Researching the best of London can feel like an endless task. At London Grid, we have done the work for you, curating a collection of experiences that are guaranteed to surprise and delight. We wish you an extraordinary time in our city.
Reconstructed Roman temple dating back to the 3rd century. Dedicated to the mystery cult of Mithras, once worshipped in secrecy by Roman soldiers and merchants. The temple has been reinstalled below street level with a timed light and sound installation that recreates its ritual atmosphere.
Founded by New Yorker chef Gabe "Papo" Gomez and his wife Georgia, Papo's Bagels is now settled into a railway arch on Amhurst Road and is widely regarded as the best bagel in London. Every bagel is hand rolled each morning, with a properly crisp crust and dense, chewy interior that is the real thing. The classic combination of oak smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, onion and tomato is the one to order. Get there early as they sell out.
A bold, art-led hotel in Shoreditch, blending contemporary design with immersive art works. Features stylish rooms, all day dining, a spa with pool, and vibrant social spaces including bars and an art gallery. Well-located near Old Street and Shoreditch, making it a great base for exploring East London’s creative scene.
Housed in a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse on Conduit Street that was once Christian Dior's London atelier, Sketch is one of Mayfair's most spectacular and deliberately hard to categorise destinations. Created by restaurateur Mourad Mazouz and French chef Pierre Gagnaire, it spans five wildly different spaces, from the forest-filled Glade and the golden Gallery to the three Michelin starred Lecture Room and Library upstairs, all united by an obsession with art, design and theatre. The egg shaped pod toilets alone are worth the visit.
Charming boutique bakery famous for beautifully hand iced biscuits. Seasonal designs and themed collections, perfect for gifting. Offers icing classes and an elegant tea experience. A delightful stop for edible treats that blend craft, nostalgia, and luxury.
There is a shop on Great Russell Street in Bloomsbury that has been selling artists' materials since 1855. Most people walk straight past it. That is their loss. L Cornelissen and Son was founded by Louis Cornelissen, a Belgian lithographer who fled Paris during the 1848 revolutions and landed in London, reportedly on the advice of J.M.W. Turner himself. He set up selling pigments, engraving tools and printmaking supplies, and artists have been coming ever since. Step inside today and the original Victorian fittings are still there. The drawers still pull open to reveal calligraphy nibs in every conceivable size. The shelves still hold pigments stacked in jars from floor to ceiling. And behind the counter, kept quietly out of sight, sits real gold. Over twenty shades of it, alongside palladium and platinum.
Beautifully designed spirits store that feels more like a tasting gallery than a shop.
Features an in house tasting room where you can try rare and unusual bottles on site. Known for exclusive releases and hard to find whiskies you won’t see elsewhere.
A standout destination for discovery, whether you are curious, collecting, or celebrating.
Established in 1887, a real Soho institution full of character and rich aromas. Extensive range of coffee beans, teas, and spices sourced globally. Packed floor to ceiling with sacks, jars, and rare or hard to find blends. A nostalgic, sensory destination for coffee lovers and curious explorers.
Historic cheesemonger established in 1797, known for exceptional quality and heritage.
Specialises in British and European cheeses as well as condiments and pickles.
Elegant shop offering tastings, pairings, and beautifully presented hampers.
A refined destination for cheese lovers, gifting, and traditional indulgence.
Creative independent gift shop showcasing bold, design-led products. Curated mix of stationery, prints, homeware, and quirky lifestyle finds. Focus on emerging brands and unique, hard-to-find pieces. A go-to spot for thoughtful gifts with personality and artistic flair.
Thoughtfully curated shop celebrating simple, functional everyday objects.
Focus on timeless design, from kitchenware and tools to home essentials.
Stripped back aesthetic with an emphasis on durability and honest materials.
A calm, design led space for those who value utility, craftsmanship, and longevity.
Established in 1805, recognised as the world’s oldest barbershop. Traditional grooming house offering haircuts, shaves, and bespoke treatments. Known for its heritage products, from colognes to shaving creams and brushes. Stepping inside feels like entering a private club, with polished wood, ritual, and quiet precision shaping the experience.
Historic umbrella maker established in 1830, renowned for traditional craftsmanship. Elegant shop filled with handcrafted umbrellas, walking sticks, and parasols. Focus on quality materials, timeless design, and repairs that extend product life. A uniquely British destination blending heritage, function, and quiet luxury.
Founded in 1675 by King Charles II to advance navigation and timekeeping at sea. Home of the Prime Meridian, where longitude is set at 0° and the world’s time zones are measured from. Historic instruments and telescopes chart the story of astronomy and Britain’s role in global navigation. Standing on the line itself is the highlight, placing you physically between east and west at a point that shapes how the world measures time.
Historic royal palace associated with Henry VIII, blending Tudor and Baroque architecture. Lavish interiors, vast kitchens, and formal gardens reveal the scale of court life across centuries. Must see: the Great Hall, with its spectacular hammer beam roof and tapestries, offering one of the most dramatic Tudor interiors in England.
Created by Dennis Severs in the late 20th century as a “still life drama” rather than a traditional museum. Each room is staged as if the inhabitants have just stepped out, with candlelight, food, and small details left behind. You move through in silence, following the imagined lives of a Huguenot silk weaving family across generations.
Refined hotel in a 19th-century library, where each room is inspired by a different writer or book. Interiors are also built around books, with shelves, references, and details woven into the design. Atmosphere leans quiet and introspective, with spaces that invite you to slow down and read.
Elegant neoclassical villa on the edge of Hampstead Heath. Houses a significant art collection, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Turner. Interiors are as much a highlight as the artworks, particularly the grand library with its ornate ceiling. In winter, the grounds transform with a seasonal light trail, turning the landscape into an illuminated evening walk.
Immersive bingo experience reimagined with high energy production and theatrical effects. Games unfold with lights, music, and digital visuals inspired by Tokyo nightlife. Rounds are fast paced and interactive, blending classic bingo with game show elements. Excellent food and drinks on offer both before and during the experience.
Founded in 1768, as an independent institution led by artists rather than the state. Hosts major exhibitions alongside the annual Summer Exhibition, open to anyone to submit work. Housed in Burlington House, with a mix of historic rooms and contemporary gallery spaces.
A place where established names and emerging artists are shown side by side, shaping the conversation around art in Britain.
A Michelin Bib Gourmand holder just a short walk from Charing Cross, Bancone is one of London's finest pasta restaurants, with every strand and sheet made by hand on site each day. The long counter overlooking the open kitchen is the best seat in the house, and the signature silk handkerchiefs with walnut butter and confit egg yolk is the dish that keeps people coming back.
Look for the pillarbox red door on Clerkenwell Green, take the lift to the fourth floor and pull back the velvet curtain to find one of London's most atmospheric dining rooms, set in the former judges' dining room of an 18th century courthouse. The deliberately distressed walls, flickering candlelight, giant arched windows and rooftop terraces with their own fireplaces make it one of the most romantic restaurants in the city, with a seasonally driven Mediterranean menu to match the setting.
Eccentric boutique hotel styled as the fictional home of the “Great Aunt Wilhelmina”. Rooms are filled with antiques, curiosities, and rich fabrics that create a layered, story driven interior. Downstairs, the cocktail lounge is a destination in its own right, known for inventive drinks and a cosy, club like feel.
One of London’s oldest working cinemas, originally opened in 1910. Known for its luxurious screening rooms with leather armchairs, sofas, and even front row beds.
Blankets, footstools, and table service turn a film into a slow, indulgent experience.
A place where going to the cinema feels more like settling into a private lounge than a public screening.
