Big Ben, Tower Bridge, London Eye, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. For the average London resident, these landmarks are places they’ve no doubt passed by more times than they can count. This is why it’s important for students moving to London for the duration of their studies to look beyond the tourist attractions, which won’t be enough to keep you occupied in your day-to-day lives, and instead consider what the broader London areas have to offer. Which begs the question – which part of London is best for students and what do they all have?
North London
Starting off strong with North London is only right with the recent online traction its local gems have garnered over the years.
Camden Market
For students feeling nostalgic or have recently become a fan after witnessing Marisa Abela stun in her portrayal of Amy Winehouse earlier this year in cinemas, Camden Market is the perfect place to visit whilst passing through her old stomping grounds of Camden Town where her statue and murals are also located. Packed with over a thousand stalls selling food, cosmetics, jewellery, shoes, accessories, and much more, it is no surprise the market is filled with bustling crowds day in and day out.
BOXPARK Wembley
Having joined as the third addition to its fellow branches in south and east London, BOXPARK Wembley is a strong contender for a great night out for students. Filled with street food vendors such as Greek cuisine Smashing Plates and Sides, founded by social media savvy group the Sidemen and regular affordable events, Box Park Wembley is perfect for students.
The British Library
The British Library (the national library of the UK) serves as a must visit for studious young people also looking to be culturally enriched with the option of going to view some of their regular exhibitions.
Venues
North London is also packed with small venues, arenas, and stadiums for those wanting to catch their favourite artists on stage or cheer on their favourite team, ranging from small venues such as KOKO, OVO Arena Wembley to the Emirates Stadium.
South London
For South London natives there are many fun and interactive activities for students to visit and participate in. From Bromley to Bexley, Lewisham to Lambeth and Southwark to Greenwich, South London is loaded with great days and nights out than given credit for. Located in The Royal Borough of Greenwich, Greenwich Market is a must go for market lovers with over one hundred and twenty stalls with a multi-continental food range, antiques, jewellery and so much more.
The O2
Discussing sights in Greenwich would be impossible without mentioning the O2. Located in the heart of SE10 with a capacity of up to twenty thousand people, The O2 is the perfect venue to see your Favourite artist, cheer on your favourite team or podcaster live. For the thrill seekers within the city, for the price of £35/40, The O2 offers the once-in-a-lifetime experience of climbing the arena itself or for £6 to £12 depending on your journey, go sky high on the IFS Cloud Cable Cars at the neighbouring Greenwich Peninsula all the way to the Royal Docks.
Borough Market
Unwilling to travel to Greenwich? For Southwark, Lambeth and Bermondsey residents Borough Market is the perfect substitute, with the same variety of stalls if not more why not visit and indulge in some of the viral food sold by their traders, whether it be the mouthwatering paella sold at Bomba Paella or the delicious apple crumble over at Humble Crumble.
Museums & Galleries
South London is also home to many museums, such as the Imperial War Museum, Dulwich Picture Gallery, National Maritime Museum as well as some of London’s most iconic museums in the southwest of London, such as Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum.
East London
Regarding student attractions, East London goes under the radar, but for one reason or the other, as a London resident you will find your way there – so why not be informed on some of the many things to do or places to visit? Start off strong with BOXPARK’s flagship branch in Shoreditch as a great recommendation for students residing locally looking to socialise, dine in and attend their regular events. For the TikTok-guided food fanatics, why not take a trip over to Brick Lane and decide for yourself which bagel reigns superior between Beigel Bake and Beigel Shop?
Museums & Tours
Historians can make their way over to Aldgate East and venture out on the Jack The Ripper Tour or visit The Museum of London Docklands, Young V & A or The Museum of Home.
Parks and leisure activities
Nestled in the borough of Tower Hamlets, Victoria Park is a must visit, whether it be to run a 5k, enjoy a picnic with friends or attend one of their festivals held regularly during the summer months. Lastly, why not dive in the waters of past medalists over at the London Aquatics Centre, where history was made back in 2012 for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
West London
Aside from being the most affluent area of the city, West London serves as a tourist magnet for both its visitors and residents, from the irresistible restaurants to the Instagram aesthetic neighbourhoods and more. Looking for a quiet day out, why not explore Little Venice and head on to the waters and take a trip on a narrowboat with Jenny Wren Canal Cruises?
Food & Portobello Road
For fans of the affluent cast of Made in Chelsea, why not dine at one of the many restaurants their viral scenes have previously been filmed, such as The Bluebird Restaurant, The Aubrey, or BoysnBerry. Open seven days a week, Portobello Road Market is a mandatory visit for antique lovers, with it being the world’s largest antiques market having over a thousand dealers situated distributing all the antiques or collectibles they can think of.
Theatre & Venues
Fans of theatre can make their way down to the West End. Packed with a never-ending chain of theatres from The Novello, Palace, Phoenix, and more theatre lovers have the chance to watch some of the hottest musicals and plays about for their limited runs, ranging from Grammy award-winning musical Hamilton, Back to the Future, A View From The Bridge or Guys & Dolls. With a capacity of five thousand, the Eventim Apollo is great for a night out with a variety of shows to see ranging from artists, musicals, and comedians, something for everyone to enjoy. Fans of period dramas can visit Syon House and view where some of their favourite shows were filmed, such as Downton Abbey and Shonda Rhimes’ latest hit series on Netflix Bridgerton. Local museums available to visit are The National Gallery, Museum of Brands, The British Museum, Design Museum, Leighton House and more.
From covering all parts of the city as listed above, it is clear that there is not a single part of London not worth visiting and the answer to my question posed previously is subjective, so I ask you the question back. Which part of London is the best for students? Check out the link here for a list of free things to do in London.
