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Top 10 Trendy Neighborhoods to Visit in London

Soho, London – by Jim Linwood – Wikimedia Commons

London is home to – well, everything. There are upscale eateries, dingy dive-bars, beautiful architecture, historical buildings, lush green parks, vintage markets, antique shops, and friendly people.

People who haven’t been to England鈥檚 capital before may not realize the sheer size of the city before they arrive. London is massive – it can take upwards of 2 hours to travel via the 鈥渢ube鈥� (basically the subway) from one side to the other. Don鈥檛 even try to drive through the city during the hours of 8am-11am or 4pm-7pm – you literally won鈥檛 move.

In the sprawling metropolis, there are various boroughs and neighborhoods that each have their own character and ambiance. There are fancy and high-brow societies flanked by local-feel neighborhoods, creating the interesting juxtaposition that comprises London.

We have come up with the top 10 trendy neighborhoods that are worth visiting in London – so skip Kensington, and head here instead.聽

1) Camden Town

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First up, we have Camden Town. You might recognize this name due to the famous Camden Market located in former Pickfords stables in Camden Town. North of Regent鈥檚 Canal, these markets sell trinkets, vintage clothes, food, and any other items you could possibly imagine.

It is the 4th-most popular visitor attraction in the city – and for good reason. The never-ending stalls are bustling with people everyday of the week from 10 am – 鈥渓ate.鈥� The markets get especially crowded on the weekends, when you might have to fend someone off for the perfect pair of inexpensive vintage sunglasses you鈥檝e been searching for.

After you check out the markets, Camden Town is home to a row of vintage shops on the main street exiting the market, flanking either side of the busy street. Wander in and out of the shops to score some deals and check out the hipster clothes.

Here is where you鈥檒l find the young and trendy crowd, all sporting the latest styles and heading out to brunch to recover from the night before. If you fancy going for a pint after shopping, or you鈥檝e waited around until the evening, there鈥檚 plenty of pubs and bars in the area to enjoy a bevvy.

The infamous Wetherspoons has a location right on the water, aptly named The Ice Wharf for the winter-time pint of Smithwick鈥檚. Head here to start your night and enjoy some inexpensive pours and drink deals – be aware, this place gets packed on Saturday nights, so you might have to just pull up a couple stools to the counter by the window.

Although, I personally find this the best spot to people-watch. With jazz cafes, quirky shops, outdoor activities, and plenty of bars, Camden is a trendy spot that should definitely be on the top of your list.

2) Shoreditch

Shoreditch – by Ambitious Creative Co. – Rick Barrett – Unsplash

Second, we bring to you Shoreditch. Head here if you love shopping – this 鈥榟ood is home to one-of-a-kind stores, independent boutiques, and unlimited vintage shops. For another market experience, head over to the Columbia Flower market, one of the most popular weekend spots.

Even if you don鈥檛 want to buy any flowers for your Airbnb, you can just take in the sights and smells, and listen to some interesting London accents. When you get a bit hungry, meander to Brick Lane for some of the city鈥檚 best street food – try the Canadian poutine.

Now for night time adventures, Shoreditch has unlimited amounts of options. Head to Bounce Ping Pong, where you can rent a table and test your luck at the classic ping-pong or beer-pong. Careful, because the worse you are at the game, the more you drink. The more you drink, the worse you get. See the cycle happening here?

If you are a tech-geek, you鈥檒l enjoy the new game of digital beer-pong, with neon lights and the vibe of playing against a computer – who鈥檚 really good. If you鈥檇 rather enjoy some sports or try some more traditional games, walk to Bar Kick. Any Premier League fans out there? Head here to catch a match on a big screen, play Foosball, or just chant your team鈥檚 favorite song. Maybe check out the vibe before starting the song however, as London team rivalries are some of the deepest-rooted in the world.

If you want to keep the night going after a few drinks, Shoreditch is the home of some of the best clubs. XOYO is a big name on the party scene, and is consistently jammed on the weekends, but for good reason. This spot keeps you partying until the early morning, with various dance floors, thumping beats, and good vibes.

Shoreditch is similar to Camden, as it boasts much of the younger, hipster generation looking to frequent vintage shops, hit up some brunch, play some drinking games, and enjoy a fun night out.聽

3) Peckham

Passmore Edwards South London Art Gallery by Stephen Richards – WikiCommons

Third on our list, we have Peckham. Some may be surprised by the addition of this south-London spot on our list, but the ever-growing art scene here has helped this neighborhood immensely.

Featuring independent art, indie stores, and cute cafes, this area has definitely become trendy in recent years. This neighborhood鈥檚 claim to fame is Rye Lane – the colorful walls, stalls selling food, clothing vendors, and live music blasting on the speakers gives an upbeat and fun vibe to all who pass by.

Head to one of the arcades here, or walk down to the railway house to enjoy some top-class breweries. The Peckhamplex is a small cinema showing art-house films – and lets you bring in your beers. Or head to one of the second-hand bookstores, or nosh on some vegan food at Deserted Cactus. F

or some adult drinks, check out The Prince of Peckham pub for a real down-home local spot. To continue the drinking, head to Peckham Springs for some dance music, or check out Peckham Pool Club to test your luck at pool and hear local DJs performing their sets. For a real neighborhood-vibe where you will be walking amongst the locals, head to Peckham.

4) Dalston

The Rio Cinema Dalston – By Andrew Woodyatt [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

For a day out that you won鈥檛 forget (or maybe will), take you and your crowd to Kingsland Road. Head to Make Coffee first for a little caffeine to jumpstart your day, a little van that serves outside of the Haggerston station.

If you want to move straight to the beer, check out The Haggerston – a trendy, eclectic, but old-school boozing spot that hasn鈥檛 lost any charm.

Now it鈥檚 time for what Dalston is great at – going out. Visions Video Bar is an absolutely mad experience that can鈥檛 be summed up into words – just go there.

La Cabina is a super cool speakeasy bar, that requires you dialing a special code (we鈥檙e not telling) at the telephone box to be let underground.

For a truly debaucherous evening, end your night at The Glory – a combination of sweaty dancing, disco, an interesting characters. Head to Dalston if you鈥檙e the artsy type with a little bit of a wild side.

5) King’s Cross

Canopy Market at Christmas, King’s Cross – Image sourced from their website

Ringing in number five on this foolproof list, we have a neighborhood that might be more known for the train station than anything else – King鈥檚 Cross.

What used to be a spot for all-night raves, this area is now frequented by cafes, galleries, and restaurants. The always-busy area due to the transportation hub, this neighborhood has transformed into a cultural spot in the city.

You can head to the House of Illustration for some education, lay outside at the Granary Square on a hot day, have a glass of champagne at Searcys in St. Pancras, or visit the library.

With Coal Drops Yard and Canopy Market, there are many options here for weekend shopping, cafe-coffee-sipping, and just wandering around and enjoying the ambiance. We recommend heading to this neighborhood if you鈥檙e in the area and want to explore this newly-transformed 鈥榟ood that is so much more than just a train station.聽

6) Hackney Wick

Hackney Wick – By Toa Heftiba heftiba [CC0]

These warehouses have been put to good use, forming new craft breweries, galleries, clubs, and restaurants. The ample amount of space created opportunities for a variety of business ideas to take over, and has transformed the area into a hipster鈥檚 haven. I mean, who doesn鈥檛 love craft beer?

You鈥檒l find this area absolutely packed during the warm summer months (albeit it is still rainy England), with people sitting near the canal, watching the boats, sipping on a cold pint or a strong G&T.

With independent food stalls and great views, this spot is perfect for those who want to get a little outside of the city-feel and still enjoy trendy amenities.

7) Walthamstow

Geograph – By tony waldron聽/聽walthamstow reservoirs

Bringing in lucky number seven, we have Walthamstow. A neighborhood which used to never be mentioned, this area has benefited from the soaring prices in Hackney, seeing an influx of people moving to this area to afford a house and cost of living.

This creative neighborhood boasts numerous arts festivals, thanks to the support network for artists in the area. Be sure to visit God鈥檚 Own Junkyard, a neon paradise that might be a little bright for those with a hangover.

If you are an artist that wants to still afford basic amenities, then moving here is your best bet. You also have Epping Forest and Hackney Marshes right next to you for a taste of the country. We love this spot since you have the convenience of a city, with the escape of nature so close to your door.

8) Notting Hill

Notting Hill and its famous pastel townhouses, photo credit Anizzz from Pixabay.

Number eight on our list belongs to Notting Hill. Located on the Central Line, this neighborhood is home to the famous Portobello Road market, featuring an unlimited amount of antiques.

This area has an interesting diversity that plays into its favor – it has both Afro-Caribbean culture and affluent locals mixed into one melting pot. Combining Michelin-restaurants with international-cuisine food stalls, we like the juxtaposition of cultures, with traditional English pubs next to Caribbean shops.

Head here to experience something different and wander around one of the most famous markets in London.聽

9) Greenwich

Old Royal Naval College: Wikimedia Commons

Next on our list, we have an interesting choice: Greenwich. Maybe not the best area for the nightlife or as trendy as some of our other listings, this area boasts its own charm.

Featuring historical buildings with beautiful architecture, stunning views across the Thames, and various museums, this is a good spot to enjoy an afternoon of cultural learning.

You can also head to one of the outdoor markets that is just steps away once you get off of the DLR. You鈥檒l wind through the cobblestone streets and can head down to the pavilion by the water, complete with a merry-go-round and plenty of people enjoying the sunshine and breeze coming off of the river.

Head here to explore a different part of the city that you might not visit otherwise.

10) Hampstead

Kenwood House, photo by Frederico Lovat sourced from Flickr

Last on this extensive list, we have Hampstead. Boasting more of a village-vibe than the bustling energy of London, we recommend checking out this neighborhood when you want to escape the chaos and enjoy the tranquility that has long attracted artists, writers, and actors.

Surrounded by the open parkland, it feels as if you鈥檝e left the city behind, and you can casually stroll along and peer into the many shops, cafes, or small boutiques.

We think the best part of this neighborhood is Hampstead Heath, featuring various swimming ponds, green space, and fresh air – something that isn鈥檛 easy to come by in London. Taking the Northern Line, you鈥檒l get here from central London in no time.聽

Choose your vibe, and head to the ‘hood

There you have it – London鈥檚 trendiest neighborhoods. If you鈥檙e only visiting London on vacation, you鈥檒l have some trouble hitting all of these areas due to the sheer size of the capital, but we recommend visiting at least a few.

You鈥檒l find each 鈥榟ood will seem to have its own identity, characteristics, culture, and vibe. This is what makes London so enticing – a combination of various boroughs all comprising one melting pot of cultures, people, backgrounds, and ideas.聽聽