There’s no one‘best’ place to stay in London, such is the variety and diversity of its more than 30 bustling boroughs. If you are planning a winter break but also fancy somewhere a little different to the norm, here is a selection of the spots you’re most likely to be pleasantly surprised by.
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Acton
Close to several of London’s more luscious green areas, which will look wonderfully festive as winter sets in, Acton is a great place for your break. Cheaper than neighbouring Chiswick and Kensington, you’re still in West London and linked to the city, but located in quieter, more homely surroundings.
For your breakfasts and evening meals, you’ll have a variety of cafes and restaurants to choose from, and there are also plenty of gastropubs and craft-beer bars in which to enjoy a mulled wine or two before bed. Be sure to visit the idyllic Gunnersbury Park during your stay.
Elephant and Castle
Just south of the River Thames, Elephant and Castle is a thriving example of a suburb in the city. This suburb is gaining a reputation as a trendy neighbourhood of cafes, culture and creativity, so you’ll understand why it’s one of the most up and coming areas by visiting The Artworks Elephant project.
A space for art, food, and drink, The Artworks Elephant is built from repurposed shipping containers and encapsulates what the area is all about. It is emblematic of transforming the old and unused into something new and exciting for the future.
Balham
Recently transformed from a sleepy, nothing-ever-happens town into one of the most sought-after places to live in the city, Balham is home to some of the finest combinations of architecture outside of central London. You will find Victorian, Edwardian and even Deco buildings now serving food, culture and entertainment.
Never far from a park, market or museum, Balham also delivers a vibrant nightlife that is adored and enjoyed by the increasing number of young professionals who choose to livein the area.
Shepherd’s Bush
If you want to be closer to the centre of London, though, you can’t go wrong with checking into Shepherd’s Bush, the vibrantly beating, the upcoming heart of Hammersmith and Fulham.
Although the area is an ideal location from which to explore the city, the impressive choice of shops, restaurants, bars and hotels in Shepherds Bush mean that you may not want to leave. The area is also home to the legendary Shepherd’s Bush Empire; people of all ages are drawn to this venue's diverse programme of culture and entertainment.
Bermondsey
Recently named the best place to live in London by The Sunday Times, Bermondsey is now recognised as a cultural capital where anyone can thrive. Another area of the city where many young professionals have taken residence, its old industrial warehouses have been converted into stylish loft spaces where people can stay or live.
Bermondsey'snetwork of stone railway arches is now home to a line of galleries, bars and restaurants, while the neighbourhood also boasts three theatres within its borders. Fashion enthusiasts must also pay a visit to legendary designer Zandra Rhodes’ Fashion and Textile Museum.