The best neighbourhoods in London

There's so much more to London’s geography than just a list of 32 boroughs, or the squiggly coloured lines of the tube map. Zoom in further and you’ll find a haphazard cluster of neighbourhoods and villages, each with their own distinct rhythm and identity. Some of London’s best neighbourhoods are established on the typical tourist trail, while others are constantly evolving, taking turns to emerge as the new cool hotspot. To help uncover the latest that London has to offer, our series of neighbourhood guides highlights the very best things to do in each area.

Marylebone

Marylebone is one of those rare neighbourhoods that still manages to stir up the distinct feeling that you’ve just stumbled across an enchanting secret. Much more low-key than its bustling Oxford Circus neighbour, meandering the quieter, elegant streets — and intriguing passageways — offers a welcome respite from the punishing pace of the capital. Nip into the famous Daunt Books, tuck into crab doughnuts at the renowned Chiltern Firehouse and sample a buzzy, distinctly Australian atmosphere at Daisy Green. Watch our neighbourhood guide to the best of Marylebone.

Mayfair

The well-heeled streets of Mayfair are home to some of the world’s most high-end shops, galleries and restaurants, not to mention the gold-gilded doors of The Dorchester, and its equally well-known neighbours, Claridge’s and The Connaught. Whether you’re just passing through for a taste of the high life or plan on really acquainting yourself with London’s swankiest sector, flick through our neighbourhood guide to Mayfair.

Mayfair: is this London's most elegant neighbourhood?

A busy street in MayfairGetty Images

Battersea

After an intensive facelift that earned the area its own underground station and saw hundreds of young, trendy power couples move into Battersea Power Station’s sparkly new housing complex, Battersea’s riverside parade of restaurants and boutiques finally has a glamorous backdrop to match. Its past has not been forgotten though, rather, reloved, with the Archlight Cinema now nestled into the old railway arches and Battersea Park still sprawling out along the river, complete with its own Peace Pagoda. Get better acquainted with our neighbourhood guide to Battersea.

An insider's guide to the best things to do in Battersea

Battersea Flower Station

Shoreditch

No matter how many rejuvenations it goes through, Shoreditch’s unorthodox creative energy can still be felt, and seen, pulsing through the streets. By day, offbeat eateries dish out flaky pastries (inventive flavours to be expected) to their fashion-forward regulars and by night, a melting pot of bars and clubs — some of the best in the world — judder into life until the early hours. From the eccentric art scene to the newest, and most talked about, table to book, get the lowdown with our neighbourhood guide to Shoreditch.

Rooftop pool at Shoreditch House

Hackney Central

Hackney is one of those pockets of London that doesn’t get the spotlight that it so deserves. However, times they are a’changing and the area is fast becoming the new face of East London, with its heady mix of underground nightlife, scene-stealing dining options and, at the weekends, a vibrant market where pubs and restaurants spill out onto the streets and create an intimate, community-minded neighbourhood feel. Find out exactly what this borough has to offer — from the Moth House to Mare Street — with our neighbourhood guide to Hackney Central.

Atlantis Records Hackney

Camberwell

Arguably the the most handsome South East London neighbourhood, Camberwell's residents are fiercely proud of their self-contained village within a big city. And with the quirky cafés, independent boutiques and rows of doll-house-perfect Georgian properties, it’s little wonder. There's a thriving foodie scene and a jovial atmosphere — helped by the students at Camberwell College of Art — and a tour of the neighbourhood weaves its way past a global mishmash of restaurants, churches hosting jazz in their crypts and parks that come to life with Caribbean music in the summer. Find out exactly what Camberwell has to offer with our guide of the best things to do, eat and see.

South London Gallery, CamberwellAndy Stagg Photography

Covent Garden

Covent Garden’s name precedes it; perhaps one of London’s best-known neighbourhoods, a visit to the capital wouldn’t be complete without traversing the well-worn cobbles that wind around the central marketplace. Stall holders and street performers have called this area home for decades, and they sit beside sophisticated newer additions such as Sushi Samba and Manhattan’s much-loved dim-sum bar, RedFarm. Dive into the best this culturally-diverse area has to offer with our neighbourhood guide to Covent Garden.

Royal Opera House, Covent GardenLuke Hayes

Soho

Always busy and forever changing, Soho is one of London’s most iconic neighbourhoods (and the world’s original ‘Soho’). Bordered by Oxford Street, Regent Street, Leicester Square and Charing Cross Road, it’s smack bang in the action of London’s West End, offering an exciting maze of theatre shows, buzzing bars, and some of the best restaurants in London. To see a side the tourists usually don’t, check our guide to the best things to do in Soho.

Dalston

There are plenty of good things to be found in Dalston beyond its plentiful Turkish restaurants. In fact there’s much more to this part of East London than meets the eye. From basement dive bars to bakeries with the royal seal of approval and one the city’s best independent cinemas, get to know the coolest things to do in Dalston.

The Old Truman Brewery on Brick LaneAlamy

Shoreditch

The jewel in the East London crown, Shoreditch was an infamous area that reinvented itself in the 1990s to become a thriving creative and tech playground and purveyor of all things cool. Today, it’s more slick than grit. While the art scene still thrives, some of the best Shoreditch restaurants now have Michelin stars, and many of the world’s hippest hotels have moved in. Start your East London exploration with our things to do in Shoreditch guide.

Borough Market and the South Bank

It’s home to one of the best markets in London, but this spot on the south bank of the Thames offers much more than Borough Market’s famed foodie stalls. While you could easily spend hours nibbling on the delicious samples on offer, venture away and you’ll find a working replica of Shakespeare’s original Globe Theatre, the ever-expanding Tate Modern, the wonderful Wobbly Bridge (as the Millenium Bridge is often called) and more. Discover more area gems with our Borough Market guide.

Borough Market: The ultimate guide

Notting Hill

Notting Hill’s image as the cool neighbourhood of West London has been somewhat overtaken by posh bathroom shops and tourists searching for Hugh Grant's blue door. But don’t let this put you off because you can still find the spirit of the real Notting Hill – you just have to know where to look, starting with our insider’s guide to Notting Hill.

Lesley Lau

Brixton

It’s the birthplace of Bowie, was the star of Eddy Grant’s ‘Electric Avenue’, and is where Jimi Hendrix is said to have once jammed, and yet Brixton’s shiny pop-culture personality is just the tip of the iceberg. The area’s contrast of generations, ethnicities and lifestyles means this south London stalwart is constantly evolving. Find the best bits with this things to do in Brixton guide.

Getty Images

Hampstead

Village-like Hampstead has long been seen as one of the more upmarket and desirable neighbourhoods in the capital. It’s beloved for its leafy open spaces, so take advantage and spend the day walking on the heath (one of the best parks in London), browsing the local bookstores and ceramic shops and tucking in to an award-winning roast. For more ideas, see our ultimate guide to Hampstead.

London Shell company

Camden

Once upon a time Camden was just a small village outside of central London. Then came the trains, canals and warehouses, followed by the psychedelic kids and the punks and a young woman with a beehive, named Amy. Today Camden is in the midst of evolving yet again. New businesses are flooding to this part of north-west London, and ever more cafés and restaurants are opening their doors. Explore the past, present and future with our things to do in Camden guide.

Wimbledon Village Stables

Wimbledon

The whole world knows about Wimbeldon’s tennis, but the rest of this south-west neighbourhood still remains somewhat of a secret. According to our insider’s guide to Wimbledon, it’s where you’ll find one of London’s biggest green spaces, along with a village that’s home to cute neighbourhood cafés, independent boutiques and popular stables. All this with reliable transport links into the centre of town (17 minutes to Waterloo).

Smoke House

Southwark

It might not be one of the biggest boroughs in London, but Southwark does have a lot of places crammed into it – the neighbourhoods of Camberwell, Peckham, Elephant & Castle, Canada Water, Old Kent Road, Surrey Quays and Dulwich are all within its borders. To navigate your way around some of South London's top spots, see our guide to the best things to do in Southwark.

The Canonbury Tavern

Canonbury

Combining the sensibilities of a rural village with the cutlery clinks of a cosmopolitan scene, the North London enclave of Canonbury is ideal for a Sunday stroll, a spot of culture and a chilled-out pub lunch. From the area’s handsome Georgian squares to the cosiest cafés to try, see our insider’s guide to Canonbury.

Peckham

The once underrated neighbourhood of Peckham flashed onto the hipster radar with the opening of Frank’s Cafe, one of the best rooftop bars in London. Since then, the south London enclave has been drawing cool-seekers from all over with a long list of fun attractions. Get the lowdown with our neighbourhood guide to Peckham.

Corner Room at The Town Hall, Bethnal GreenJustin De Souza

Bethnal Green

Less an obvious destination for out-of-towners than treasured home of Tower Hamlets’ fiercely proud residents, Bethnal Green has culture and community in bucket loads, with a new sprinkling of bars and restaurants adding just enough style. Check out our guide on where to eat, drink and shop in the East London neighbourhood.

Prep

Stoke Newington

Dalston's sleepier neighbour, Stoke Newington is where you can experience a softer side to Hackney. Embrace the village-like vibe with a stroll down the area’s main strip of Church Street, home to boho cafés, curated homeware stores and charming florists. Get to know our favourite haunts with this guide to Stoke Newington.

Eric Aydin Barberin

Tottenham

For years Tottenham has had a strong community feel, making it one of London’s most vibrant spots. And now this busy corner of north London is one of the latest to attract the city’s creatives, party people and anyone out there with an art degree and a taste for alternative culture. Rediscover this up-and-coming neighbourhood with the best things to do in Tottenham.

Deptford marketAlamy

Deptford

Following its years as a bustling royal dockyard, today the east London neighbourhood has a small town feel complete with cobbled streets, an impressive baroque church, run-down Victorian houses and a lively, multicultural market. To discover the best of this sleepy pocket in London's south-east, see our guide to Deptford.

Greenberry, Primrose Hill, London

Primrose Hill

With a rich history of literary and artistic associations, this formerly sheep-speckled hill is surrounded by a trendy collection of brunch spots, delis and English pubs. Check out our ultimate guide to Primrose Hill here.

Coal Office, King's Cross.

King's Cross

Industry meets history in this central London neighbourhood. Coloured fountains lie in shadows of Victorian Gothic masterpieces, and an ever-growing list of bars and restaurants makes it one of the capital’s favoured spots. Find out where the best places to eat, drink and shop are in our guide.

Ida

Queen's Park and Kensal Rise

Cradled between Notting Hill and West Hampstead, Queen’s Park, Kensal Rise and Kensal Green have just as much creative flair as their better-known neighbours, minus the hordes of tourists. We've rounded up the best of the area here.

Botanique

Clerkenwell

Impossibly close to the centre of town, Clerkenwell somehow still feels like an oasis of calm in the bustle of London. It has a radical history, with long ties to working-class political movements as well as communism, and now the area is dotted with young media companies, glorious gastropubs and some of the best restaurants in London, but Clerkenwell sometimes still feels like a well-kept secret. We've rounded up the best places to eat, drink, stay and shop in Clerkenwell.

Tram Store

Clapton

It was only a matter of time before Clapton – surrounded by Dalston, Hackney and Stoke Newington – would become a destination in its own right. With them a surprising number of trailblazing restaurants, top-notch drinking establishments and independent shops, we’d go so far as to say this might just be one of East London’s most exciting corners. Here are the best places to eat, drink and shop in Clapton.

Omved Gardens

Highgate

The village itself might have a reputation as one of the more exclusive parts of London, but that doesn’t stop it from being a welcoming place to spend the day, whether to gulp in fresh air in one of its expansive green spaces or sip a pint at a local watering hole. Often regarded as the quieter sibling of Hampstead, the area has seen an influx of independent shops in recent years, cropping up on the high street and showcasing artisanal products at fair prices. Here are our favourite spots in Highgate.

Look up london tourGetty Images

Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury has a reputation as London’s most learned quarter, dominated by the dual institutions of the British Museum and the University of London. It is perhaps best-known internationally for the long list of former literary inhabitants, among them Virginia Woolf, TS Eliot and Charles Dickens. Though the pretty Georgian squares and streets sit well within the boundaries of central London, Bloomsbury has all the perks of village life. Home to folk who champion the art of liberal self-expression through art, literature and fashion, it is one of the most exciting and underrated neighbourhoods in London. Here is our list of the best things to do in Bloomsbury.

Darkhorse

Stratford

It’s no understatement to say that of all the neighbourhoods in the London, Stratford is the one most in flux. Mass redevelopment began in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics, and its ongoing legacy includes an ambitious cultural quarter, East Bank, for 2022. For now, the European-style piazza is filled with street dancers and people swarming up over the bridge to Westfield, plus a handful of historic gems, from the elegantly restored Theatre Royal to the Italianate splendour of the Old Town Hall. But you can escape the crowds by heading to the foodie East Village, and the open spaces of the Olympic Park. To help guide you, here are some of the best places to visit in Stratford.

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