London area of Central London guide

What to do and where to stay in London's Central London neighbourhood

While many take Central London to be anything found within the confines of the Circle Line, the official make-up comprises the City of London, most of Westminster, and the inner parts of Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lambeth and Kensington and Chelsea. It is described by the Greater London Authority as "a unique cluster of vitally important activities including central government offices, headquarters and embassies, the largest concentration of London's financial and business services sector and the offices of trade, professional bodies, institutions, associations, communications, publishing, advertising and the media". In 2001, Central London had a population of just over 1.5 million.

See our recommended nearby Central London Hotels, Entertainment, Sights and Attractions, Shopping, Restaurants, Pubs, Nightlife, Leisure, Education, and Meeting Venues.

Central London Hotels

in or near Central London
Corinthia Hotel London
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
Whitehall Place, SW1A
With 294 bedrooms, multi-level penthouse suites and terraces offering spectacular views of the River Thames, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall - the £300 million restoration of the ... More
 
 
 
Rosewood London
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
252 High Holborn, WC1V
Located in High Holborn, Rosewood London is the most luxurious hotel in the area and is nearby to the capital's main business district and a number ... More
 
 
 
The Montague on the Gardens
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
15 Montague Street, WC1B
Overlooking the gardens of Montague Garden Square, this sedate hotel has a peaceful feel even though the British Museum is right next door and Covent Garden's ... More
 
 
 

Central London Entertainment

in or near Central London
PICK
London Coliseum - English National Opera (ENO)
London > Entertainment > Theatres
St Martin's Lane, Central London, London WC2N
London Coliseum is a magnificent historic building and an excellent venue in which to enjoy the soaring sounds and high drama of some truly thrilling operas. ... More
 
 
 
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Savoy Theatre
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Strand, Central London, London WC2R
Situated alongside the Savoy Hotel, the building of the current theatre with its Art Deco auditorium, was financed by Richard d'Oyly Carte with the considerable profits ... More
 
 
 
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Playhouse Theatre
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Northumberland Avenue, Central London, London WC2N
A short step away from the main strip of West End theatres, the Playhouse's stylish curved facade is rather lost among the towering architecture of Charing ... More
 
 
 

Central London Sights and Attractions

The best museums, galleries, attractions in or near Central London
PICK
The Strand Gallery
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
32 John Adam Street, Central London, London WC2N
Part of the Proud Galleries family, Proud Central became The Strand Gallery in 2010 expanding from a photography gallery to an exhibition space for all disciplines ... More
 
 
 
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St Paul's Church, Covent Garden
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Bedford Street, Central London, London WC2E
Affectionately known as "The Actors' Church", St Paul's in Covent Garden is in the heart of theatreland and has long been associated with the theatre community. ... More
 
 
 
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St Martin-in-the-Fields
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Trafalgar Square, Central London, London WC2N
This historic church of St Martin-in-the-Fields overlooking Trafalgar Square was built in 1726 and is the best known work of Scottish architect James Gibbs whose ... More
 
 
 

Central London Shopping

The best shops and markets in or near London's Central London
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Davenports Magic Shop
London > Shopping > Specialists
7 Charing Cross Underground Shopping Arcade, Central London, London WC2N
From budding Harry Potters and bumbling Tommy Coopers to dynamic David Copperfields, Davenports is a haven for magicians of every level and ability. Non-magicians too are ... More
 
 
 
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Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop
London > Shopping > Children's Gifts and Toys
44 The Market, Covent Garden, Central London, London WC2E
This tiny shop in the heart of Covent Garden is crammed full of traditional toys but is probably most famous for its selection of toy theatres ... More
 
 
 
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Lush
London > Shopping > Perfume and Cosmetics
Unit 10 The Piazza Covent Garden, Central London, London WC2E
An overpowering mix of perfumes assaults the nose before you even enter these premises, which offer a huge mix of fizzing bath bombs to suit all ... More
 
 
 

Central London Restaurants

What are the best dining options in or near Central London London?
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Pret A Manger
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
421 The Strand, Central London, London WC2R
Pret sells up market fast food, hand made from natural ingredients, to take away or eat on site, in its trademark no nonsense chrome interiors. The ... More
 
 
 
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Bedford & Strand
London > Restaurants > British restaurants
1a Bedford Street, Central London, London WC2E
British Cuisine... More
 
 
 
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Strand Tandoori
London > Restaurants > Indian/South Asian restaurants
45 Bedford Street, Central London, London WC2E
Indian/South Asian Cuisine... More
 
 
 

Central London Pubs

The best pubs in or near London Central London.
PICK
The Harp
London > Nightlife > Pubs
47 Chandos Place, Central London, London WC2N
The Harp, a welcoming bar in Covent Garden, is a traditional pub where the emphasis is firmly on real ale - earning it CAMRA's National Pub ... More
 
 
 
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Mr Fogg's Tavern
London > Nightlife > Pubs
58 St Martin's Lane, Central London, London WC2N
Themed around explorer Phileas Fogg, this traditional Victorian tavern in the heart of Covent Garden's ... More
 
 
 
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Lamb & Flag
London > Nightlife > Pubs
33 Rose Street, Central London, London WC2E
One of the oldest pubs in London, the Lamb & Flag was once known as the Bucket of Blood, thanks to the bare-knuckle fights held here. ... More
 
 
 

Central London Nightlife

Central London clubs, bars, cabaret nights, casinos and interesting nightlife.
PICK
Gordon's Wine Bar
London > Nightlife > Wine Bars
47 Villiers Street, Central London, London WC2N
Home to Samuel Pepys in the 1680s, the building housing Gordon’s is now home to a regular, thriving crowd of drinkers of all ages and all ... More
 
 
 
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B.Y.O.C
London > Nightlife > Bars
28 Bedfordbury Street, Covent Garden, Central London, London WC2N
A speakeasy bar with a twist, B.Y.O.C is a cocktail bar that doesn't stock any alcohol. But, before snubbing it in disgust, you can relax in ... More
 
 
 
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Library
London > Nightlife > Bars
112 St Martin's Lane , Central London, London WC2N
Private members club housed in a five story town house, with a restaurant, hotel, bar and nightclub. Members are voted in by a committee but it's ... More
 
 
 

Central London Leisure

Central London gyms, sporting activities, health & beauty and fitness.
PICK
Victoria Embankment Gardens
London > Leisure > Parks and Gardens
Victoria Embankment, Villiers Street, Central London, London WC2N
Created in 1874, the Victoria Embankment Gardens run parallel to the River Thames, creating a green walkway between Waterloo Bridge and Embankment, and are dotted with ... More
 
 
 
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The Sanctuary
London > Leisure > Fitness
12 Floral Street, Central London, London WC2E
This day spa exclusively for women is a total pampering experience from the minute you step through the door. Located in bustling Covent Garden you'll soon ... More
 
 
 
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ESPA Life at Corinthia
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
Whitehall Place, Central London, London SW1A
The people at Espa take grooming pretty seriously, and quite rightly, when it comes to appearances it's often best to leave it to the experts. You'll ... More
 
 
 

Central London Education

in or near Central London
PICK
Courtauld Institute of Art
London > Education > Arts and Drama
Somerset House, Central London, London WC2R
The Courtauld is one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, affiliated with the Oxbridge system and boasting a huge private location and prime ... More
 
 
 
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Saw Swee Hock Student Centre
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
1 Sheffield Street, Central London, London WC2A
The award-winning Saw Swee Hock Student Centre, designed by Irish architects O'Donnell + Tuomey and awarded the RIBA London Building of the Year Award in 2014, ... More
 
 
 
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English [Out There!]
London > Education > English Language Courses
10 Coptic Street, Central London, London WC1A
English [Out There!] takes a very hands-on approach to learning English. The course places an emphasis on using what you have learned. Students are taken out ... More
 
 
 

Central London Meeting Venues

Where to have your meeting, conference, exhibition, private dining or training course in or near Central London.
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Royal Society Of Arts
London > Business > Venue Hire
8 John Adam Street, Central London, London WC2N
... More
 
 
 
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St Martins Lane Hotel
London > Business > Venue Hire
45 St. Martin's Lane, Central London, London WC2N
To enter the stunning St Martins Lane Hotel in the heart of London's Theatreland you pass through the tallest revolving door in London, a luminescent yellow-glass ... More
 
 
 
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Odeon, Leicester Square
London > Business > Venue Hire
24-26 Leicester Square, Central London, London WC2H
One of London's biggest cinemas, the Odeon Leicester Square regularly plays host to premieres and awards ceremonies as well as screening the week's big releases. Aside ... More
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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