London travel tips

On those precious sunny London days, there’s no better feeling than sitting outside with a drink. Pub gardens have their time and place, but in a city growing taller by the day, there are more and more places where you can get up high. Here’s our pick of the best rooftop bars in London.

Taken from the new Pocket Rough Guide , this is our pick of the best pubs in London .

Until recently I knew relatively little about beer. I assumed that crystal malt had something to do with Breaking Bad. I was blissfully unaware (vegetarians, look away) that fish bladders are used in the beer filtration process at most breweries. And I had absolutely no idea that Gordon Brown had been hailed as the «patron saint of craft brewing» after introducing tax breaks to small breweries in 2002.

London’s wacky and unusual attractions are guaranteed to capture the imagination of those who are brave enough to find them. Adam Bennett follows the footsteps of murderers, surgeons and pathologists to discover some truly bizarre objects in the best weird museums in London.

For 140 years the Caledonian Sleeper has been carrying passengers from late evening in London to sunrise in Scotland . But how much has it changed? Travel writer Ben Lerwill checks in to discover that the romance of rail travel has not been lost on this timeless journey.

London is a cyclist’s nightmare, so they say. Bus drivers cackle as they deliberately squeeze commuters onto the pavement, pedestrians wander into busy roads with complete disregard for silent pedallers, and what about the smoggy, toxic city air? There's no doubt that cycling in the heart of London can be a bit of a slog, but there’s still hope for those city dwellers with itchy calves. Away from the congested centre there is a whole host of scenic, low-traffic bike routes available; here are five of my favourite ways to escape the big smoke on two wheels, ranging from a laid-back day in south London to a 100-mile epic to the coast.

Rough Guides turns 30 this year, and to celebrate former publisher and RG founder Martin Dunford has rounded up some great places to visit no more than thirty minutes by public transport from London. For more on great things to do, see and consume throughout the UK, see Martin's latest venture, www.coolplaces.co.uk

The East London borough of Hackney is booming, particularly with regard to new restaurants, cafés, bars and speciality delis. Alongside long-established Vietnamese and Turkish eateries you’ll now find a Swedish corner café, a Ghanaian pop-up and even a farmyard bistro . A funky restaurant aesthetic has emerged, characterized by bare bulbs, monastic wooden benches and fresh local ingredients artfully displayed. This is a guide to eating in the area, which will take you on a trail from old classics to new independent restaurants to some alternative choices that are well off the beaten track.

Historic, sprawling, sleepless: London is a wonderful place to visit. Monuments from the capital’s glorious past are everywhere, while you’ll also find cultural and culinary delights from across the globe. Accommodation in London, however, is expensive. But with a little savvy you can get some great deals – just don’t expect a mansion for the price of a garret. Start planning your trip with our guide to the best area to stay in London.

For a city of its size, London might not immediately spring to mind when you think of places to enjoy rewarding walks. But in fact, over a third of this history-rich, culture-rich city comprises green spaces — from royal parks and ancient woodlands, to lush-in-nature reclaimed industrial hubs. Explore our guide and discover the best walks in London.

Visiting London, it’s hard to imagine the UK is staggering its way out of a recession. Lamborghinis continue to roar down Bond Street, new restaurants pop up each week and in the hip East End, one can find many drinking 5 quid espresso drinks. However, there are plenty of budget-friendly things to do in London. Here is our guide to the best free things to do in London.

It’s no secret that, for Brits, tea is not just tea – it’s a national institution, and one of the best things to do in England. All too often, though, treating yourself to an afternoon tea can mean eating tiny sandwiches and slightly dry slices of cake, then paying £50 for the privilege. Those days are over – we’ve done all the arduous research for you, so you can enjoy an altogether more appetising experience. Let us help you find the best afternoon tea in London with our favourites.

When it comes to sartorial moments in the movies, there’s perhaps none as legendary—or as timeless—as when Elizabeth James, portrayed by the late Natasha Richardson, graces the screen in the Nancy Meyers reboot of The Parent Trap. A London-based wedding dress designer, James is the type of character who instantly exudes chic, effortless style. From her first scene, where she dons a cream, sleeveless boatneck shift dress, to the memorable mini black dress and relaxed-fit blue button-down she packs for her reunion with Nick Parker in California, James’ wardrobe is a defining factor of the film.

Low-cost Icelandic airline Play is making the dream of a trip to Europe a reality with 35 percent off flights to popular destinations across the continent this fall.