Lonely Planet Best of London

One of the worlds great and most visited cities, London has something for everyone: from culture to fi ne food and a buzzing party scene. Its energy is intoxicating and its diversity inspiring.

This city is deeply multicultural, with one in three Londoners foreign-born. Britain may have voted for Brexit (although the majority of Londoners didnt), but London remains one of the worlds most cosmopolitan cities, and diversity infuses daily life, food, music, fashion and art. It inspires festivals such as the now-famed Notting Hill Carnival, and the new annual Borough of Culture celebrations.

London is also a city of contrasts. On the one hand, it is constantly changing: witness the evolving skyline, with its statement skyscrapers; the endless stream of new restaurants, pop-up bars and concept stores; and the myriad new artists, from fashion designers to musicians, that have emerged from its creative milieu. No matter how often you visit, youll always find something new.

On the other hand, this thirst for innovation has been facilitated by a strong sense of history and of how London came to be London. The citys buildings are striking milestones in a unique and beguiling biography, and many of them Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London are instantly recognisable landmarks. Amazingly, all this history and culture leave glorious amounts of green spaces, which are a joy to explore or relax in.

Culture and sports will be high on the list for 2020 hello Euro football tournament and London Design Biennale! There are many smaller events happening too, and plenty of lifes small pleasures to enjoy in the capitals ever changing eating and drinking scene.

Top Festivals & Events

Brent: London Borough of Culture 2020, year-long

Wimbledon Championships, June-July

UEFA Euro 2020 Final, July

Notting Hill Carnival, August

London Design Biennale, September

January

The new year in London kicks off with a big bang at midnight. London is in the throes of winter, with short days: light appears at 8am and is all but gone by 4pm.

TADEUSZ IBROM/SHUTTERSTOCK

Bridget Riley Exhibition

Oct 2019Jan 2020

A major retrospective of the British artist at the Hayward Gallery, including her celebrated black and white Op Art works and stripe paintings, perceptual artwork and representational pieces, as well as her colour art. It features Rileys most famous work and rarer (as well as new) creations.