Best London Boroughs: The Neighbourhood Guide

Welcome to this very comprehensive guide on London neighbourhoods! If you're considering moving to or living in the vibrant capital city of London, understanding its diverse neighbourhoods is crucial. From trendy areas like Shoreditch and Notting Hill to hidden gems and popular boroughs, this expert's guide will provide you with valuable insights into the best neighbourhoods in London.

Whether you're a local looking to explore new areas or a prospective resident planning to relocate to London, this ultimate neighbourhood guide will help you make informed decisions about where to live, eat, play, and thrive in this cosmopolitan city. So, let's dive in and unlock the secrets of London's diverse and dynamic neighbourhoods!

Contents:

• How is London divided?
• Central London
• East London
• South London
• West London
• North London
• Highlights and Conclusion

How is London divided?

London has 32 boroughs which are: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, and Westminster.

Londoners will usually specify the area (e.g. east, west, south, north) before they specify the borough they live in. For this reason, I will divide this blog into each London area highlighting the major neighbourhoods and things to consider.

Central London

Major neighbourhoods include:

• Camden Town - Known for its unique and alternative vibe, Camden Town is a melting pot of cultures, creativity, and counterculture. Stalls selling vintage clothing, handmade crafts, and international street food. Very popular for both tourists and locals.
• Covent Garden - known for its historic market, street performers, and theaters. Popular touristic destination.
• Marylebone - known for its refined Georgian architecture, designer boutiques, and gourmet restaurants. It's a perfect destination for those who appreciate the finer things in life. Not so popular among tourist with multiple hidden gems.
• Mayfair - synonymous with luxury and opulence. Also home of Hyde Park. Here you will find the best cars, high-end hotels, exclusive boutiques and even famous people if you are lucky.
• Shoreditch - known for its vibrant street art scene, with colorful murals and graffiti covering many of its walls, giving the neighborhood a distinct urban and edgy vibe. Home to numerous art galleries, studios, and creative spaces, making it a magnet for artists, designers, and entrepreneurs. Popular among locals.
• Soho - Famous for its vibrant nightlife, eclectic mix of restaurants, and historic entertainment venues, Soho is a neighborhood that never sleeps. Popular among tourist and locals.
• South Bank - Located along the River Thames, South Bank is a vibrant cultural hub with iconic landmarks such as the London Eye, Tate Modern, and the Royal Festival Hall. The area is known for its cultural events, street performers, and stunning river views. Popular destination for both tourists and locals alike.

East London

Major neighbourhoods include:

• Bow - known for its beautiful Victoria Park, one of London's oldest and most significant parks, offering green spaces, lakes, and recreational facilities.
• Canary Wharf - major business and financial district in East London, known for its iconic skyscrapers and futuristic architecture. The area offers a modern and cosmopolitan atmosphere, with luxury shops, fine dining restaurants, and waterfront promenades.
• Columbia Road - London hidden gem famous flower market, which takes place every Sunday. The area is lined with independent shops, art galleries, and trendy cafes.
• Stratford - known for its world-class sporting facilities, including the Olympic Park (now West Ham Stadium) and the London Stadium, as well as its shopping and entertainment complex, Westfield Stratford City. Stratford also offers a diverse mix of housing options.

South London

Major neighbourhoods include:

• Brixton - known for Brixton Market, with its diverse range of food stalls, vintage shops, and street art, is a must-visit spot. It is also known for its live music venues and clubs.
• Clapham - known for its bustling high street, abundant green spaces, and a diverse range of shops, restaurants, and bars. Popular spot for picnics, sports, and outdoor events.
• Crystal Palace - known for its beautiful park, expansive views of the city, and its historic Crystal Palace building. Also home to Crytal Palace football club.
• Dulwich - known for its leafy streets, historic houses, and renowned art galleries. Also home to Dulwich Village, with its charming cottages and boutique shops, offers a peaceful and village-like atmosphere.
• Greenwich - known for its maritime heritage and stunning architecture. The area is home to the iconic Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, and the Queen's House. My favourite place in London.
• Peckham - known for its vibrant arts and cultural scene, with numerous galleries, studios, and creative spaces. Most popular for its range of international cuisines, trendy bars, and rooftop bars with panoramic views of the city.

West London

Major neighbourhoods include:

• Chelsea - known for its upscale boutiques, high-end real estate, and fashionable residents. The King's Road, a famous shopping street, offers a range of designer shops, trendy cafes, and stylish bars.
• Hammersmith - known for its transport hub, with excellent connections to central London and beyond. Offers a mix of residential and commercial areas, with a range of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
• Kensington - home to numerous museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum, making it a cultural hotspot.
• Fulham - known for its elegant houses, green spaces, and riverside walks. Fulham Palace, a historic mansion with beautiful gardens, is a highlight of the area.
• Notting Hill - known for its colorful houses, fashionable boutiques, and vibrant market scene. Very popular for its annual Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's largest street festival celebrating Caribbean culture (very crowded).

North London

Major neighbourhoods include:

• Hampstead - known for Hampstead Heath, a large park that offers panoramic views of the city. The area is known for its literary and artistic heritage, with numerous historic homes of famous authors, poets, and artists.
• Highgate - known for its quaint village-like atmosphere, Highgate Cementery (famous cementery), and green spaces.
• Islington - known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, fashionable boutiques, and bustling markets. It also offers historic theaters, such as the Almeida Theatre and the Sadler's Wells Theatre.
• Muswell Hill - known for Alexandra Park (hidden gem), a large park with panoramic views of the city, is a popular spot for outdoor activities and relaxation.
• Stoke Newington - Church Street, the main thoroughfare of Stoke Newington, is lined with boutiques, vintage shops, and eateries offering a diverse range of cuisines.

Conclusion and Highlights

This is my personal view after living over 10 years in London about each of the areas described above:

• Central London: Always packed but always fun. It is nice for walks along South Bank and the river Thames, drinking and partying in Soho or Shoreditch, and load of affordable and good food options in Chinatown.
• East London: This is where I've lived sinced I moved to London and continue to live. In my opinion, the best area to find affordable housing. There is a lot of Asian oriented food in places like Whitechapel and very good shopping mall in Westfield Stratford.
• South London: Greenwich is like a small town in a big city and it is one of my favourite parts when it's sunny. Brixton and Elephant & Castle have very good food market (Mercado Metropolitano) and clubs.
• West London: Probably the most posh and expensive area in London. Very good architecture, amazing cars all over the place, very good museums, parks and cafes. You can even find deers in Richmond park although that's very west.
• North London: Candem Town is probably the best highlight of this area with its multiple bars, food market, stalls, and Primrose Hill to relax and walk. Further north is very hilly but also very nice for walking and exploring with great views to the city.

That's it for now! Please let me know in the comments if you have an experience to share or if you would like me to cover a certain topic in more depth =).

Want to know what to do on your next trip? Explore our growing blogs in our MapScratched Travel Blogs site and use the filters that we provide to plan your trips faster.

If you want to become an author FOR FREE and share your travel experiences with other adventurers, make sure you fill in our very short travel author form.