London Boroughs
The London Borough of Harrow is one of London's most attractive suburbs. It is an area which combines the fast pace of a lively business and commercial centre with the peace and quiet of the countryside. The borough is located to the North West of London and has a population of approximately 208,000. Harrow offers first class shopping facilities and also has a range of sporting and leisure activities to suit all tastes.
The London Borough of Ealing lies in the heart of West London. It has a diverse culture and is a lively place, with plenty to see and do. It offers the cosmopolitan life of London within a leafy borough on the outskirts of capital. Ealing town buzzes with shoppers, pubs and restaurants. Walpole Park allows a break from the bustling Broadway and Pitshanger Manor and Gallery provide a cultural aspect to the borough.
The London Borough of Hounslow boasts a wealth of heritage attractions, beautiful parks, open country areas and riverside walks. Hounslow's heritage is diverse and includes five historic stately homes: Syon, Osterley, Gunnersbury, Chiswick and Boston Manor. From Artist Studios to Theatres, and Museums, Hounslow has a wealth of art and cultural activities that celebrate the diversity of the borough for all ages to enjoy. Hounslow is very well served by public transport and getting around is easy, with excellent links to Central London.
The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames has for hundreds of years has been a favourite retreat of Royalty, the rich and the famous. The River Thames runs through the heart of the borough for 21 miles linking Hampton Court Palace, Richmond town centre and Kew Gardens with Central London. With beautiful Royal parks and historic houses, theatres, museums, galleries rich with exhibits and town centres bursting with shops and restaurants, Richmond upon Thames rivals anywhere in London.
The London Borough of Kingston upon Thames is located in South West London and is a commuter heartland. It has an extensive public transport network and is close to the M25 and A3, with trains to Waterloo running from Surbiton every 7 minutes. Kingston and its surroundings are a fascinating blend of the old and the new and has long been favoured for its excellent shops, the attractions of its changing & colourful riverside scene and the surrounding royal parks.
The London Borough of Merton is just 20 minutes South of Central London. An interesting and pleasant borough with a lot to offer, it boasts modern shopping centres and green open spaces to rival the best. Merton has something for everyone, whether you like spending your time browsing shops, sitting on a common, acting out a play, betting on greyhound racing or watching tennis. The Wimbledon tennis championships run for two weeks from the end of June every year.
The London Borough of Wandsworth is the largest of the inner London boroughs and is a collection of many different communities, each with its own distinct character. It enjoys a wide ethnic diversity with more than one in five people belonging to a racial minority group. It is a popular residential area with many different types of housing – from the leafy suburbs of Putney to the inner city housing estates of North Battersea.
The London Borough of Lambeth stretches from the South Bank of the Thames to the suburbs of Streatham and Norwood and is bursting with exciting attractions. Brixton, one of the borough's most multi-cultural areas has a thriving shopping centre and market selling ethnic foods, household goods, jewellery and second-hand goods. Its thriving nightlife makes it the heart of London's urban scene, and it also has the best live venue in London, the Academy. Another part of the borough, Kennington, is famous for the Oval Cricket Ground, where county and test cricket matches are played.
The London Borough of Lewisham occupies a key strategic location in South East London, and with existing public transport links to the city, Docklands and the whole Thames Gateway area, it has the potential to become one of the most exciting, dynamic and prosperous places in London to live and work. Living in Lewisham means that you are never far away from the action... or the peace and quiet, if that's what you are after. There is plenty to see and do in Lewisham too. Each of the 'villages' within the borough has its own unique character, with sights to see, places to visit and things to do, and with restaurants, bars and cafes galore, there is always something for everyone.
The London Borough of Greenwich has something for everyone with its rich mix of museums, galleries, architecture, maritime history, parks and palaces. It has a varied and fascinating history, with strong naval and military connections. Romans, Royalty and the Industrial Revolution have all shaped the history of this borough. As well as its unique history, Greenwich also provides every specialist and general shopping opportunity you could want. The town centre has streets of small specialist shops, selling everything from second-hand books to antiques, music, fashion and homeware.
The London Borough of Brent's most famous feature is the legendary Wembley Stadium (the home of English football), which is currently being redeveloped. Just down the road is Wembley Arena, which also attracts huge crowds as one of the capital's largest music venues. Brent is a multi-cultural heartland and offers fascinating glimpses into London's many faiths. For shoppers, the famous Swedish furniture store IKEA is located within the borough, as is Wembley market which boasts a good selection of clothes, jewellery, food and bric-a-brac.
The London Borough of Barnet is one of the largest London boroughs. Hendon Aerodrome is based here, which was the birthplace of British aviation and now houses the RAF Museum. A wealth of attractions, parklands, sport facilities and a world-famous museum means there really are leisure facilities to meet all tastes and needs. Golfers will have no trouble finding a place to have a round, with three public golf courses and several private clubs dotted around the borough.
The London Borough of Camden is one of London's liveliest boroughs and the centre of the capital's underground music scene. The Locks running along Regent's Canal are the focus for some of London's most varied shopping, with fashion, antiques, music, arts, crafts and bric-a-brac filling this labyrinth of boutiques and markets. Despite such intensive building, the borough has a number of outstanding open spaces. In the south lies picturesque Regents Park famed for its wonderful Open Air Theatre and educational Zoo.
The London Borough of Haringey is the home of Alexandra Palace, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and people from all over the world. It combines the city and the country, the high tech and the traditional and offers so much to visitors. Go west and browse through Muswell Hill's shops and have a meal at one of Crouch End's international restaurants. Haringey has good tube and rail links to Central London as well as to both Heathrow and Stansted Airports.
The London Borough of Waltham Forest is home to Europe's longest daily street market, situated only thirty minutes from the centre of London. With four hundred and fifty stalls and three hundred shops, Walthamstow Market offers the best bargains in town – whether you want to buy some jewellery, designer clothing, fresh fruit and vegetables, antiques or even a camera.
The London Borough of Redbridge is an area of mixed affluence in North East London and known as the "leafy" suburb, the borough enjoys one of the best living environments in London. Though only seven miles from Central London, it has a distinctly countryside feel and ancient Epping Forest falls within its boundaries. Redbridge is a family-orientated borough with a plethora of sports pitches and children's play areas. Arts and entertainments programmes are wide-ranging, including an annual Redbridge Show, dance and literature festivals, exhibitions, concerts and tea dances.
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is an outer London borough to the East of the City on the North bank of the River Thames and within the M25. With its ancient history and 20th century industrial growth, the borough boasts a vast range of architecture and topography. One of the ‘must see’ attractions in the borough is the Broadway Theatre, situated within Barking Town Centre. This is one of the last places to see a traditional East End variety show, featuring top acts, tea dances and amateurs.
The London Borough of Newham is recognised as the most ethnically diverse local authority in Britain. About half the population belong to ethnic minority groups. Green Street is an area already a magnet for visitors from all over the UK, Europe and beyond. Here is a colourful, cosmopolitan shopping area, specialising in food from all over the world, Asian-based designer-wear, stunning fabrics and exquisite jewellery. The borough has redeveloped as a transport hub, with Stratford Station now linking rail services with the Docklands Light Railway and the Jubilee Line.
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets has a rich and colourful history and has always been known as the heart of the East End of London. The borough presents a vibrant mix of old and new, a bustling community unique in culture and character. Tower Hamlets takes its name from the historical association between the Tower of London and the hamlets that surround it. The boroughs economy has undergone major structural changes in recent years with significant employment growth in the Banking and Financial services sector. Nonetheless it still remains one of the most deprived areas in the country.
The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham lies to the west of Central London and is a quick tube ride from both Heathrow and the West End (approximately 20 minutes). Hammersmith, Fulham and Shepherds Bush are the three town centres in the borough, featuring a great range of entertainment venues, shopping centres and street markets, interesting restaurants, theatres and sporting venues. The River Thames, which runs through the borough, is also the setting for the world famous Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.
The London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is renowned for its thriving, cosmopolitan atmosphere. The borough has many famous shopping areas including the King's Road, High Street Kensington and Knightsbridge, home to Harrods. You can escape the crowds with a stroll through one of several beautiful parks, or visit one of the area's many amazing museums, including the Natural History Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Science Museum. Notting Hill, in the South-West of the borough, is one of the most attractive parts of London and home to Portobello Market and Europe's biggest street party, the Notting Hill Carnival.
The London Borough of Westminster is located in the heart of London and is home to the Monarchy, the Government and many tourist attractions. It contains some of the best shopping in London, with Covent Garden's bustling market, the boutiques of Soho and Carnaby Street, and the towering department stores around Oxford Circus. London's West End comes alive at night, with dozens of theatres, music venues and hundreds of bars & restaurants, making sure that this is a borough that never sleeps.
The London Borough of Islington boasts a thriving fringe theatre scene, a wealth of fantastic restaurants and vibrant nightlife as well as being the best place in London to buy antiques. Camden Passage Market is known throughout Europe and with over 350 shops, it's a haven for antique hunters and browsers. The bars and restaurants in Islington and the surrounding areas are famous throughout London, with varied menus and prices to suit everyone's taste.
The London Borough of Hackney possesses popular destinations such as super-trendy Shoreditch – a thriving cultural fringe of the City of London with a wide range of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and comedy venues. The area is filled with thriving street markets including Petticoat Lane, probably the most famous and oldest of all London's street markets and Brick Lane which offers a huge variety of things for sale; meat, fruit and veg; electrical goods, tools and household essentials; bikes, jewellery and clothes.
The London Borough of Southwark boasts some of the most spectacular architecture in the capital and to find some of the most dramatic sights you need only take an afternoon stroll along the south bank. Just a short walk over the Millennium Bridge from the City, its central location makes Southwark extremely accessible, served by major rail and underground connections at London Bridge and Waterloo. Borough Market, also known as “London’s Larder”, is a wholesale market serving London’s hotel and restaurant trade but it now plays host to public markets on Friday and Saturday with much of the food available to sample before you buy.
The London Borough of The City is not just about business and finance, although this tiny area, only twenty minutes walk from one side to the other, does generate 3% of the UK's income. Within the Square Mile there are galleries, theatres, museums and concert halls to cater for all tastes. The City by night is among the most stunning sights in London, a ghost town of towering skyscrapers and stunning churches, including St. Paul's Cathedral.