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AIRBNB LONDON GUIDEBOOK

This guidebook is filled with top neighbourhood recommendations from Airbnb hosts in their own words. We hope you will enjoy discovering the best local sights and activities that London has to offer.

3 City of London 7 The West End 11 Royal London

IN THIS GUIDEBOOK

15 South of the Thames 19 Around Hyde Park 23 Celebrating London

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airbnb london guidebookCITY OF LONDON

YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

Our London community's recommendations for the best things to do within walking distance.

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airbnb london guidebook

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EATst ali27 Clerkenwell RoadAustralian coffee and innovative cafe-style food—delicious.

bleeding heart19 Greville StreetGreat French food—a local favourite!

haz restaurant9 Cutler StreetVery good Turkish restaurant.

A. tower of london B. st aliC. the ten bellsD. bleeding hearte. haz restaurantF. smithfield marketG. spitalfields marketh. the real greek

airbnb london guidebook

CITY OF LONDON

London's medieval heart, "the City" is the UK's financial nerve centre and home to some of its oldest attractions—and pubs.

i. barbicanJ. bank of englandK. st paul's cathedralL. fabricm. shakespeare's globe theaterN. ye old cheshire cheeseo. the punch tavern

DRINKthe ten bells84 Commercial StreetThe famous bar where Jack the Ripper drank.

ye olde cheshire cheese145 Fleet Streetwww.citypubs.co.uk/pubs/ye-oldcheshirecheese.htmlPossibly the oldest, and most atmospheric, pub in London.

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City of london

spitalfields market117 Commercial StreetThis market is great, with lots of restaurants, boutiques, and more.

smithfield market225 Central MarketsPopular central London market.

PLAYbarbicanLarge, popular arts and events centre.

fabric77A Charterhouse StreetGreat nightclub. The crowd can be quite young and intoxicated!

shakespeare’s globe theatre21 New Globe WalkExperience the theatre as the Elizabethans would have. They have cheap £5 standing tickets and you can stand right next to the stage in the round, open air theatre. Theatre tours are also fun!

SEEtower of londonTower HillAn imposing castle in the centre of London. It has been used as a fortress, a palace and a prison. Rumour has it that it's haunted by a ghost.

bank of englandThreadneedle StreetA museum dedicated to money in Britain. Ironically, admission is free.

st paul’s cathedralOne of London's most famous landmarks. A church has stood here since AD 604.

SHOPthe real greek6 Horner SquareColourful market in the east end of London. Pick up fantastic art pieces, quirky clothing and decent souvenirs.

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airbnb london guidebookTHE WEST END

airbnb london guidebookairbnb london guidebook

THE WEST END

the West End comprises London's most well known shopping and live entertainment districts.

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h. princi londoni. china town marketJ. ronnie scott's jazzK. the riding houseL. white cubem. gordons wine barN. floridita restaurant

A. trafalgar squareB. old compton streetC. the national galleryD. the court restaurante. covent garden

marketF. empire cinemasG. kaffeine

DRINKthe riding house43–51 Great Titchfield StreetGreat, buzzy restaurant and bar. We love the breakfast as lunch and dinner can get quite busy, but it's got a great vibe and is right next to the BBC so it's also a great place for celebrity spotting.

gordons wine bar47 Villiers StreetAmazing underground wine bar. Truly historic and with great atmosphere. On sunny days, they also have an outdoor seating area.

EATthe court restaurantGreat Russell StreetTucked inside the amazing British Museum. Well worth stopping by for a meal.

kaffeine66 Great Titchfield StreetGood pastries. It's run by Australians, so the coffee is top notch.

princi london135–137 Wardour StreetGreat Italian bakery on Wardour Street. Everything is delicious.

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the West end

SHOPcovent garden marketCovent Gardenwww.coventgardenlondonuk.comShopping central—think the new Apple Store, cafes, restaurants, market stalls, and entertainers.

china town marketOld Compton StreetLondon's very own Chinatown, where you can experience a bit of the Middle Kingdom.

PLAYempire cinemasFilm central—all the movie premieres are held here, often at Europe's largest cinema screen, the Odeon Leicester Square.

ronnie scott's Jazz club47 Frith StreetPerhaps my favourite venue in London. Many memorable nights in London have been spent here listening to some of the world's greatest jazz musicians.

white cube47 Frith StreetFantastic modern art gallery.

floridita restaurant100 Wardour StreetLive Latin musicians, a dance floor, great food, and kick-arse cocktails!

SEEtrafalgar squareTrafalgar SquareLondon's bustling centrepiece. Chase the pigeons at Nelson's Column.

old compton streetOld Compton StreetThis street has various bars, cafes, and shops. It is known as the gay centre of Soho and where many gay visitors find themselves when visiting London.

the national galleryTrafalgar Squarewww.nationalgallery.org.ukThe world's pre-eminent and finest collection of historical artefacts in a stunning building, added to over the years by various English philanthropic families. For example, Lord and Lady Sainsbury have a wing.

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airbnb london guidebookROYAL LONDON

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airbnb london guidebook

h. saatchi galleryi. buckingham palace

shopJ. goyaK. royal court theatreL. lasscom. westminster abbey

A. picadilly circusB. palace of westminsterC. buckingham palaceD. tate britaine. saint james parkF. house guardsG. st george wharf

ROYAL LONDON

If you're pining for a peerage, hobnob with the coterie here in the shadow of Buckingham Palace.

the Big Ben clock tower and the Houses of Parliament.

buckingham palacewww.royal.gov.uk The Queen's most famous London residence. Tours during the summer.

tate britainMillbankwww.tate.org.ukWith older works of art than the Tate Modern, still a nice big gallery to visit. Only works by British artists are on display from across the centuries. From Turner to Hockney.

EAThorse guardsHorse Guards RoadJust the place for afternoon tea if you feel like pushing the boat out!

goya34 Lupus StreetMy FAVOURITE Spanish tapas restaurant—who's for sangría?

SEEpalace of westminsterWestminsterwww.parliament.ukThe world famous icon, featuring

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royal london

saatchi galleryMajor gallery space. Beautifully designed building with some astonishing installations. Fantastic place to wander around.

westminster abbey20 Dean's YardPrince William and Kate Middleton got married here last year. This 700-year-old church is the coronation church of England. Many famous people are also buried here.

SHOPst george wharfSt George WharfAll sorts in this riverside develop-ment—including Pret a Manger, a doctors' surgery, a dentist, and a Tesco supermarket.

buckingham palace shop7 Buckingham PalaceA fantastic tourist attraction!

lassco30 Wandsworth RoadThis is an architectural and antiques salvage yard with an in-house cafe where you can enjoy well-priced food in a room

of unique funky design and furniture. Hard to explain, but worth a visit!

PLAYpiccadilly circusPiccadillyThe statue of Eros, and also the famous neon billboards of London seen in so many films are located here. Leads you to Buckingham Palace, Leicester Square, Regent Street, Soho, etc.

saint James parkLondon is famed for its open green spaces. Walk south through Trafalgar Square and Admiralty Arch to find yourself in the idyllic St James Park with its lake and views towards Buckingham Palace.

royal court theatre50–51 Sloane SquareThe Royal Court Theatre is Britain's leading national company dedicated to new work by innovative writers from the UK and around the world.

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airbnb london guidebookSOUTH OF THE

THAMES

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airbnb london guidebook

i. london eye champagne flightJ. scootercaffe K. royal festival hallL. skylonm. crown & cushionN. bermondsey street

A. borough marketB. london eyeC. the old vicD. sea life aquariume. monmouth coffeeF. zuccaG. the woolpackh. young vic

SOUTH OF THE THAMES

Once London's underworld, the central districts south of the river now house the city's cutting-edge art and design districts.

skylonBelvedere RoadBar and restaurant on the Southbank. Nice cocktails. Try to reserve seats and watch the sunset over the Thames through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.

DRINKthe woolpackA great pub, not great food. It has a garden out back with lots of tables and space for anyone wandering in off Bermondsey.

EATmonmouth coffee2 Park StreetBorough Market branch of Monmouth—really amazing coffee; I recommend ordering the filter. Just totally excellent and non pretentious. This particular outlet has a great atmosphere.

zucca184 Bermondsey StreetOne of the best Italian restaurants in London. Reasonably priced with a great wine list.

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south of the thames

scootercaffe132 Lower MarshArty, funky, chic cafe/bar, serving the best hot chocolate around (imported from Italy and as thick as blancmange).

crown & cushion133-135 Westminster Bridge RdFantastic local pub dating from the 15th century.

SEElondon eyeMinster CourtMore than just an enormous Ferris wheel—it's a world-famous symbol of London.

sea life aquariumCounty Hall, Westminster Bridge RoadPop in here to see exhibits of fish and marine life from around the world.

SHOPborough market8 Southwark StreetBrilliant for tourists and locals. Great foods, surrounding pubs, and atmosphere.

royal festival hallBelvedere RoadThe centrepiece of Southbank—try it on a weekend and get the buzz of London for free, with its open stalls, book sales plus the National Film Theatre, concerts, and galleries.

bermondsey streetBermondsey StreetTrendy and full-on life, with some of London's coolest restaurants.

PLAYthe old vic103 The CutFormerly the Royal Coburg Theatre, a theatre owned by Kevin Spacey. Great productions and venue.

young vic66 The CutWell renowned rep theatre with a great bar and restaurant.

london eye champagne flightWestminster Bridge RoadA fun ride that gives you the highest views in London.

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airbnb london guidebookAROUND HYDE PARK

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airbnb london guidebook

h. harrodsi. royal albert hallJ. coronet cinemaK. oxford streetL. warwick castlem. the ledburyN. beach blanket babylono. the waterway

AROUND HYDE PARK

These iconic neighbourhoods, routinely featured in films and literature, give London its character.

A. portobello marketB. madame tussaudsC. the electric brasserieD. v&a museume. pizza east portobelloF. natural history

museumG. the cow pub

the London gastronomic scene. A real must for foodies!

DRINKthe cow pub89 Westbourne Park RoadA quirky pub with eccentric, bohemian clientele, this establishment was devised by restaurateur Tom Conran. It's a great seafood place with a nostalgic Irish feel, and it serves a great pint of Guinness.

EATthe electric brasserie191 Portobello RoadTrendy Electric is a Notting Hill Institution. You'll likely end up there for food, drinks, or the unique cinema.

pizza east portobello310 Portobello RoadYummy, cosy, local, and affordable. Hits the spot!

the ledbury127 Ledbury RoadThis 2 Michelin star restaurant is producing some of finest food on

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around hyde Park

warwick castle6 Warwick PlaceCanal-side pub, with board games and a fire for winter.

the waterway54–56 Formosa StreetNice gastro pub looking over the canal, great on sunny days.

SEEmadame tussaudsMarylebone RoadThe world-famous wax museum. A massive tourist draw.

v&a museumCromwell RoadGreat art and design museum, a must see for first time visitors to London.

natural history museumCromwell RoadOne of the largest, most important natural-history collections world-wide. Great for kids (dinosaurs!).

SHOPportobello market288 Portobello RoadThe very best part of this colour-ful and trendy market stretches

between Cambridge Gardens and Bonchurch Road.

harrods109–125 KnightsbridgeLondon's best department store, with all the major designers.

oxford street143 Regent StreetSome of the best shopping in the world, full stop.

PLAYroyal albert hallKensington GoreHosts the famous BBC Proms in the summer months and a variety of concerts and events through the year.

coronet cinema103 Notting Hill GateGreat traditional cinema with red seats (featured in the film Notting Hill!); it does all films for £3.50 on Tuesdays.

beach blanket babylon 45 Ledbury roadCome here for a night out in Notting Hill. Something to experience. See Notting Hill Trustafarians in the flesh.

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airbnb london guidebook

The London 2012 Festival is a massive cultural celebration. Free world-class events are taking place throughout the UK.

With amazing pop-up performances, a giant bouncy inflatable replica of Stone-henge, a national bell-ringing to celebrate the opening ceremony, wandering giant puppets, and live concerts, the UK will come alive with an abundance of incredible exhibitions and outdoor spectaculars.

Full event listings for wherever you are can be found at: www.festival.london2012.com

celebrating london the London 2012 Festival

For everything you need to know about The Gameswww.london2012.com

Essential travel advice & journey planningwww.london2012.com/specta-tors/travel www.getaheadofthegames.com

For everything happening in London during The Gameswww.molpresents.comFree live screenings of all the actionwww.btlondonlive.comwww.london2012.com/join- in/live-sites

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around hyde Park

GETTING AROUND LONDON

THE TUBE

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airbnb london guidebook

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around hyde Park