“I’ve been walking about London for the last thirty years, and I find something fresh in it every day.” – Walter Besant
The following sections are included in this post. Also, see my post on Day One for my intro and places 1-12 (click to navigate directly to the section)!
13. NOTTING HILL
I love the boho vibe of Notting Hill! Indeed, there are a lot of artists here. Though previously known for its slums, it is now quite an affluent area. Every August bank holiday you will find celebrations here for Europe’s biggest street festival. That is Notting Hill Carnival, which has a Caribbean festival theme. Notting Hill has a choice of bars, brunch spots, and restaurants. Also, there are some great smaller art galleries here too! For example:
- Graffik Gallery
- Bookshops such as the popular The Notting Hill Bookshop
- Museum of Brands – for the history of British consumer culture
- Theatres – such as the Gate Theatre (the smallest “off-West End” theatre)
- The Tabernacle – offers a vast array of cultural arts and is an entertainment venue
While here, I found my way over to the Portobello Road market area. Here, you will find the likes of antiques, fruit & veg, fashion, and second-hand goods. Unfortunately, the market was not open the day I visited (Sundays)! However, there was still a large volume of people. Therefore, you likely need to arrive early for the market to avoid crowds. The market is nearly a kilometre long!
14. COVENT GARDEN AREA
I still had to make it to central London and was quite far away in Notting Hill. However, the tube is quick and easy to follow. Also, there are stations found all over the city! Thus, I hopped on a tube to Central London to explore the West End area.
Covent Garden area is fantastic for shopping and dining in the West End. It includes luxury stores such as Mulberry and Burberry. The location has lovely pedestrianized paved streets to wander the shops and the market. It has roots as far back as 1654 when there was a small fruit and veg market in the area. However, it then became known as a red light district. Due to the growth in the area (leading to congestion), the market moved to a new location in 1974. Indeed, you will still find the New Covent Garden Market located at Nine Elms (c. 5km from Covent Garden).
The old market building in Covent Area was re-opened as a shopping center in the 1980s. The market houses a vast array of merchants – it contains a craft market, cafes, and small shops (jewelry, antiques, clothing, etc.) in its shopping center. Covent Garden Market is in the beautiful glass building in the square of Covent Garden. You can check out its market directory online. Street performers are popular here too. The main courtyard is known for its classical music street performers.
Close by Covent Garden
Neal Street is in the Covent Garden area. It is another popular shopping street (especially for shoes)! This area has a lot of bars, pubs, and plenty of restaurants to choose from too.
Other popular venues in the Covent Garden area include The Royal Opera House and the London Transport Museum. The Opera House is considered a landmark building of London and is often referred to as Covent Garden. Leicester Square is just off the perimeter of the Covent Garden area.
15. LEICESTER SQUARE (West End)
Located in the City of Westminster, just beside Covent Garden, is Leicester Square. Honestly, I just stopped by here because I remember MTV having studios overlooking the square many years ago! Thus, I wanted to quickly walk through to see the area for myself. The location is somewhat of an entertainment hub and offers some large cinemas. Film premieres have often been held here. Also, you will find a tkts booth in Leicester Square – it is the official place to purchase cheap theatre tickets in the West End.
Leicester Square hosts many events, including the Chinese New Year celebrations. Also, it has a large casino (Hippodrome Casino) which can accommodate 2000 patrons. However, if it is more of a family-friendly attraction that you are after, visit the world’s largest Lego store. The square park in the centre of Leceister Square includes a fountain and statue of William Shakespeare.
The Square is a central location and only a short walk to Chinatown, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, and Regent Street. Check out the Leicester Square website for more information on the area and what is happening when you visit.
16. Chinatown
Also located in the City of Westminster, and only a c. 2-minute walk from Leicester Square is where you will find the colourful Chinatown. Here, you will see the streets decorated with numerous Chinese symbols and lanterns.
I pleasantly stumbled across Chinatown while walking over to Trafalgar Square from Leicester Square. Undoubtedly, it’s worth a quick walk up and down if you are in the area. It’s quite a small area with some of its streets pedestrianized. Keep an eye out for its beautiful main Gate (there are four gates!) at Wardour Street. Also, Chinatown holds some events during the year. However, the most popular event is London’s Chinese New Year celebrations!
If you like Chinese food, some of the authentic restaurants here are worth a visit! Check out a list of popular Chinatown restaurants here. Additionally, check out a list of some of the best Chinese London restaurants here. Or, if it’s treats you are after, stop off at the popular sweet spot, Bubblewrap (check out their Instagram page here). Furthermore, if you look closely in Chinatown, you will also find a popular speakeasy with experimental cocktails (that of the ECC).
Piccadilly Circus is a few minutes’ walk from here. However, I skipped this as it was one of the only places I remember visiting in London many years prior!
17. TRAFALGAR SQUARE
Just a quick c. 4 minutes walk from Chinatown and Leicester Square is where you will find Trafalgar Square (considered the official center of London). Subsequently, it is also in the City of Westminster. Trafalgar Square is owned by the Queen, though managed by the Greater London Authority.
Indeed, there are several renowned museums, galleries, and historical buildings here. However, one of the most popular museums is The National Gallery. It is home to over 2,300 paintings from the 13th century to 1900. This impressive museum stands in the heart of Trafalgar Square with the 69-foot (52 m) Nelson’s Column in front of it. The Column is guarded by four monumental bronze lions. Horatio Nelson is the man found at the top of the Column. Nelson commanded the British Navy at the Battle of Trafalgar (and died at the battle in 1805). This battle is what Trafalgar Square has named after. There are two fountains in the Square. Also, the beautiful St Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican church is on the Square too.
The Square is known for its political rallies and demonstrations (there was a large one gathered here when I visited!). Also, it is known as a place for gatherings such as New Year’s Eve celebrations.
SHOPPING
(A) Central London
- Oxford Street: Popular for its choice of both designer wear (such as John Lewis, Selfridges, House of Fraser) to high street fashion (such as Primark, Topshop). It is thought to be Europe’s busiest shopping street and houses c. 300 stores!
- New Bond Street: If it’s high-end fashion you are after, consider a trip here! Popular among celebs, Bond street boasts designer stores such as Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Chanel. Also, you can check out the Bond Street website for more information.
- Regent Street: Offers impressive architecture such as the beautiful Tudor building housing Liberty London. It houses high-end fashion and homeware. Also, you can check out the Regent Street website for more information.
- Carnaby Street: A pedestrianized street in SoHo. It has many independent fashion retailers. Also, it has a large selection of eateries (over 60) – including some popular vegan eateries. Check out the Carnaby Street website for more information.
- Savile Row, Mayfair: Known for its bespoke male tailoring and old-fashioned style. Also, you can check out a GQ magazine guide to Savile Row Tailors and bespoke suits!
- Mayfair: For exclusive and designer shopping.
- Jermyn Street: Popular for its gentlemen retailers. Check out the Jermyn Street website for more information.
- St. James’s: Upscale, high-end fashion and dining beside Jermyn Street (close to Buckingham Palace). Check out the St James website for more information.
(B) Knightsbridge
South of Hyde Park, Knightsbridge is one of the finest shopping areas in London. Here, you will find the large department stores of Harvey Nichols and renowned Harrods. Sloane Street is in this area too. It boasts some very high-end luxury stores such as Gucci, Chloe, Tom Ford, Valentino.
(C) Notting Hill
Notting Hill is in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is popular for its boho style. Thus, if it’s quirkier, unique, and vintage shopping (with some high-end chic designer wear too) that you are after, a trip to Notting Hill is worth considering. Portobello Road and its market, as well as some pleasant eateries, are found here too!
(D) Markets
I previously referred to some of the fantastic markets found in London. However, they are worth another mention here! For example, two of the most popular are Borough Market for food and Camden Market for fashion. Also, for a variety of shopping (from up end and hip fashion to souvenirs, arts, and crafts), check out Covent Garden. Don’t forget that a popular fruit and veg market is here too!
Some other markets include New Covent Garden Market, Portobello Road market, Southbank Centre Food Market, and Southbank Winter Market.
IN SUMMARY
I was a little shocked at just how much I fit in with only two days in the city! However, I was on my own and walked A LOT. Therefore, if you don’t plan to constantly be on the move, you likely won’t fit in as much as me. Also, I spent very little money because most of what I saw was free too! Indeed, there are many areas to wander and explore for free (if the weather is good!).
Other attractions include Churchill War Rooms (worth considering if you are interested in war history) and the British Museum (for history, art, and culture). Also, you could visit the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus (close by Chinatown), enjoy a cruise along the River Thames or take a trip over to Greenwich. From Greenwich, you can take the Emirates Air Line cable car over the River Thames. Here, you can visit the National Maritime Museum.
Thanks for reading! Also, don’t forget to check out my Day One post to see where else I visited in London! On my next trip, I intend to take in a West End Show. Indeed, if you have any further tips for my next visit, it would be much appreciated (art attractions and brunch spots especially)!
Anita xx
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