London is a massive city in England, officially divided into 13 boroughs (City of London in the centre) and 12 surrounding boroughs (Outer London).
Collectively, it’s referred to as “Greater London”. In this article, you’ll find a complete map of London neighbourhoods to help you plan your next visit!
- BOROUGHS, VILLAGES, AND NEIGHBOURHOODS IN LONDON
- London is a village
- Map with all neighbourhoods in London
- Hip neighbourhoods in London?
- Dangerous neighbourhoods in London?
- What is the centre of London?
- OVERVIEW OF ALL NEIGHBOURHOODS IN LONDON
- 1. (THE) ANGEL
- 2. BALHAM
- 3. BATTERSEA
- 4. BELGRAVIA
- 5. BERMONDSEY
- 6. BETHNAL GREEN
- 7. BLOOMSBURY
- 8. BRIXTON
- 9. CAMDEN TOWN
- 10. CANARY WHARF / ISLE OF DOGS
- 11. CANONBURY
- 12. CHELSEA
- 13. CITY OF LONDON
- 14. CLAPHAM
- 15. CLERKENWELL
- 16. COVENT GARDEN
- 17. CROUCH END
- 18. EARLS COURT
- 19. FITZROVIA
- 20. FULHAM
- 21. GREENWICH
- 22. HACKNEY
- 23. HAGGERSTON
- 24. HAMMERSMITH
- 25. ISLINGTON
- 26. KENNINGTON
- 27. KENSINGTON
- 28. KINGS CROSS
- 29. KNIGHTSBRIDGE
- 30. LAMBETH
- 31. MAIDA VALE
- 32. MARYLEBONE
- 33. MAYFAIR
- 34. NOTTING HILL
- 35. PADDINGTON
- 36. PECKHAM
- 37. PIMLICO
- 38. PRIMROSE HILL
- 39. SHEPHERD'S BUSH
- 40. SHOREDITCH
- 41. SOHO
- 42. SOMERS TOWN
- 43. SOUTH BANK
- 44. SOUTHWARK / BOROUGH
- 45. SPITALFIELDS
- 46. STEPHNEY
- 47. ST. JAMES'S
- 48. ST. KATHERINE'S & WAPPING
- 49. ST. LUKE'S
- 50. STOCKWELL
- 51. STRATFORD
- 52. VICTORIA
- 53. WALWORTH
- 54. WATERLOO
- 55. WESTMINSTER
- 56. WHITECHAPEL
- 57. WIMBLEDON
- WEST END
- EAST END
- PLAN YOUR TRIP TO ENGLAND
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BOROUGHS, VILLAGES, AND NEIGHBOURHOODS IN LONDON
Having lived in London for almost 6 years (in Clerkenwell, Hornsey, and Leyton) and after exploring countless places in the city, The Travel Tester can certainly point you in the right direction.
For our Dutch-speaking readers, we recommend checking out our dedicated London blog “The London Tester“, where you’ll find more insider tips and hundreds of free articles to browse. Here you’ll also find our London city trip guide, with 4 complete walking routes and personal recommendations of sights, activities and the best hotspots.
Now let’s get back to our (fairly) complete overview of all the interesting places and cool neighbourhoods in this bustling metropolis. Beyond the well-known areas we’ve also included lesser-known tips. Often, neighbourhoods just slightly off the beaten path can be just as enjoyable, if not more so!
London is a village
If you delve into the history of London, you’ll see that the city originated from the merger of numerous communities, and even today, each borough is subdivided into different neighbourhoods.
Sometimes there’s a separation between neighbourhoods due to specific buildings or roads, but often there isn’t a clear boundary or official name for these characteristic villages, with over 55 to name!
In the overview on this page, I make a modest attempt to describe ‘every’ neighborhood in London with a few words, giving you a bit of an idea of what to expect. The list includes a mix of official boroughs, neighbourhoods, villages, and other distinctive areas, so you may notice certain attractions mentioned under multiple places.
We’re busy writing articles that we can place under each of these neighbourhoods in London, but as you understand, this might take a while! So, come back regularly to see if new guides have been added, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss anything!
Map with all neighbourhoods in London
WHICH ACTIVITIES TO DO ON YOUR TRIP?
The Travel Tester loves to review different types of tours and activities around the world.
From well-known tourist attractions to bucket list experiences and from guided tours to self-guided visits of historical places, interactive museums, viewpoints, local events and much more… if it looks interesting to us, we’ll test it!
No matter where you’re going, with our reviews you’ll know exactly where to find fun activities!
Hip neighbourhoods in London?
London has plenty of hip neighbourhoods, gaining popularity among the ‘regular’ crowd. I’m thinking of areas with lots of street art, trendy coffee shops, and so on.
For that, you should definitely check out neighbourhoods like Shoreditch, Hackney (east), Camden Town (north), and the slightly edgier Brixton (south).
But hey, London is generally hip everywhere nowadays!
Dangerous neighbourhoods in London?
There are, as in any large city, neighborhoods in London where you should be a bit more cautious when walking around (especially at night). But generally, I can confidently say that it’s pretty safe almost everywhere in the city center (where tourists go, within zones 1-2).
I’ve walked alone at night in various neighborhoods in the city center and never felt unsafe, as long as you stick to the main roads and avoid dark alleyways, but that goes without saying.
We used to live in Turnpike Lane, near Wood Green (zone 3), slightly north of the city, and there you could sense it was a bit more of a suburb with slightly more crime than in the city center. You need to be a bit more vigilant there, but nothing ever happened to us.
You find these kinds of neighborhoods a lot in South London (below the river) as well, but the chance of you, as a tourist, ending up there in the evening is probably not that high.
Of course, wherever you are in the city, use your common sense and always keep an eye on your belongings, especially in the busy areas around the more touristy attractions. I also recommend always choosing a hotel or apartment close to a metro or bus stop so you don’t have to walk for another fifteen minutes to get indoors.
WHERE TO STAY ON YOUR TRIP?
The Travel Tester loves to review different types of accommodation around the world.
From boutique hotels, B&B’s and hostels with a personal story or special theme to campsites with everything from back-to-basic to glamping facilities… if it looks interesting to us, we’ll test it!
No matter where you’re going, with our reviews you’ll know exactly where to find a cool place to stay!
What is the centre of London?
One of the things that surprised me most about London is the fact that there isn’t really a city centre, as we know it in almost all cities in the Netherlands. The city consists of several distinctive neighbourhoods, each with its own ‘core.’
Usually, the area around Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square is considered the center of London, mainly because major attractions like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace are located here, and it’s also where the ‘West End‘ is, where you can catch all the musicals in London.
But due to the extensive metro and bus network, I personally wouldn’t choose a hotel in this area because it’s quite busy. So, veer a bit towards the outskirts of the center for some more peace and (also nice) more reasonable prices.
OVERVIEW OF ALL NEIGHBOURHOODS IN LONDON
1. (THE) ANGEL
Lively, Entertainment, Cocktail Bars, Pubs, World Cuisines
Must-see: Chapel Market, Camden Passage, Angel Central Shopping Centre, Sadler’s Wells Theatre
2. BALHAM
Trendy, Friendly, Live Music, Stand-Up Comedy, Independent Shops, Victorian Architecture
Must-see: Hildreth Street Market
3. BATTERSEA
Art, Culture, Parks, Pubs & Restaurants, Antique Shops, Small Boutiques & Galleries
Must-see: Battersea Power Station, Lift 109
4. BELGRAVIA
Quiet, Famous People, Expensive Hotels, Luxury Shops, Georgian Houses, Embassies
Must-see: Buckingham Palace, Wellington Arch, Changing the Guard
5. BERMONDSEY
Art, Culture, Markets, Creativity, Fine Shopping, Interior Design Shops
Must-see: Bermondsey Street, Shad Thames, Fashion and Textile Museum, Bermondsey Beer Mile
6. BETHNAL GREEN
Artistic, Small Multicultural London neighbourhood, Lively, Boutiques, Small Hotels, Trendy Lounge Bars & Clubs
Must-see: Street Art, Young V&A
7. BLOOMSBURY
Academic, Literary, Cultural, Classical, Touristy, Green, Gardens
Must-see: British Museum, Charles Dickens Museum, The Cartoon Museum
8. BRIXTON
Up & Coming, Lively, Markets, Alternative, Art Galleries, Pop-up Restaurants, Victorian Architecture
Must-see: Pop Brixton, Brixton Village, Street Art
9. CAMDEN TOWN
Alternative, Markets, Quirky Shops, Colorful, Touristy, Clubs, Street Food, Tattoo Shops, Nightlife, Noisy
Must-see: Camden Lock, Camden Market, Camden Stables Market, London Zoo
10. CANARY WHARF / ISLE OF DOGS
Financial District, Maritime, Casual Pubs & Cafés, Quiet, Modern
11. CANONBURY
Residential Area, Quiet, Charming, Walking Paths, Eccentric, Traditional Pubs
12. CHELSEA
Village Feel, Rich People, Exclusive, Football Wives
Must-see: Chelsea Flower Show, National Army Museum, Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York Square Market
13. CITY OF LONDON
Touristy, Historical, Financial District, Victorian Architecture, Modern Skyscrapers, Roof Top Bars & Restaurants
Must-see: Museum of London, Barbican Centre, Leadenhall Market, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Monument, London Wall, London Mithraeum, Sky Garden
14. CLAPHAM
Victorian Residential Area, Parks, LGBT-Friendly, Nightlife, Independent Shops, Expats & Students, Markets, Cultural
15. CLERKENWELL
Modern, Hip & Happening, Good Food, Design, Architects, Home Stores, Historical Pubs
Must-see: The Postal Museum + Mail Rail
16. COVENT GARDEN
Street Performers, Touristy, Cultural Events, Lively, Market, Shopping
Must-see: Covent Garden Market, Royal Opera House, Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop, London Transport Museum (Covent Garden), and Neal’s Yard + Seven Dials Market (Seven Dials)
17. CROUCH END
Residential Area, Artistic, Village Feel, Young People, Independent Shops, Cafés & Pubs, Parks
18. EARLS COURT
LGBT-Friendly, Concerts, Expensive Houses, Gardens
19. FITZROVIA
Trendy, Creative, Art Galleries, Classic British Pubs, Cocktail Bars, Shopping
20. FULHAM
Trendy, Bars & Restaurants, Safe, Expensive, Exclusive, Quiet & Green
21. GREENWICH
Independent Shops, Market, Child-Friendly, Parks, Maritime History, Day Trip
Must-see: Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark, Queen’s House, Prime Meridian, Maritime Museum
22. HACKNEY
Industrial, Creative People, Nightlife, Coffee Shops, Brunch Spots
Must-see: Hackney City Farm, Columbia Road Flower Market, Hackney Wick
23. HAGGERSTON
Design, Artists, Architecture, Street Art, Young, Multicultural Area
24. HAMMERSMITH
Creative, Small Community, Multinational, Cafés
25. ISLINGTON
Trendy, Creative, Child-Friendly, Theatres, Markets, Boutiques, Restaurants & Bars
Must-see: Exmouth Market (we lived here when we first came to London!)
26. KENNINGTON
Residential Area, Parks, Farmer’s Market, Child-Friendly, Pubs
Must-see: Cinema Museum, Gin Distillery
27. KENSINGTON
Residential Area, Touristy, Gardens, Architecture
Must-see: Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum, Kensington Palace
28. KINGS CROSS
Industrial, Nightlife, Trains (Eurostar)
Must-see: Platform 9 3/4 (Harry Potter), St. Pancras Station, Coals Drop Yard
29. KNIGHTSBRIDGE
Exclusive, Rich People, Expensive Shops, Restaurants, Design, Touristy
Must-see: Harrods
30. LAMBETH
Historical, Classic Pubs, Bridges
Must-see: Imperial War Museum, Garden Museum, Florence Nightingale Museum
31. MAIDA VALE
Residential Area, Edwardian Houses, Quiet, Houseboats, Small Bars & Cafés, Famous People, Live Music
Must-see: Little Venice, BBC Studios
32. MARYLEBONE
Farmer’s Markets, Classic Pubs & Bars, Bookshops, Village Feel, Green
Must-see: Sherlock Holmes Museum, Madame Tussauds
33. MAYFAIR
Expensive, Beautiful Hotels, Exclusive Shopping
Must-see: Royal Academy of Arts, Mercato Mayfair
34. NOTTING HILL
Creative, Artistic, Live Music, Antique Shops, Vintage Shops, Cafés
Must-see: Portobello Road Market, Notting Hill Carnival
35. PADDINGTON
Shopping, Touristy, Victorian Architecture, Multicultural, Markets
Must-see: Paddington Train Station, Hyde Park
36. PECKHAM
Village Feel, Good Food, Parks, Child-Friendly, Multicultural, Market, Rooftop Bars
37. PIMLICO
Residential Area, Art Galleries, Restaurants, Classic Pubs, Relaxed, Classic Buildings
Must-see: Tate Britain
38. PRIMROSE HILL
Relaxed, Market, Green, Park, Independent Shops
Must-see: View from Primrose Hill
39. SHEPHERD’S BUSH
Bars & Cafés, Markets, Victorian Architecture, Stand-Up Comedy, Nightlife, Theatres
Must-see: Westfield Shopping Centre, BBC Studios
WHICH ACTIVITIES TO DO ON YOUR TRIP?
The Travel Tester loves to review different types of tours and activities around the world.
From well-known tourist attractions to bucket list experiences and from guided tours to self-guided visits of historical places, interactive museums, viewpoints, local events and much more… if it looks interesting to us, we’ll test it!
No matter where you’re going, with our reviews you’ll know exactly where to find fun activities!
40. SHOREDITCH
Alternative, Thrift Shops, Antique Shops, Cafés, Art, Culture, Markets, Pop-Up Shops, Clothing Boutiques, Curry Restaurants
Must-see: Brick Lane Vintage Market, Truman Brewery, Street Art, Boxpark Shoreditch
41. SOHO
Hip, Trendy, LGBT-Friendly, Multicultural, Good Food, Lively, Fashion, Nightlife
Must-see: Carnaby Street + Kingly Court, Liberty Department Store, Oxford Street (for shopping), Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus
42. SOMERS TOWN
Residential area, Quiet, Art festivals, Pubs, Markets, Multicultural
Must-see: British Library
43. SOUTH BANK
Touristy, Skaters, BMX cyclists, Events, Festivals, Art, Exhibitions
Must-see: London Eye, Southbank Centre Food Market, Southbank Book Market, Oxo Tower, Gabriel’s Wharf, National Theatre
44. SOUTHWARK / BOROUGH
Trendy, Delicious food, Historical, Market
Must-see: Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Tate Modern, Borough Market, Butler’s Wharf, The Shard
45. SPITALFIELDS
Market, Delicious food, Fine shopping, Alternative, Events, Touristy, Busy, Street Art
Must-see: Old Spitalfields Market, Liverpool Street Station, Eataly
46. STEPHNEY
Historical, Residential area, Classic Pubs, Churches, Relaxed, Green
47. ST. JAMES’S
Expensive shops, Green, Parks, Galleries, Royal, Antique markets, High Tea
Must-see: Buckingham Palace, Maison Assouline, Fortnum & Mason, Green Park
48. ST. KATHERINE’S & WAPPING
Laid-back, Popular residential and recreational complex, Former East London dock
Must-see: Tower Bridge, Girl with a Dolphin Statue, The Timepiece Sundial, St Katharine Docks, The Dickens Inn
49. ST. LUKE’S
Residential area, Small community, Market, Business District, Home shops, Galleries, Cafés, Green
50. STOCKWELL
Victorian Architecture, Pubs, Skaters, Multicultural, Parks, Art, Portuguese Community, Cafés & Bakeries
51. STRATFORD
Residential Areas, Parks, Street Art, Independent Shops & Cafés
Must-see: Olympic Park, ArcelorMittal Orbit, Westfield Shopping Centre
52. VICTORIA
Theatres, Business Area, Shops, Modern, Transport Hub
Must-see: Market Halls Victoria, Little Ben
53. WALWORTH
Multicultural, Parks, Markets, Cafés
54. WATERLOO
Rough, Cultural, History, Old Theatres, International, Culinary
Must-see: Leake Street Tunnel, Waterloo Station, BFI IMAX, The Old Vic & Young Vic Theatre
55. WESTMINSTER
Government buildings, Touristy, Parks
Must-see: Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace
56. WHITECHAPEL
Lively, Art, Culture, Alternative, Curry Restaurants, Trendy, Café culture
Must-see: Whitechapel Gallery, Street Art, Jack the Ripper Tour
57. WIMBLEDON
Quiet, Theatre, Restaurants, Expensive to live, Private schools, Dog-friendly
Must-see: Wimbledon Tennis Museum
Also don’t miss these popular areas in London:
WEST END
Modern, Touristy, Historical, Arts & Culture, Food Scene
Must-see: Theatre Shows & Musicals
EAST END
Alternative, Creative, Nightlife, Parks, Street Art, Independent Shops & Cafés, Markets
Must-see: Columbia Road Flower Market, Brick Lane, Street Art, Olympic Park
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO ENGLAND
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