This face-paced, enormous capital city has so much to offer from its historical routes and world-class museums to its cultural hubs and progressive underground music scene. With the volume of how much there is to see, London can be overwhelming, so here’s a roundup of what to do and where to go for those who want to trade in tourists for townies and crowds for culture.
1. The British Museum
Founded in 1753, the British Museum is the largest museum in England and one of the oldest in the world, containing a remarkable collection of objects spanning over two million years of history. Six million visitors a year come and visit the Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek, Roman, European and Middle Eastern treasures. Highlights include world-famous objects like the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures and Egyptian mummies.
2. South Bank
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An estimated 14 million people visit this lively stretch along the Thames each year to experience its cultural happenings. Stretching two-miles between the London Eye and the Tower of London, this procession encompasses diverse, mostly state-funded arts and entertainment venues and events. The area started emerging as a cultural hub in 1951 with the Festival of Britain, which aimed to boost morale after World War II. The Royal Festival Hall is a mark of this inclusive spirit, which later expanded to the Southbank Centre, the BFI Southbank and the National Theatre. More recently the new millennium saw the riverside’s cultural happenings expand with the arrival of the London Eye, Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge and Borough Market.
3. Covent Garden
Covent Garden was London’s first planned square, which is now a glitzy district of old fashioned arcades, market stalls, restaurants, shops, theatres and street performers. The Royal Opera House provides daily entertainment in the central square. Places in Covent Garden worth exploring include St. Martin’s Courtyard, Seven Dials, Neal’s Yard, Floral Street, Covent Garden Market, the Opera Quarter, Somerset House and the London Transport Museum. The area has become a shopping destination for clothing and crafts due to its emerging designer boutiques and market stalls. There’s also a diverse range of restaurants and bars including Mexican street food, Indian and pizza
4. Brick Lane Market
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This East End hot spot encompasses an assorted array of markets in and around Brick Lane. The original market sells antiques, clothing, produce and bric-a-brac at bargain prices. Others sell their old videos and CD players without a proper stall and bric-a-brac traders blend into vintage clothing stalls and shops. Further down the road at the Old Truman Brewery there are numerous markets selling vintage clothing, jewelry, music and food, including the Boiler House Food Hall, the Tea Rooms, the Backyard Market, the Sunday UpMarket and the Vintage Market. The Sunday UpMarket is a mishmash of locals, students and hipsters riffling through vintage stalls and stacks of old vinyl. There are also food stalls offering Ethiopian coffee, tapas and Japanese Yakisoba.
5. Brixton Village
This former arcade is now a bustling cultural hub home to more than 100 local and independent businesses. The arcade hosts the most vibrant restaurant scene in London and comprises more than 20 cafes, restaurants and takeaways with a wide selection of international cuisines from Europe, India, Asia, Africa, South America and the Caribbean. On Thursday and Friday nights the market is open late and live bands entertain. The restaurants have open kitchens and menus and the staff are young and friendly. Most of the restaurants are BYOB and will feed you for under £10. Highlights include the Beijing street food at Mama Lan, the burritos at Casa Morita and the delicious pulled pork burgers at The Joint.
