It’s summer 2023 and London is calling. Whether you’re a frequent visitor to the UK’s capital or looking to make your first trip, the GRAZIA editors are here to take you beyond the usual tourist spots.
We’ve got you covered, from the best activities in the city to the top restaurants, below is GRAZIA‘s comprehensive travel guide to London.
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WHERE TO STAY
London has no shortage of five-star hotels, of which GRAZIA has selected the best of the best.
EMBER LOCKE
Aparthotel brand Locke has just opened Ember Locke, its sixth property in London. From studios to duplexes, Ember Locke has 121 apartments all located in the Kensington and Chelsea area. Its warm-toned interior is perfect for those who are interested in bohemian visuals.
Key features include F&B destination EVE, communal gardens, a co-working space, gym and laundry room. Apartments are cleaned once a week as standard. If need be, guests are able to request extra cleaning for a fee. Oh, and, good news – all Locke hotels are dog friendly.
BULGARI HOTEL
Bulgari’s luxury five-star hotel is located in the heart of Knightsbridge. It features 85 spacious rooms and suites, a 25-metre pool, private cinema, an award-winning spa and an enchanting ballroom. Conveniently, Harrods and Hyde Park are just a five-minute walk away. Each room has an English feel combined with Bulgari’s Italian heritage and contemporary architecture.
FOUR SEASONS AT PARK LANE
The Four Seasons at Park Lane is located in central London, a short 15-minute walk from the shopping hub of Oxford Street. Many of the rooms at the hotel include a small private balcony that allow guests to enjoy views of the London Eye, Big Ben and the luscious trees of Green Park.
MANDARIN ORIENTAL
Of all the luxury hotels in London, The Times has dubbed the Mandarin Oriental “the foodiest”. The two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal lies in the hotel and has views over Hyde Park. The grand dame hotel closed in 2018 because of a serious fire, then renovated all 181 of its rooms. Pro tip: The Royal Suite offers the best view to watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.
THE SHANGRI-LA
The Shangri-La Hotel The Shard occupies levels 34-52, making this 5-star the capital’s highest hotel. It offers breathtaking views of London and, in fact, is the only five-star luxury hotel in the borough of London Bridge. Staying near the Bridge gives you the advantage of having the most convenient transportation access and restaurants nearby.
CLARIDGE’S
It is, without a doubt, known that Claridge’s has been home to royalty, designers and celebrities since the 1850s. Some would even be bold enough to deem it the best hotel in the world. The 197-room hotel is located on Brook Street in London’s Mayfair. Its convenient positioning makes Bond Street only a few minutes away, so too is Park Lane, Piccadilly, Oxford Street and Berkeley Square. This old-world charm of a hotel has afternoon tea like you’ve never seen before, with a variety of mini-sandwiches, scones and teas.
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WHERE TO EAT
It is easier to eat badly than it is to eat good in London. With numerous different options, it can be hard for first-timers to find the perfect spot to dine. Keep scrolling to find our curated selection of the best eats, from breakfast spots to fine dining.
HIDE
Located in Mayfair, London, Hide does anything but stay out the spotlight. They’re known for their minimalist, wooden interior and stunning dishes that are decorated with delicate flowers. Hide’s enchanting eye candy will guarantee an aesthetic Instagram post. The restaurant serves fresh breakfast, seasonal-set lunch and warm dinner. Hide makes everything in-house, from charcuterie to jams.
PRADA CAFFÉ
The Prada caffé at Harrods promises the taste of Milan in Knightsbridge. The pop-up provides all-day dining in Prada’s signature pistachio-themed interior. Their must-try menu takes a modern twist on Italian classics and will be available until the end of 2023. The real stars of the show are the delectable pastries, embellished with the iconic Prada logo.
TAB X TAB
Tab x Tab is a must-visit modern café based in Notting Hill, aka brunch central. Their menu includes brunch classics such as avocado on toast, scrambled eggs, pancakes and more. The brunch spot even has a chicken katsu sandwich which is halal. Its interior is described as “tight, intimate and minimal”.
T BY TAMARA
Specializing in Levantine cuisine, T by Tamara aims to bring the Middle Eastern experience straight to London. If you’ve been feeling homesick lately, T by Tamara is the place for you. This cosy brunch spot will make you feel at home again. The café also accepts custom-cake orders.
ROKA
Roka is London’s award-winning Japanese restaurant. It has opened up branches all around the world, from Jeddah to Istanbul. This fine-dining hot-spot has multiple locations in London: Canary Wharf, Mayfair and Charlotte Street. Its contemporary Japanese robatayaki cuisine serves a variety of sashimi, makis, salads and tempuras.
CIRCOLO POPOLARE
Circolo Popolare, located in London’s lively Fitzrovia district, is one of the city’s most well-known Italian restaurants. The hot spot is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. They have an exciting collection of Italian classics, with their truffle pasta and lemon meringue pie being the most ordered on their Sicilian-inspired menu. Keep in mind, unless you get lucky and an availability opens up, bookings should be done one month in advance.
SKETCH
Perhaps one of London’s most Instagrammable restaurants, three-Michelin starred Sketch is one to add to the itinerary. They are famed for their elegant gallery designs and iconic egg-shaped toilets. The reception area constantly changes based on the artists and designers who work on its walls, giving customers the feeling of walking into an art gallery. The restaurant has five sections, each with its own identity: The Gallery, The Lecture Room and Library, The Parlour, The Glade and The East Bar and Pods. That’s right, five rooms in one restaurant. Actually, Sketch is a hub of separate restaurants. Visit their website for more information on each room.
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WHAT TO DO
Let’s be real, London is massive and it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do, especially on time constraints, but here we’ve highlighted some of the must-do activities.
WEST END THEATRE
From The Lion King to Matilda, London has one of the best musicals and plays in the world. Seeing a theatre show is essential if you’re ever at the West End. Whether you like operas or comedies, there’s something there for everyone.
THORPE PARK
Willing to take a short trip for some fun? Thorpe Park is located in Surrey, just outside London. The park promises the best family day out and is the ultimate destination for thrill seekers. With some of the UK’s most popular rides and fastest rollercoasters, Thorpe Park is a must-visit for families and friends.
LIFT 109
Lift 109 at the Battersea Power Station offers a 360° view of London’s skyline at a great height of 109 meters. The lift makes a thrilling ascent to the top of the northwest chimney, lasting around 30-40 minutes. The panoramic view over London is perfect for pictures.
ARCELORMITTAL ORBIT
Slide into summer with the ArcelorMittal Orbit, aka the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide. The trip gives you a chance to explore breathtaking views of London’s iconic buildings such as Big Ben, The Shard, BT Tower, The Gherkin and more. The short journey of twists and turns only lasts 40 seconds, so be sure to enjoy every moment.
ARSENAL – EMIRATES STADIUM TOUR
Football fans, this one’s for you. Don’t miss out on visiting the world-famous Emirates Stadium. The stadium tour lasts approximately one hour and showcases Arsenal players’ press room, dressing room and the popular tunnel they walk through before entering the field. It’s here that visitors are introduced to one of the best-kept football pitches in the world, the Emirates pitch. Visitors can enjoy audio commentary throughout their journey which provides interesting insights on Arsenal’s rich history. To finish off the tour, guests are able to visit the Arsenal Museum, where they can find the club’s trophy collection and merchandise shop.
MAYFIELD LAVENDER FARM
Mayfield Lavender Garden is the dreamiest spot that makes for great photos. If you do end up here, take a moment to breathe in the soothing aroma. This beautiful field of lavender lies just 15 miles south of central London. Besides taking pictures, you can enjoy lavender-infused cream tea, snack on muffins and scones from the chrome trailer, chill at the café and shop lavender-based products. Be sure to stop by this purple paradise before the end of August.
WHERE TO SHOP
London is packed with luxury fashion houses and is quite literally the place for retail therapy.
BOND STREET
London’s Bond Street is renowned for its exclusive brands and fine jewellery shops. Located in the heart of Mayfair, the street is home to notable fashion houses including Bulgari, Burberry, Chanel, Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and the list goes on. Bond Street is surrounded by an impressive number of chic restaurants and luxury hotels such as The Ritz and Claridge’s. A well-loved destination for celebrities and society’s most stylish indeed.
HARRODS
No trip to London is complete without visiting Harrods’ top-notch restaurants and designer stores. For more than 160 years, Harrods has been a luxury shopping destination for many. With over eight floors, Harrods is known as the leading department store in Britain. Once you’re here, don’t forget to visit the Lingerie & Lounge department on the first floor. The luxury destination is dedicated to selling pieces that will allow you to thrive in your most confident and comfortable self.
COVENT GARDEN
Not only is Covent Garden popular for its world-class designer shops, but its street performances too. The car-free Piazza is located in London’s West End. Covent Garden also holds the oldest theatre in London, where you can watch musicals, operas and ballet shows.
A ONE-OFF POP-UP
If you happen to find yourself in the coveted shopping area of Covent Garden, then why not stop by Hunza G’s first-ever pop-up shop. The swimwear brand is a relaunch from the iconic label Hunza which was behind the design of the renowned cut-out mini dress worn by Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Revitalised by Georgiana Huddart in 2015, Hunza G has become one of the number one swimwear brands across the globe with A-list fans including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Kim Kardashian, Alexa Chung, Dua Lipa and more. This summer, Hunza G has unveiled its first pop-up shop located in the heart of Covent Garden. Open daily from 10am to 7pm, pay a visit to the pop-up at this address: 35-37 Monmouth Street, London, WC2H 9DD.
SLOANE STREET
Sloane Street is highly noted for its elegant catwalk of esteemed luxury brands. Alongside Bond Street, Sloane Street is long-known as one of the go-to spots for haute couture and luxury goods. After a long day of shopping, Pavilion Road is the ultimate pitstop to fuel your energy with the best-in-class food. The luxury street is set to have a sustainable makeover by 2024. The transformation includes a green boulevard of 100 new trees, beds of flowers, hives and ponds to encourage biodiversity.
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