Christmas in London is like something out of a fairytale. With frosty, Tudor buildings that look straight out of Charles Dickens to the canopy of Christmas lights over Regrets Street and Oxford Circle, it’s impossible not to feel the pervasive holiday spirit when visiting London in December. Though most of the season’s festivities and events take place annually, here are a few unique ways to enjoy Christmas in London this year. ... Read More
Kensington Church Street is one of Kensington’s most charming streets with neighborhood floral boutiques, art and antique shops, eccentric pubs and quaint teahouses. Originally, Kensington Church Street was created as a lane to join two Roman roads. The buildings at the southern end of the street (toward Kensington High Street) date back to the early 1700s. At the southern end of the street, you’ll find the formidable St. Mary Abbots built in 1872, which is the church that the street is named after. Here’s the full guide on where to shop (or window-shop) for art and antiques and more on one of London’s most enchanting high streets. ... Read More
With artisan brands and heritage fashion, the shopping in London is simply legendary. Even the royal family loves to shop—and in fact, it’s easy to shop like a royal in London. If you’re curious as to what they’re buying, you can just take a peek at the official List of Royal Warrant Holders, which is a collection of all the shops and companies that provide goods or services to the royal household. (In other words, they’re the best of the best.) Here’s where to shop if you’re after regal goods. ... Read More
November 5th is known as Guy Fawkes Night in London and all across the United Kingdom. It’s an annual British observance commemorating the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605—but we’ll get into all that in a moment. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting London on this day, expect a citywide party made up of fireworks, sparklers, bonfires and plenty of food. Here’s everything you need to know about to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night in London. ... Read More
Though it’s not as popular as in the states, Halloween is still celebrated across the United Kingdom. The origins of the mid-autumn holiday can be traced back to the Celts, who lived across modern-day Britain, Ireland and also Northern France. Though some of the traditions from the Celtic holiday have been lost over time, others are still in practiced in full force. London is a particularly good place to get in on all the spooky action. Here’s how to celebrate Halloween in London. ... Read More
The UK has a very prestigious literary history. From serious Nobel Prize winners to worldwide sensations and genre-defining icons like William Shakespeare, there’s no shortage of British authors to discover. If you’re on the hunt for literature in London, start with these famous British authors whose legacy can still be found throughout the city of London and the United Kingdom. ... Read More
From rock and roll, punk and pop to classical concerts, epic festivals, and musical theater, London has a rich musical heritage that can still be explored today. Dating back centuries, there are many different events and festivals that have a long history in the capital. And there is always something new to discover: Music in London is always on the cutting edge. Here’s a primer on how to discover the city’s varied and historic music scene. ... Read More
London is known for its diverse and innovative food scene, and there’s no shortage of restaurants to visit. Celebrating its eleventh year, London Restaurant Festival is a yearly event that takes place in October and highlights the best of the city’s gastronomic scene. Here, we’re breaking down the basics of the London Restaurant Festival, so that you can chow down like a champ. ... Read More
London is a hotspot for design—especially doorway design, where storefronts are gorgeously dressed to make a creative statement. May (during the Chelsea Flower Show) is the perfect time to see the most impressive storefront displays, but some businesses like to show off all year round. Here are just a few of London’s prettiest storefronts to visit on your next trip to London. ... Read More
Sports are a big part of many Brits’ lives. In fact, many famous sports like rugby, cricket, lawn tennis, golf and football (soccer) began in Britain. There are also plenty of notable British sportsmen and women, such as Sir Roger Bannister who was the first man to run a mile in under four minutes. Here, we’re rounding up a few of the best places to observe famous British sports in London. ... Read More
London is known as a city with superior style. From the fashion to the architecture and interior design, this is one chic city. To show off its swankiest side, we’re rounding up just a few of our most stylish London vacation apartments that anyone with an eye for design would appreciate. Here’s where to stay if you’re looking for a home with high style and fashionable vibes. ... Read More
London is home to many world-class art museums, such as The National Gallery, Tate Modern and Tate Britain. To make the most any fine art museum trip, it’s helpful to know about a bit about Britain’s most notable and famous artists, both from the past and present. Here, we’re highlighting a few of the most important figures and explaining where to find their art in London. ... Read More
Because of the mild weather, fall is a great time to visit London; however, you do need to be prepared for varying temperatures and a bit of rain. Generally speaking, the days are mild and still long (daylight savings doesn’t end until the end of October.) That said, nights do tend to get a bit chilly, and, of course, there’s that famous British rain. (October is London’s wettest month.) Here’s what you need to remember when packing for London in the Fall. ... Read More
Any first time visitor to London will tell you that the city is positively jammed with impressive monuments, statues and memorials. But though they’re often visually interesting to look at, these statues are even more impressive when you know a bit more about them. Here, we’re looking at a few of London’s best monuments and statues and at the fascinating histories and stories behind them. ... Read More
Each summer at the end of August, the usually quiet, aristocratic neighborhood of Notting Hill transforms into a high-energy hotbed of revelry and becomes the site of London’s biggest celebration and outdoor party: It’s time to celebrate Notting Hill Carnival. Here’s everything you need to know to have a wild first-time experience at this epic, weekend-long street party. ... Read More
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