Holiday homes & rentals in London

London, one of the world’s greatest cities, is home to world-class art, restaurants, and historic sights. It's also an exciting and invigorating city for a family holiday. Here you can experience the epitome of European sophistication and history, while also enjoying life in a modern and cosmopolitan environment.

Whatever your interests are, London will cater to them in abundance on your trip - and they’ll probably be among the best in the world. With a London holiday letting or hotel, you can be right at the heart of the action in this spellbinding city.

How to Get to Your London Holiday Accommodation

London is well-served by a range of transport options. It's easy to get there by train or coach from anywhere else in the UK. Five large airports - London City, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and the largest, Heathrow - are within easy distance of the city centre. Public transport and taxis are available at all airports, and it's easy to get to your holiday apartment or hotel by train or bus.

The Best Food to Eat on Your London Holiday

Given London's status as a multicultural capital city, it should come as no surprise that its food and drink options are endless, but what are London's must-try dishes? Wherever you stay, you'll find plenty of dining options near to your holiday apartment - from Michelin-starred dining to wood-fired pizza, and many things in between. Choose from a mix of modern and traditional dining experiences to make your London holiday complete.

Dinerama Street Food Market Head to vibrant Shoreditch for an exciting street food experience. This street food market and food court offers dishes to suit all tastes, including unique ice cream treats, handmade pasta, Caribbean barbecue, and Szechuan calamari. With rum, gin, and cocktail bars and resident DJs, Dinerama also offers a great night out.

Duck and Waffle Enjoy dining at one of London's top restaurant and be treated to stunning views of the capital and an eclectic menu. Don't miss their signature dish of confit duck leg, fried egg, and waffle, or order the spicy ox cheek doughnuts or grilled meat to share. Its 24-hour opening means you can visit for a midnight feast or early breakfast.

Dominique Ansel Bakery Famous as the founder of the cronut and serving up delicious 'Cronuts of the Month', this Belgravia bakery has some irresistible sweet and savoury treats. Don't miss their afternoon teas, some of which come with specialities such as Canadian-butter-poached lobster rolls. Pre-book a cronut pick-up and take dessert back to your apartment hotel.

Goddards At Greenwich No stay at a London holiday apartment would be complete without sampling the iconic Cockney dish, pie and mash. Making handmade pies with suet and flaky pastry since 1890, this stalwart of the East End marinates and simmers its meat for hours to create a range of fillings. There are also gluten-free menu options.

What weather Can You Expect on Your London Holiday?

No one visits London for the weather, which on any given day can be grey and rainy. However, that’s not to say London doesn’t also receive sunshine during the summer - it does. Whenever you’re visiting, pack waterproof clothing just in case the inevitable happens. You'll always have your London holiday apartment to retreat to, alongside London's wealth of museums and sights.

What to See and Do in London

Rent a holiday letting or apartment hotel in central London, and there will be too many attractions to count located nearby! Some of the most famous include Buckingham Palace, the Royal residence; Westminster Abbey, a Gothic church that is the resting place for many of the country’s most famous residents from history; Big Ben; and St. Paul’s Cathedral, the city’s most famous religious building.

These sights will get you warmed up for the rest of the attractions. Take a trip on the London Eye for fantastic views of the city, walk through history as your explore the murky secrets of the London Tower, and get educational at the British Museum, an excellent place to immerse yourself in world history and see the Rosetta Stone firsthand.

Art and Culture in London

London is one of the global centres for the arts, with many galleries, concert venues, and theatre shows dotted across the city. The good news is that most museums in London are free!

The National Gallery is the place to be for historic art, with pieces from the 13th to the 20th century - including by giants like da Vinci, Renoir, and Van Gogh - filling the large museum in Trafalgar Square. The nearby National Portrait Gallery is also a must, and features portraits of many of the UK’s most iconic figures, such as Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth, and King Henry VIII.

Modern art lovers will find small galleries all across the city, but if you only visit one, make it the Tate Modern, which features works from 1900 to the present day and is a leader in its field.

Holidays in London With Kids

Let your children discover the history, art, and culture of the capital. Holiday lets in London tend to be small flats that are either Victorian or modern in style. There are occasionally gardens on offer and you may get a balcony with a view over the rooftops of the city. The flats tend to be smaller in the centre of London but you will be close to major attractions.

One of the best ways to get your bearings in London is to take a trip on the London Eye. You can see some of the most famous sights of the city from this 135m-tall Ferris wheel. Try to time your trip around sunset to watch the city lights come on. Book a private capsule with snacks for a unique experience.

Head to Greenwich for a boat trip on the Thames. These guided tours provide a detailed and interesting history of the Thames and its part in the growth of London. You will see many famous landmarks from the boat such as Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament. In Greenwich, you can visit the Greenwich Meridian and learn about the importance of this location.

A hop-on and hop-off tour enables you to easily see the major sights of London with children and get off the bus to explore when you want too. The bus offers kids activity packs for younger children that will keep them entertained during the guided tour. There are five bus routes that cover all the important attractions in the city.

The largest and oldest toy store in the world is located in London. Hamleys toy store is housed over six levels and is world famous for having a number of play stations where you can play with the toys before you buy them. Children and adults will happily spend a few hours exploring this store and having fun playing with the toys.

Explore London's Events From Your Holiday Letting

London is a beehive of activity throughout the year, with many events taking place that draw hundreds of thousands of people, giving the city a great atmosphere. Perhaps the most colourful is Notting Hill Carnival, a two-day celebration that takes place in August. Europe’s biggest street festival, the event brings hundreds of thousands of people together for two days of music, colour, and West Indies-inspired music and dance.

In June, ‘Trooping the Colour’ takes place. This is a celebration of the Queen’s birthday in which soldiers, in full red costume and hats, are greeted by the Queen and many thousands of people holding the national flag. It’s not to be missed by anyone who has a soft spot for the royal family.

In November, you can celebrate the capture of the famous plotter Guy Fawkes by joining the locals for some fireworks as part of Bonfire Night. You can see fireworks erupt over the Houses of Parliament - the same building Fawkes attempted to blow up - or head to one of the many large shows that take place across London and beyond.

Self-catering in London Holiday Homes

London is a great city to visit, but it can be an expensive one. With a London holiday letting or rental, you’ll have the option of making your own food in the comfort of your holiday home.

London is a living, breathing city with many large food stores, convenience corner stores, and boutique shops where you can buy delicacy and hard-to-find foods. For a true London experience, buy your food from one of the city’s great food markets, such as Camden Lock Market or Borough Market (which dates back to the 13th century!)

The Best Attractions to Visit on Your London Holiday

British Museum

With over 8 million works in its permanent collection, this museum documents the tale of human cultural evolution from thousands of years ago up to the present day.

Tower of London

This medieval fortress, situated on the River Thames, was formerly a prison. Today, it is home to the Crown Jewels and is steeped fascinating history.

Big Ben

Rising above the Palace of Westminster is London's iconic clock tower - in fact, Big Ben is the nickname for the giant bell. The beautiful neo-Gothic architecture and chiming bells can be seen and heard across the city.

Houses of Parliament

As the political heart of the United Kingdom, the Houses of Parliament represent the seat of democracy. These buildings that stretch across the Thames' north bank can be explored as part of a guided tour.

Tower Bridge

Built in the late 19th century, Tower Bridge has become synonymous with London. Traverse the high-level walkway for panoramic views of the city.

Frequently Asked Questions