How to complete London in 3 days

Best streets to visit in London

There are some interesting streets you should try to work into your stay in London, that are famous for their shopping, the sights they offer, or just the general atmosphere.

Oxford Street

Oxford Street is London’s ultimate shopping street and hard to miss during any visit to the capital. Running from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch, intersecting Oxford Circus along the way, it offers 1.5 miles of shopping with everything from high-street names to high-end shops. Don’t miss Selfridge’s, and in particular, its incredible food hall to stock up on treats either to fuel you throughout your stay in London or to take home.

Carnaby Street

Whilst exploring Oxford Street, take a detour down Carnaby Street, a pedestrianised shopping street in Soho that’s famous for being the heart of the Swinging Sixties. Before you head onto the street itself, pause to take a photo of the iconic Liberty department store, and then explore the streets of the Carnaby district. Once home to iconic fashion designers such as Mary Quant, today it still houses many independent shops, as well as bars and restaurants.

Portobello Road

Home to one of London’s most popular markets, Portobello Street Market, this two-mile-long street is buzzing at the weekend as locals and tourists alike browse the wares of the market and visit the artisan coffee shops that line the street.

Brick Lane

In the east end of London, Brick Lane is famous for its amazing curry houses, but you’ll also find fantastic street food vendors serving up every cuisine imaginable on Sundays. Sunday is also market day, with more than 200 stalls in the Sunday Upmarket selling art, fashion, food and more. It’s also home to some of London’s best street art, making it the perfect photo opportunity.

Best place to photograph in London

Brick Lane isn’t the only place in London to get your camera out. If you’re a keen photographer you’re in luck, as the city is packed full of incredible Insta-worthy locations. 

St Paul’s from Millennium Bridge

This is the best spot to get a picture-perfect snap of St Paul’s Cathedral. From the centre of the bridge, the cathedral is framed by the City of London’s contemporary architecture for a stand-out shot - although you’ll have to go either very early or very late to avoid the crowds.

Phone boxes behind Covent Garden

If you’re hitting Covent Garden for a spot of shopping, be sure to head around the back of the square onto Broad Court where you’ll find a cute row of five red telephone boxes, one of the quintessential hallmarks of London.

Neal’s Yard

Just a short walk from Covent Garden and you’ll come across Neal’s Yard, a bright and colourful little nook full of shops and cafes. Get here early before the crowds arrive and snap away.

Notting Hill houses

This whole region is picture-pretty, but to the back of Notting Hill Gate Underground station, you’ll find a neighbourhood full of colourful facades. Wander around Hillgate Place, Hillgate Street, Uxbridge Street and Farm Place taking snaps of these quirky pastel-coloured houses, and then grab a coffee in one of the many cafes along Uxbridge Street.

The Churchill Arms

Nearby in Kensington, you’ll come across the Churchill Arms, which is surely the most decorated pub in all of London. Its exterior is decorated according to the seasons, with floral displays in spring and summer, and Christmas lights in December. 

The view from the Shard

For one of the best bird’s-eye views in the city, head up the 95 floors of the Shard to get some snaps from the top. You’ll get great views across the city, particularly of Tower Bridge.

Little Venice

A series of tree-lined canals stretching from Hyde Park to Warwick Avenue, this photogenic area is easy to fit in if you’re taking a stroll around Hyde Park or hitting the shops on Oxford Street.

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