Articles

Browse Articles  »  Travel  »  Which do you prefer East or West London?

Which do you prefer East or West London?

by Jhon Smith Blogger

London is a terrific city to spend a holiday in. With countless attractions to visit and explore, it is a tourist paradise that attracts tourists in hordes, millions to be precise every year. With numerous historic attractions and landmarks complemented by modern architectural marvels, it is a city that has a character that is unique to others in the world. 

Being a tourist hub there is a wide variety of accommodation to choose from to stay at, when in London. From fine luxury hotels like the shaftesbury premier london piccadilly to budget accommodation, there is a wide variety of places to stay at, which cater to visitors on various budgets.  Most visitors to London face the conundrum at some time or the other, as to which is better East or West London? The fact is that both are rather different and preferences generally differ with some loving the bohemianism of the East, while other hail the chic and trendy environs of West London.

This distinction has existed over the ages with it becoming more pronounced with the advent of the industrial revolution in the early 1800s. One the city began to take shape as a metropolis most of the affluent and well to do settled in the west part of the city. Its leafy suburbs made them ideal sanctuaries to stay in comfort and style. Another factor that weighed in to the benefit of west London was the wind that blew primarily from the west towards the east which made the setting up of industrial centres in the east more feasible.  With coal fuelling the industrial development at that time its toxic fumes were directed towards the North Sea far from the majority of the city’s inhabitants. The town planning that began then also lead to the class divide between the residents of the east and the west, which does continue still to an extent today.

Over the years the distinction has definitely begun to blur. While the west has some of the top prominent tourist attractions like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey to name just a few, the east is a hub of street art, creativity and ethnic diversity. There has been steady flow of investment in the recent years, which has left the east end with an eclectic blend of the new and old, the sophisticated and the grungy. One of the trendier venues to visit in the East End is McQueen known for its fine restaurants and great cocktail bars.

In fact for those who love to club and party the perfect place to do so is Shoreditch renowned for its fine selection of bars and clubs. One such place to have a gala time is The Hoxton Pony ideal for a younger crowd which serves its own unique take of ‘Tea at the Ritz’. Visitors can enjoy their afternoon ‘tea’ at the Pony, which instead of tea serves an infusion of cocktails.  After a few rounds of these you will not feel the need for any other!

Then the west part of London has its own share of chain pubs that can be found in most of the major cities in the UK. It also is home to some of the most exclusive places to hang out with friends, with places like Gordon’s wine bar. A visit to Gordon’s makes one feel as if they have travelled back in time to the 1800s. It was started in 1890 and is reputed to be out of the oldest wine bars in the city. A great place to spend a cold winter having a tipple!  During the summer the best place to spend time at is the famous Kensington Roof Gardens. One of the most scenic spots in the city to wine and dine its magnificent setting makes it unique, and also is the place where you can find a celebrity or two popping in to party.

Best places to shop: London is well known for its numerous markets with Brick Lane in the east being one of the best places to be on a Sunday. The reason being on Sundays the place comes alive with entertainment, live music, designers and lots more to see and buy. It is also the spot where food lovers can sample a wide variety of cuisines ranging from Pakistani to Ethiopian, shop around for clothes created by new and upcoming designers, pick up knickknacks and accessories and generally have a lot of fun. Whether it the live music or shopping at any of the numerous stalls it is one of the most vibrant spots to visit on the weekend.

A visit to Colombia Market on a Sunday is one of the finest experiences in London. Its flower market is renowned the world over for its exotic scented flowers and even if you have no plans of buying anything it is well worth visiting, just for the experience. It is one of the most charming markets to visit in the East End.

Then of course there is Portobello Market in Notting Hill that lies in the West End of the city. It achieved its legendary status as one of the most well known markets in the world, especially after the Hollywood blockbuster that was eponymously titles ‘Notting Hill’ that featured Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant was shot here.  Portobello market derived its name from a tiny Caribbean town known as Peurto Bello. It certainly is one of the most picturesque locations in the city of London and visitors to the area can spend a complete afternoon exploring its numerous stalls, and feasting on the many delicacies that are sold here. While there is a plethora of items on display all through the week, the weekend is the best time to visit the place, to have a splendid time here! 

Sponsor Ads


About Jhon Smith Advanced   Blogger

83 connections, 0 recommendations, 214 honor points.
Joined APSense since, March 8th, 2014, From London, United Kingdom.

Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

Comments

No comment, be the first to comment.
Please sign in before you comment.