night-long on Fridays and Saturdays. Alternatively, visitors can hail a black cab (licensed taxi) from the roadside. As they notoriously don’t like traveling south of the river, you can also arrange a minicab (radio taxi) by phone or uber via the app. All vehicles must clearly display a tamper-proof licensing sticker on the windshield. If they do not have one, you’re getting into an unlicensed vehicle whose driver will not have undergone the relevant checks. Is it safe to visit London as a single woman? Most women who visit London solo find the city a refreshing contrast to previous experiences traveling alone. Although there are only a handful of women-only spaces – including Kenwood Ladies’ Bathing Pond on Hampstead Heath – being a single woman shouldn’t stop you ticking off your bucket list attractions. Contrary to popular opinion, most Londoners are quite happy to help if you get stuck – seeking out another woman will increase your chances of success further. Free walking tours and Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing buses provide the safety of a group. If you’re concerned about unwanted male attention in bars and pubs, wearing a wedding band can act as a deterrent. Venues will often have a security presence on the door to keep a lid on any trouble, whilst bar staff are increasingly aware of potential issues. The city’s plethora of loud and proud gay bars have long been known as a hassle-free night out for women should all else fail. Save on top London attraction admission Explore and save with Go City. Our Explorer Pass not only saves you money on London attraction admission but means you can leave your wallet at home, removing any worry about carrying around large amounts of cash!
Ian Packham
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Where to stay in London

London is increasingly becoming a 24-7 city. With the advent of the Night Tube and museums that don’t close on Mondays like in much of Europe, there’s always somewhere new to explore. At the same time, it’s a big place – with over 30 boroughs (neighborhoods). Each can then be subdivided into smaller districts, many packed with hotels and Airbnbs, making it even harder to decide where to stay in London. If you’re wondering which neighborhoods in London are popular to stay in, stay tuned for the only guide you’ll ever need! Best areas to stay in London If money’s no object, staying centrally can save a lot of travelling time, meaning greater opportunities to see and do all the things London is famous for – from its museums and historic palaces to its restaurants and nightlife. You probably haven’t come to London to listen to ‘mind the gap’ announcements on rotation on the Tube. The area around Covent Garden and the West End is the obvious pick, although there are a growing number of choices in Westminster, the South Bank and London Bridge too. That said, London’s mix of underground, trains, buses, black cabs, rental cycles, Ubers, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and trams means you’re never going to be short of ways to get from attraction to attraction. A stay in east London’s Shoreditch and Hoxton neighborhoods will have you mixing with the capital’s trendsetters in no time. Look further afield if value is your main concern. Outer areas, particularly south of the River Thames such as Crystal Palace, are still only 20 minutes or so from the center of the city by train but are much kinder on the wallet. Top areas to stay for tourists in London For visitors keen to place themselves right at the heart of quintessential London scenes – red double decker buses, policemen with unnecessarily tall helmets and Union flags gently fluttering in the breeze – you can do a lot worse than Westminster. Stays here tend to be set back from the river by a block or two, and you’ll find more homestay-style apartments than hotels. But the trade off is your proximity to one of London’s four UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Houses of Parliament – as well as Westminster Abbey, the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square and the riverside, with views across to the London Eye. Another smattering of attractions and even better transport links makes London Bridge and Bankside other options. Hotels span the spectrum, from the Premier Inn London Southwark to the Shangri-La a few stories below The View from The Shard. Nearby attractions range from the gourmet stalls of Borough Market to HMS Belfast and the Tower of London. Places to stay in London for a long weekend For a two or three day stay in London, Covent Garden and the West End have all you’re going to want and need. As well as being home to the big theaters of Drury Lane and Shaftesbury Avenue, there are also enough restaurants and bars to keep you entertained for every weekend of the year. On top of that, staying in Covent Garden puts you within a radius of a couple of kilometers of the British Museum, shopping on Oxford Street and the nightlife of Soho. There can also be some great deals in the hotels of Canary Wharf on the weekend, since most who stay here are on business, leaving hotels scrambling for guests on Friday and Saturday nights. The area is connected to central London by the swish Jubilee Line extension to the Underground network as well as the DLR. Cool places to stay in London If you’re not quite ready for the opera, east London has an edgier feel and some of the coolest spots in the city. The painfully trendy-not-trendy residents of the apartments around Old Street do their best to look unimpressed and nonchalant about the street art and themed bars which define Shoreditch and Hoxton. But they secretly know how great a place it is to live – and that’s much of the pleasure of staying in Shoreditch. You get to rub shoulders with real Londoners with real lives. Despite its local vibe, it’s a very welcoming neighborhood. Indeed, it’s one of the best neighborhoods for those who feel they don’t conform. Plus, there’s been plenty of money spent making the area’s hotels as attractive to stay in as those in Covent Garden and Westminster. The best place to stay in London for nightlife is probably Soho however. This is where you’ll find many of the big name clubs, including G-A-Y and Borderline, whilst Chinatown is just down the road for an authentic taste of the east. Places to stay in London with kids If Kensington is good enough for the latest generation of royals, you can bet your bottom dollar it’s good enough for your family too. Comprising quiet, traffic-free streets, Kensington has a suburban feel whilst being within a few Tube stops of Buckingham Palace and Covent Garden. And let’s face it, children are going to love the expanse of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens together with three of the best museums in the country – the Natural History, Science and Victoria and Albert museums. Named after the Great Exhibition of 1851, which moved from Hyde Park to a permanent home on Sydenham Hill, Crystal Palace has become orientated towards families with children. There’s a slew of cafés where you won’t be afraid of your kids becoming too noisy, a large park home to the earliest modern representations of dinosaurs in the world. It has some of London’s cheapest accommodation too. Discover London with Go City You now know where to stay in London. The next thing to consider is what to see and do in a city with more attractions than some countries. Travel with Go City and there’s incredible savings to be had on admission to many of London’s biggest attractions, leaving you cash to spend on, well, whatever you like!
Ian Packham
A couple walk past Tower Bridge in London in April
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One week in London: your ultimate itinerary

London isn’t just a list of landmarks to tick off but a living entity which has been constantly evolving for over 2000 years. Hugely diverse in origin, Londoners shop, work and worship amidst world-beating attractions. Spend enough time in the capital, and you’ll realize that behind their frosty exterior most of London’s nine million people are also a friendly – if modest – bunch worth taking the time to get to know properly. A week in London it is then! Plan it well and a London 7 day itinerary can provide you with a view of the British capital it’s not possible to get with a two or three day visit. As Samuel Johnson once said, when you’re tired of London, you’re tired of life. Your first day in London With your camera battery fully charged and SD cards empty, ease yourself into the next 7 days in London at Piccadilly Circus. At the junction between the thoroughfare simply known as Piccadilly and Regent Street, it’s a spot that has spun with black cabs, red double decker buses and advertising hoardings for decades, with the Statue of Eros acting as the starting point for countless romances. Piccadilly has its fair share of famous storefronts should you want to start the souvenir shopping early, with Fortnum & Mason as evocative of time in London as afternoon tea at The Ritz a few doors down. Spend the rest of the day taking in the views of Buckingham Palace from the roof of Wellington Arch – once home to London’s smallest police station – and admiring the collections of Apsley House. Also known as No 1 London, it was the home of the Duke of Wellington, victor over Napoleon. A day by the river The views at the Tower of London extend back close to 1000 years. A fortification built by William the Conqueror around 1066 which became a prison to Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes and The Kray twins, the tower is now best known for its ravens, yeomen wardens (beefeaters) and crown jewels. Together they provide an unforgettable morning of heritage, wit and bling. Cross the Thames by Tower Bridge to reach the south side of the river. Opening on average three times a day, with a week in London you can afford to hang around the area for a while just in case, perhaps taking in HMS Belfast at the same time. With nine decks to explore, it’s one of the most detailed displays of life in the navy during peace and war time you’ll encounter. End the day looking down on London from The View from The Shard. Western Europe’s tallest building, The Shard’s observation floors stand 250 meters above the riverside, providing panoramas capable of transporting you 40 miles in any direction. The bar makes an extra-special spot from which to enjoy London’s sunsets too. The rainy day The weather in London is fickle enough that you could experience a rainy day at any time of year. But don’t worry, there’s plenty indoors that will keep you busy without them feeling like second-rate options. The Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum are located side by side in Kensington, though with such extensive collections you’re better off sticking to the one that interests you most. Whilst the first two museums are relatively self-explanatory, the Victoria and Albert Museum name doesn’t give much away. Funded by the profits of Hyde Park’s 1851 Great Exhibition, it concentrates on the decorative arts, from ceramics to tapestries and jewelry. The site of performances throughout the year, the Royal Albert Hall really comes into its own in August and September, when it welcomes the Proms. But even when there’s no scheduled performance you can still take in its main auditorium with a behind the scenes tour. Span a millennium in a day For a trip beneath the world’s oceans without the price tag to match, start the fourth day of your London week itinerary at SEA LIFE Center London Aquarium. As well as a coral reef and a shark tunnel, visitors are able to watch the antics of a small colony of penguins. Just outside, the steady rotation of the London Eye has become an irresistible part of anyone’s London experience. The world’s first cantilever Ferris wheel – supported on just one side – its location means it provides some of the clearest views of the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey beyond. With origins predating the Norman Conquest of 1066, the abbey has witnessed some of the most important events in British history, from the coronation of over 40 kings and queens, to royal marriages, memorials to national treasures and the burial of the unknown soldier at the end of the First World War. Royal brides continue to place their bouquet on its black marble surface in honor of the fallen. Spend a day at Kew The list of public green spaces that were once the private property of the British monarch extends to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. A cherished part of west London, the gardens have gained international recognition through their UNESCO World Heritage status and continuing work to save botany’s rarest plants from extinction. Nor does it matter when you plan to visit London, since Kew provides all-year color and interest. Spring sees tulips, daffodils and cherry blossom take centerstage, before the summer months present its follies – including a ten story Chinese pagoda – in all their glory. Fall sees Kew’s 14,000 trees from around the world turn stunning shades of sunset whilst even the winter isn’t lacking in attractions thanks to its multiple glasshouses and February orchid festival. So slip on a good pair of walking shoes and discover for yourself what Kew is all about! A day in the City of London Begin Day 6 of your odyssey at the northern end of London Bridge. Once the only crossing over the Thames in the city, the current version dates from the 1960s and is a little underwhelming compared to London’s other crossings – but does have clear views towards Tower Bridge and The Shard. Head north from the city of London into the City of London – which has its own police force and ancient ways though not much over two kilometers square – for one of London’s quirkier attractions – The Monument. Located on an easy-to-miss side street, it commemorates the Great Fire of 1666, reputed to have started in Pudding Lane opposite. The ‘new’ St Paul’s Cathedral rose from the ashes of the fire. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, its sightlines are protected by law and its interior considered one of architecture's greatest achievements. End your day in and around the Museum of London, which tells the story of the capital from the time of the mammoths to the latest archeological discoveries. A day of live performances Make sure you haven’t missed anything by spending the morning enjoying the commentary and day ticket opportunities of a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour through the heart of the capital. Follow this up with a matinee performance at one of the West End’s top theaters, where dramas, musicals and comedies switch between coming from and going to New York’s Broadway and attract big names in television and cinema to their stages. On a bright summer night the open-air amphitheater forming Regent’s Park Theater ensures each show is unique, whilst an afternoon at ZSL London Zoo provides another type of entertainment. Its 750 species, from aardvarks to zebra, never fail to charm. A week in London with Go City Capture the essence of the living and breathing British capital with one week in London. Its range of attractions are extensive, but that doesn’t mean you have to watch your bank balance drain. Travel with Go City to take advantage of massive savings on admission to many top attractions!
Ian Packham

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