What Do You Love About London? #LondonIsOpen
Get inspired and find out what other travellers love about London...
With tens of millions of visitors coming through London every year, it's no surprise that the English capital is one of the most popular cities in the world. Popular with tourists and local Brits, this buzzing metropolis truly has something for everyone from arts and culture to history, architecture, entertainment and more. But don't just take our word for it! We caught up with some of our international friends to find out what it is about London that stole a bit of their heart and kept them coming back for more.
Image sourced via The Natual History Museum “No matter how many times you visit London or how long you have lived in the city there is always something new to discover. My favourite place has to be Upper Street in Islington. There is always a new place opening, whether it is an alternative restaurant or funky bar, every time I walk down the street there is something enticing me in... mouthwatering sushi, refreshing cocktails and inspiring gifts. The park in the centre is a perfect spot to enjoy a lunchtime sandwich in summer and the grand townhouses on the sides streets offer a steady stream of perfect pictures for my Instagram feed. Like much of London it is always buzzing with a huge range of people and I could sit in a cafe and people watch from here all day.”
- Jen Lowthrop She Gets Around, @jlowthrop
"London is such a fantastic place as there is always something new popping-up, whether it’s the hottest burger bar in town or an exciting new art exhibition. However, one of my favourite places to visit is of old, the National History Museum. It is filled with so much history and just recently has added the largest Topaz in the world onto their display. I could spend hours admiring the exhibits and the main Hintze Hall which is so grand and definitely one everyone needs to see."
- Paula Holmes The LDN Diaries, @theldndiaries
"I love London for its diversity in cultures, foods, landscapes, neighbourhoods, languages, architecture and opportunities. My favourite way to spend my time? Walking, exploring, getting lost in old winding streets, taking photos, visiting markets, eating my way around the world without even leaving zone 3 and following advice of friends and bloggers to discover little gems that only locals know and love. It amazes me that I have lived here for nearly a decade and there is still so much I haven’t seen. It is a city that is forever changing and one that continues to captivate me time and again."
- Stephanie Sadler Little London Observationis, @llostephskimo
“I love the fact that London has so many different sides, from the hustle, bustle and bright in the west end to being serious and business like in the east. I love that history and the modern world are so close together. With places like St Paul's cathedral and Buckingham Palace, which nestle within the heart of the modern city. With lesser-known gems scattered randomly around, there's so much to discover. Even most locals haven't seen most of the interesting things. I also love that the city has so many green spaces. It has great parks in the middle of the sprawling metropolis.”
- Joseph Thornton Joseph Thornton, @Handyblokes_soc
"The thing that makes London special to me is its many open spaces. As well as great cultural attractions such as the British Museum and the Tate Modern gallery, and internationally celebrated festivals such as the BFI London Film Festival and Field Day music festival, there are countless miles of river paths and royal parks to explore. One of my favourite things to do in London is to stroll along the beautiful River Thames towards Hampton Court Palace, starting at the ancient market square in Kingston-upon-Thames, taking in the wild expanse of Home Park before relaxing in the palace gardens."
- Adam Paul Adam Paul, @adampaul80
"To me, nothing is more London than the Tube; some of my best memories are from those mechanical snakes winding their way around underground. I remember being so excited about the London Underground when I first moved to London at 18. I was moving to study and as soon as my parents returned home, I immediately jumped on the Circle Line and just rode it around (back when it used to be a complete circle). I’ve made new friends whilst riding the first train home in the morning, run into old friends on the morning commute. I’ve seen all aspects of human emotion on the tube: people having fun, people crying, people arguing and fighting, people caring for each other when they don’t feel safe. The London Underground truly is the melting pot of human interaction and after many years each journey still feels like that first.
- Saqib Rana @harisrana101
"Victoria Park is my favourite place to hang around in London. Located in East London, it's my multipurpose area. There are playgrounds, lakes, bridges, gardens, a pagoda and lots of green spaces. It’s a great place to exercise, run or cycle if you are an outdoor type of person like I am. It's not touristy which makes it a perfect place to relax and find a quiet corner. I prefer the cafe by the lake when I have to work or when I just want to enjoy the view. It’s nice for a cup of coffee or breakfast. The park has been the first place I've taken all my friends and family to when they've come to visit me in London."
- Monika Bagic @MonikaBagic
"London is, quite simply, full of energy and life. It is hard not to get swept up in the buzzing social scene, with the huge range of restaurants, bars and traditional pubs on offer. You have to wonder sometimes, when do Londoners sleep? The architecture is among some of the best in the world, whether you prefer the older styles of Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, or the more modern offerings of the Gherkin and the Shard. Take a walk along one of the many attractive bridges over the river Thames and you will see just how beautiful the city is, especially at night as the lights on Tower Bridge twinkle with absolute brilliance. Living in such a sociable, culturally diverse place makes it very easy to meet new people and make plenty of friends. Whatever hobby you’re into, you can be sure to find a place to do it."
- Sarah Rodger
"I have visited London four times with friends and with family. Of the four times, I have always returned to my home country with a strange feeling, the feeling of falling in love with a city. In London, everything is perfect. There are hundreds of interesting attractions for new and returning tourists. The place is full of history and culture. It has more than 200 museums. Apart from the museums, the whole city features stunning works of architecture. Some of them are ancient castles, others are modern superstructures. If you want to relax for a while or have a picnic, you can enjoy beautiful parks with sensational views of the cityscape. At night, London shines. You can visit pubs and delight your tastebuds with some craft beer, or just the city lights. Then wake up early to drink some hot tea and keep exploring. What a magical city!"
- Mark Prochovs