Vacation rentals in London

Few cities on the planet pack as much into their crooked, cobbled streets as London. Located on the banks of the River Thames, Great Britain’s capital sprawls in every direction, exhausting any traveler with ambitions of doing it all in one trip. The best approach to exploring this 2,000-year-old megalopolis: Pick your spots wisely. Spend some time in the West End theatre district taking in some of the brilliant performances before heading out to dinner. When it rains, venture over to South Kensington to explore the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and Victoria & Albert Museum, whose massive collection spans 5,000 years of art, from ancient to contemporary.

This end of town is also distinguished for its great shopping, so fuel up at a gastropub and walk along the high street to check out the latest in fashion. Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square are must on any visit. Grab one of the Santander bikes throughout the city to help you cover more ground, but of course if you have the time, the best way to explore London is by walking.

Summer is the best time to enjoy the limited good weather London has to offer. London can experience rain every day throughout the year, but the thing to remember is that it doesn’t always last very long. You may wake up to clear blue skies and sunshine, only to walk out the front door of your London vacation rental after a breakfast of tea and toast to grey skies and drizzle. And yet, it could all change by the time you leave the Tube at your destination. All of this is to say that you should always be prepared with an umbrella. In the summertime, weather can be finicky and so it’s best to bring long pants and a sweater for cooler days and evenings, but it’s also when Londoners head to the city parks and music festivals. In the autumn, though, it’s a great time to throw on a cozy sweater and head to a neighbourhood pub for a classic roast.

Borough Market and The Queen’s Walk

Head down to Borough Market, a marketplace under a bridge full of street food, fresh produce, and a lively atmosphere. Grab lunch at one of the many vendors on a weekend. From here you can peek out from under the London Bridge overpass to get a glimpse of the Shard. Then walk between the historic buildings, but take your time because this part of town is home to a number of small shops and historic architecture. Just nearby is the Queen’s Walk. This riverside stroll will take you past iconic sights like the Tate Modern, National Theatre, and the London Eye to Westminster Bridge.

Shoreditch

Shoreditch is a hip district in the East End of London. It’s got restaurants and bars galore, but one of its other main draws is its fantastic street art. Starting in the Old Spitalfields Market you can take a walking tour which continues through the small surrounding streets to see and learn about some of the neighbourhood’s famous murals. While in the neighbourhood, also be sure to check out Brick Lane, and have a curry in one of its restaurants.

The Regent’s Park and Canal

This lush green space is one of London’s largest and most beautiful parks. It is a great place for a bike ride or a lazy Sunday picnic by the lake. The canals are lined with houseboats, where people actually live and enjoy the heart of London, but it’s also a beautiful space for cutting across town while seeing the sights along the way. Head east you will quickly end up in the vibrant and bustling Camden Town, with its famed market and shops.