London Travel Guide

My Journey
Written By Susie Evans
 

As you guys know I spent time in England filming a wedding in January. While I was there I knew I had to create a travel guide of London for you guys! I’ve been to London once before and I feel like I have the scoop on how to get around and where you should spend your time! Before we get started my two logistical recommendations are 1 getting a SIM card in the airport and having apple/google pay set up on your phone. You will not need to buy/carry around an underground pass if you have apple pay connected to your wallet. You can just scan your phone every time you want to hop on the underground to get around town. London is huge and if you’re spending a few days there, I recommend breaking the city down locationally and spending your days knocking items off your bucket list based on what is in the same area.

I wanted to break down three options for places to stay for you guys. There is something for every price point and experience in this group! I personally stayed in all three of these places and will give you my honest breakdown and experience.

St. Christopher’s Village

This is a hostel and a really fun way to stay in London for cheap! I stayed here back in 2018 when I was solo-backpacking in Europe. If you want to make friends and be social, this is an amazing option if you’re open to the hostel environment. I remember walking into St. Christopher’s and seeing a DJ and girls dancing on the other side of the lobby as I checked in. I really think this is ideal for the London backpackers looking for a good party vibe.

 

The Andaz is on the opposite end of the spectrum from the shared living on a budget but it is SO worth every penny. This is a boutique luxury hotel with tons of history and passionate employees. I was taking photos of the hotel for fun and the manager, the bartender and front desk attendant were all excited to share the history of the hotel with me. The Andaz is known for being very inclusive and progressive and you can see that part of the brand shine through the art, style, and employees that work there. The pub in the photo below is called Lady Abercorn’s and the bartender let me know that the ceiling and windows are all original dating back to the 1500’s. I also had dinner at Rake’s Cafe and it did not disappoint. The ambiance is unique and food was incredible. As for the rooms, they were HUGE! I pretty much assume when I travel to a major city, that there is not going to be a lot of space in any of my hotel rooms. Not at the Andaz! It was a stunning room with tons of room for activities! The Andaz has that romantic feel of what you imagine London would feel like when you’re in love. They have high ceilings, beautiful ballrooms, the breakfast area feels like something out of a movie. If you’re going on a trip to London with a loved one or for a special occasion, the Andaz would be so worth the price point!

(this is where I had my first beans on toast breaky - a must have in England)

 
 

The New Road Hotel

This is that happy medium of the above two options. You will absolutely find more affordable living options at the New Road but you’re going to sacrifice on space and luxury. I should note that I stayed in their “pocket room” which is probably on the smaller side but it was perfect for what I needed. The tagline of the hotel is, “Everything you need and nothing you don’t.” I love that! This is generally my travel vibe, not to mention, it is actually a very unique hotel. New Road Hotel is a stylish 79 bedroom boutique hotel in East London. Housed in a former textile factory in Whitechapel, this unique hotel is inspired by the New York metropolis. Just because it is more affordable than the Andaz, you won’t be sacrificing on the food options, New Road Hotel features a signature restaurant by acclaimed chef Marco Pierre White. I stayed in a small room through the library but I explored the other floors and found a game room and a little gym area. There really is everything you need in this hotel. You can see from the photos below, I invited my friend Sarah over to eat British chocolates and crisps while we drank wine and waited for our other friends. I should also note that the neighborhood this hotel is in is very diverse and interesting. I loved just walking around the streets, checking out the daily market and shops. There is a train station only 7 minutes by foot that can get you into Central London in less than 15 minutes!

 

Now for the fun stuff but before we dive in, I have to give a shout out to Kaylene who used to live in England and sent me an entire itinerary on things to do in the city. She knows the true hot spots and this guide came in handy for sure. I am utilizing her tips and tricks for this blog as well. 

The Classics

Starting from one end of this list to the other it is about a 5 mile straight shot that takes about an hour and thirty minutes to walk all the way through. Obviously you are going to stop and sightsee along the way but this is a great day plan that will help you knock a ton of things on your bucket list! I know this tip is a bit extra but I also would totally recommend booking a photographer for an hour or two to take some iconic photos of you in this area of London! I reached out to Jamal on Instagram and he charges a reasonable price, and split between your travel group, I think it would make such a difference for you guys to have beautiful memories from your trip!

-Knightsbridge, London, UK - Sandwiched between Kensington, Belgravia and Mayfair, this is one of the most exclusive and pricey areas in London known for up-scale shops and restaurants. This is a must see for high end shopping and in my case, window shopping!

  • Buckingham Palace

  • Big Ben

  • The London Eye - One of the world's largest ferris wheels, it takes almost 30 minutes to take a full trip around it. 

  • The London Bridge - We all sang the song growing up, so you may as well see it.

  • Tower Bridge - This bridge is actually way more visually iconic that The London Bridge, they are easily within walking distance from each other, so I recommend checking it out. I think heading to Tower Bridge at sunset would make for the best photos!

 

The West Side

Here are a few places you’re not going to want to miss on the West Side of London. Again walking straight through on these locations takes about an hour but take your time and see all the things!

  • Notting Hill is a trendy area with casual cafe’s lining Bohemian Portobello Road. There is a busy market vibe and no shortage of vintage fashion in this area! 

  • Churchill Arms  - You can’t miss it! It is literally dripping in flowers. This pub was built in the 1750’s and is now known for serving real ales and Thai food! I recommend breaking up the day with a stop here. 

  • Paddington is an area next to Notting Hill and you can take a little boat ride on the canals through the Camden Market! Way more fun than walking and cheaper than taking an uber.

This next suggestion will add about a thirty minute walk to your day but I think it is worth it for a really cute afternoon tea experience. It is called Peggy Porschen Chelsea. It’s the perfect spot for and IG photo op but it is also really close to Sloane Square and The Kings Road in Chelsea.

 

Hot Spots

These are some places you will want to consider going if you have some extra time in the city and want to add some cute places to your bucket list:

  • The Shard

  • Borough Market

  • Ledenhall Market

  • Sky Garden

 

Finally Food & Drink

I wanted to leave you guys with a foolproof section that is just popping with amazing food spots that you won’t regret. Also something to keep in mind in London is that you can find a happy hour deal on any day in any part of town. When gallivanting with my friends through the city, they made it clear we were getting a 2 for 1 just about anywhere we go and just because it’s the weekend, doesn’t mean we can’t find a happy hour. 

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Susie Evans
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