The insider’s guide to the new London

Get the lowdown on the latest and greatest things to do on your visit to London. Expert locals share their recommendations for what not to miss. 

Think you’ve done London? Think again.    The city never ceases to amaze me as it    continually regenerates. There’s always    something exciting to see, whether it’s a    new luxury hotel, stage show, exhibition,    bar or restaurant.

This year I’ve marvelled at the relaunched National Portrait Gallery, delighted in the new Young V&A museum, been wowed by the innovative stage productions Abba Voyage and Guys & Dolls and blown away by the sleek new Battersea Power Station neighbourhood. Meanwhile, I’m counting the days to the opening of hotels Raffles and The Peninsula.

If you know where to go, London is the best playground in the world. Here’s our insiders’ guide for a capital stay.

Fortnum & Mason at the Royal Exchange, London.

SHOPPING

Amanda Woodward-Brown, stylist

One of the best things about London is its shopping, according to Australian stylist and ex-London resident Amanda Woodward-Brown.

“You can literally find anything you desire in London, from umbrellas at James Smith & Sons to velvet ribbon at VV Rouleaux,” she says.

Top shops: Her must-visit shops include Liberty, “always my first stop”; Selfridges, “a one-stop shop for the world’s best brands”; Fortnum & Mason and Burlington Arcade, “look out for Manolo Blahnik’s tiny but gorgeous store”.

Designer districts: Woodward-Brown recommends wandering around some of the city’s beautiful shopping districts, such as Mayfair for designer finds, Belgravia for interiors and Notting Hill, not just for its market. “There’s an incredible selection of vintage fashion boutiques as well as jewellers, furniture designers and bookstores,” she says.

Don’t miss: Marylebone Village: “From the world’s best bookshop, Daunt Books, to Labour and Wait – a store that could only exist in England – there’s a discovery around every corner,” she says. 

Straker's restaurant in Notting Hill, London.

DINING

Bill Granger, restaurateur

With five Granger & Co outlets in London, Aussie restaurateur Bill Granger could be forgiven for only eating in his own venues, but he loves the city’s food scene. “It’s never static, but there’s a reverence for history,” he says. “You can dine at an establishment which has been trading for decades, as well as see trends evolving almost as you eat.”

Top eats: His favourite places are in his West London locale, which is currently enjoying a food renaissance, including Straker’s in Notting Hill. “Thomas Straker has become a TikTok sensation, but the restaurant is the perfect neighbourhood bistro,” he says.

Eat streets: Granger also recommends some of the city’s fabulous street food. “I can’t go past Falafel King near Portobello Road. It’s basically a hole in the wall, where falafel is cooked to order, while locals mill outside.” He’s also a big fan of Marylebone Farmers’ Market for “some of the best ingredients available in London”.

Book a table: Check out hip new Dorian, in Notting Hill, by fellow Aussie Chris D’Sylva.

Brasserie Max at Covent Garden Hotel, London.

NIGHT LIFE

Craig Markham, hotelier

London really knows how to do a beautiful cocktail bar. Aussie Craig Markham is the marketing director of Firmdale Hotels and one of his favourite places is La Goccia in Covent Garden. “I love everything about the Petersham Nurseries group, so will often head there for aperitivo hour on the leafy terrace,” he says. “The interiors draw inspiration from their horticultural heritage and the cocktails use lovely botanicals, herbs and edible flowers. It’s quite special.”

Bar hopping: Another favourite is modern speakeasy Soma Soho. “It has a sleek contemporary design and is a great spot to escape the bustle,” says Markham. “Try the Leaf Gimlet, garnished with a drop of heady pink peppercorn oil.”

Star spotting: Brasserie Max at Covent Garden Hotel is an institution for those in the film and entertainment industry. “I like to prop myself up at the long pewter bar and enjoy a dry Martini,” says Markham. “You are very likely to spy a star here, which is always a good story to take home.” 

The National Portrait Gallery, London.

CULTURE

Maria Sykes, tourism boss

London is packed with culture, but there’s still much to be discovered. Maria Sykes is VisitBritain’s country manager for Australia and New Zealand and top of her list is the recently reopened National Portrait Gallery. “The gallery’s transformation includes the opening of a brand-new cocktail bar, Larry’s, and cafe Audrey Green, owned by Aussie Prue Freeman,” she says.

History class: She recommends one of the city’s lesser-known museums, the London Mithraeum. “The Mithraeum is a Roman temple excavated after World War II,” she says, “and like many of London’s cultural attractions, it’s free.” From its oldest to its newest, don’t miss the Young V&A in Bethnal Green and Queer Britain, in King’s Cross, “the UK’s first museum of queer history and culture.

Art attack: “Enjoy the largest collection of British art in the world at Tate Britain,” says Sykes, “then take a ferry to Tate Modern, one of the world’s most iconic galleries.” 

Sylvia Pankhurst mural at the Lord Morpeth pub in Bow, East London.

HISTORICAL SITES

Vanessa Cain-Tait, tour guide

After you’ve ticked off the tourist sites like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace have fun with some of London’s lesser-known locations. Vanessa Cain-Tait runs (literally) Secret London Runs tours, where she guides joggers around the city. Her must-sees include Crossbones Graveyard, near London Bridge. “This recent excavation of a “single women’s graveyard” revealed around 15,000 forgotten paupers and the gates are decorated with ribbons,” she says.

Look up: She also recommends the Lord Morpeth pub in Bow. “London has some incredible street art, but my favourite has to be the Sylvia Pankhurst mural on the side of the Lord Morpeth. You can do the Bow Heritage Trail, which has a series of plaques that tell you more,” she says.

Secret history: One of the best hidden gems is under the City of London. “Go to the basement of Guildhall Art Gallery and you can see a Roman amphitheatre,” she says. “You can also visit the new Guildhall Library of London History.” 

The Bridge Theatre near Tower Bridge, London.

THEATRE

Richard Arnold, TV presenter

Few cities can match London when it comes to its famous West End shows and current hits include the immersive Guys & Dolls at Bridge Theatre, which is so good that locals are going multiple times. “London theatre has something for everyone,” says GMTV’s Richard Arnold. “My favourite theatres are the Barbican, London Coliseum and the new Soho Place theatre space.”

Show time: His favourite musical is at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. “Crazy for You is some of the finest tapping, heel-clicking choreography I’ve ever seen,” Arnold says. He also gives a shoutout to Mrs Doubtfire at the Shaftesbury Theatre. “A crowd-pleaser for all ages.”

There are hundreds of fringe venues across the city, where you can see smaller shows and new talent and you can take backstage tours of many theatres, from the National Theatre to Shakespeare’s Globe.

Don’t miss: If you are going to one show make it Abba Voyage. “I’ve been four times since opening night,” Arnold says. “It’s unfettered joy and one trip you don’t want to miss.”

Battersea Power Station, London.

LOCALES

Georgia Lewis, writer

London is a city of villages and, amazingly, new ones continue to emerge, such as the high-end Battersea Power Station and sleek Coal Drops Yard. But it’s also worth travelling further out. Australian writer Georgia Lewis loves her South London neighbourhoods. “My favourite thing is the diversity of people, food and culture. It makes my heart sing,” she says.

Cool ’hoods: She recommends visitors make time for Clapham. “There are lots of great bars and restaurants and you can get the best Espresso Martinis at The Clapham North, across the road from the tube station.”

Further south, you’ll reach Wimbledon, which is not just about tennis. “The New Wimbledon Theatre not only puts on popular shows, but is fantastic for discovering new acting, writing and directing talent,” she says.

Touristy, but worth it: Southbank is well worth a stroll, not least for its views, but also its cafes, British Film Institute, National Theatre and skateboarders. “Skylon is the perfect restaurant for a splurge,” Lewis says. 

Originally published as The insider’s guide to the new London