London Guide
To East, West, South and North London

This London Guide page will cover all those areas which surround central London and which sometimes can get left out of visitor itineraries.

I have lived in East London all my life and know just how many great things there are to do here. This is true for all of the outer London boroughs, this page will highlight some of the main venues and places to include on your trip.

The page is broken down into the four main areas:

East London	West London
South London	North London

East London Guide

Although traditionally known for being the poorer side of London, this area has a rich social history and in recent years has been developed and now contains some of the best visitor attractions, including the Olympic stadium and park.

Main Museums In The Area

Museum of Childhood

Geffrye Museum

Museum of Docklands

Ragged School

Other Places of Interest & Entertainment In East London 

Olympic Stadium and Park - Stratford

Open to the public from 2013

ExCeL London One Western Gateway Royal Victoria Dock Exhibition, Events, Concerts and more.

Hackney Empire Theatre

291 Mare Street, Hackney

Built in 1901 this theatre is rich in history as well as putting on some great theatre shows.

Jack The Ripper Walking Tour

Go on an walking tour with the original London walking company to explore the haunts of one of east London's most notorious murderers

No need to book just turn up. The tours run every night (not Dec. 24 or 25) at 7.30 p.m.. Meet just outside the exit of Tower Hill Tube

Cost £9. ( £7 for Over 65) under 15 accompanied by parent FREE

Shopping In East London Guide

East London consists of many different boroughs, each with their own shopping high street. the quality of the shops in these high streets can vary dramatically.

Here are three very different shopping experiences in East London:

If you are looking for quirky and quaint shops with a traditional market on Saturdays, then visit Broadway market, London E8 which runs from London Fields park to the Regent's Canal.

If you are looking for something a little more grungy and ethnic then try Brick Lane. Full of good Indian restaurants, retro fashion and original handmade items.

For the top branded shopping experience with lots of choice then the newly opened Westfield Shopping center in Stratford is the place to go.

South London Guide

South London is the large area south of the south bank and River Thames. It stretches quite away down away and from Woolwich in the east to Merton in the west.

Main Museums In The Area

National Maritime Museum
Wimbledon Lawn tennis Museum
Royal Artillery Museum
Sewing Machine Museum
Fan Museum
Horniman Museum
Cuming Museum
Brunel Museum

Other Places of Interest & Entertainment In South London 

Royal Observatory

Greenwich Park, Blackheath Ave

Adult £10

Battersea Arts Centre

Lavender Hill SW11

10am 5pm Mon. -Fri. Free

Crystal Palace Park Ledrington Road, Bromley Has a great Dinosaur park with giant models which were built in 1854 and are now known to be wildly inaccurate.

Dulwich Picture Gallery

Gallery Road, Dulwich, SE21 7AD

Adults £5.00, over 65's £4.00

Tues - Fri 10am - 5pm, Sat - Sun 11am - 5pm

Shopping In South London Guide

Brixton Market, Market Row SW9

An eclectic mix of cheap wigs and exotic foods. A vibrant market with a very unique flavor which is unique to Brixton.

Greenwich Market - Weekends mainly Sunday

A fabulous mix of antique and craft stalls all mixed up with shops selling items with a nautical theme.

West London Guide

West London is known as the more affluent side of London and was the first area to be developed after the city.

Main Museums In The Area

Museums Of Brands
Leighton House
Kew Bridge Museum
Hogarths House
Musical Museum

Other Places of Interest & Entertainment In West London 

Fulham Palace

Bishops Avenue, SW6

Open 1pm - 4pm Mon - Wed, Sat, Sun, Free

Built in the Tudor times with Georgian and Victorian additions.

Fullers Brewery Chiswick Lane South, W4 London's Last family run brewery. Tours Only (must be booked) Mon - Fri Adult £10 including tastings

Syon House

Syon Park, Brentford, TW8

House Open Mar - Oct 11am - 5pm Wed, Thur, Sun

Gardens open all year

House and Garden £10.50, Garden only £5.50

Shopping In West London Guide

Portobello Road Market - Notting Hill

Although known as London's longest Antique market, Portabello road is also a very trendy and with it kind of place. Coffee bars, music venues, unique clothes shops and right at the end of the market a great flea market.

I love this place, go in the week for a relaxed walk alone the road. Go on the weekend especially a Saturday, for a a crammed packed buzz of a shopping experience.

Westfield London

Large shopping mall with all the top brand stores.

Ariel Way, White City,W12 7GF

North London Guide

What can I say about North London. It is so many things, from trendy and upmarket I.e. Hampstead and Highgate to grungy and edgy like Camden and Islington and all there is in between.

Main Museums In The Area

Airforce Museum
Keats House
Jewish Museum
Canal Museum
Academy of Music Museum
Sherlock Holmes Museum
Arsenal Museum
Marylebone Cricket Club Museum

Other Places of Interest & Entertainment In North London 

Highgate Cemetery - Closest Tube stations is Archway

This is a very well kept and fascinating place to visit. some very famous people are buried here such as : George Eliot, Douglas Adams and of course Karl Marx.

The east side of the cemetery is free to wander but the more Gothic and mysterious west side with its catacombs is only accessible via pre booked tours.

Primrose Hill - Closest tube is Chalk Farm

This is a lovely little area, popular with celebrities. The little parade of shops are all unique and individual, with boutique fashion stores and artisan food stores, fantastic little restaurants and cosy pubs.

With fantastic views over London it is also a great place to come to get away from it all and enjoy a picnic high up overlooking our great metropolis.

Kenwood House - closest Tube is Hampstead.
Northern end of Hampstead Heath

A lovely neoclassical mansion which is situated in the grounds of Hampstead Heath.

Currently closed for major works the house will re-open in the Autumn 2013. However the grounds and it's fantastic cafe will remain open and is well worth a visit by themselves.

London Zoo - Closest tube regents Park or Camden

One of the oldest Zoos in the world (est. 1828). Over the years the zoo has been modernised to provide the best possible habitats for the animals and a great day out for all the family. I've been going there since I was a very small child, love it!

Open daily except Christmas 10am to 5:30 (6pm summer)

Prices range from:

£23 for adults in peak season to £20 in Winter
£17 for children in peak season to £15.50 in winter
Get in for FREE with a London Pass.

Shopping In North London Guide

Impossible to name all the shopping areas but two of my favorite and the more unusual and unique are:

Camden Markets - Camden

This is one of London's most popular tourist destinations. It is really a collections of small markets near to Camden Lock.

The markets all vary in what they have to offer. You will find top of the range unique designer fashion to grungy street clothes. Tourist items to hand made crafts, jewelry and a myriad of unusual and beautiful decorative items.

Best time to go is the weekends especially Sunday but be prepared for the crowds.

Camden Passage - Islington

Although the name is similar this market is not in Camden but is in the neighboring borough of Islington. Islington is a well heeled area with the usual range of hi street shops. However Camden Passage is is a set of four arcades selling antiques along a rather pleasant narrow street away from the noise of the traffic.

Open most days but weekends are probably the best time to visit.

Discount Passes

	The London Pass Free entry to over 55 top London attractions and tours Skip the lines Free 120+ page Guidebook Added Travelcard option Additional special offers
	London Flexible Attraction Packages Choose the saving Bundle for you and then decide which days you want to visit.

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