London’s Most Popular Areas
The best way to visit London is to pick an area that is near the sites you want to visit, then find a nearby hotel. Some of the most popular areas include:
The West End – Staying in the West End puts you in a position to catch many awesome shows and visit some of London’s most famous attractions such as the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London Zoo, Leicester Square, and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. London’s West End has always been a major tourist attraction so you will always be able to find accommodations that will fit within your price range and your comfort level. London’s West End is comprised of four major parts. This includes “The Strand” which is a street to the south, Oxford Street which runs to the north, Regent Street which runs to the west and Kingsway which runs to the east.
Bayswater / Paddington – Another popular spot for tourists is the Bayswater / Paddington area. Bayswater is comprised of mostly residential places and Paddington is a district right next to it. A lot of the hotels here are converted from older houses and can give a genuine homely atmosphere. You will be able to get around town quite easily from the Bayswater area since there are plenty of subways or trains to take you into the very heart of the city. An upscale neighborhood to visit in Bayswater is Notting Hill, which received a lot of fame due to the film of the same name starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. If you choose to stay there, you can easily traipse over to the Portobello Road Antique Market and find some great treasures. This is usually held every week on Saturday.
Kensington – The place to stay if you do not want to pay for the high cost of a hotel in the city centre, but still want access to all the sites. Kensington is a sub-section of London and is known for its great transportation options. From here you will be able to visit many different gardens, parks and other nature features. You will also be able to visit Kensington Palace, which was at one time, the home of the late Princess Diana. The atmosphere in the Kensington district is very cosmopolitan and exclusive, and you can experience this first hand if you choose to stay in a Kensington hotel. All of these locations are great if you really want to experience London at its finest.
Westminster – The historic seat of power, located in the center of London. It is home to one of the most recognized buildings in the world – the Palace of Westminster, which serves as the meeting place for the English parliament. The Palace of Westminster is located in Westminster Square. Also located there is the House of Commons, the House of Lords and a tourist favorite, Big Ben. Just a short distance away is the royal residence of Queen Elizabeth II, the stately Buckingham Palace. One of the amazing sight not to miss is the “Changing of the Guard”, every day just before noon, at Buckingham Palace’s main gate. Another favorite, Downing Street, can also be found in Westminster. Westminster is very connected with the London subway known as the ‘tube’ and has many hotels that you could book a stay in!
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