LONDON has been named a prime journey journey vacation spot for 2025 – and we have given our professional recommendation on every part to do within the metropolis this 12 months.
Beating cities akin to Rome, Barcelona and Paris, it was named on this 12 months’s Tripadvisor Travellers’ Selection Awards.
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Topping each the “Prime Locations – Europe” record, it even got here in no.1 on one of the best on this planet too, beating locations like Bali and Bangkok.
Crediting each being a metropolis you may return to in addition to one with thrilling new exhibitions, Tripadvisor president Kristen Dalton stated: “Town’s distinctive mix of historical past, innovation and tradition continues to captivate travellers from everywhere in the world.
From iconic landmarks and world-class museums to a dynamic culinary scene and vibrant cultural experiences, London units the usual for what a vacation spot can provide.”
Laura Citron OBE, CEO of VisitLondon.com, added: “In 2025, unbelievable new points of interest just like the V&A East Storehouse and the purpose-built Museum of Shakespeare in Shoreditch will open their doorways.
“London is not a museum metropolis; it is a residing international metropolis.”
And with the Solar Journey workforce both residing or working within the metropolis, we thought it finest to offer our prime suggestions.
Now we have you coated in relation to one of the best bars, eating places and pubs, in addition to museums and musicals, and even one of the best resorts to remain in. We have even thrown in a number of spots we have been angling to go to ourselves.
Finest bars
For if you need one thing fancier than the pub however nothing as formal as a restaurant, one of the best bars in London have you ever coated (and a favorite pastime of mine is most interesting the latest and finest).
A latest discovery of thoughts after a delayed practice house was Spiritlands, tucked behind Central St Martens at Kings Cross and, dare I say it, is a hidden gem.
Having opened in 2017, the mid-century speakeasy has each a singular cocktail menu (a spotlight being the pear and tomato concoction), cosy DJ tunes and a sleepy kitten curled up proper subsequent to the bar.
For one thing extra enjoyable, I at all times love a drink at 4 Quarters in Peckham.
Much less of an emphasis on drinks, the bar has retro arcade video games lining the partitions the place you may put in quarters whereas perching your pint on the sticky aspect.
Swift – with bars in Soho, Shoreditch and Borough – is a superb choice if you need to exhibit a bit with out an excessive amount of pomp.
The menu is large, relying on in order for you a protracted or brief drink, or a candy or bitter drink, however bar employees are one of the best at recommending one in your tastes.
And one on my record I’m but to attempt however all I head about is The Dreamery – a gelato and wine bar with stunning multicoloured ceiling, which reopens in the present day.
– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Journey Editor
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Finest resorts
From the glitz of the Ritz to the price range city cool of Z Lodges, it’s no surprise London comes out on prime if you take a look at its buzzing lodge scene.
The place different capital cities provide eye-watering costs for pokey rooms and no pizazz, London delivers an unlimited vary of lodge types in any respect budgets.
On the prime finish, the latest most-talked about opening was Raffles London on the Outdated Warfare Workplace.
An astonishing £1.5billion was sunk into reworking this historic constructing the place Winston Churchill deliberate the D-Day landings into an opulent trendy lodge with 120 rooms and suites, 9 eating places, three bars and an astonishing spa with 20metre pool.
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Whereas few may most likely afford the typical room charge of £1,100 an evening, anybody is welcome to order a spot within the tiny Spy Bar, occupying an previous interrogation room within the basement for a cheeky cocktail.
And on the different finish of the size – and proving simply how various London’s lodge scene is – come the price range chains providing glorious stays at discount costs.
I’m a giant fan of Z Lodges – compact rooms with first rate amenities in 11 sensible central areas together with Covent Backyard, Holborn and the upcoming Leicester Sq..
Better of all, who wouldn’t love their free cheese and wine for visitors between 5pm and 8pm.
Head east to modern Shoreditch and Whitechapel and there’s the New Street Lodge with rooms from simply £99 an evening in a former warehouse that screams New York loft fashion.
Or how about The Moxy at London Stratford, nice for households and close to the Olympic Park however with a relaxed vibe and funky interiors.
– Lisa Minot, Head of Journey
What about London’s finest pubs?
The Solar’s Head of Journey Caroline McGuire has named a few of her favourites and why.
LONDON is chock stuffed with improbable pubs.
Whether or not you are searching for an previous man’s boozer, a gastro pub or a comfy pitstop with a roaring hearth, there’s the right pub for everybody within the capital.
My prime tip? Try to keep away from those within the vacationer spots of Covent Backyard, Leicester Sq. and so forth, until you’ve got received a suggestion.
Here’s a number of our favorite London pubs, from a few of theheaviest drinkers we all know…
Central London:
Guinea Grill, Mayfair – nice steak and piesThe Portman, Marble ArchStar & Garter, Soho – Dangerous service, and correct spit and sawdustThe George, Mortimer Avenue – nice all rounderBurlington Arm, off Saville Row – Nice scotch eggThe Crimson Lion, Crown Passage – darkish, previous and soiled however fascinating historical past with Charles II and his mistress Nell GwynYe Grapes, Shepherds MarketThe Chesterfield Arms, Hertford Avenue – tremendous cuteThe Newman Arms, FitzroviaThe Lamb & Flag, MayfairThe French Home, SohoCoach and Horses (Greek St). SohoThe Crown & Two Chairmen on Dean Avenue, SohoNellie Dean on Dean Avenue, SohoThe Toucan, Carlisle Avenue in Soho – so small that you need to stand exterior however nonetheless an institutionBradleys Spanish Bar, Hanway Avenue close to Oxford StreetBlue Publish, Berwick Avenue, Soho – you may take your individual lunch inThe Eagle in Farringdon, cool gastro pubLore Of The Land to this, Fitzrovia – owned by Man Ritchie
Exterior of central London:
The George, BoroughRoyal Oak, Columbia Street, east LondonCutty Sark Greenwich, South East LondonThe Royal Oak, Tabard St, SE1The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping, East LondonThe Lord Clyde, Borough, SE1Dog and Bell (Deptford), South East LondonEfra Tavern (Brixton), South West LondonSkehan’s in Telegraph Hill, South East LondonThe Ivyhouse (London’s first group pub) in Nunhead, South East LondonWindsor Fort in Notting HillThe Solar in Splendour, Notting HillThe Albert, Princess street, Primrose Hill, West LondonThe Cow, Notting HillThe Spaniards Inn, Hampstead, North West LondonThe Parakeet Pub in Kentish City, North West LondonThe Lord Clyde in Borough, SE1 – correct previous man’s pub
Finest eating places
Certainly one of our capital’s biggest strengths is its culinary scene taking inspiration from everywhere in the world – I’ve eaten worldwide dishes that style higher in London than the place they have been birthed.
Shout out to London Bridge’s Padella with its do-it-yourself saucy pastas and Coal Workplace in Kings Cross for its medley of sharing plates together with one of many creamiest labneh’s I’ve ever eaten, topped with salty anchovies.
I’m fortunate sufficient to work across the nook from one in all my favorite foodie spots, Borough Market (meals snobs will inform you it’s overrated, however don’t take heed to them).
Try The Black Pig for its signature honey truffle and parmesan sandwich loaded with slow-cooked pork. It is £11, however so huge you may share).
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Simply keep away from the chocolate-covered strawberries – it’s a social media fad with stupidly lengthy queues for one thing you can also make for a fraction of the value at house.
For correct homely grub in a stereotypical London pub setting, The Devonshire needs to be in your record.
It soared to the highest of Londoners must-go lists when it opened in Soho late 2023 and it serves a regularly-changing menu of seasonal British classics – the present menu has a lamb hotpot for £24 and tender ribeye steaks for £36 plus duck fats chips (£6).
You’ll need to e book prematurely although, with tables launched at 10.30am each Thursday for bookings as much as three weeks prematurely.
If you happen to do need to shell out for one thing particular, swing by Italian joint Luca Restaurant in Farringdon which, for my part, serves essentially the most inexpensive Michelin-star dishes within the metropolis, costing round £85 a head for a night tasting menu.
– Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Journey Editor
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Finest museums
I first moved to London eight years in the past so have made the many of the free museums – together with the crowds of vacationers too.
However a solution to keep away from the crowds is the little-known early morning excursions of the British Museum, the place specialists lead small tour teams across the museum earlier than it opens.
Gazing on the Rosetta Stone with out a great deal of folks in the way in which will without end stick with me, with excursions costing £33 for a full-paying grownup though you need to e book prematurely on-line.
Equally, I really like my Artwork Go – a membership that can be utilized at 850 totally different locations within the UK.
Tips on how to do a kid-friendly journey to London
CAPITAL cities do not often have a fame for being the mostchild-friendly of locations, however having raised a 6 12 months previous in London Ican categorically say that’s not the case right here.
From parks, pubs and theatre to free museums and points of interest, there isenough to fill a month’s price of household vacation.
Certainly one of our crowning glories needs to be the parks, with enormous quantities ofgreen area wherever you’re within the metropolis.
Take a pedalo on the Serpentine in Hyde Park, join the Go Apetree tops ropes course in Battersea, adopted by a pizza at theplayground restaurant (after which head over to the Energy Station for theLego store), clamber on the pirate ship on the Diana Princess of WalesMemorial Playground in Kensington Gardens, or take a break at theCoram’s Fields playground that’s astonishingly enormous for its Soholocation.
In fact, given its tendency to rain, there’s loads to do in badweather too.
Amongst my favorite museums are the free-to-enter Science Museum(though bear in mind to e book the massively well-liked Surprise Lab), the Postal Museum with its underground mail practice and the Transport Museum, with its alternative to get behind the wheel of a London bus.
Points of interest-wise, my son is a big fan of each the London Eye and theLondon Eye river boat cruise, and there are at all times loads of extraactivities at areas just like the London Wildlife Belief centres, theSouthbank Centre and the Queen Elizabeth Corridor throughout faculty holidays.
Failing that, why not hop on the London Underground or sit inthe entrance row of a double decker bus – you may see it as smelly oldpublic transport, however I can assure you that your youngster will beenthralled.
Relating to refuelling, loads of London’s pubs are incrediblychild-friendly. Certainly one of my finest suggestions could be the BrewdogPub In Waterloo, which has a slide inside, its personal ice cream van and abowling alley – letting you sip your beer in peace.
Alternatively, attempt Sixes Social Cricket bars, which have cricketbatting simulators in all of their bars, together with glorious meals anddrink.
And eventually, you may’t hit London with out seeing a present. The UnicornTheatre in London Bridge is designed particularly for teenagers, with all ofits reveals designed for youngsters.
There are masses on on the West Finish theatres too. If you are going to bein town in August, make use of the Children Theatre Week gives thatlet you get two-for-one seats to massively well-liked household pleasant reveals.
Head of Journey, Caroline McGuire
The move offers members lowered entry to exhibitions you have to pay for, so it’s definitely worth the outlay in case you go to museums rather a lot like me.
Tickets for London’s greatest exhibitions, like Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms (which ended its run in 2024) promote out rapidly, so join mailing lists to at all times be within the loop.
For one thing a bit of extra up to date, I’d advocate the Paradox Museum, an immersive museum that flips actuality and offers some nice picture alternatives.
Regardless of visiting a bulk of London’s museums, there are nonetheless some I have to go to with Frameless and London’s Moco Museum subsequent on the record.
– Hope Brotherton, Journey Reporter
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Finest musicals
London is the house of improbable theatre and musicals from the basic Phantom of the Opera to model new Mrs Doubtfire, however these are my prime picks from the stage.
2:22 A Ghost Story utterly dominated town with British stars Tom Felton, Matt Willis, Jaime Winstone and Stacey Dooley sharing the highlight.
And you may by no means falter with The Play That Goes Incorrect the place each mishap is a part of the leisure issue.
As for musicals, The Lion King is a firm-favourite with a gap quantity you may always remember.
As a 90s woman, Matilda is a film I used to be introduced up on and have since seen it on stage thrice! This will appear extreme, but it surely’s such a feel-good present.
SIX is a mixture between a musical and a pop live performance and the outfits are simply as fabulous because the Queens onstage.
Then after all, Depraved. We have all seen the film, however seeing ‘Defying Gravity’ reside is unforgettable.
What is going to I see subsequent? Broadway hit Imply Ladies is on my record.
– Alice Penwill, Journey Reporter
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