The Coolest Places in London You Need to Visit (2023)

There are so many cool places in London that it takes 1st place in being the most recommended metropolitan cites for tourists & international students. Granted, this could be a biased opinion, but after this post, you’ll understand what we mean *wink wink*. If you’re the ‘Hidden Gem’ type of tourist and are less fussed about the generic & popular tourist destinations, we are here to help you discover cool places to go in London from such areas like Shoreditch, Camden, Brick Lane, you name it! London has everything you need to create the quirkiest memories.

1. Camden

The bustling area of Camden, based in North West London is known for its authentic mouth-watering street market food, vibrant restaurants, pubs & bars & we can’t forget its iconic musical culture of Punk Rock. Throughout the decades, many artists, writers, and philosophers have made it their home. From the legendary Amy Winehouse, Agatha Christie & Karl Marx. This area also serves as an awesome spot for student living under The Stay Club Camden, offering premium student accommodations within the heart of London. For more details about this quirky area, scroll down for all the information you need!

Camden Market

Camden Market, which is one of the 7 Urban Wonders of the World was set up in 1974 consisting of just 16 stalls. It has since grown with hundreds of stalls & has become one of the most visited places in London. Famous shoppers include David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Naomi Campbell, Bette Midler, and tons more! This iconic market consists of unique thrift shops, street food markets, al fresco dining & vibrant, colourful buildings to feed the senses for all those that visit the quirky area. Situated by Regent’s Canal, you can expect to see tons of tourists, students & locals simply enjoying the scenery & the vibe.

Pub Crawl

It’s safe to say that there are plenty of quality pubs in Camden to have an amazing pub crawl. A popular destination amongst locals after a long day at work, going to a pub for finely crafted beers and wine is part of British culture that you should get involved in. Aside from a great selection of beers & ciders, you can also enjoy hearty snacks from burgers to chunky fries from The Lock Tavern, The Hawley Arms, The World’s End, and many more! If you’re into pubs with beer gardens, Camden has got you covered!

Primrose Hill

A 10-minute walk from Camden Town, you’ll find the picturesque park that is Primrose Hill. One of the original royal hunting grounds for Henry VIII, the iconic park is also known for its oak tree aka ‘Shakespeare’s Tree’ that was first planted in 1864 to commemorate the birth of Shakespeare. Primrose Hill is a popular grassy hill destination to catch the best views of North London in the middle of mother nature. Organise your perfect picnic spot with family & friends today!

2. Shoreditch

Located on the hip side of East London & nestled between Clerkenwell and Bethnal Green, Shoreditch is a bustling & lively area known for its art, culture, fashion & food. You can expect to see a bunch of trendy & cool hipsters congregating around various social hangouts and contemporary street art on every side that illustrates the area’s creative and imaginative edge. Discover more about Shoreditch and all the cool things you could get up to!

Shoreditch’s Street Art

Take a spectacular excursion like no other and marvel at one of the world’s best street arts all for free! You can find yourself spending hours admiring & appreciating these creative pieces while taking pictures as some of them do tend to disappear. From alleyways, erected buildings & even wheelie bins, many talented artists such as Banksy, Mr Cenz plus others have all made it their canvas to be admired.
Top Tip: If you want to see Shoreditch’s street art without the crowds, it’s recommended to wake up early & beat the traffic. It’s surely worth it!

Boxpark Shoreditch

Boxpark is the world’s first pop-up mall which was established in 2011 and is one of the most popular social & retail hangouts to have hit the scene. Designed within shipping containers, it houses at least 60 independent fashion & lifestyle stores. The establishment offers an impressive selection of authentic street food, visitors can also enjoy finely craft beers, wines & spirits while enjoying live music & entertainment. To have the perfect experience, Boxpark Shoreditch has its own year-round schedule of entertainment & events to make your visit even more special & memorable. Check it out and see what days you fancy booking!

3. Brick Lane

Take a trip to one of London’s coolest areas, Brick Lane! Located in East London, for centuries it has seen a blend of different communities which makes it such a diverse place that it is today. The area is best known for its independent shops, street art, some of London’s best curry houses and of course…London’s infamous serial killer, Jack The Ripper! Here are the best things to do in Brick Lane!

Thrift Shopping!

Brick Lane is all about promoting creativity and individuality which makes it the hub of many quirky independent stores and vintage markets. A popular fave within the area is The Brick Lane Vintage Market where vintage specialists from across the UK promote & display their wares within The Truman Brewery. You can expect to find stocks of clothes dating back to the 1920’s all the way through to the 90’s – A vintage lover’s dream. Discover your next eclectic purchase at Brick Lane!

Curry, Curry & more Curry

One of Brick Lanes’ top attractions is its curry houses & it’s truly spectacular! The exotic smells of spices & gingers lure in tourists & locals who desire a taste of Asia at their front door. Some of the best curry houses in Brick Lane include City Spice Brick Lane, Brick Lane Brasserie, Tayyabs, and many more!

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Jack The Ripper Walking Tour

If you love history & a good’ ole murder mystery, then you’ll love the Jack the Ripper Interactive Guided Walking Tour. This tour aims to take participants back to 1888 with their own Ripperologist to assess the unsolved murders, hear true stories about the historic investigation and get a visual look at what life was like during those scary times. To give it the full fantasy, these tours usually run in the evening and it’s definitely worth attending!

4. Islington

Islington is one of London’s trendiest areas where the term ‘posh meets the high street’. Located in North London, the area boasts rich history shown in the preservation of its classic Victorian-styled homes. A prime location in central London, it offers locals and visitors shopping, dining, and drinking. Typical locals include British singer, Lily Allen and a majority of the Eastenders cast! Take a look at what you could get up to in Islington.

Camden Passage

For those that take joy in antique buying and thrifting, Camden Passage is the place to discover & explore. Its picturesque walkway adds to the charm of a perfect shopping experience. Expect to see a handful of quality cafes and restaurants that offer al fresco dining. During the weekends, there’s an intimate market that sells items from clothes to decorative knick-knacks. End your shopping experience by heading to The Camden Head, a quality pub that features a charming beer garden for your perfectly crafted beer.

Little Venice

When it’s sunny, you should definitely take the opportunity to travel by water in Little Venice. Spanning from Hyde Park & Warwick Avenue, its central location allows you to see other attractions within the area. Along the canal, you can expect to see vibrant narrowboats, tearooms, and cafes. The ideal brunch spot!

FAQs

The Coolest Places in London You Need to Visit? ›

Counting such areas as Dalston, Clapton, Shoreditch, Hackney, and Walthamstow within its post-codes, East London is full of independent eateries, galleries, drink-eries, and shop-eries. And now, one area of East London has been deemed the coolest place to live in London: Hackney Wick.

What is the coolest place in London? ›

Counting such areas as Dalston, Clapton, Shoreditch, Hackney, and Walthamstow within its post-codes, East London is full of independent eateries, galleries, drink-eries, and shop-eries. And now, one area of East London has been deemed the coolest place to live in London: Hackney Wick.

What are three places you can visit in London? ›

Big Ben, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, St Paul's Cathedral, Madame Tussauds, Sea Life London Aquarium.

What is the most visited place in London? ›

1. British Museum. With just under seven million annual visitors, the British Museum is the most visited attraction in the UK, and the fifth most visited museum in the world, competing with the likes of the Louvre in Paris. The British Museum is situated close to Russell Square in the Bloomsbury area of Central London.

What is the coolest neighborhood in London? ›

Soho is one of the most exciting neighbourhoods in London, with an amazing energy and vibe. During the day you'll find boutique shops and cute little cafes. It's at night that Soho really comes alive with thousands of young people flocking to the many bars and nightclubs in the area.

What makes London cool? ›

Iconic Landmarks

London is home to a veritable plethora of landmarks. Some signature sights are Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Madame Tussauds, and Westminster Abbey, for example. There are also a number of modern attractions in London, such as the London Eye, The Tate Modern, and the multi-purpose London Stadium.

What cities should I visit by London? ›

Places To Visit Around London

Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cardiff, Bath, Glasgow, Bristol, Oxford, Brighton, Belfast, Liverpool, Cambridge, Winchester, Windsor, Canterbury, Rye, Bexhill-On-Sea, Manchester, Guildford, Chichester, The New Forest, St Albans, Mersea Island, and many more.

Why is London the best place to visit? ›

London is home to some of the best museums and galleries in the world – many of which are free, as well as many other free attractions. Spend an afternoon at the British Museum, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum or Science Museum, where you can browse the permanent collections at no cost.

What famous London sights do you know? ›

  • Tower of London. 67,242. Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks. ...
  • The British Museum. 73,616. Speciality Museums • Art Museums. ...
  • London Eye. 88,991. ...
  • National Gallery. 40,508. ...
  • Tower Bridge. 39,865. ...
  • Natural History Museum. 37,703. ...
  • V&A - Victoria and Albert Museum. 32,619. ...
  • Churchill War Rooms. 23,504.

What is London most famous street? ›

Oxford Street

This is perhaps one of the most iconic street names in the country, especially amongst shoppers and fashion enthusiasts. Oxford Street is the centre of London's retail scene and is home to a huge list of high-end brands and luxury boutiques.

Where do rich people chill in London? ›

Read on to find out.
  • The Colony Club. When you have more money than you know what to do with, what better way to spend it than a night out in one of Europe's most glamorous casinos? ...
  • The Groucho Club. ...
  • Chiltern Firehouse. ...
  • The Ivy. ...
  • The Globe. ...
  • Summing Up.
Aug 13, 2020

Where do the rich hang out in London? ›

What Are the Traditionally Posh Areas in London? Knightsbridge, the City of Westminster, and Chelsea are traditionally posh areas of London.

What is the most underrated neighborhood in London? ›

Muswell Hill

Of all the under-the-radar London neighborhoods, this might be the most hidden. A trip is in order to see its pretty streets, admire the views of London from the Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally to the locals), and soak up the atmosphere around Muswell Hill Broadway.

What is London most popular for? ›

London is famous for Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, British Museum, and Tower Bridge. London is also known for its rich history, double-decker buses, red phone booths, world-class museums and galleries, gigantic lush parks, financial districts, and cosmopolitan vibes.

What food is London famous for? ›

The Top 10 Traditional Foods in London
  • Full English Breakfast. A culinary relic of our Anglo-Saxon roots, this dish became popular among all socioeconomic classes during the Industrial Revolution. ...
  • Bangers and Mash. ...
  • Pie and Mash. ...
  • Fish and Chips. ...
  • Spaghetti Bolognese. ...
  • Chicken Tikka Masala. ...
  • Afternoon Tea. ...
  • Roast Dinner.
Apr 14, 2022

What is the nickname of London? ›

The Big Smoke

The Big Smoke is perhaps the most well known of London's nicknames. London was once an industrial hotbed, with many factories all over the city. A culmination of these and the fuels used to heat residential homes caused London to be an extremely smoky city.

What city in the US is most like London? ›

ultured, artistic and packed with heritage, Boston is geographically the closest US city to London, where Brits can feel completely at home.

What is the best way to visit London? ›

London is best explored either on foot or by public transportation. Cabs and bike hires are also options. London has a great public transportation network and most visitors spend at least some time traveling on it. This includes public bus, tram, and rail services (including “the Tube”) within the city.

Why do Americans visit London? ›

From ancient history to modern music, Americans visiting Britain often want to see famous landmarks like Abbey Road and the Cavern Club, made famous by the Beatles, Carnaby in London where Freddie Mercury's birthday is celebrated in September every year, and tour the old stomping grounds of the likes of David Bowie, ...

Why do tourists love London? ›

The famous sights

Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the list goes on and on. There's nothing quite like the experience of hopping on a red double-decker bus and seeing some of the most recognisable sights in the world from its top deck.

Is London the best city to visit? ›

According to the latest survey by real estate and tourism consultancy Resonance, London has been named as the best city in the world for 2023, beating Paris, New York, Japan, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and many other popular cities across the globe.

How many days do you need in London? ›

While you can see most of the main sights in London in one day or two days, for first-time visitors, I highly recommend spending at least 3-4 days in London. This should give you sufficient time to get acquainted with the city, see the main landmarks, and visit a few of the most popular tourist attractions in London.

What is special in London Eye? ›

At 135m, The London Eye is the world's largest cantilevered observation wheel. It was conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects and was launched in 2000. It has won over 85 awards for national and international tourism, outstanding architectural quality and engineering achievement.

Which street is famous for food in London? ›

Broadway is renowned as one of the best street food markets in London.

What is London's main street called? ›

Oxford Street

Which part of London is the coldest? ›

E nfield, Haringey and Croydon are among the coldest neighbourhoods in London, analysis from environmental justice organisation Friends of the Earth has found.

Where is the hipster part of London? ›

If you want to see a side of London that is far from Westminster, Big Ben and the tourist hubs, a place that is authentically underground and has inspired decades of British music, look no further than Shoreditch.

What is the hippest city in UK? ›

Brighton – The Most Hipster City In The World
  • Photo: Brighton Pier. Brighton's Regency architecture and premium sea view squares, such as Brunswick Square, Sussex Square and Royal Crescent, are well known. ...
  • British Airways i360, Brighton Beach. ...
  • Shoreham (Brighton City) Airport. ...
  • Adur Ferry Bridge, Shoreham By Sea.

Is London colder than NYC? ›

Temperature-wise, London is milder than NY both in winter and summer. In winter, the average temperature is about 40°F (5°C) and summer highs get up to around 74°F (23°C). New York's winter average lows are between 20°F to 30°F (-6 to 4°C).

Is London colder than America? ›

The temperatures of London are much milder than those of NYC. NYC is both warmer in the summer and colder in the winter - London is just London all the time. London's temperatures average winter lowers around 40 degrees F (or 5 Celsius) and summer highs get up to around 70 degrees F (21 Celsius).

Does London get snow? ›

The city can sometimes experience extremes. Snowfall is an infrequent occurrence in winter, falling on an average of 16 days per year, though infrequently heavy.

Where is the most hippie place in London? ›

Carnaby Street is great to visit. It's a vibrant area with a mix of shops from quirky to high street with pubs and restaurants too. There is always something to see it's definitely worth a visit if you are in London. I love walking around this area and at night it lights up with pretty lights along the streets.

Where is the most creative area in London? ›

Clerkenwell. Once a largely industrial neighbourhood, today Clerkenwell is considered London's biggest creative quarter. Packed full of 20-somethings enjoying all the artsy vibes London has to offer, Clerkenwell is oh-so-chic and popular among artists, writers, musicians, architects and design companies.

What street in London is famous for fashion? ›

Bond Street

This place is for you if you love all things hedonistic. It's arguably the most famous fashion street in London. There are lots of other good places to shop in the area, too.

Where do celebrities hang out in London? ›

London's best venues for celeb spotting
  • Claridge's Bar. Bar. Brook Street, Mayfair, London, Greater London, United Kingdom, W1K 4HR. ...
  • Shochu Lounge. Bar, Japanese. 37 Charlotte St., London W1T 1RR, UK. ...
  • 34 Mayfair. British. ...
  • Swan at the Globe. British. ...
  • The Lecture Room at sketch. Fine Dining.
Feb 15, 2023

Where do millionaires go in London? ›

Knightsbridge. Lying just south of London's Hyde Park, the neighbourhood of Knightsbridge is the epitome of luxury! Knightsbridge also plays host to banks that deal with some of the world's wealthiest individuals, which makes it no surprise that the average house price can be upwards of £2.81 million!

Where do Americans hang out in London? ›

Kensington. Kensington and Chelsea seem to be particularly close to Americans' hearts. This borough is among the most expensive places to live in London, boasting large, spacious and well-maintained properties. Part of Kensington's appeal is its air of authentic London.

What is the coolest town in the UK? ›

A Cornish fishing village with just 1,500 residents is officially the coolest place in the country. Polperro has taken the crown as the gnarliest and most laid back spot in the whole of the UK, according to a public poll conducted by CBD company Naturecan.

What is the coolest street in the UK? ›

Around 20000 people were quizzed on what they think is the coolest street in their city. And from all around the world, Glasgow's Great Western Road proved to be a hit. Over the years, the area has developed significantly and formed to be one of the coolest streets in the world as lots of new spots continue to open.

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