Everything you need to know about London

If you have a question, we have the answer. Find everything you could ever need to know about the English capital

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Big Ben over the River Thames, London

Here at Plum Guide, we’re known for the extraordinary quality that we expect of our accommodation, but we also pride ourselves on offering you the very best travel advice. Over the years, we’ve created myriad journal posts to guide you through your holidays, and now we’ve decided to make your life that little bit easier (you’re welcome). If you’re planning a trip to The Old Smoke, read on and equip yourself with all of our expert knowledge, so you’re perfectly prepared for a memorable vacation. Here is absolutely everything you need to know about London.

Discover the best things to do

Man browsing a market stall in Southbank, London

Man browsing a market stall in Southbank, London

If you’re looking for things to do in London, then look no further than our set of expert guides. We’ve put together all of our very best suggestions so you can make the most of your trip, so why not read our guide to the very best things to do with children. There are so many great ways to enjoy your time in the English capital. Find the best places to go shopping, become familiar with the top department stores, or read classics in the city's top bookstores. Peruse the markets, discover some offbeat things to do, venture out at night, or explore the top parks and gardens that the city has to offer.

We’ve also created expert guides for those of you hoping to find some free things to enjoy, and for anyone looking to try some of the more unique activities on offer. And if you’re looking for a guide to a more specific location, we haven't forgotten about you. Whether you're after advice on what to do in East London, things to do in Victoria, things to do in Southbank, how to spend time in North London or things to do in Soho, we have the answers to all of your questions. So next time you’re wondering what to do in The Swinging City, heed our advice and embark on a trip full of enjoyable activities.

Circus Of Colour, Plum Guide home in London

Circus Of Colour, Plum Guide home in London

Find out where to stay

When you’re choosing the best place to stay, it’s well worth checking out all of our thorough suggestions. We’ve got you covered whatever your personal needs or wishes may be, so whether you’re looking for advice on where to stay with family or the greatest areas to stay for tourists, we’re sure you’ll find your ideal temporary home. The UK capital is the perfect place to enjoy a memorable holiday, with countless great places to visit, so it can be hard to know where is best to book. That's why we have also curated a guide to the safest places to stay, so you can avoid any unwanted surprises. As well as this, you can enjoy our guide to London’s best districts, and discover where to stay as a young adult, so you can book your trip with the confidence and excitement it deserves. Wherever you stay though, be sure to book one of London's most luxurious vacation rentals for the best possible trip.

Russell the Great, Plum Guide home in London

Russell the Great, Plum Guide home in London

Discover the essential itinerary for your trip

Planning the perfect holiday is never going to be easy, but with our extensive travel knowledge, we can certainly make it easier. Whether planning a longer trip or just visiting for a night or two, you will find plenty to do. Take a look at our advice on how to enjoy a long weekend, as well as our ultimate 1 day itinerary. If that doesn't quite cover your stay, read our 2 day London itinerary, or check out our guide to staying for 3 days. We even have a 4 day itinerary for you to mull over, as well as a post on the best ways to spend 5 days here, so you can discover the top things to do on your trip however long you're staying. And no itinerary is complete without the perfect place to stay, so choose from the ultimate aparthotels in London to maximise your trip's potential.

Sharing is Caring, Plum Guide home in London

Sharing is Caring, Plum Guide home in London

Celebrate your birthday in the city

A birthday card and some gifts

A birthday card and some gifts

Wondering how to properly celebrate your birthday in London? Then allow our expertise to show you the way forward, outlining the very best things to do on your special day as an adult. We’ve also got a handful of guides focusing on specific celebratory trips, with advice on how to celebrate your 30th birthday, tips on the best 40th birthday plans, and a special guide for what to do on your 50th birthday. We even have you covered if you're looking for advice on how to celebrate your 60th birthday in the city. Or, if it's one of the little ones who are celebrating, read our guide to our favourite children’s party ideas.

The Bengal Tiger, Plum Guide home in London

The Bengal Tiger, Plum Guide home in London

Find the ultimate foodie travel tips

One of the main reasons people travel is the food, with new and exciting dishes making every meal time something to savour. In The Old Smoke, that is no different, and whether you’re after traditional dishes or something slightly different, there really is something for everyone. Embrace the city’s culture with our detailed food tour, and don’t miss our guide outlining the top places to find a Sunday roast. We can even give you multiple options for breakfast, so read our guide to the best places to get an English breakfast, and compare it with our post on the top breakfast places in the city. Discover the best places to visit for high tea (or see where you can get the finest afternoon tea, depending on what you would rather call it), and stick your teeth into this list of our favourite places to eat in London in general.

The English capital has a rich and diverse culture, and that is reflected in the plethora of food options available for you to enjoy. Check out our tips on the city's most impressive Italian restaurants, or why not take a look at our guide to finding the best Indian food. We can also point you to the city’s best quirky restaurants, or show you where to find the top bars and pubs in the capital. Alternatively, if you’d rather stay in for the night, not only can we show you the restaurants that will deliver, but we can also recommend where to stay for the ultimate foodie experience. You’re very welcome.

The Oxberry, Plum Guide home in London

The Oxberry, Plum Guide home in London

Learn how to embrace the season

Snow around Tower Bridge, London

Snow around Tower Bridge, London

There’s no right or wrong time to embark on a trip to this bustling city, as there are still plenty of ways to enjoy a memorable trip whatever season you’re travelling. Whenever you’re choosing to head down, we’ve got the perfect guide for you. Take a look at our advice on how to spend the summer here, as well as our suggestions on what to do in the capital city in January, how to visit in February, and what to do in March. If you're looking to make the most of a trip in April, look no further, and if you need advice on what to do in May, we've got you covered too.

Explore our guide to visiting London in June, see our favourite things to do in the city in July, and check out our tips on the top things to do in August. Or, if you're heading over a bit later in the year, find out what to do here in September. For those of you visiting nearer Halloween, read our guide to stopping by in October, and remember to read our post about staying in London in November if that's when your trip is happening. Finally, if it's a special Christmas stopover that's on the cards, take a look at our post on what to do in December, and enjoy a memorable festive trip.

Lover of the Light, Plum Guide home in London

Lover of the Light, Plum Guide home in London

Explore some of the city's best homes

As you (hopefully) know, we here at Plum Guide pride ourselves on offering the best of the best when it comes to vacation rentals, so why not explore our guide outlining some of the best pet-friendly apartments that the city has to offer. We have a wide range of home types for you and your loved ones to enjoy here, so also check out our guides to the top airbnbs in London, the city's finest penthouses, and the airbnbs with the most impressive views. Additionally, we have advice on the top houseboats, as well as a guide displaying our favourite boutique hotel alternatives. We even have you covered if you're looking for a more unique home, and can provide you with the ultimate guide to some unusual homes to rent, so you’re guaranteed to find your ideal holiday home within our range of impressive luxury holiday rentals in London.

Rapunzel, Plum Guide home in London

Rapunzel, Plum Guide home in London

Enjoy a romantic trip to the English capital

Going away with your partner, creating new memories and spending quality time together is always an enjoyable experience, so we’ve used our expert knowledge to make sure you’re prepared for your trip. Guarantee your partner a good time by checking out our guide to romantic getaways in London, and plan the couples holiday of a lifetime. We can even tell you where to stay, so explore our list of the most romantic airbnbs in the UK capital.

Tuxedo, Plum Guide home in London

Tuxedo, Plum Guide home in London

Embark on a business trip

Businessman carrying a briefcase in London

Businessman carrying a briefcase in London

Sometimes you have to travel for a reason other than holiday, we get that. We realise it isn’t quite the same, but it really doesn’t have to be that different at all. You can still explore a new place, try new things, eat new foods, and ultimately have an enjoyable time. Do everything right with our guide to business travel, and read our advice on what to do and what not to do when here for business. And if you happen to be moving permanently, check out our piece on relocating to the English capital.

Centre Stage XI, Plum Guide home in London

Centre Stage XI, Plum Guide home in London

Stay near your favourite London landmarks

Buckingham Palace, London

Buckingham Palace, London

We all love the odd day out to a tourist attraction, but why not get the full experience of your favourite landmark by staying nearby. We have a whole host of content highlighting the best homes near attractions in The Old Smoke, so explore our post on the best homes to book near Kew Gardens, as well as our list of the top vacation rentals near Buckingham Palace. We've also provided you with the best homes to rent near the Natural History Museum, our favourite places to stay near Richmond Park, and the top Plum Guide homes near the London Eye. If you want to rent a place near Tate Modern, then look no further than our expert guide, and for those of you looking to stay near Tower of London, we've got you covered as well. We've also got advice on where to stay near Big Ben, the finest homes on offer near the British Museum, and the top rentals near Hampstead Heath. We can even tell you which homes to rent near Hyde Park, so wherever you want to reside, we have the guide for you.

The Financier Penthouse I, Plum Guide home in London

The Financier Penthouse I, Plum Guide home in London

Make the most of the city's creative side

When visiting a new location, exploring some of the art on offer is always a great way to spend a day. Museums and galleries will often be high on tourists’ lists of things to do, and it should be no different for you. Become familiar with London's art scene, and find the very best galleries that the city has to offer. You can even check out some performing arts, so read our detailed theatre guide, and heed our advice on the greatest places in the city to see live music.

The Anthropoid, Plum Guide home in London

The Anthropoid, Plum Guide home in London

Ensure that you’re properly prepared

Person with an umbrella in the rain by Big Ben, London

Person with an umbrella in the rain by Big Ben, London

It can always be a little bit daunting when visiting somewhere for the first time, so we here at Plum Guide have created a number of guides to help ease any concerns you may have. If you’re visiting the UK from across the pond, check out our travel advice for American visitors, so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive. And whether you’re coming from overseas or not, our guide to the must-have apps is something worth reading over. Also, explore our list of things you need to know before traveling to London, as well as our handy list of what to pack. And be prepared for disappointing weather in the not so sunny English capital, by checking out our advice on how to spend the rainy days.

London's Lung, Plum Guide home in London

London's Lung, Plum Guide home in London

Take a look at some of our other London journal posts

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