London’s districts
As London grew, it incorporated many towns and villages into its boundaries. As a result you will find that there are many different ‘centres’ and high streets with their own distinctive character and that provide diverse social and cultural experiences. London is a huge city and can at first appear daunting, but time spent exploring and discovering will reap massive rewards.
Covent Garden
The focus of Covent Garden is the pedestrian piazza where there are street entertainers, market stalls and gift shops. It is a fashionable area for theatre and opera and has numerous bars, clubs and hip clothes stores. The alternative area of Neal’s Yard provides a haven for those looking for an offbeat ambience.
South Bank
The South Bank of the river Thames is an exciting area with new buildings and many other attractions. The Jubilee Walk along the river provides one of the most satisfying strolls in London. Starting at Westminster Bridge and heading east, the walk takes you past the Saatchi Art Galleries, London Aquarium, London Eye (the world’s tallest observation wheel), the South Bank complex (Europe’s largest arts complex), the Oxo Tower, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Borough Food Market, London Dungeon, London Assembly Building, Tower Bridge and finally the Design Museum, before the path heads away from the river toward Bermondsey. With so many fascinating diversions worth investigating, it’s well worth taking this walk a number of times.
Soho
Commonly thought of as ‘London’s playground’, Soho has many West End theatres, cinemas, upmarket restaurants, delis, patisseries, cafes, cinemas, and is the heart of London’s gay village and home to London’s Chinatown. The area is distinctive, surprising, alternative, seedy and trendy all at the same time and perhaps sums up the true vitality and tolerance that characterises London.
Shoreditch
If you want to hang out with the trendy young things then this is the place for you. Shoreditch can be found at the convergence of Great Eastern Street, Old Street and Shoreditch High Street and is an area with a wealth of independent shops, bars and restaurants.
Westminster
There are not many shops or restaurants here but there are many famous sights such as the Houses of Parliament (with the ‘Big Ben’ clock tower), the Prime Minister’s home of 10 Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, the free National and National Portrait galleries, Westminster Abbey and Cathedral.
Putney
The High Street has many shops, cafes and restaurants. There is a cinema for all the latest films, a local arts theatre, numerous trendy bars as well as traditional pubs with more reasonable prices.
Hammersmith
Buses outside the campus go direct to Hammersmith. The Roehampton Students’ Union organises many social events in the area and provides free buses to and from the venues. In Hammersmith there is a large shopping centre, the Riverside Studios comprising a contemporary arts centre with gallery and cinema, and the London Apollo concert venue where some of the top international bands play. You’ll also find a good range of clubs, pubs and bars in Hammersmith.
Clapham
Clapham has two centres – Clapham Junction, which is easy to get to from Barnes station, and Clapham Common, which is accessible by tube and bus. Both areas are excellent for gastropubs, cocktail bars, and shops.
Richmond
This upmarket area offers one of the most picturesque views of the Thames. Richmond has a distinctive English town feel with plenty of high street shops and traditional pubs. It’s a great location for enjoying a long summer evening.
Other areas
There are many other exciting and interesting neighbourhoods to explore and the above areas provide only a glimpse of what London has to offer. If you have time we would also recommend that you visit the City of London, Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Kensington, Greenwich and Notting Hill.
If you need more information about any of these areas please come to the International Office.