city guide.
london
NEIGHBOURHOODS
OXFORD STREET/REGENT STREET
World-famous high streets full of British and international chain stores and mid-market brands; Europe’s busiest shopping intersection; youth culture
CARNABY/SOHO
Vibrant central London; hip and bustling social scene; great independent stores and boutiques, especially across streetwear, menswear and footwear
COVENT GARDEN
Youthful ambience; pedestrian-heavy shopping streets; prime retail spot for beauty; mix of independent and chain stores; world-class theatres and street performers; bustling restaurants, bars and pubs
HOXTON/SHOREDITCH
London’s most creative neighbourhood, largely gentrified; inspiring and inventive; cutting-edge shops – good area for menswear; galleries, cafes, cool bars and restaurants; hip hotels
BOND STREET/MAYFAIR
London’s most exclusive shopping area; key designer stores, high-end boutiques, expensive hotels and posh restaurants; plentiful spas, beauty salons and galleries
KNIGHTSBRIDGE/SLOANE STREET
Expensive residential and shopping area full of designer and premium brands; exclusive restaurants, bars and cafes; home of famed department stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols
NOTTING HILL
Quaint cobblestone streets; picture-perfect Portobello Market; Georgian and Edwardian architecture; upscale shopping and cafes
KINGS ROAD
Well-known shopping street; once known as the centre of London’s counterculture; hub of high street brands and speciality retailers
ISLINGTON/ANGEL
Trendy, chic vibe; retro furniture, name-brand boutiques and antiques shops
MARYLEBONE
Upmarket neighbourhood, home to affluent young families; less busy than neighbouring Oxford Street; luxe cafes and shopping; emerging retail hotspot with upmarket boutiques and independent stores
SPITALFIELDS/BRICK LANE
Bustling markets and cutting-edge boutiques; vintage stores; great restaurants, the curry capital of London; vibrant nightlife
LAMB'S CONDUIT STREET
Charming cafes; small hub of independent retailers
48-HOUR RECOMMENDATION
LONDON CITY GUIDE | 48 HOURS
Wake up at...
Henrietta in Covent Garden, a boutique hotel featuring handpainted wallpaper and marble details. Try its inventive breakfasts in the downstairs Art Deco restaurant or head to Avobar for a superfood smoothie. Next, explore the area’s transformed retail offering, such as Tom Ford's first standalone beauty boutique, where you can try out cosmetics via augmented reality; The Shop at Bluebird on Floral Street for a treasure trove of fashion and interiors; or cult menswear boutique Couverture & the Garbstore in Seven Dials. Make your way over to Carnaby to check out Ralph Lauren’s new RRL, French eyewear at Izipizi, or Christopher Raeburn’s pop-up, Raeburn. Grab Chinese jianbing from Pleasant Lady and head to Oxford Street to find high-street giants Topshop, River Island, Dorothy Perkins and Polish brand Reserved, or the Regent Street area for the huge new Belstaff flagship, close to H&M-owned Scandi brands Weekday and Arket, plus the new H&M Home. Don’t miss a visit to iconic stalwart Liberty and L'Occitane's immersive store.
Spend the afternoon...
Spend the afternoon... Exploring Soho’s new Danish brands: sustainable brand Ganni and Samsøe & Samsøe. An earthy retail-cumexhibition space from luxury Scandi fragrance label Byredo is a short walk away. Follow up with a healthy Chinese-Indian lunch at Fatt Pundit. Next, check out OVO, Drake’s first boutique in Europe, cult British menswear label End or The Collection, a fashion gallery and store in one, stocking streetwear and cult designer labels. Also on Brewer Street, you will find cult sneaker brand Eytys' first store outside Stockholm, located close to Officine Générale on Beak Street, and standout VM at Fiorucci's London flagship. Feeling peckish? Stop for a gourmet ice-cream at Chin Chin. Take the tube to Notting Hill for its host of upper-end boutiques, including Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow’s wellness initiative, and apartment-cum-store from French label Sézane. Don’t miss the area’s new favourite restaurant and Henrietta Hotel late-night bar, Gold.
Spend the evening...
When you’re done with shopping, finish the night back in Soho and travel in time to 1960s Hong Kong at Wun’s Tea Room & Bar to enjoy cocktails surrounded by sleek decor. Later, head to David Bowie-themed cocktail bar Ziggy’s, where the artist partied back in the day.
Wake up at...
Henrietta in Covent Garden, a boutique hotel featuring handpainted wallpaper and marble details. Try its inventive breakfasts in the downstairs Art Deco restaurant or head to Avobar for a superfood smoothie. Next, explore the area’s transformed retail offering, such as Tom Ford's first standalone beauty boutique, where you can try out cosmetics via augmented reality; The Shop at Bluebird on Floral Street for a treasure trove of fashion and interiors; or cult menswear boutique Couverture & the Garbstore in Seven Dials. Make your way over to Carnaby to check out Ralph Lauren’s new RRL, French eyewear at Izipizi, or Christopher Raeburn’s pop-up, Raeburn. Grab Chinese jianbing from Pleasant Lady and head to Oxford Street to find high-street giants Topshop, River Island, Dorothy Perkins and Polish brand Reserved, or the Regent Street area for the huge new Belstaff flagship, close to H&M-owned Scandi brands Weekday and Arket, plus the new H&M Home. Don’t miss a visit to iconic stalwart Liberty and L'Occitane's immersive store.
Spend the afternoon...
Spend the afternoon... Exploring Soho’s new Danish brands: sustainable brand Ganni and Samsøe & Samsøe. An earthy retail-cumexhibition space from luxury Scandi fragrance label Byredo is a short walk away. Follow up with a healthy Chinese-Indian lunch at Fatt Pundit. Next, check out OVO, Drake’s first boutique in Europe, cult British menswear label End or The Collection, a fashion gallery and store in one, stocking streetwear and cult designer labels. Also on Brewer Street, you will find cult sneaker brand Eytys' first store outside Stockholm, located close to Officine Générale on Beak Street, and standout VM at Fiorucci's London flagship. Feeling peckish? Stop for a gourmet ice-cream at Chin Chin. Take the tube to Notting Hill for its host of upper-end boutiques, including Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow’s wellness initiative, and apartment-cum-store from French label Sézane. Don’t miss the area’s new favourite restaurant and Henrietta Hotel late-night bar, Gold.
Spend the evening...
When you’re done with shopping, finish the night back in Soho and travel in time to 1960s Hong Kong at Wun’s Tea Room & Bar to enjoy cocktails surrounded by sleek decor. Later, head to David Bowie-themed cocktail bar Ziggy’s, where the artist partied back in the day.
Wake up at...
The new design-led and buzzy Nhow hotel in Shoreditch. Head nearby to Friends of Ours for breakfast, an Antipodean-style cafe serving raw pressed smoothies and delicious brunch. With numerous independent boutiques in Shoreditch, start off with Goodhood for its curated interiors, womenswear, menswear and kidswear; followed by wellness boutique Anatome. On nearby Shoreditch High Street, find House of Hackney and its eye-popping furniture and fashion. Then head to Blue Mountain School, featuring contemporary art and apparel, plus in-house Portuguese eatery Mãos. On Redchurch Street is concept store Modern Society, as well as Kite, combining eyewear with bespoke drinks by Bompas & Parr. Grab lunch in Genesis, the 100% plant-based restaurant serving inventive vegan food. Don’t miss Browns East, an innovative store introduced by the luxury retailer, and Gentlewench, an eclectic boutique. Finally, head to Lantana to try great quality coffee.
Spend the afternoon...
Exploring Mayfair for homegrown British designers Roksanda Ilincic, Christopher Kane and Nicholas Kirkwood, as well as Stella McCartney’s eco-green flagship and Maison Alaïa. Don’t miss Matches Fashion's 5 Carlos Place, combining retail, live streaming and cultural events, and the Mo & Co flagship for the Chinese label's edgy womenswear. Drop in at Self-Portrait and the recently opened Cartier flagship to see its vast archive amid opulent interiors. Hail a cab to Dover Street Market for local designers and extraordinary installations. For a culture fix, head across town for contemporary art at Tate Modern or view the Battersea Power Station development-in-progress.
Spend the evening...
Back East, delving into Tea Leaf Salad at Lahpet, a Burmese restaurant with contemporary flair, or try the fragrant Eastern Mediterranean recipes at Delamina East. Weather permitting, go to Barge East, an outdoor bar on a boat on the River Lee in Hackney. In the mood for dancing? Head to the most Instagrammable cocktail bar in Hoxton, Tonight Josephine, named and styled after Napoleon‘s first wife. Finally, drop in at Dalston's Untitled Bar for drinks in an interior inspired by Andy Warhol’s The Factory.
Wake up at...
The new design-led and buzzy Nhow hotel in Shoreditch. Head nearby to Friends of Ours for breakfast, an Antipodean-style cafe serving raw pressed smoothies and delicious brunch. With numerous independent boutiques in Shoreditch, start off with Goodhood for its curated interiors, womenswear, menswear and kidswear; followed by wellness boutique Anatome. On nearby Shoreditch High Street, find House of Hackney and its eye-popping furniture and fashion. Then head to Blue Mountain School, featuring contemporary art and apparel, plus in-house Portuguese eatery Mãos. On Redchurch Street is concept store Modern Society, as well as Kite, combining eyewear with bespoke drinks by Bompas & Parr. Grab lunch in Genesis, the 100% plant-based restaurant serving inventive vegan food. Don’t miss Browns East, an innovative store introduced by the luxury retailer, and Gentlewench, an eclectic boutique. Finally, head to Lantana to try great quality coffee.
Spend the afternoon...
Exploring Mayfair for homegrown British designers Roksanda Ilincic, Christopher Kane and Nicholas Kirkwood, as well as Stella McCartney’s eco-green flagship and Maison Alaïa. Don’t miss Matches Fashion's 5 Carlos Place, combining retail, live streaming and cultural events, and the Mo & Co flagship for the Chinese label's edgy womenswear. Drop in at Self-Portrait and the recently opened Cartier flagship to see its vast archive amid opulent interiors. Hail a cab to Dover Street Market for local designers and extraordinary installations. For a culture fix, head across town for contemporary art at Tate Modern or view the Battersea Power Station development-in-progress.
Spend the evening...
Back East, delving into Tea Leaf Salad at Lahpet, a Burmese restaurant with contemporary flair, or try the fragrant Eastern Mediterranean recipes at Delamina East. Weather permitting, go to Barge East, an outdoor bar on a boat on the River Lee in Hackney. In the mood for dancing? Head to the most Instagrammable cocktail bar in Hoxton, Tonight Josephine, named and styled after Napoleon‘s first wife. Finally, drop in at Dalston's Untitled Bar for drinks in an interior inspired by Andy Warhol’s The Factory.
LONDON CITY GUIDE | FAST FACTS
london underground
The London Underground and the city’s buses operate on the same system of six fare zones, with the central Zone 1 being where most visitors spend their time. The underground, or tube, is the fastest and easiest way to get around. The comparably priced bus system is almost as convenient – but gives much better views of the city.
cabs
CABS London cabs are among the most comfortable and best designed in the world and can be picked up at taxi ranks or by hailing one in the street. Once a taxi has stopped for you, they are obliged to take you anywhere you want to go up to 12 miles of the pickup point, provided it’s within the metropolitan area. To call a cab, dial (0)20 7272 0272. You can also book a cab through the Uber app, or go for Addison Lee for a more premium experience.
HEATHROW (LHR) Taxis to central London take between 45-60 minutes, and cost £60–£100. The Heathrow Express train system costs £34 return/round trip and takes less than 20 minutes to central London (Paddington). Heathrow airport is also accessible by tube.
GATWICK (LGW) Taxis to central London take about one hour,
and cost about £60–£100. The Gatwick Express trains to London
Victoria Station run every 15 minutes, with a journey time of 30
minutes. A one-way ticket costs £19, return/round trip tickets cost
around £36.
LONDON CITY AIRPORT (LCY) A black cab to Central London takes no more than 30 minutes, approximately £35–£50 one-way. You can also book an Uber. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) makes for easy access into the city, with a ticket costing £3–£5.
tipping guide
Service charges are often included at London restaurants and hotels; if so, tipping is optional. Waitstaff: 10%-15%. Bartender/Cocktail Waitress: Not necessary, but customary to buy a bartender a drink for great service. Porter/Doorman: £1-2 per bag.
SHOPPING HOURS
Stores are open Monday-Saturday from 10am-6pm*; Thursday 10am-7pm; Sunday 11am-5pm (due to the Sunday Trading Act laws many stores remain closed on Sundays, especially around Bond Street /Mayfair and Knightsbridge /Sloane Street.) *This is a general guideline as hours are flexible and different for each store. Please check store websites or call for more specific information.
other
Time Zone: Western European: UTC 0/+1 Electricity: 220-240V Common @prettycitylondon Language: English
london underground
The London Underground and the city’s buses operate on the same system of six fare zones, with the central Zone 1 being where most visitors spend their time. The underground, or tube, is the fastest and easiest way to get around. The comparably priced bus system is almost as convenient – but gives much better views of the city.
cabs
CABS London cabs are among the most comfortable and best designed in the world and can be picked up at taxi ranks or by hailing one in the street. Once a taxi has stopped for you, they are obliged to take you anywhere you want to go up to 12 miles of the pickup point, provided it’s within the metropolitan area. To call a cab, dial (0)20 7272 0272. You can also book a cab through the Uber app, or go for Addison Lee for a more premium experience.
HEATHROW (LHR) Taxis to central London take between 45-60 minutes, and cost £60–£100. The Heathrow Express train system costs £34 return/round trip and takes less than 20 minutes to central London (Paddington). Heathrow airport is also accessible by tube.
GATWICK (LGW) Taxis to central London take about one hour,
and cost about £60–£100. The Gatwick Express trains to London
Victoria Station run every 15 minutes, with a journey time of 30
minutes. A one-way ticket costs £19, return/round trip tickets cost
around £36.
LONDON CITY AIRPORT (LCY) A black cab to Central London takes no more than 30 minutes, approximately £35–£50 one-way. You can also book an Uber. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) makes for easy access into the city, with a ticket costing £3–£5.
tipping guide
Service charges are often included at London restaurants and hotels; if so, tipping is optional. Waitstaff: 10%-15%. Bartender/Cocktail Waitress: Not necessary, but customary to buy a bartender a drink for great service. Porter/Doorman: £1-2 per bag.
SHOPPING HOURS
Stores are open Monday-Saturday from 10am-6pm*; Thursday 10am-7pm; Sunday 11am-5pm (due to the Sunday Trading Act laws many stores remain closed on Sundays, especially around Bond Street /Mayfair and Knightsbridge /Sloane Street.) *This is a general guideline as hours are flexible and different for each store. Please check store websites or call for more specific information.
other
Time Zone: Western European: UTC 0/+1 Electricity: 220-240V Common @prettycitylondon Language: English
