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.

Ice Skating

Indoors at the Leisurebox in Queensway. Outdoor winter rinks are at the Broadgate Centre and Somerset House.
Imperial War Museum

It is well worth the effort to visit this museum, which documents the social effects of war as much as the technology involved in fighting it, with displays on food rationing, censorship, air-raid precautions and morale-boosting strategies. Concerned mainly with conflicts in the 20th century to the present, it has changing exhibitions and an excellent shop that will appeal to those with a nostalgia for wartime London.
Imperial War Museum

In this museum, which is housed in part of the former Bethlehem (“Bedlam”) Hospital for the Insane, a clock in the basement moves remorselessly on, recording the world’s war dead – a figure that has now reached 100 million. Six million of them are commemorated in the Holocaust Exhibition. Other displays include evocative re-creations of World War I trench warfare and the life of Londoners during the World War II Blitz. Now it is “total war” that we have to contemplate, and this, too, is explored.
Incognico

Solid French food, such as fried goose liver, is served here. Nico Ladenis, one of London’s best chefs, is now retired and the restaurant is run by his daughter.
International Students House

In university holidays, some student rooms are available at reasonable rates. This house, though, has space all year. Dormitories, single and twin rooms are available at a range of prices. There is a bar, a gym, a restaurant and internet café.
Ironmonger Row Turkish Baths

Apparently the haunt of boxers and the east end mafia, but in fact a wonderfully calm and long established retreat, the Turkish baths at Ironmonger Row leisure centre are a real treat before a nice curry in Old Street, or after a strenous session in the pool. It costs around £10 for an all day ticket, with men/women only session during the week and a mixed session on Mondays. Massages are offered in the therapy rooms for an extra £25 or so per half-hour. After being pummelled you can lie and read a book on one of their many beds (real mattresses, none of your cheap sun loungers here), or pass through the three graduated heat rooms, or get pickled in the steam room. They also offer soapy rub downs on marble slabs for a few pounds more. The icy plunge pool with giant dripping tap awaits to cool you down, and if all this sounds like too much hard work, you can opt for toast and a chat with the gravel-voiced warden in the television lounge. This place has a real sense of old London about it, and is certainly one of my favourite places in the East End. Once found it feels like a secret, and for a measly £10 is a real bargain day out, too.
Isola

An ultra-trendy interior of chrome and white leather provides the setting for top-notch Italian cooking
Itsu

An oriental conveyor-belt restaurant with imaginative dishes passing before your eyes.
J Sheekey

A taste of London elegance. Fish is on the menu, from oysters to lobsters.
Jamaica Wine House

A lovely pub dating from 1682 serving a good choice of wines, as well as beer and bar food.

Jump to top

Restaurant price categories

For a three course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes, and extra charges.
- under £15
- £15–£25
- £25–£35
- £35–£50
- over £50
Hotel price categories

Prices are for a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under £70
- £70–£100
- £100–£150
- £150–£200
- over £200