Home to around nine million people, London is not only the capital of England but the largest city in the United Kingdom. It’s a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lives, with world-class museums, legendary markets and iconic landmarks to discover. With the Thames River snaking through its heart, London is also a collection of diverse neighbourhoods, each with its own aesthetic and atmosphere. Deciding where to stay can be difficult, to say the least, particularly if it’s your first time in the city.
In this guide, we’ll introduce some of the best neighbourhoods for holiday rentals in London, ranging from upmarket royal boroughs to affordable districts. More information is available via online holiday rental platforms such as Rentola London where you’ll find a diverse choice of holiday rentals to suit all budgets. They bring together apartments, condos and houses all in the one place for easy comparison. Whether you’re after a romantic apartment for two, an eclectic warehouse studio or a spacious family home, London offers all of that and more.
Covent Garden
Located in London’s West End, Covent Garden is a vibrant neighbourhood that’s famed for its market and an ideal base for foodies. You can shop til you drop around the pedestrianised Piazza or get your history fix at the London Transport Museum before catching a show at the 18th-century Royal Opera House. Not only is Covent Garden centrally located but it’s packed with great restaurants and boasts a buzzing nightlife scene.
Soho
Synonymous with entertainment since the 19th century, Soho has retained its pulsing energy, despite becoming more family-friendly than it has been in the past. It has long been at the centre of London’s LGBT+ community and was the home of rock and rock throughout the Swinging Sixties. Soho still offers great live music and eclectic bars, all within easy access to the London Eye, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.
Kings Cross
Home to two of London’s most important railway stations, Kings Cross is an ideal place to stay if you’re taking the Eurostar from St. Pancras or exploring more of England by train. Much of its industrial north has been transformed into cultural green spaces while trend-setting eateries and boutiques await at the Coal Drops Yard. In Kings Cross, you can see the “Magna Carta” at the British Library, explore the London Canal Museum or escape the hustle and bustle at the Camley Street Natural Park.
Shoreditch
Located in London’s East End, Shoreditch was a major centre for Elizabethan theatre during the 16th and 17th centuries. It has maintained its creative energy thanks to its vibrant street art and hip bars while some of London’s best South Asian cuisine can be found along Brick Lane. Coincide your stay with the Sunday market to fossick for vintage finds or admire the colourful blooms at the Columbia Road Flower Market. Shoreditch is also home to the world’s first pop-up mall, the shipping container-inspired BOXPARK.
Peckham
Arguably one of London’s coolest neighbourhoods, Peckham is the perfect place for alternative types to stay. It’s packed with affordable bars, clubs and cinemas, as well as restaurants serving cuisine from across the globe. While Peckham doesn’t have a lot of big-ticket attractions to tick off your list, it’s a great place for enjoying an authentic London vibe. No stay is complete without eating pie and mash at M. Manze or mingling with the locals over rooftop drinks at Frank’s.
Kensington & Chelsea
With its stately British architecture and world-class museums, Kensington & Chelsea is ideal for couples seeking a dose of romance during their London stay. This royal borough is not only home to the Natural History Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum (two of London’s best) but also the Science Museum and the Design Museum. You can get a sneak peek at royal living on a tour of Kensington Palace and shop til you drop at Harrods before enjoying a drink at the plant-adorned Churchill Arms.
Dalston
Home to vintage stores, wine bars and underground nightclubs, Dalston has an edge to it. Centred around busy Kingsland Road, it’s located on the west side of Hackney and is well connected to the rest of the city via the London Overground. While Dalston has undergone gentrification in recent years, it hasn’t lost its multicultural vibe, with Turkish eateries bumping up against Ethiopian cafes and ramen stores. Don’t miss the community-run Dalston Curve Garden created around an old railway line.
Hampstead
Famed for its hilltop heath, Hampstead is an affluent London neighbourhood that has long lured creatives and academics. Not only does it offer magnificent views across the city but it’s home to beautiful Georgian buildings occupied by cafes and independent stores. Wander along the atmospheric High Street or delve into the local history at Burgh House before getting up close to Old Masters paintings at Kenwood House. If you love hunting for vintage treasures, then make a bee-line for the Hampstead Antique & Craft Emporium.
