Amongst the world’s 20 most visited cities, as per a report by market researcher Euromonitor that computed total arrivals in 2015, London (18.6 million) ranks third after Hong Kong (26.6 million) and Bangkok (18.7 million). The 20th city on the list, Pattaya had 7.49 million arrivals that year. London has often been likened, and more so recently, to dynamic cities such as New York, Milan London is an attractive destination for visitors and investors from the world over. Neha Gupta Kapoor finds out why and Paris — some of the most vibrant on the globe. Just like them, London is fluent in international gastronomy, art, culture and architecture. In 2015, BBC stated that 37 per cent Londoners were born outside the UK. A visitor can very well sample global lifestyles in this city that has zones earmarked by various ethnicities. Walking through them can trick the mind into believing it is in another world altogether — for example mini-India in Southall in the west, a Bangladeshi society in Brick Lane in the east and Peckham in southeast London evidently follows Jamaican lifestyle. Then there is the hipster culture in and around Old Street, punk and rock ’n’ roll in Camden Town and a more eclectic vibe in the lanes of Soho. There is something to do for all types of audiences in London.
ART AND CULTURE
For something off-beat, the culturally hungry modernists will find an ongoing eccentric collection of events and festivals at Hackney, Peckham and Brixton — all in zone 2. As they still have old industrial buildings, real estate is cheap in these areas, making it easier for students to rent housing. This is also why performing experimental theatre and shows by aspiring artists are a rage in these parts — old warehouses are commonly rented out for events. Check the local media for information on such happenings. For the more recognised cultural institutes, take the tube to Holborn to visit British Museum, and to High Street Kensington for Science Museum. South Kensington has Natural History Museum, and Victoria and Albert Museum . The latter is also where you will find interesting art exhibits from time to time. Of course, no art walk in London is complete without a stop at Saatchi Gallery. In April 2016, The Art Newspaper’s Exhibition and Museum Attendance Survey stated that in the last five years, 15 of the 20 most visited art exhibits in London were displayed here. Others on the list included National Gallery and Tate Modern . Shakespeare too began his acting and writing career in the British capital. Just off the banks of River Thames is Shakespeare’s Globe . It is a theatre and exhibition space “dedicated to the exploration of Shakespeare’s work”. Royal National Theatre is another iconic entertainment house in London with four auditoriums — Olivier, Lyttelton, Dorfman and Temporary. It also has eating and drinking facilities that include the popular restaurant, House for European cuisine. Of course there are many other theatres in the city, it really depends on what you want to see. Head to the street between Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus tube stations. This is where you will find a number of booths vending tickets for the famous musicals that perform in London year round.
FOOD AND DRINK
The city literally never sleeps. Venture out at 4am and you’re likely to find kebab shops, pizza parlours and Chinese takeaways serving a busy counter. The clientele is either people working until (very) late or those returning from a wild night out. As for the tastes, they’re close to authentic. Earlier still, continuing on the search for “street” foods, one can find English pies, Indian samosas and chicken curry at certain stations such as London Bridge and St Pancras. For those who believe that food should please the eyes first London has some of the world’s leading speciality restaurants. The more recent ones include the likes of Margot, an Italian venue in Covent Garden; grills and British fare at Temple and Sons; and Nordic eatery, Aquavit whose sister venue in New York has two Michelin stars. London has its own Michelin star restaurants too — 55 restaurants with one Michelin star, nine with two Michelin stars and two with three Michelin stars. As for Indian food, there are options of Michelin star restaurants like Benares and Tamarind, and quirky ones such as Dishoom and Gymkhana that impress with their innovative off erings.