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Faizan
The beauty of sightseeing in London is that the city’s iconic attractions are all packed into a relatively condensed zone. Visitors can cover the major museums, royal and governmental landmarks and famous shopping thoroughfares without having to stray far. That said, the city is notoriously costly, ranking as the third most expensive to visit in the world. For those who want to stay in style, the city won’t disappoint. If you're on a budget, you'll find a surprising amount of options too.
Legendary West End
Choose a hotel in the West End and stay in the heart of the famous theater district, with Covent Garden, Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus a short walk away. Part of the so-called City of Westminster, central London is not actually as budget-shattering as might be expected, with plenty of brand-name hostels and hotels in the area, all within a short distance of a bus stop or tube station. Bear in mind, though, that the area goes to bed late and is the focal point for boisterous revelry on the weekends. A famous landmark might not be the only thing on the hotel doorstep first thing in the morning.
Cultural Center
London's museums and galleries are not only world class, but also free to the public, which explains their consistent ranking among the city's top visitor attractions. Expensive Knightsbridge and cheaper South Kensington are both good bases from which to explore the National History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum, with the choice of winding down in nearby Harrods for some post-cultural shopping. Closer to the West End, the British Museum is in Bloomsbury, and the National Gallery is hard to miss in the shadow of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.
Royal Matters
If posing with a bearskin-wearing sentry or trying to catch a glimpse of the queen is on the agenda, try the area around Victoria Station near the River Thames -- it's ideal for tackling Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and Westminster Abbey. Medium-size brand-name hotels vie for business with individual hostels and guest houses. The area is noticeably quieter than central London, and the nearby station ensures easy links to the Gatwick airport shuttle.
Leafy West London
Some of the cheapest hotels -- of varying quality -- are in the west London districts of Paddington and Bayswater. These areas have easy links to Heathrow airport and are close to ultrafashionable Notting Hill, but they're otherwise too residential for the tourist wanting to wake up to the major landmarks. Those who do base themselves in west London tend to be drawn to the oases of green space in the heart of the city: Hyde Park, Kensington Park and Holland Park are all within striking distance. Avoid the area over the August bank holiday, though, when over a million people crowd in for the Notting Hill Carnival.
Legendary West End
Choose a hotel in the West End and stay in the heart of the famous theater district, with Covent Garden, Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus a short walk away. Part of the so-called City of Westminster, central London is not actually as budget-shattering as might be expected, with plenty of brand-name hostels and hotels in the area, all within a short distance of a bus stop or tube station. Bear in mind, though, that the area goes to bed late and is the focal point for boisterous revelry on the weekends. A famous landmark might not be the only thing on the hotel doorstep first thing in the morning.
Cultural Center
London's museums and galleries are not only world class, but also free to the public, which explains their consistent ranking among the city's top visitor attractions. Expensive Knightsbridge and cheaper South Kensington are both good bases from which to explore the National History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum, with the choice of winding down in nearby Harrods for some post-cultural shopping. Closer to the West End, the British Museum is in Bloomsbury, and the National Gallery is hard to miss in the shadow of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.
Royal Matters
If posing with a bearskin-wearing sentry or trying to catch a glimpse of the queen is on the agenda, try the area around Victoria Station near the River Thames -- it's ideal for tackling Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and Westminster Abbey. Medium-size brand-name hotels vie for business with individual hostels and guest houses. The area is noticeably quieter than central London, and the nearby station ensures easy links to the Gatwick airport shuttle.
Leafy West London
Some of the cheapest hotels -- of varying quality -- are in the west London districts of Paddington and Bayswater. These areas have easy links to Heathrow airport and are close to ultrafashionable Notting Hill, but they're otherwise too residential for the tourist wanting to wake up to the major landmarks. Those who do base themselves in west London tend to be drawn to the oases of green space in the heart of the city: Hyde Park, Kensington Park and Holland Park are all within striking distance. Avoid the area over the August bank holiday, though, when over a million people crowd in for the Notting Hill Carnival.
Posted in: Travel UK
