Luma Hotel

When travelling to London, a first time visitor will want to explore the iconic sights of the city such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London but those who have experienced London several times maybe looking for something a little bit more. Shoreditch is an up and coming part of London, a place that has grown in popularity due to its creative culture, its quirky shops and delicious street food. It is a great place to explore for those who are already familiar with the more tourist parts of the city.

Shoreditch’s Street Art

Street art is one of the many attractions of Shoreditch; much of the art around London can be found in its galleries but Shoreditch likes to showcase its art on its street. Graffiti artists flock from all over the city to showcase their designs in this borough of London and, in turn, this attracts a huge following from art lovers and photographers to tourists that come from hotels in West London just to appreciate the creativity. Brick Lane and Redchurch Street are the places to go to see some breathtaking art but, if you are a budding artist or simply have an interest, then Shoreditch Street Art Tours are available with expert guides who will give you an insight into the area and the people behind the street art.

Shoreditch’s Street Food

As with many areas of London, Shoreditch is filled with restaurants, bars and cafes but the one thing that it is famous throughout the city for is its street food. Head to the Food Village for a huge choice of food including steak, churrios, burritos and pizza and admire its unique eclectic interior. The Food Village can be quite busy but the new Pump Street Food Market is bigger and offers a much wider range of food including Japanese hot dogs which are one of the best sellers there. If you’re a food lover, it is worth a trip to these two food destinations.

Shoreditch’s Boutiques

Unlike the rest of the city, Shoreditch’s shopping venues are mainly boutiques that offer a quirky array of items. About 30 minutes from LUMA Hotel central London, Redchurch Street is filled to the brim with an incredible amount of shops that all offer something unique; there is Le Labo holds a wonderful selection of perfumes that can be mixed together to create your very own scent right there and then, contemporary designers that are up and coming on the red carpet and oldie-worldie clothing shops that will have you reminiscing about your childhood. It is a great place for visitors who aren’t looking for the standard London memorabilia.

A Shoreditch Night Out

There is a general theme of uniqueness to Shoreditch and its nightlife is not different. The Book Club is a restaurant by day and a bar by night and offers something different in the way of nighttime entertainment, Ping-Pong tables. It is such a fun way to socialise and is a great way to get everyone talking. If Ping-Pong isn’t your thing, the Pillow Cinema offers a rooftop cinema experience but with the comfort of beanbags and blankets. There are a range of filsm on offer, from classics to new releases, so check their schedule before hand and always book in advance as it is a popular choice in the area.

The Hammersmith Apollo (which is now officially known as the Eventim Apollo) is a Grade II listed building in the heart of Hammersmith which has been open as an entertainment venue since the early 1930s.  The exterior doesn’t lend much to the imagination but once inside visitors get to appreciate the stunning art deco interior which looks much the same as it once did, complete with the original Compton pipe organ which was installed when the theatre was built. 

The Hammersmith Apollo has had a string of owners and names but has continued to be a firm fixture in Hammersmith and is as popular with visitors today as it ever was.  It was once the city’s largest all-seater venue with a 3,600 capacity for seated shows and a 5,000 capacity for standing-room only performances.  It hosts a varied programme of events throughout the year from live music gigs from popular artists and bands to comedic performances from international comedians.  Many famous names have performed at the Hammersmith Apollo throughout the years including the likes of The Beatles and Queen and it is also the venue for ‘Live at the Apollo’ the well known BBC1 television show.

If you are specifically coming to London for a show at the Hammersmith Apollo then it makes sense that you would also look for hotels near Hammersmith Apollo but if you are travelling in from further afield then it is very easy to access via public transport; the Hammersmith tube station is less than 5 minutes walk and Baron’s Court tube station less than 10 minutes walk from the theatre.  There are two car parks within walking distance of the Apollo theatre and two overground rail stations as well.

If you plan to spend the whole night around the Hammersmith area, whether you are booked somewhere local such as the LUMA Hotel Central London or further afield, there are a number of restaurants which would be excellent places to dine out either before or after your show at the Hammersmith Apollo.  These include a variety of options from pubs and gastro-pubs such as the Duke of Cornwall, The Yardbird and The Distillers to restaurants such as Rangrez, Lala Brasserie and Leon Hammersmith.  For those coming to the area on a budget there are also a number of cafes which make very cost-effective options and these include Truth and Antipode.

Any one of the pubs mentioned above would also be a great place to grab a drink after enjoying a show but Hammersmith is well known for its great bars and pubs so you will have a good number of options to choose from whether you want to go somewhere upmarket and enjoy a couple of cocktails or you are happy with a decent atmosphere and a well priced pint.  Lots of Hammersmith’s pubs and bars are also excellent live music venues so you may well be treated to two performances in one evening if you time your visit well.

When it comes to popular areas to explore in London, Shepherd’s Bush is probably one which doesn’t feature highly on many lists and yet this lesser known part of West London is actually home to a number of worthwhile attractions.  From shopping to art, picturesque open spaces to trendy wine bars, there is all this and more to be discovered in Shepherd’s Bush.  To get you started on your exploration we have put together a list of our favourite places:-

Westfield London

If you want to indulge in some retail therapy whilst in London then you can’t go wrong with the Westfield London shopping mall.  One of the largest shopping malls in the UK, there are over 250 stores in Westfield London from high street brands to department stores.  There is also a high-end retail area which is known as ‘The Village’ and is home to a number of designer brands including the likes of Burberry, Miu Miu and Tiffany & Co.

KidZania London

Families haven’t been forgotten in Shepherd’s Bush either, one of London’s newest addition is KidZania; a role-playing theme park which has been designed to spark the imaginations of children of all ages.  The entire park is based around a child-sized city where children can role play around 60 different jobs and professions which include a visit to the Acting Academy where children can play at being an actor, puppeteer or magician, The Bank where children can play at being banker, the Engineering Centre and Pit Lane Experience which allows children to have a go at pretending they are part of a world class motoring team and so much more.  Children are encouraged to engage completely with their surroundings whilst earning Kidzos which can then be used at various points around the city.

Holland Park and the Kyoto Garden

If you are booked into one of the hotels in Hammersmith London UK and looking to enjoy some peace and tranquillity whilst in the city then Holland Park and the Kyoto Garden are both ideal options.  Holland Park is just over 50 acres and consists of woodland, formal gardens and open space with sports facilities, a children’s playground and the ruins of Holland House.  Located within the park is Kyoto Garden, a Japanese inspired space with colourful plants, water features, resident Koi fish and lots of opportunity to escape the busy city for short period of time.

Pubs and Bars

Shepherd’s Bush has a thriving Irish community and as such a number of the best pubs in the area are Irish owned and offer a warm and inviting environment as well as the chance to try some real Irish Guinness.  These include the likes of The Shepherd and Flock, O’Donoghue’s and The Orchard Tavern.  There are also a number of other bars and pubs in the area which as worth visiting including Belushi’s, The Defectors Weld and Albertine Wine Bar.  Despite being in West London, the prices in Shepherd’s Bush are also fairly reasonable which is ideal for anyone visiting on a budget.