London Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, Shop & Explore

London is one of those cities I could return to again and again and never feel like I’ve quite finished with it.

There is always a new restaurant to try, a show I want to see, an exhibition to visit or a shop I somehow need to pop into, alongside the places I return to every single time.

And while you can race around London ticking landmarks off a list, that’s not really how I like to experience the city.

For me, the perfect long weekend in London involves staying somewhere central, walking as much as possible, eating exceptionally well, shopping at a few favourite addresses and leaving enough space in the itinerary to discover something unexpected along the way.

If you have three or four days in London, here’s how I’d spend them:

01

Where to Stay in London

For a long weekend, location matters enormously. If you want to experience London the way we do, walking as much as possible, I’d stay in Soho, the West End or somewhere within easy walking distance of them.

On my last trip to London, we based ourselves at Soho House 40 Greek Street, the original Soho House, which opened in 1995 inside a Grade II-listed townhouse right in the heart of Soho. It’s a gorgeous property, but what I loved most was the location.

We walked almost everywhere.

Choose the things that genuinely interest you and build walks around them. London is one of those rare cities where getting from one place to another is often just as enjoyable as the destination itself.

From Soho, you’re within easy walking distance of Covent Garden, Piccadilly, Mayfair, Regent Street, Carnaby, Chinatown and much of the West End. Rather than constantly getting into taxis or disappearing underground, London became something we experienced as we moved through it.

And London is a city you want to walk. Some of my favourite moments weren’t necessarily destinations at all: beautiful streets, tiny restaurants tucked between buildings, old pubs overflowing onto the pavement, flower stands, bookshops and those quintessential London façades that make you stop and take a photo.

Where Else I’d Stay

If you’re looking for a hotel you can book for your own London weekend, these are a few that fit our aesthetic with great locations, plenty of personality and somewhere you’d actually look forward to coming back to at the end of the day.

If you’re looking for a hotel that feels like part of the London experience rather than simply somewhere to sleep, Broadwick Soho would be high on my list.

It’s an independent luxury hotel right in Soho, with wonderfully bold interiors and plenty of personality. Think colour, pattern and a little London glamour rather than anonymous five-star minimalism.

The location is also excellent for this particular itinerary. You’re surrounded by Soho restaurants and bars and within walking distance of Carnaby, Regent Street, Covent Garden and the West End.

Another beautiful Soho option is The Soho Hotel, part of Kit Kemp’s Firmdale Hotels.

Despite being right in the middle of one of London’s liveliest neighbourhoods, it’s tucked away from the main streets. Inside, you’ll find the colour, pattern and wonderfully eclectic interiors Kit Kemp is known for.

This would be my pick if you love boutique hotels that actually have personality.

Hazlitt’s — For Old-School London Charm

If your idea of London involves Georgian townhouses, antiques, fireplaces and rooms that feel as though they have stories to tell, look at Hazlitt’s.

Set across historic Georgian houses on Frith Street, it’s a completely different aesthetic from London’s newer design hotels. It’s intimate, atmospheric and wonderfully English.

And you’re still right in Soho, so you don’t sacrifice the walkability that makes this area such a good base.

If theatre is going to be a big part of your weekend, The Londoner has a fantastic location on Leicester Square, between Soho and Covent Garden.

It’s a much larger luxury hotel than some of the boutique properties on this list, with a spa and pool which is particularly appealing if you want somewhere you can actually retreat to after spending the day walking London.

You can also walk to an enormous number of West End theatres, making that post-show journey back to your room particularly easy.

London hotels can become expensive very quickly, so I also wanted to include an option for travellers who would rather spend their budget on restaurants, shopping and theatre. Nothing in London is cheap, but this is a good option usually under €300 .

The Resident Soho puts you in an excellent central location without trying to compete with London’s big five-star hotels. Rooms are more understated and practical, but you’re still right in Soho and within walking distance of much of this guide. For a long weekend when you’re going to spend most of your time out exploring anyway, that can be a very good trade-off.

A LITTLE TIP: For a three- or four-day London trip, I’d prioritise location over almost everything else. Being able to walk out the door and immediately feel part of the city completely changes how much you can experience.

02

What to See in London

You could spend weeks visiting London’s landmarks, museums and neighbourhoods, so don’t try to do everything in three days.

Choose the things that genuinely interest you and build walks around them. London is one of those rare cities where getting from one place to another is often just as enjoyable as the destination itself

Buckingham Palace & St James’s

If this is your first trip to London, Buckingham Palace deserves a place on your itinerary, but make the walk there part of the experience. Walk through St James’s Park before heading towards the palace, then continue through St James’s towards Piccadilly and Mayfair.

If you’d like to see the Changing of the Guard, check the official schedule before you go rather than assuming it happens every day.

Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament

There are certain places that instantly remind you where you are, and this is one of them. Westminster Abbey is absolutely worth visiting if you love history. The church has been the setting for British coronations since 1066 and is the resting place of monarchs, writers, scientists and other significant figures from British history.

Even if you don’t go inside, spend some time walking around Westminster, past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, before crossing Westminster Bridge.

It’s classic London for a reason.

Walk the South Bank

Once you’re across Westminster Bridge, keep walking. The route along the Thames takes you past the London Eye and towards Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and eventually Borough Market.

It’s one of my favourite ways to sightsee in London because you’re not really sightseeing. You’re walking through the city, stopping when something catches your attention and seeing some of its most famous landmarks along the way.

If the weather cooperates, give yourself plenty of time.

Borough Market

Yes, it’s busy. Yes, parts of it have become very Instagram-famous. And yes, I still think it’s worth visiting. Borough Market has existed in some form for around 1,000 years and remains one of London’s great food destinations.

Go hungry, wander the stalls and share a few things rather than committing to one lunch. To be honest, I don’t even know what to recommend because everything is so good. I would say let your stomach guide you and you probably can’t go wrong.

From here, continue along the river towards Tower Bridge. And an important London distinction: the spectacular bridge with the two towers that everyone associates with London is Tower Bridge, not London Bridge. London Bridge is a completely different, and considerably less dramatic, bridge nearby.

Tower of London & Tower Bridge

If you have three or four days rather than a rushed weekend, this is one of the places where I’d actually allow a few hours. The Tower of London has played an extraordinary role in British history with the royal palace, fortress, prison and home of the Crown Jewels.

It’s especially worthwhile if you’re travelling with children or teenagers who might be less enthusiastic about simply looking at historic buildings. There is a lot to actually see here. From the Tower, walk across Tower Bridge or simply head towards the river for one of the classic London views.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden isn’t somewhere I necessarily treat as a sightseeing stop. It’s somewhere to wander. Start around the beautiful market building and piazza, then explore the surrounding streets. There are shops, cafés, restaurants and theatres everywhere, and it’s particularly lovely in the late afternoon when you’re ready to stop somewhere for a drink.

03

Where to Shop in London

If You Love Books, Find Cecil Court

If you love books as much as we do, add Cecil Court to your London list. Tucked between Charing Cross Road and St Martin’s Lane, this little pedestrian street feels worlds away from the surrounding West End. It’s lined with independent shops specialising in books, art, antiques, maps, prints and all sorts of curiosities.

This isn’t a place to rush through.

Go into the shops. Look at the old editions. Browse things you have absolutely no intention of buying.

It’s exactly the sort of London place I love: historic, slightly hidden and completely full of character.

Soho, Carnaby & Mayfair

This is where I could happily lose a significant portion of a London weekend.

Walk through Soho, wander around Carnaby, cross Regent Street and continue into Mayfair. You’ll find beautiful architecture, old pubs, independent boutiques, restaurants and some of the world’s biggest fashion houses all within a relatively compact area.

It’s also the perfect route for combining sightseeing with my other favourite London activity: Shopping.

London shopping is dangerous territory for me. I can justify almost anything on the basis that I can’t get it at home, and somehow I always leave with considerably more than I arrived with. There are a few places I return to almost every trip.

Liberty London

If I could choose only one shop in London, it would probably be Liberty.

The Tudor-style building alone is worth visiting, but it’s the curation that keeps me coming back: fashion, beauty, fragrance, accessories, homeware and all sorts of things you didn’t know you needed until approximately thirty seconds ago.

On my last trip, I discovered a Dries Van Noten perfume there, and I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever owned a fragrance that has received so many compliments.

I also bought my latest pair of Celine sunglasses. They’re beautifully made, classic enough that I’ll wear them for years and exactly the sort of purchase I’d rather make once and keep than replace every season.

You can always shop my London List here. I add more things as I love as I discover them.

Marks & Spencer

At the completely opposite end of my London shopping spectrum: I never come to London without going to M&S. And I mean never.

Marks & Spencer has become particularly good for wardrobe basics and those relatively inexpensive pieces that somehow end up being worn constantly.

I invariably tell myself I’m “just going to have a look” and then need to work out how to fit several new purchases into my suitcase.

You can always find my current favourite M&S pieces here.

Daunt Books

I have a weakness for beautiful bookshops, and Daunt Books in Marylebone is one of the loveliest.

The original Edwardian gallery, with its long oak balconies and skylights, is worth seeing in its own right. The books are famously arranged geographically, making this place especially dangerous if you happen to love both books and travel.

Allow yourself more time here than you think you’ll need.

Maison Assouline

If Culture.Style.Life. were a shop, I would want it to look something like Maison Assouline. The Piccadilly flagship brings together books, travel, fashion, art, interiors and design in an absolutely beautiful setting.

There’s also Swans Bar inside, meaning you can turn “I’m just popping into a bookshop” into cocktails surrounded by beautiful books. An idea I fully support.

You can always find a list of my favourite Assouline books here.

Sézane

I buy most of my Sézane pieces online, so whenever I’m in a city with a store, I try to stop in. It’s particularly useful for trying on pieces you’ve been eyeing online, figuring out French sizing and seeing fabrics and cuts in person before ordering. And, if you’re like me, inevitably, discovering three more things you hadn’t planned to buy.

SHOP the Sézane pieces I’m currently wearing and shopping.

Spend a Night in the West End

There is one thing I do almost every time I’m in London: Go to the theatre.

London’s West End is extraordinary, and I think it should be part of any long weekend in the city, even if you don’t consider yourself a huge theatre person.

On my last trip we saw Wicked, which was fantastic. But that’s really only one option. One of the best things about the West End is that there’s always something happening. Alongside the long-running favourites, you’ll find new musicals, plays, limited runs and major actors appearing on London stages.

And if you’re used to Broadway prices, the West End can feel like incredible value.

The experience and quality of the productions are every bit as impressive, but you can often see a major London show for considerably less than you’d expect to pay in New York.

I like building one evening around it: an early dinner, a West End show and then a drink afterwards. If you’re staying in Soho, it’s particularly easy because so many theatres are within walking distance.

SEE WHAT’S ON → Check the current West End listings before your trip to see what’s playing during your dates. And don’t automatically choose the show you’ve already heard of. Have a look at what’s opening while you’re there. Part of the fun is discovering what happens to be on right now.

04

Where to Eat in London

You could plan an entire London weekend around restaurant reservations and I would be perfectly happy. There are endless places still on my list, but these are three restaurants I can personally recommend and would happily book again.

Sexy Fish is not where you go for a quiet dinner. It is glamorous, theatrical and unapologetically fun. We loved it!

The food was genuinely incredible, but the atmosphere made the evening. There was a DJ, the room was buzzing and the people-watching was some of the best I’ve encountered in a very long time. This is the reservation I’d make when you want dinner to feel like part of your night out rather than simply somewhere you stop to eat.

Dress up. Order cocktails. Stay longer than planned.

I’ve been to Sketch many times over the years, and it still remains a favourite. There are certain restaurants where the surroundings are so famous that you wonder whether the food will become secondary. Sketch manages not to fall into that trap.

It’s eccentric, beautiful and unmistakably London. Even after multiple visits, it still feels like an occasion, exactly what I want from a restaurant when I’m travelling.

And yes, you should absolutely go and see the bathrooms.

This was one of those restaurant discoveries where the concept seemed designed specifically for me. Cicchetti serves Italian dishes as small plates, which means instead of making the impossible decision between pizza, pasta and everything else on the menu, you simply don’t.

We shared pizza, pasta, salads and more. My ideal way to eat, basically. It turned dinner into a long, relaxed procession of food where we could try everything. It was fun, absolutely delicious and it’s now firmly on my London list.

05

How I’d Spend 3-4 Days in London

Don’t treat this as a minute-by-minute itinerary. London is much better when there’s room to change your mind.

Day One: Soho, Westminster & the West End

Start by exploring Soho before walking through St James’s towards Buckingham Palace.

Continue to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, then slowly make your way back towards Soho and Covent Garden.

Have an early dinner at Cicchetti Piccadilly before seeing a show in the West End.

Finish with a drink in Soho if you’re not too tired.

Day Two: South Bank, Borough Market & Tower Bridge

Walk across Westminster Bridge and spend the morning following the South Bank along the Thames. Stop at Borough Market for lunch before continuing towards Tower Bridge. If history is high on your list, make this your Tower of London day. Otherwise, take your time along the river and save the Tower for another trip.

Book somewhere special for dinner; this would be my Sexy Fish night.

Day Three: Books, Shopping & Mayfair

Give yourself a slower morning and head towards Marylebone and Daunt Books.

Then make your way through central London, stopping at Liberty, Regent Street, Sézane and, inevitably, Marks & Spencer.

Visit Maison Assouline on Piccadilly and stop for a drink at Swans Bar. Make time for Cecil Court too, particularly if you’re a fellow book lover.

Finish with dinner at Sketch.

Day Four: Your London

If you have a fourth day, don’t immediately fill it. This is the day I’d leave for whatever you love.

Book a museum or exhibition. Explore Notting Hill. Spend more time shopping. Have a long lunch. Return to somewhere you discovered earlier in the weekend. Or simply choose a neighbourhood and walk.

Because some of the best parts of London aren’t really attractions at all.

They’re the beautiful street you accidentally turned down, the pub you stopped at because the tables outside looked inviting, the book you found in a tiny shop or the restaurant you hadn’t planned to visit.

06

The CSL London Edit

If you’re planning a long weekend in London, these are the places we’d put at the top of the list:

STAY: Soho or the West End (as centrally as you can).

SEE: Westminster, Buckingham Palace, St James’s Park, the South Bank, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

WANDER: Soho, Covent Garden, Marylebone, Mayfair and Cecil Court.

SHOP: Liberty London, Marks & Spencer, Sézane, Daunt Books and Maison Assouline.

EAT: Sexy Fish, Sketch and Cicchetti Piccadilly.

DO: Book a West End show.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: Leave yourself time to walk. London doesn’t need to be “done” in a weekend. Stay somewhere central. Book the restaurants you’re excited about. Choose a few landmarks you genuinely want to see. Buy theatre tickets. Wear comfortable shoes. Then walk out the door and see where London takes you.