THE Best Neighborhoods In London

I remember when I went to London for the first time — I was so afraid I was going to miss something! I quickly realized that the city is too expansive and rich to “do” in a single visit.  London is the type of place that beckons you to return to explore and experience. The hard part is knowing where to go and what to do.  Clearly, a travel professional will have your back and see that you don’t end up in an unsafe area. Our guide to The Best Neighborhoods in London will be helpful in planning your London adventure. So, where do we begin?

Best Neighborhood in London for Sightseeing: South Bank and Bankside

When it comes to sightseeing, South Bank and Bankside are excellent for access to big attractions – London Eye, Tate Modern, the Shard – and the City of London also has its share of popular sights, but both have few places to stay. South Kensington is great for museums and shopping; hotels tend to be pricey. Covent Garden and Soho are good all-rounders due to their proximity to the river, Westminster, and other top sights, plus have ample accomodations.

Best Neighborhood in London for Food and Restaurants: Covent Garden

Some of London’s best eating is done around Covent Garden. The dense cluster of streets is packed with restaurants ranging from inexpensive Indian, Mexican, and Brazilian mini-chains to upscale fine dining and traditional pubs serving excellent local food. Covent Garden is a 5 min walk to Chinatown and also Soho, jam-packed with artisan coffee shops and global offerings. My favorite dining experience in Covent Gardens is Balthazar, reminiscent of a time-honoured French brasserie. Hotels around Hyde Park offer London’s best Michelin-starred dining. Camden, the East End, and King’s Cross are great for street food.

Best Neighborhood in London for Families: South Kensington and Marylebone

South Kensington is one of the best places to stay in London for families. The neighborhood is relatively quiet, and there are two stellar museums with plenty of interactive exhibits for all ages. Just to the North is Hyde Park, with its playgrounds and family-friendly Winter Wonderland during the colder months. Marylebone is another good option, within easy reach of both Hyde Park, London Zoo in Regent’s Park, and Madame Tussauds – popular with older children.

Best Neighborhood in London to Stay for First Timer: Covent Garden

If it’s your first time in London, then Covent Garden is the best neighborhood to base yourself. It is centrally located, has a great dining and theatre scene, and is within an easy walking distance of numerous big attractions, such as the National Gallery, Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye. There are excellent public transport connections to other parts of London, and it’s easy to take a boat along the Thames to reach other places of interest. Accommodations are available for all budgets.

Most Romantic Neighborhood in London: Mayfair, Marylebone, or South Kensington

If you are looking for a romantic spot, it’s a tough call between staying in Mayfair, Marylebone, or South Kensington. Mayfair is Old World wealth and charm, with renowned 5-star hotels, such as The Ritz and the Connaught, and some of London’s most celebrated restaurants, including La Gavroche and Corrigan’s Mayfair. In South Kensington, you can opt for the 5-star hotels that fringe Hyde Park, while Marylebone has a hip vibe, some excellent boutique hotels, and less formal dining.

Best Neighborhood in London for Walking: Covent Garden/LeicesterSquare/Soho

The Covent Garden/Leicester Square/Soho area is very popular with visitors on foot – it’s a neighborhood made up of numerous little streets lined with restaurants and shops, with some of the streets completely pedestrian with very little traffic. It’s very central, right in the heart of London’s West End. You’ll find Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, and the National Portrait Gallery. You can easily walk to the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and Westminster Cathedral – they’re a 15-minute walk southwest from Leicester Square. Buckingham Palace is a 15-minute walk West of Westminster – most of it away from traffic, through St James’ Park. The British Museum is a 20-minute walk North of Covent Garden.

Safest Areas of London 

London’s safest neighborhoods tend to be the most affluent ones. Mayfair, South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Chelsea – all these are largely safe to walk around any time of day. Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia are also very safe, but standard precautions apply at night. Covent Garden is generally fine, but things can get lively late on weekend nights.

Unsafe Areas of London

Parts of the East End, such as Hackney and Shoreditch, can be sketchy at night. While the King’s Cross area has been rejuvenated, the area around the train station is still a little sketchy, so it’s best not to wander around late at night. Camden is fine during the day but has a reputation for robberies and assaults outside daylight hours. The Soho and Leicester Square area can also get rough late at night, and Hyde Park is best avoided after dark.

Ready to go to London?  Call me or reach out by email to luann@watercolortravel.com.  I would love to help you start planning your London vacation!