A holiday in London: what to know before you go!

Where to eat and drink with style in London?

When it comes to food, Britain has had a bad rep in the past. However, traditional British cuisine, when done right, can be spectacular. There are plenty of places to try quality, authentic Britsh dishes in London, and being the cultural melting pot that it is (no pun intended), visitors to London will also find restaurants serving food from all across the globe. Not only that, but the British capital is also home to some of the trendiest, creative, avant-garde, and award-winning restaurants in the world. Whether its a gourmet tasting menu, a traditional Fish & Chips, or a hearty steak and ale pie in a cosy gastro-pub, food lovers will find plenty of indulgence. Also not to be missed is an authentic full English breakfast, or a traditional afternoon tea, with scones and clotted cream.

Just a handful of London's must-visit restaurants:

• Quo Vadis. A historic Soho restaurant with a history and a timeless atmosphere, it serves excellent seasonal, regional British fare, with a menu created by Chef Jeremy Lee and his team.
  26-29 Dean Street, London W1D 3LL
• Holborn Dining Room. This grand British brasserie, found in the heart of London, serves up seasonal and locally sourced British cuisine with a twist in a vibrant and bustling dining salon.
  252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
• Sketch is a fabulous gourmet restaurant which has been awarded with 3 stars. Its legendary design transports you into a unique world where art is infused in the walls, the floors, and in the food itself. The restaurant's menu holds many surprises. Chef's recommendation? The lobster with turmeric.
  Sketch Restaurant, 9 Conduit Street London W1S2XG
• Poppies Fish & Chips. Try a traditional Fish and Chips at one of these restaurants in this award-winning London chain. Its vintage décor will takes you back in time.
  6-8 Hanbury St, London E1 6QR, UK
• Prêt-à-Portea: Afternoon Tea at The Berkeley: enjoy an authentic afternoon tea with a contemporary fashion twist, each season, Head Pastry Chef Mourad Khia, takes inspiration from the latest catwalk.
  Wilton Place, London SW1X 7RL

And in the other hand, some of London's best bars:

• Swift Soho. It's in a classy and elegant setting that this bar welcomes you, along with excellent quality of service and unique cocktails.
  12 Old Compton Street, London W1D 4TQ
• Punch Room. A soulful tune, a punchy cocktail, an exotic atmosphere, welcome to the sumptuous Punch Room. This is the ideal place to end a day's sightseeing in style.
  10 Berners Street, London W1T 3NP
• Duck and Waffle. With stunning views of the capital, the Duck and Waffle is found on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower. Sip on your drink while you watch both Tower Bridge and The Shard light up.
  Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate
• Cahoots. Enjoy afternoon tea & cocktails served in a unique Soho setting. This 1940's-style speakeasy, set in a disused World War II bomb shelter which has been styled as an abandoned underground station.
  13 Kingly Court, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW
• The Churchill Arms. This historic pub in Notting Hill is famed for its sublime and unique flowery façade. This bar was once frequented by Winston Churchill's paternal grandparentsa and is an atypical and cosy setting to enjoy a drink.
  19 Kensington Church Street, London W8 7LN

What to do on holiday in London?

Whether you are in London for a short term stay or long term stay, there is so much to do or see you will never run out of things to fill your time. From sublime Victorian architecture to stunning modern structures, the UK capital has a rich history and is full of wonders. So, hop on a red double decker bus and start exploring! But where to start? Let us try to give you some inspiration: 

What are the most beautiful parks in London?

Open-air concerts, royal gardens, boat rides, picnics, and colourful flower shows, as one of the capitals with the most green spaces in the world, London's parks are full of treasures! 

• As the largest park in central London, Hyde Park is a real gem, comprising 350 acres of green space including 400 trees and a large lake. Enjoy beautiful walks, skating, cycling, sunbathing, or boating on the Serpentine lake, among many other activities. At Speakers' Corner, watch the eccentrics step up to give speeches and hold public debates. Many events, especially concerts or fairs are held in Hyde Park throughout the year, but especiall in summer.
• Originally part of Hyde Park, take a stroll through the 265 acres of the beautiful Kensington Gardens, the setting for Kensington Palace, the birthplace of Queen Victoria. The park offers a tranquil landscape with numerous cultural landmarks.
• The Regent's Park comprises large open spaces with tree-lined pathways, formal gardens, and the London Zoo. This royal park has a wide range of activities available, including an Open Air Theatre, and many cafes and restaurants.
• Enjoy a sunny afternoon at St. James's Park, located in Westminster, surrounded by famous landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, St James's Palace. You can also come here to see the Horse Guards Parade take place.
• Victoria Park, also known as the 'People's Park', is located in Tower Hamlets. It aspires to be the place to be, and is known for hosting various outdoor music festivals in the summer. With two lakes, a boating pond, the V&A children's playground, nature trails, and sports grounds there's not much more you could ask for.
• Battersea Park has it all; Thames views, The Pump House art gallery, pedalos on the lake, walled gardens, an adventure playground (with climbing structures, slides and high climbing nets and an area for younger children), a family-run zoo, and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home... this list goes on!

What are the sights to see in London?

If the walls of London could speak, they would have a long story to tell, from the world-famous squares like Piccadilly Circus or Trafalgar Square, to majestic royal palaces like Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, to outstanding religious structures like Saint Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Here are some of the sights not to be missed:

• The Shard, this striking skyscraper is the tallest building in London, and in all of Western Europe, and its panoramic views of the city are truly impressive. 
• Tower Bridge, famous the world over, is a true symbol of the English capital, and its glass floor is spectacular. Overlooking the Thames River since 1894, crossing this bridge is an unforgettable moment.
• Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the King Charles III, successor to the late Queen Elisabeth II. This prestigious building hosts state audiences and banquets. A popular sight throughout the year is the Changing of the Guard.
• The London Eye, originally meant to be temporary, this soon became an iconic landmark that was made permanent. From the top of this splendid ferris wheel, it is a a unique setting from while to take in a delightful view of the city's skyline. 
• Westminster Abbey, this an extraordinary and architecturally impressive church has a rich history and is of course best known as the site of the coronation for the royals. Visit the inside and the Coronation Seat can be seen on display.
• Big Ben, another one of London's world-recognisable symbols. Big Ben is actually the nickname for the great bell inside the Great Clock of Westminster. At night the clock lights up along with the adjecent Houses of Parliament, and is a spectacular sight, best taken in from across the river.
• Harrods. The shop's iconic facade has a pronounced Victorian style and as night falls, the building sparkles and beckons. Inside, London’s most famous department store boasts extravagant décor.

What are some lesser known must-do activities in London?

London has many iconic attractions, but if your want to make your holidays in London a little different, what are some more unique and unusual attractions available? Get off the beaten track and immerse yourself in the whimsical side of the English capital:

• Take part in a silent disco on the Thames River. Set out on a disco-boat and take in the city skyline to music.
• God's Own Junkyard welcomes you with its psychedelic collection neon lights and vintage signs, se inside an unassuming warehouse. Part gallery, part workshop, part boutique, part café, it is a truly unique pit stop.
  Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall St, London E17 9HQ
• Combine a visit to the second and antiques market of Portabello Road with a visit to the Electric Cinema, one of the oldest working film theatres in Britain. Enjoy a movie in the comfort of the red armchairs, a luxurious, romantic and cosy setting.
  191 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London W11 2ED
• Harry Potter Studio Tour, dive into the magical world Harry Potter with an incredible visit to the iconic film sets and the get behind the scenes with backstage access.
  Watford WD25 7LR
• A tour of the city as Agent 007. With music from the James Bond film series in your ears, experience the thrill of an adventure on a high-speed boat. The mission? To cover the London.
• The Ballie Ballerson, an atypical bar in the capital. Recapture your childhood âme and swim in the happiness of a pool à balls to disco music. Welcome to the world of Peter Pan.