Discover Your London

Experience a different side of London during your visit and find out what each neighbourhood has to offer.

Shoreditch

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Sky Garden brasserie © visitlondon.com/Antoine Buchet

In recent years, Shoreditch in east London has become a popular and fashionable part of the capital associated with the creative industries. Nowadays the galleries, restaurants, bars and clubs in this part of Hackney are vibrant enough to rival those of the West End. And if that's not exciting enough, the Elizabeth line runs right through its heart with a stop at Whitechapel, connecting the east with the rest of London. 

There are several newly opened contemporary hotels to choose from in the area such as Canopy by Hilton London City and YOTEL London Shoreditch. The Dorsett City London and Hyatt Place London City East hotels both have rooftop terraces with superb views across the City, as does One Hundred Shoreditch.

If you're looking for something a little more on the casual side, then both Buckle Street Studios by Locke and Leman Locke offer apartments complete with a kitchen and living space, as well as communal workspaces beside the cafe!

As for events spaces, the Truman Brewery has several dry hire, blank canvas warehouse-style spaces, in which you can create your own amazing events. Shoreditch Town Hall also offers space for up to 750 theatre style or 350 for dinner, and Old Spitalfields Market has indoor and outdoor spaces hosting 10 to 1,000 people, as well as several restaurants and bars, for private hire.

King's Cross and St Pancras

A dynamic and part pedestrianised destination in the heart of London, King's Cross is a recently regenerated neighbourhood which encompasses both King's Cross and St Pancras International railway stations, connecting the capital to northern England, Scotland and Europe.

King's Cross is well served for business events, and plenty of venues and hotels lie within this area, a hub for the tech, creative and medical sectors. Coal Drops Yard — a shopping destination and foodie hotspot — is just minutes away from King's Cross station.

Have a meeting or reception at St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar, newly refurbished as part of Searcy's 175th birthday celebrations, on the mezzanine level opposite the platform as you step off the Eurostar. Nearby, BMA House offers 22 function rooms plus two outside spaces for receptions.

The British Library, one of the largest libraries in the world, can host events up to 255 people in its tiered theatre and breakout spaces.

Kings Place, a hub for cultural and arts events in the area, features two world-class auditoriums, galleries, event spaces and a waterside restaurant.

King's Cross and St Pancras are home to a plethora of hotels, including St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London, which just revamped the Booking Office 1869 restaurant and bar in addition to its offer of 12 event spaces. Across Euston Road, The Standard, the brand's first hotel outside the United States, offers 266 rooms and a restaurant on the 10th floor featuring live fire cooking.

Just outside the hustle and bustle of King's Cross, Kimpton Fitzroy London enjoys a fabulous location overlooking Russell Square and offers the event planner a beautiful selection of spaces.

Ideas for creative incentive programmes include recording a song at Abbey Road Studios, feeding the giraffes at ZSL London Zoo, organising a reception with “celebrities” at Madame Tussauds, enjoying a street art tour at Camden Market and learning how to play cricket at Lord's Cricket Ground.

The City of London

In the centre of Greater London, the City is a hub for events in the financial services, creative and urban sectors. And there are plenty of venue options to explore.

etc. venues has no less than seven conference centres in the City, with capacity ranging from 10 to 700 people, for all your meeting needs. Convene is also now a firmly established favourite offering creative workspaces, as well as vast event rooms. To wow your delegates with a 360-degree view of London from inside an iconic skyscraper, choose The Gherkin as your event venue.

The Barbican is a not-for-profit arts and events centre with a wealth of space for conferences, exhibitions, meetings and corporate entertainment for more than 1,900 people. At Guildhall, you can find nine flexible spaces for large or small-scale events. Or hold your event at Andaz London Liverpool Street offering a range of modern meeting rooms, as well as a traditional London pub and Masonic Temple.

Leonardo Hotels has four hotels in the City of London, including NYX Hotel London Holborn, which encompasses laidback luxury. Stay at The Tower Hotel London for close-up views of famous Tower Bridge. At the DoubleTree by Hilton Tower of London Hotel, you are a short walking distance to the Tower of London and other city sights.

Enjoy different cuisines, from British and European dishes at Duck & Waffle – served on the 40th floor – to Michelin-starred seafood at Angler. Visit Vicinity, a relaxing riverfront bar, or indulge in contemporary Indian cuisine at Gymkhana.

Greenwich

One of three royal boroughs in London, Greenwich is home to a Unesco World Heritage Site, a royal park, a planetarium and one of the world's most popular music venues.

Especially convenient for business travellers, London City Airport offers arrivals at a central location that is close to Greenwich and its well-known event spaces. Find excellent venues for your event in this neighbourhood, such as Royal Museums Greenwich, which comprises five unique spaces – Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum, Queen's House, Royal Observatory Greenwich and the Peter Harrison Planetarium.

At ExCeL London, you will find plenty of space for bigger events. Explore 100,000 sq m (10,76391 sq ft) of blank canvas event space or an auditorium for up to 4,500 delegates.

Stay in the five-star InterContinental London – The O2 and take in some of the finest views of London. Or opt for comfortable yet luxurious accommodation with Aloft London Excel, The Stratford or Good Hotel London.

To get around the area in a more exciting way, use Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and cruise along the river at high speed. Or take a ride on the IFS Cloud Cable Car while enjoying spectacular views of east London.

There are plenty of things to do and see in Greenwich. If you are the adventurous type, hit the heights with Up at The O2 and climb over the roof of London's iconic arena. Or head to a gin masterclass at the Clipper Bar to taste a great selection of the spirit.

Leicester Square

Piccadilly Circus © visitlondon.com/Jon Reid

Visit a central point for culture and entertainment with lots of theatres, cinemas, iconic sites and galleries to discover – all in walking distance of Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Soho.

Find many iconic venues with amazing architecture such as the National Gallery or uncover more than 200 years of history at the London Transport Museum.

Host glittering banquets or conferences at Banqueting House, which has been the backdrop of many royal occasions. Or check out the glittering Odeon Luxe Cinema for private screenings or a conference with big-screen impact.

Inspired by the city, Edwardian Hotels London offer a collection of individual hotels with stunning interiors and exceptional comfort. Find stylish boutiques, concept restaurants and bars at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hampshire, Mercer Street or Bloomsbury Street – and The Londoner.

Complete your trip to London with a famous West End performance and choose from the many musical or theatre shows in the area. With a behind-thescenes tour, you will get to see what is happening backstage. There are also plenty of comedy clubs and stand-up comedians ready to entertain you.

About West End musicals and shows: Head to TKTS Leicester Square to pick up discounted theatre tickets.

A short walk away is RSA House, a beautiful Georgian townhouse with a quirky selection of event spaces, including the Auditorium for 70 guests and the Vaults which can accommodate up to 230 people.

Mayfair

Find high-end restaurants, boutiques and hotels in this neighbourhood within a close distance to Hyde Park, Green Park and St James's Park.

Mayfair is famous for its incredible hotel selection. Enjoy a luxurious stay with elegant suites at The May Fair Hotel or be stunned by the timeless interior of the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square.

Stay at the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, InterContinental London Park Lane, London Hilton on Park Lane, JW Marriott Grosvenor House London or The Dorchester, which can all be found along the famous streets of Piccadilly and Park Lane.

Hidden in the leafy squares are The Biltmore Mayfair, featuring Michelinstar chef Jason Atherton, and the Maybourne Hotel Group which makes up The Connaught, Claridge's and The Berkeley.

You'll also find The Mayfair Townhouse Hotel, which offers buyouts of its 172 bedrooms and compact meeting spaces with big personality. Discover Somerset House for a multifunctional venue which offers several event spaces in a modern and classic setting. Or for a very luxurious feel, the 18th-century private palace Spencer House has capacity for up to 450 guests.

Explore plenty of designer shopping hotspots such as Savile Row and the Burlington Arcade. Step inside the Royal Academy of Arts for world-class art exhibitions or learn more about Mayfair's historic houses with the St James's Street Walking Tour.

South of the river

Somerset House courtyard © visitlondon.com/Jon Reid

Walk along the Thames with a view of the city skyline and discover two miles of arts and entertainment venues and events at London's South Bank.

Get a close-up view of the Houses of Parliament when you host your event at etc.venues' County Hall – offering 30 rooms over two floors with room capacity for 400 attendees.

See more of the beautiful riverside from the Southbank Centre's Weston Roof Pavilion's private courtyard and balcony, floor-to-ceiling windowed spaces of Sea Containers Events or Rose Court Events' stunning roof garden. Pick Queen Elizabeth Hall to enjoy private dinners or large receptions in its light-filled space.

Contemporary art lovers will find the perfect event space with stunning architecture at the Hayward Gallery. If you are looking for a venue with a rich historical background and various spaces, explore Shakespeare's Globe to add a touch of magic to your event.

Lots of comfort awaits in the London Marriott Hotel County Hall, where 192 rooms and 14 suites capture the essence of British style. Park Plaza, Riverbank, Westminster and Waterloo offer large groups the opportunity to be hosted under one brand with more than 1,000 rooms in its portfolio.

Check out South Bank's street art scene at Leake Street before making your way to Tate Modern for another art hotspot. With a speedy Thames Rockets river tour, you can travel even further to Tower Bridge and watch the Thames from above through the glass viewing floors. Or soak up river views from Woods Quay, a luxurious new quayside from Woods' Silver Fleet Thames Cruises to complement the Silver Sturgeon and Silver Barracuda. The 140-metre (459 ft) pontoon can host events of up to 350.

The history and stories of wartime unfold in at IWM London, which has an airy atrium accommodating up to 400 people and offers attractive packages.

Westminster

Home to iconic attractions such as Big Ben, Westminster is a fantastic event location with historic and exquisite architecture.

Venues with a great art selection include Tate Britain and the National Portrait Gallery. Impress you with beautiful architectural event places, such as the four-domed Edwardian building of One Great George Street or the Grade-II listed Church House Westminster, which offers 19 rooms for up to 600 people.

The QEII Centre is a large dedicated conference and exhibition space in the area and is equipped with world-class facilities for high-profile events for up to 1,300 delegates. Explore Central Hall Westminster, another large conference venue for up to 2,000 people located opposite Westminster Abbey, with flexible space for meetings, corporate, public and private events.

Host an event with an elegant backdrop at the Corinthia London. The Royal Horseguards Hotel and One Whitehall Place, as part of the glh group, can accommodate everything from a small seminar to a grand gala ball. For a comfortable stay with luxurious facilities and the option to use the Westminster Ballroom for up to 1,400 delegates, choose Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London.

If you have time after your event, spend a day in Westminster with a private tour of the Houses of Parliament or discover where Winston Churchill navigated the Second World War at the Churchill War Rooms.

Royal London

Buckingham Palace © visitlondon.com/Jon Reid

Let your delegates sample a taste of royal life by exploring one of London's many palaces. Each year, from late July until the end of September, Buckingham Palace opens its doors to visitors and showcases a special exhibition.

From here, you can stroll through St James's Park, one of eight Royal Parks across the city, to Westminster Abbey, the historic setting of some of the most famous royal weddings and coronations.

Continue the journey into the capital's rich royal history with a trip to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – just a short Tube from central London. These famous gardens offer an intimate glimpse into the lives of past royal families.

For a truly memorable experience, choose a royal venue as the setting for your event. Soak up almost 400 years of history with a dinner or reception at Kensington Palace, which has been home to many popular royals including Queen Victoria and Diana, Princess of Wales.

Or dazzle your guests with another of Historic Royal Palaces' venues available for private hire, the Tower of London, where your delegates can enjoy a drinks reception and a private viewing of the Crown Jewels.