Fergusbrandon

London is a beautiful city to get to know and explore, filled with different eccentricities, curiosities, and spellbinding attractions. I have lived in the capital for several years and got to know some of the best ways to explore this great city. Whether you are looking for a luxury upmarket place to stay such as the Shaftesbury Premier London in Notting Hill, or are on a budget and hoping for one of London’s cheap hotels,  there are plenty of options out there if you know where to look.

One of my simply pleasures is to climb to the top of Primrose Hill in north London and gaze out across the sites and landmarks which you can then go and explore. The newly opened Shard is the capital’s tallest building, standing out on the skyline. It’s a great day out to see London from above, spotting your favourite haunts and seeing how far you can see across the sprawling cityscape. Enjoy the sensation of going to the toilet more than 70 floors up, or book a table at the sumptuous Shangri La restaurant for a great meal out over the London skyline.

If you like to explore vintage fairs and interesting clothing stores, Crouch End is a perfect destination, nestled in north London between Finchley and Wood Green. There are regular vintage markets, plenty of street stalls and very chic stores along the high street. Alternatively, Shoreditch and Hoxton have become well known in recent years for being hip spots. There are new and increasingly novel ways of appealing to the young generation, one of the latest being cafes selling just breakfast cereals or porridge. If you are in that part of town, drop into the Whitechapel Galleries to see relevant art exhibitions and the latest creatives displaying their work.

The sights of central London are well-documented, but there is always one more place you will find you have never seen. Westminster Cathedral is often overlooked in favour of its famous cousin, Westminster Abbey, but it is no less impressive and a climb of its tower is an impressive tourist draw. Exploring the London Dungeons in London Bridge is an alternative way to explore some of the capital’s history, rather than the usual tour of the Natural History Museum, British Museum, and the National Gallery.

Getting around London can be a nightmare for some, but I believe we should embrace the modern wonder that is the London Underground, or the Tube to most. This is a centuries old network of tunnels, mazes, and the occasional dead end. But it is also the most popular, and cost effective way to get about. Quite frankly, I think the best way is to embrace the crowds and enjoy your adventure underground. Grab yourself an Oyster card and a map, and look out for some of the historically important Tube spots. If you are traversing central London, try out one of the new breed of Routemaster buses, where you can hop on the back for just a couple of stops before alighting again.

Plenty of cities have a cafe culture these days, and London is no different. You will find a Costa, a Starbucks, or a Nero on most corners. But you can also seek out a great independent coffee shop where you can plug in your laptop, or yourself an americano, and enjoy an afternoon coffee in the sunshine. Tucked away in East Finchley is Campbell and Syme, who make their own coffee granules and sell them on to plenty of other coffee shops in the locality. London has always felt to me like a place that is only as good as you make it. If you are scared to venture out and experience new things, you will not have a good time. But if you are not afraid, the benefits are endless.

When you are planning your time in London, look no further than the spectacular array of accommodation offered by Shaftesbury Hotels group. Each of its hotels are boutique in concept and lavishly furnished to offer its guests a great place to stay. Exclusivity comes naturally to the Shaftesbury staff who know how to treat their guests well. You can see out a great deal online for a stay at a Shaftesbury Hotel.

From the Park Grand London Kensington, to the Grande Royale London Hyde Park and the London Premier Kensington and Notting Hill, Shaftesbury guest can enjoy sumptuous dining, first class facilities including swimming pools, gyms, and spas, and beautifully crafted bedrooms and suites that afford the guest maximum comfort and enjoyment. There are 17 London hotels to choose from, in Piccadilly, Paddington, Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Lancaster Gate, and Heathrow. Each offer a gateway to the attractions that London has to offer.