Visiting London for the first time can be a little overwhelming. That’s because it’s one of the most spread-out capital cities in the world, with each neighbourhood offering its own distinct charms. Ask any Londoner for advice and it’ll be steeped in favouritism: whether that’s north vs. south of the river, or east vs. west. In our opinion, you can’t go wrong in central London, both for ease of seeing the attractions and for the most authentic experience. Handily, our pubs with rooms are located in Notting Hill, Belgravia and Marylebone, putting them right at the centre of the action.
Cubitt House boutique hotels in Notting Hill, Belgravia, Marylebone
Look, hotels are nice and all, but what about the charm of a country pub with rooms in central London? For us, they’re more intimate, definitely cosier, and you’re only ever 30 seconds from the bar – perfect! A clutch of our pubs offer boutique experiences in London, including The Princess Royal in Notting Hill, The Orange in Belgravia and The Grazing Goat in Marylebone. The Orange has recently been renovated, lovingly restoring it to its former glory, with eight gorgeously designed bedrooms decorated using pieces by local artisans in the Pimlico Design District. All of our rooms come with king-sized beds and 100 Acre toiletries in the bathrooms.
What to do on a first time visit to London
Any first time visit to the capital requires an action plan. After all, with so much to see and do, you really need to narrow down exactly what’s non-negotiable for you!
If you’re into your history, then head to the Tower of London to discover the truth behind some of our gorier tales, or the London Dungeons, if you can stomach it.
Art aficionados will love the National Gallery, which is conveniently only a few minutes walk from the National Portrait Gallery, too. To make a full day of the museums, your best bet is South Kensington, which is home to the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and the V&A, with plenty to entertain kids here too.
Looking to shop? Oxford Street and Regent Street have all the quintessential high street stores, with nearby Bond Street offering designer goods too, or there’s always Knightsbridge, with world-famous department stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols. For something a bit more boutique, Covent Garden’s warren-like cobbled streets have many joys in store – don’t forget to take a peek at one of the mime acts or magicians while you’re there.
If you’d rather just soak up the atmosphere, then we would recommend catching one of the local red routemaster buses – the 21 has a great route alongside some of the most famous attractions – or go one further and catch the Thames Clipper along the river. While you’re by the South Bank, you might as well go on the London Eye to get great views across London, watch some of the street performers, or check out a play at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Famous landmarks close to our pubs to visit
Our central London location means that many of the capital’s landmarks are right on our doorstep. At The Princess Royal, you’re a hop, skip and a jump from Portobello Road Market, as well as London’s oldest cinema, The Electric. Meanwhile at The Orange, you’re not far from the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, or Hyde Park, not to mention the shops and theatres of the West End. Situated near Oxford Circus, you’re also ideally located for travelling on the Central, Bakerloo or Victoria lines across London. Meanwhile, The Grazing Goat’s Marylebone location means you’re within walking distance of Madame Tussauds and the London Planetarium, as well as the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Regents Park, including ZSL London Zoo.
Best of London cuisine
British cuisine sometimes gets a bad rap, but actually, we think it’s pretty good! There are a few quintessential meals you should try and tick off while you’re visiting the capital, starting with a Full English, which we serve at the majority of our pubs. If you’re looking for something slightly different, you could always go for The Orange’s Mediterranean take, with fennel sausage, pancetta, cannellini beans and focaccia. Next up, it’s fish and chips, ideally wrapped in newspaper, with lashings of salt and vinegar, and curry sauce on the side. The Thomas Cubitt has an excellent take on it, if you’re after something slightly more elevated, with tartare sauce and mushy peas. Pies and scotch eggs are also standard fare, if you can find them (we love The Grazing Goat’s scotch egg with chop sauce) but the big ticket item is definitely a Sunday Roast – our pubs do an elevated version, albeit with all the desired trimmings.
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