Hotels in London

Planning a holiday, business trip or weekend break to the capital? Whether it’s to shop or sight-see, book one of our Premier Inn hotels in London and you’ll really make the most of your visit. Clean and comfy, our London hotels are an oasis of calm in the city. But with locations from Angel to Westminster (and everywhere in between), where will you stay? Our guide can help.

Attractions

You can’t walk down a street in the capital without bumping into a historic building or three. But if beautiful architecture isn’t your thing, how about a fun trip to the Harry Potter Studio, the London Dungeon or the London Eye instead? Your big day out starts here.

Shopping

Yes, there’s all the designer boutiques, upscale department stores and gleaming shopping malls you’d expect from one of the UK’s finest retail powerhouses. But if you’re after vintage threads or one-of-a-kind homewares, do not pass Go - head directly to a street market!

Activities

If shopping, eating and taking in the odd museum sounds tame, how about climbing up the O2 or sliding down Britain’s largest piece of public art? And, if the sun’s not got its hat on, London also has some unique indoor activities to try, from ice-wall climbing to adventure golf.

Places to eat

When it comes to quirky places to eat, London really does take some beating. Enjoy a latte at a cosy, candle-lit Victorian urinal. Try a retro cereal at a cafe dedicated to the breakfast bowl. Or blow the budget with a spot of tea at the Ritz.

Nightlife

Ye olde pubs, award-winning cocktail bars, hidden speakeasies with a wartime theme… London does nightlife incredibly well. But while the drinking scene is rich and varied, where should you head after last orders? Discover the best clubs in the swinging city here.

Culture

Besides all the top-name galleries, museums and exhibitions on offer, the capital also boasts one of the largest concentrations of universities in the world. And, with a lively student life both on and off campus, many of them have a unique culture all of their own.

Entertainment

In the city to catch a show? We don’t blame you. From comedy and musicals to serious theatre, there’s just so much on offer! Catch the hottest gigs in town or head to a once-a-year event like the Notting Hill Carnival, with the help of our handy guide.

Getting Around

Whether you’re in London for business or pleasure, our guide can get you from the train station to your hotel, then help you get around when it’s time to explore. On a flying visit? Make sure your holiday starts the minute you check in with our airport guides.

As the UK’s capital, London is famous for its abundance of historic landmarks, like the Tower of London, Big Ben and the London Eye, its world-class theatre and thriving entertainment and nightlife scene. The city is a paradise for shoppers and offers outstanding dining experiences on almost every street, as well as museums and galleries-aplenty for those seeking a cultural day out. Keep an eye out for royalty as well - London is the proud home of Buckingham Palace, the official royal residence of the Queen of England. 

London has a few nicknames that have stuck, most notably ‘The Big Smoke’, ‘The Smoke’ or ‘The Old Smoke’, in reference to the increasing air pollution (or ‘London Fog’) from the industrial revolution, leading to the Great Smog of 1952. Luckily, since the introduction of the Clean Air Act in 1956, London is much less ‘foggy’ than it once was.

The City of London (also referred to as ‘The City’) refers to a certain area within Greater London, marked by cast iron dragons in the street and stretching two square miles from Temple and the Tower of London to Liverpool Street in the east and Chancery Lane in the west. Home to some of London’s most iconic landmarks, the City has a relatively low number of residents compared to the hundreds of thousands of daily commuters and tourists that head to the area. The City is home to the Bank of England, has its own government, its own mayor and own independent police force. 

Each London borough has its own official motto, but the City of London’s is ‘domine dirige nos’, which means ‘Lord, direct us’.

Beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder, but it’s hard to deny that London has some truly spectacular cityscapes and architecture. Strolling along the South Bank of the Thames you can enjoy views of some of the world’s most iconic historic landmarks, like Big Ben, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. But natural beauty still abounds around the city in its many parks, gardens and green spaces (Hyde Park is a particular favourite, as are the Royal Botanic Gardens). 

There’s so much to see in the UK’s capital, but some of the most popular tourist highlights include:

· The Tower of London and the Crown Jewels

· Tower Bridge

· St Paul’s Cathedral

· London Eye

· Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard

· Shopping on Oxford Street or Carnaby Street

· Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

· Trafalgar Square

· The British Museum

Discover more about London’s top attractions with our guide. 

Just strolling around London provides an opportunity to see an abundance of landmarks such as Big Ben or Buckingham Palace for free, and the city’s parks and green spaces offer a space to soak up some city-centre wildlife without spending a penny. Most museums and art galleries in London are also free to visit (with some charges for specific exhibitions), including the British Museum, Tate Modern, Science Museum, Natural History Museum and National Gallery. 

As with any city of this size, it’s important to take safe precautions when visiting London, but the city centre is generally very safe for tourists to visit. The tube is a safe way to travel, even at night.

London is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world, particularly taxis, restaurants and alcoholic drinks. However, it’s still easy to visit and enjoy the city if you’re on a budget – make the most of cafes and pubs for food, take advantage of the free museums and galleries and use travel cards to explore.

The average cost of a pint in London is around £4.44, according to a 2019 study.

Most people in London tend to dress fairly casually – think jeans and a casual top or jumper. The exception is business workers, who tend to wear suits or more formal attire. The weather is very changeable, so prepare for all climates: shorts and a t-shirt are common in summer (although always bring a jacket), and coats, waterproof jackets and warmer wear are a must for colder months. It’s particularly important to wear comfortable shoes if you’re exploring all of the city’s attractions, as you’ll be covering a lot of ground. People mostly wear casual outfits to pubs, but might dress up more for a night at the theatres, bars and nightclubs. 

No, the only currency accepted in London is the pound sterling.

The cheapest way is to walk, and you’ll find that many of the sights in The City can be reached by foot. You can always hop on one of the city’s Santander Cycles for £2 per 30 minutes. Topping up an Oyster Card up is the cheapest option if you’re travelling a lot over a few days, or buying a London Travelcard for 7 days or 1 month is a cheaper option for longer stays. Both offer you unlimited travel on all London Underground, red buses, the railway networks, Thames Clippers services and the Docklands Light Railway for a set price.

An Oyster Card is a reusable card that you top up and ‘tap to pay’ as you use the city’s public transport. If you’re staying in London for a few days and travelling a lot, it’s worth topping up an Oyster card up to use as you travel – this saves buying individual tickets around the city and saves money on each journey. 

An Oyster Card costs £5 initially, but this money automatically pre-loads for you to spend on travel. The Oyster Card will then deduct credit for each journey you take, up to a daily price limit:

· Zones 1-2 – max. £7.20 per day

· Zones 1-4 – max. £10.40 per day

· Zones 1-6 – max. £13.20 per day

Yes, all Thames Clippers river bus services use contactless or Oyster Cards to pay-as-you-go.

Discover more about the city with our detailed Things to Do in London guide.