DK Travel : London

A city of infinite colour and variety, London is both richly historic, tracing its roots back over 2000 years, and unceasingly modern, at the forefront of fashion, music and the arts. There is a fantastic amount to interest and entertain the visitor here: a selection of the best of the best is explored here.

1940–41: The Blitz

Between September 1940 and May 1941, German air raids left 30,000 Londoners dead. The bombers destroyed much of the Docks, the East End and the City. The House of Commons, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London were all hit. Many Londoners sought shelter in Underground stations at night.
1992: Docklands Development

Docks that were once hives of activity began to be deserted in the 1960s as trade moved to a modern container port at Tilbury. In the 1980s, regeneration of the area began, notably around the West India Dock, where Canary Wharf was built in 1992. A new City airport was created on the site of the former Royal docks.
2 Willow Road

Designed in 1939 by the architect Ernö Goldfinger for himself and his wife, the artist Ursula Blackwell, this is one of the most important examples of modern architecture in the UK. A film helps put the life and times of the couple in context. Goldfinger designed all the furniture and collected some fine works by Henry Moore, Max Ernst and Marcel Duchamp.
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This three-storey club heaves to drum ‘n’ bass, hip hop and funky soul.
A Day Around the East End

Morning

Start at Old Spitalfields Market, close to Liverpool Street station, where organic food stalls hold sway during the week, and many more, selling clothes and collectibles, fill the floor on Sundays. Cafés and stalls sell delicious coffee and breakfasts both in and around the market.

Emerging from the market on its southeast corner, cross into Fournier Street, where the gallery at No. 5 retains the original panelling of the 18th-century silk weavers’ houses. Stroll Princelet and Elder streets, just off Fournier, for a real taste of historic London.

Head into Brick Laneto browse among the saree and Bangladeshi gift shops. Stop for lunch at one of the many authentic curry houses that line the street.

Afternoon

After lunch turn right into Whitechapel Road. Notice the distinctive Art Nouveau façade of the Whitechapel Art Gallery and pop into the gallery’s stunning three-floor exhibition space to take in a contemporary art show. Have a cup of tea in the museum café and stop by the bookshop.

Finally, take a ride on the driverless Docklands Light Railway (from Tower Gateway, a short walk from Whitechapel), for some of the best views of East London. Emerge at Canary Wharf to see London’s latest architecture around Cabot Square, and finish the afternoon with a drink at Via Fosse on West India Quay.
A Day By the River

Morning

Start at Waterloo with breakfast and a self-guided tour of the Marriott Hotel, based in the splendid former headquarters of the Greater London Council. Cross Westminster Bridge to visit Westminster Abbey and nearby St Margaret’s Church.

Continue along Abingdon Street to Lambeth Bridge and re-cross the river. Have a coffee at the delightful little café at Lambeth Pier, passing Lambeth Palace on your way. Walk along the Albert Embankment for a stunning view of the Houses of Parliament across the river.

For lunch, you might like to try the Japanese restaurant YO! Sushi or the innovative fish! . Both are in Belvedere Road, behind the London Eye.

Afternoon

Walk along the embankment to the South Bank Complex, browsing the second-hand bookstalls outside the National Film Theatre. Continue past the craft shops of Gabriel’s Wharf to the Oxo Tower’s designer galleries just beyond and take the lift to the tower’s viewing platform for a great view of the city.

Afterwards, head along the embankment to Tate Modern - a wonderful place to spend the rest of the afternoon. Have a drink with more views in the Espresso Bar: Level 4.Further downriver, the Anchor pub is a good place to relax and have dinner.
A Day Exploring Maritime Greenwich

Morning

Start the day from Westminster Pier, because the best way to arrive at Greenwich is by boat. The journey takes 50-60 minutes and there are terrific river sights on the way. The old tea clipper Cutty Sark is visible on arrival and worth an immediate visit. Afterwards step into the nearby Greenwich Gateway visitor centre to get your bearings.

Behind the visitor centre is Greenwich Market, which is liveliest on weekends. Grab a coffee here, and then explore the surrounding streets, full of antique and marine shops. Turn into Wren’s Old Royal Naval College, walk around the Grand Square, and then down to the river. Take a break for some lunch and a pint at the old Nelson Tavern on the far side of the Naval College overlooking the river.

Afternoon

After lunch, make your way back up to the National Maritime Museum and buy a combined ticket for this and the Royal Observatory Greenwich, which is on the hill behind. Spend a couple of hours exploring the fascinating museum, the largest of its kind in the world, then make your way to the Observatory. This is the home of world time, and stands on the Prime Meridian. You can be photographed with one foot in the eastern hemisphere and one in the west. Return to Central London by boat, or by rail from Greenwich.
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square

A standard sung by Frank Sinatra and others, it is actually very unusual to hear nightingales in central London.
A Walk around Covent Garden

Morning

Take the tube to Leicester Square and have a coffee at the Arts Theatre café before taking in the latest exhibition at the Photographer’s Gallery next door.

Head up Monmouth Street to Seven Dials, a lofty sundial where seven streets converge. Check out the market stalls and shops in Earlham Street then continue up Monmouth Street to the small entrance to Neal’s Yard with its fine cheese and bread shops. Buy soap at Neal’s Yard apothecary. Visit Covent Garden Piazza for some pre-lunch fun from the street entertainers outside Inigo Jones’ elegant St Paul’s Church. Take a look inside before lunch in the Royal Opera House’s Amphitheatre Restaurant, with its wonderful views.

Afternoon

Leave the Piazza via Russell Street, past the TheatreMuseum, down Wellington Street to the Strand. Cross the road and turn left to the recently refurbished Somerset House, home of the Courtauld Institute . Start with their collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. Pause to relax by the Courtyard fountains or at the River Terrace Café before checking out the Gilbert Collection’s decorative arts objects. Alternatively, visit the Hermitage Rooms which recreate, in miniature, the imperial splendour of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg.
A Walk Around the West End

Morning

Start the day in Trafalgar Square at 10am when the fountains are switched on. You could spend a day at the National Gallery , but limit yourself to an hour, perhaps just visiting the Sainsbury Wing.

For coffee, head next door to the Portrait Restaurant at the National Portrait Gallery. It has fine views over Trafalgar Square.

Head up Charing Cross Road to Leicester Square. Note the statues of Shakespeare and Charlie Chaplin in the middle of the square. Continue towards the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus and the famous statue of Eros, and then walk up Shaftesbury Avenue, centre of the city’s theatre district. Turn off here into bustling Chinatown , with its colourful shops and restaurants.

Lunch in Chinatown is obligatory. Enjoy the bustle of the Golden Dragon on Gerrard Street, or the calm of the excellent Joy King Lau in Leicester Street, just off Lisle Street.

Afternoon

Give the afternoon over to colourful and lively Soho. Eat a peach fresh from the stall in Berwick Street Market, then stroll up Wardour Street, home of the movie industry. Reward yourself with tea and a slice of cake at Patisserie Valerie in OldCompton Street.