ICBRKR GUIDE: LONDON (West & Central)
A few facts about London
The human population of London is close to 9 million
London is the capital of the United Kingdom
London was founded by Brutus of Troy (founder and first king of England) in about 1000–1100 B.C
Richmond Park is the biggest park in London
With more than 40% green space/open water, London is one of the greenest cities in the world
London has very diverse architectural styles - Tudors, Roman, Victorian, and more
Cars drive on the left, like in Hong Kong
The main financial districts are the City (South Central London) and Canary Wharf (East London)
Red foxes are regulars in your backyard, if you have one
INSIDER TIPS
The best time to visit London is in the spring because cherry blossoms are blooming and the city is covered in beautiful flowers.
The tube is always the best way to travel as traffic is horrendous.
The Gatwick Express or ThamesLink National Rail are the best ways to get to Gatwick Airport; taking a car could take up to 2 hours, whereas the train takes 30 minutes.
The best exchange rate is from your bank. For some reason, all the ATMs in UK charge a very high rate compared to ATMs in other parts of Europe.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Tate Modern
Buckingham Palace
Walk across the London bridge
Afternoon walk in Hyde Park
Walk around Notting Hill to take photos of the pastel buildings
Buckingham Palace
WHERE TO STAY
photo from Chiltern Firehouse
Twenty Two
The Connaught
Baglioni Hotel London
Chiltern Firehouse
Hamyard
Andaz
The Marylebone
The Standard Hotel
The Mandrake
White City House (for Soho House members)
Dorchester
WHERE TO EAT
Nopi (photo from tripadvisor.com)
Breakfast/Lunch:
NoMad Hotel
Folie
Nopi
Yauatcha Soho - best dim sum and a big selection of tea
HIDE - Michelin star
Get high tea at The Connaught, 4 Seasons or The Ritz
Caravan Fitzrovia
Soho Hobson`s Fish & Chips
Yashin Ocean House - really good sushi, and fun bottomless champagne brunch on Sunday
Daylesford Inn Notting Hill
Honest Burger - best veggie burger and rosemary fries
Dinner:
Sumi
Park Chinois
5 Social - modern British fare
Gold - best burned cabbage dish
Suzi Tros - Greek
Sumi - Japanese
Twenty Two
Zia Lucia - best pizza
Zuma London - trendy
Sketch - trendy
Park Chinois
Chiltern Firehouse - trendy
Louis - trendy spot
Medlar - French
The Summerhouse - seafood
Sabor - tapas
COYA - trendy
Isabel - trendy
Sachi - Japanese
China Tang - Authentic Chinese
Spring - modern European food
Umu - best sushi in town. Michelin star
Padella - best pasta
OPSO - Greek
WHERE TO HANG OUT
Printwork (photo from crackmagazine.net)
Twenty Two
Louis
Isabel
Annabel
Loulou’s aka 5HS
Hovada
Printwork
Fabric
Village Underground
WHERE TO SHOP
Liberty London (photo from londontopia.net)
Selfridges
Harrods
Soho in general
Bond St and New Bond St