Looking for the best area to stay in London? Pimlico offers the perfect central location, combining peaceful Victorian streets with easy access to London’s top attractions.
As a family-run boutique hotel in this historic neighbourhood, we’ve spent decades helping guests discover why where you stay matters as much as what you see in London.
Let us guide you through London’s most captivating districts, sharing insider knowledge that goes beyond typical tourist recommendations.
Pimlico
Pimlico combines prime central London location with peaceful Victorian streets, just minutes from major attractions.
Our Grade II listed Georgian House Hotel sits within these historic streets, where famous residents like Winston Churchill and Laura Ashley once called home. We offer individually designed rooms, from classic accommodations to our unique Wizard Chambers, set in a neighbourhood known for its white stucco townhouses and historic character.
St George’s Square Gardens provides a peaceful Victorian garden square just 4 minutes from our door, perfect for morning walks or afternoon relaxation. Looking for nightlife? You’re in the right place. Take a look at our Pimlico nightlife guide for inspiration.
Transport and Key Attractions
- Victoria Station: 7-minute walk, connecting to all London destinations
- Buckingham Palace: 20-minute walk
- Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey: 20-minute walk along the Thames
- Tate Britain: 12-minute walk (open 10 AM – 6 PM, free admission)
- Harrods: 15 minutes via Victoria Line
- Elizabeth Street boutiques: 8-minute walk
Local Dining and Experiences
Within 5-10 minutes’ walk:
- Cambridge Street Kitchen: Artisanal dining (7:30 AM – 10 PM)
- Marquis of Westminster: Historic pub (11 AM – 11 PM)
- Wild by Tart: Restaurant in converted power station (8 AM – 11 PM)
- Pimlico Fresh: Local café favourite (7 AM – 5 PM)
Covent Garden
Covent Garden centres around its historic market piazza, serving as London’s leading entertainment district. The area combines major theatres, luxury retail, and diverse dining within a compact, walkable neighbourhood.
Its cobbled streets house everything from the Royal Opera House to hidden speakeasy bars, making it a natural hub for both culture and shopping.
Key Locations and Times
- Royal Opera House: Daily performances, booking essential
- London Transport Museum: 10 AM – 6 PM, £24.50 adults
- Market Building: Open daily 10 AM – 5 PM, housing luxury and unique brands
- Seven Dials: Independent shopping quarter with seven interconnecting streets
- Neal’s Yard: Hidden courtyard with independent eateries and shops
South Bank
The South Bank stretches along the Thames from Westminster Bridge to London Bridge, offering London’s best riverside walking route. This pedestrianised cultural quarter houses major institutions like the National Theatre and Tate Modern, while providing spectacular views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament.
The area truly comes alive on weekends when food markets and street performers line the riverside walkway. Take a look at our Westminster guide for more information.
Main Attractions
- National Theatre: Performances Tuesday-Sunday
- Tate Modern: 10 AM – 6 PM, free entry
- London Eye: Daily 11 AM – 6 PM
- Borough Market: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM
- Shakespeare’s Globe: Tours daily, performances seasonal
Shoreditch
Shoreditch represents London’s creative transformation, where Victorian warehouses now house tech startups, art galleries, and innovative dining concepts. The area’s street art changes weekly, while independent boutiques and vintage markets attract fashion-conscious locals.
At night, the neighbourhood transforms into one of London’s main nightlife districts, with venues ranging from cocktail bars to underground music clubs.
Cultural Highlights
- Brick Lane: Sunday market 10 AM – 5 PM, focus on vintage and street food
- Spitalfields Market: Daily 10 AM – 6 PM, covered market with independent traders
- Columbia Road Flower Market: Sunday 8 AM – 2 PM
- Street Art Tours: Best viewed early morning before crowds
- Boxpark: Pop-up mall open daily 11 AM – 11 PM
The City
London’s oldest district blends Roman walls with contemporary skyscrapers. The Square Mile empties of office workers on weekends, making it ideal for exploring historic sites without crowds. Medieval churches and ancient guildhalls sit beside modern architectural landmarks like The Gherkin and Sky Garden, creating London’s most dramatic architectural contrasts.
Key Sites and Times
St. Paul’s Cathedral: Monday-Saturday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, £25 adults
Museum of London: 10 AM – 5 PM, free entry
Tower of London: Tuesday-Saturday 9 AM – 4:30 PM, £34.80 adults
Sky Garden: Free entry, must book online
Leadenhall Market: Shops open Monday-Friday, limited weekend hours
Mayfair
Mayfair’s exclusive streets house London’s finest art galleries, luxury boutiques, and Michelin-starred restaurants. The area retains its 18th-century layout with elegant squares and mews houses, while offering some of London’s best green spaces in Grosvenor Square and Berkeley Square. Hidden passages reveal historic arcades and traditional craftsmen still working in centuries-old workshops.
Notable Locations
- Bond Street: Luxury shopping, most stores open 10 AM – 6 PM
- Royal Academy of Arts: Daily 10 AM – 6 PM
- Mount Street Gardens: Dawn to dusk
- Shepherd Market: Historic square with boutique dining
- Cork Street Galleries: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 AM – 6 PM
Marylebone
Marylebone maintains a distinct village feel despite its central location. The neighbourhood centres around Marylebone High Street, where independent boutiques and cafes create a more intimate shopping experience than nearby Oxford Street. Its quiet squares and mansion blocks house some of London’s most interesting small museums and galleries.
Area Highlights
- Wallace Collection: 10 AM – 5 PM, free entry
- Marylebone Farmers’ Market: Sunday 10 AM – 2 PM
- Daunt Books: Monday-Saturday 9 AM – 7 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 6 PM
- Madame Tussauds: Daily 10 AM – 4 PM
- Regent’s Park: 5 AM – dusk, hosts open-air theatre in summer
Notting Hill
Notting Hill balances bohemian energy with sophisticated living. Famous for its antique markets and pastel-coloured townhouses, the area offers London’s best vintage shopping alongside high-end boutiques. The neighbourhood retains its artistic spirit while providing elegant garden squares and independent cinemas, creating a unique mix of culture and comfort.
Area Highlights
- Portobello Road Market: Main market Saturday 9 AM – 7 PM
- Electric Cinema: One of London’s oldest working cinemas, daily screenings
- Westbourne Grove: High-end shopping and dining strip
- Golborne Road: Antiques and world food, market Friday/Saturday
- Holland Park: 7:30 AM – 30 minutes before dusk
Planning Your Perfect Stay
There are a few elements to consider when planning your London stay, to ensure you have the perfect trip.
Essential Transport Tips:
- Night Tubes run on weekends on major lines
- River buses offer scenic alternatives to the Underground
- Most attractions open at 10 AM – plan early morning walks to see the city wake up
- Black cabs can use bus lanes, often making them faster than private cars
Seasonal Considerations
London transforms with each season, affecting where you might want to base yourself:
- Spring (March-May): Notting Hill and Marylebone shine with cherry blossoms and garden squares in bloom. The Chelsea Flower Show in May makes west London especially vibrant.
- Summer (June-August): Areas with green spaces like Pimlico offer welcome respite from the heat. Our location near St James’s Park and the Thames Path provides cool morning walks.
- Autumn (September-November): The South Bank’s tree-lined walks turn golden, while Covent Garden’s covered market offers shelter from occasional rain.
- Winter (December-February): Central areas like Pimlico place you close to Christmas lights and festive markets, with excellent transport links if weather turns challenging.