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Been there: Reader's Guide to London

Insider tips to unlock the capital - where to stay, where to eat and drink, what to see

Readers do London on the cheap

Been there tippers suggest their top budget things to do in the capital

Blog by blog guide to ... London

London's finest bloggers reveal some of the capital's best-kept secrets to Benji Lanyado

Property fraudsters target students and tourists in London letting scam

Observer investigation reveals how classified ads lure victims into a rent racket

London and Paris: a tale of two bike-hire schemes

London's much-vaunted bike-hire scheme launches next week. Parisians love their Vélib' scheme ? but will Londoners take to their new bikes so fondly?

London and Paris: a tale of two bike-hire schemes

London's much-vaunted bike-hire scheme launches next week. Parisians love their Vélib' scheme – but will Londoners take to their new bikes so fondly?

Paul A Young Fine Chocolates

Category: Sweets & Chocolates. As someone who stuffs their face with cheap chocolate and gone off Easter eggs, going to a tasting at this super classy chocolate establishment was...

Horniman Museum & Gardens

Category: Museums. I love this place! Its fun, full of interesting artifacts and very user friendly... and I love the gardens too. If you want to spend some time rela...

Dose Espresso

Category: Coffee Shops. i loved dose.slightly small for the amount of fans they have!i had a delicous flat white which was £2.40 for a large and some toast and vegemite wh...

Churchill Museum and the Cabinet War Rooms

Category: Museums. I’m not a big fan of the 1900s although I am otherwise a massive history and museum geek. It is really to the credit of the Churchill museum ...

Royal National Theatre.

Category: Events. This theater is awsome! A lgreat quiet place to go and get away. Very large building usually with an exibition type event outside of it. Nice quain...

The Gunmakers

Category: Pubs. I went along to the Qype ale event featuring Tottenham's 'Redemption' brewer.

As I got my first half (it's a tasting, right) the awesome Jeff g...

St. John Bar & Restaurant

Category: Bars. Wonderful clean aesthetic, visionary British cooking. Any true foodie with a decent palate should visit Fergus Henderson's house of meat. The bone ...

Riverside Studios

Category: Cafés. I remember going to Riverside many years ago... and it was even then it had a special feeling for me. Now visiting it again, it still has something...

Royal Albert Hall

Category: Theatres. Recently visited here for the first time to see Cirque Du Soleil - and wow I have to say what a fab lvenue for it. It's huge, really plush, staff w...

Mooli's

Category: Indian. Top ingredients! Top taste! Top people! Like the lady Kool and the gang met it was FRESH AND EXCITING! Loved the original recipes, the drinks and t...

Benjamin Franklin House

Category: Museums. Benjamin Franklin did a bit of most things: this is the man who invented the lightning conductor, signed the Declaration of Independence, compiled ...

The Playhouse Theatre

Category: Theatres. This great theatre is down by Embankment Tube, a really nice place away from the main theatres.

Footloose played there for a while, but has begu...

Nelson's Column

Category: Landmarks. another beautiful monument of this incredible country wen i go to trafalger square and see it i jus look in amazment at the beautiful sight of such...

St Martins in the Fields

Category: Events. This particular church has been re-opend after a major refit during the summer. It hosts many classical concerts and jazz performances.To make you...

The National Gallery

Category: Galleries. When ever I am down with family or friends I take them here.SO much history.Van gough, Michaelangelo.wow

BP Summer Screens

Category: Public Viewing. BP is presenting free live screenings of Covent Garden’s Royal Opera and Royal Ballet in locations across the country, including Canary Wharf...

Embankment Memorials

Category: Memorials. A poignant and fitting tribute to the 'few’ who served in the RAF during the Battle of Britain.

Situated on the Victoria Embankment op...

The Flirting and Walking Tours of London

Category: Guided Tours. This is just what Londoners need.

Some interesting information first: London has the highest number of singletons in the country - a fact that c...

South Bank

Category: Landmarks. Favourite place in the city hands down

Royal Opera House

Category: Theatres. I saw L'Heure Espagnole / Gianni Schicchi today, which was my first time in the ROH, as a nervous opera virgin. I was pleased to find out that it w...

British Museum

Category: Museums. As an art student, I once spent a week at the British Museum, drawing and exploring and there are still loads of galleries I haven't seen. This pla...

St James's Park

Category: Parks. I love that however long I’ve lived in the capital there’s always more to discover. Early to meet a friend for lunch one day I started...

Wicked

Category: Theatres. The 'untold story of the Wicked Witch of the West' from the Wizard of Oz. It's very funny in places but also makes you think. Fabulous songs and br...

Fernandez & Leluu

Category: European. I was lucky enough to be part of the group of Qypers who attended the Jim Haynes event at Fernandez & Leluu’s amazing supper club. I honestly h...

Churchill Museum and the Cabinet War Rooms

Category: Museums. I’m not a big fan of the 1900s although I am otherwise a massive history and museum geek. It is really to the credit of the Churchill museum ...

The Ritz Hotel

Category: 5 Star Hotels. I love that hotel, very pretigious, comforty....food value for money!

Greenwich Park

Category: Parks. Grew up not far from Greenwich park and used to come here every weekend. The only bad bit is that we used to come on Sunday and that meant only one...

The Prince Charles Cinema

Category: Cinemas. Yes, this probably is the best cinema in London.Not for latest releases but for next runs and older movies. And for a brilliant atmosphere. Good ...

Hampstead Heath

Category: Parks. Amazing place to visit for a summer's day picnic. It's huge!

The Natural History Museum

Category: Museums. You cant much more value than this!

I love the natural world and this place is a mine of information at zero cost to visit in an absolutely stun...

Holland Park

Category: Parks. This is a great park. You can find our more about this and other London football pitches at http://...

Southwark Cathedral

Category: Landmarks. A truly beautiful cathedral wonderfully placed in the middle of the urbanised London Bridge area, not just a place for worshippers but all are welc...

Shakespeare's Globe

Category: Theatres. 5 pound a ticket is very good value. (You do have to stand thought)

It has so much history about this place, so if you are in any way in Kline t...

The Roundhouse

Category: Theatres. The Roundhouse is nice for a concert venue, you have a good vision of the scene anywhere you are, nice acoustic, the drinks are not t oo expensive ...

Brockwell park

Category: Parks. See http://....

Love Brockwell park - great view over the City, Battersea power station, even the Lo...

Holland Park

Category: Parks. This is a great park. You can find our more about this and other London football pitches at http://...

Tate Britain

Category: Galleries. Idea way to spend a rainy bank holiday Saturday.

Excellent Henry Moore exhibition at the moment which is well worth a look. Pictures of miners a...

Ritzy Cinema

Category: Cafés. What a great cinema! It shows a great mix of films ad is located right in the heart of Brixton. Screen 1 surprised me as it is more like a plush th...

Avenue Q

Category: Theatres. I don't think i have ever been to the theatre and laughed so hard!! The puppets are hilarious - it's quick witted, a little risque (with songs like...

The Houses Of Parliament

Category: Landmarks. One of my most favourite places in London, everything about these buildings are magical, the tour of the house of commons and lords are very intere...

The Houses Of Parliament

Category: Landmarks. One of my most favourite places in London, everything about these buildings are magical, the tour of the house of commons and lords are very intere...

Freud Bar Cafe & Gallery

Category: Galleries. Reverting to default settings I decided to take my friend to Freud. It was about 12am so it was all happening by then. It's been too long since I l...

Travel Joy Hostels

We at Travel Joy Hostels are all about putting the joy back into travel and we aim to provide you with a fun and pleasant experience in a clean and safe environment where people socialize easily. The fashionable areas of Chelsea and Knightsbridge are a few minutes walk away.

Shared from £15.00 Private from £25.00 Rating: 91%
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YHA London St Pancras

Superb 4 star hostel, as rated by the English tourist board. We offer small comfortable rooms and have a great reputation for cleanliness and helpful staff. Located in the heart of the city with great transport links - a great location to stay and explore the city!

Shared from £21.95 Rating: 89%
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Palmers Lodge Hostel

Palmers Lodge is a unique central London hostel with free Internet, WI-FI, free breakfast, bar and restaurant, key card security system, full CCTV security coverage, 24hr reception and access, laundry and drying facilities, TV lounge, all housed in a fantastic period building lovingly restored.

Shared from £16.00 Private from £23.00 Rating: 89%
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YHA London Central

In the heart of the West End, you will find a great value accommodation that is perfect for a buzzing capital break!

Shared from £21.95 Rating: 85%
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Astor Hyde Park

Welcome to the Astor Hyde Park – our newest addition to our hostel group and the flagship of them all!

Shared from £13.00 Private from £35.00 Rating: 84%
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The Walrus Waterloo

The Walrus hostel is located near to Waterloo Station We are the closest hostel to the London Eye and all the excitement of the Southbank, Westminster and Big Ben. Enjoy a short break with us or stay for up to 4 weeks as your base in London. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Shared from £7.50 Private from £25.00 Rating: 84%
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Astor Quest Hostel

A wonderfully relaxed Hostel in an excellent location opposite Hyde Park. Staffed by young travellers from across the globe. Security lockers under each bed for total peace of mind!

Shared from £14.00 Private from £30.00 Rating: 83%
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Clink Hostel

Set in a former courthouse, Clink offers such modern amenities as high-tech pod beds equipped with reading lights and personal lockers, an Internet courtroom with Wi-Fi, TV courtroom with 60 inch TV, a self-catering kitchen, a bar and secure key-card access to every room. Judge for yourself!

Shared from £10.00 Private from £20.00 Rating: 83%
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Phoenix Hostel

Located on the edge of beautiful Regents Park and only a short stroll away from Madame Tussaud's and London Zoo, London Chillhouse is a newly renovated hostel located in the heart of London.

Shared from £8.00 Private from £9.00 Rating: 83%
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UMI London

Welcome to UMI, a new concept in budget hotels. Our aim is to offer you some of the best London hotel accommodation, with excellent service and facilities, all at a value price. Umi is ideally located in a quiet garden square in the trendy Notting Hill and Bayswater area.

Private from £24.50 Rating: 83%
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Access Apartments - Marble Arch

Access Apartments Marble Arch are located within a minutes-walk from Oxford Street and Hyde Park

Private from £20.00 Rating: 82%
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YHA London Holland Park

Overlooking Holland Park, just off Kensington High Street and near the Royal Albert Hall.

Shared from £17.95 Rating: 82%
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St. Christopher's Inn - Greenwich

Steeped in history and oozing small town charm, Greenwich is the perfect location for backpackers who want the London thrill without the stress. Situated in the southeast corner of the capital, this hostel is a haven and it's only a 10 minute train ride from London Bridge.

Shared from £10.49 Rating: 82%
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MEININGER Hotel London Hyde Park

Are you in London for business or pleasure? Alone or with your family? With friends or with a formal group? As part of a class trip? Whether you want to party, shop, enjoy arts and culture or meet new people, you have come to the right place. Our 4-star hostel is located in a prime spot right...

Shared from £13.00 Private from £20.00 Rating: 81%
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Astor Museum Inn

Rubbing shoulders with the British Museum and London's West End theatres and clubs in Covent Garden, you cannot beat the Astor Museum for location. This cool, cosy hostel will make sure you experience London as it should be!

Shared from £12.00 Private from £35.00 Rating: 81%
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Lively London

There's so much to do in London it's almost impossible to pick the best of the best. Choice art galleries, live music, night clubs, fashion..there's a reason it's one of the most visited cities in the World. Check Timeout online to see what's hot and what's not!

The Tate

The Tate modern and Tate Britain both reside in the country's capital, while brother and sister galleries live in Liverpool and St. Ives. If you want to see the UK and the World's finest fine and modern art then this should be your first stop. Check the website for upcoming exhibitions or just rock up and see what takes your fancy.