A girl’s weekend in London is something that everyone should experience at least once. The UK’s iconic capital is the perfect city to spend a couple of days with the girls, whether you’re dreaming of a delicious brunch in Kensington, a picturesque stroll along South Bank, a night out in Shoreditch, or shopping on Oxford Street, there’s no shortage of things to do in London.
With a city so big and full of life, it can be a little overwhelming to plan a fabulous weekend for you and your friends. But don’t worry, this guide will take the stress out of planning your girl’s trip.
Here are some of the best things to do and see on a girl’s weekend in London.
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Closest tube station: Westminster
No girl’s weekend in London would be complete without seeing some of the city’s most Instagram-worthy landmarks. Here are some of our favourites, which are all within walking distance of each other:
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Closest tube station: Oxford Circus
We don’t want to turn your weekend away into a cliché, but London is a great place to shop ‘til you drop. Head to Oxford Street and Regent Street to browse hundreds of shops including the famous Topshop Flagship Store (three floors of style heaven). If you’d rather shop somewhere a little less crowded, head over to Kings Road to find a mix of designer fashion houses and one-off boutiques.
Or, if you want to get your hands on some unique finds, you could visit one of the city’s many markets, which brings us nicely onto our next section.
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Fancy getting some retail therapy with a difference? Meander through some of London’s oldest and most interesting markets to find hidden treasures and support the local community while you’re at it. Here are some of our favourite markets to peruse on a girl’s weekend:
Portobello Road Market - Closest tube station: Ladbroke Grove
Arguably the most famous market in the world, Portobello has an eclectic mix of antiques, bric-a-brac, fashion, and food, and is perfect for perusing with a group of friends. And it’s not just stalls, venture through the market on a Saturday, and you’ll see some talented street performers too!
Camden Market - Closest tube station: Camden Town
Stretching from Camden underground station to Regent’s Canal, Camden market is a quirky mix of pretty much everything you can think of in a cool, grungy setting. Stroll through the cobbled streets and discover unique furnishings and even unusual clothing, before grabbing some tasty street food from a hawker stall.
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Closest tube station: Liverpool Street
While Brick Lane market is open only on Sundays, it’s well worth a visit before you head home from your girl’s weekend. It has all the usual goods like fruit and veg, electrical products and household items (some of which you didn’t know you needed!), but venture to the famous Brickyard market to explore a unique set of interesting arts and crafts stalls, before heading onto the Sunday Upmarket for an array of delicious street food.
So there’s a theory that there are so many restaurants in London, it would be impossible to visit them all in one lifetime. While we can’t vouch for or against this, we can tell you that there are a lot of places to eat in the capital. But don’t worry, we’ve narrowed it down to some of our favourites for brunch, lunch, and dinner:
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Balthazar, Covent Garden - Closest tube station: Covent Garden
Venture into Covent Garden at the weekend, and you’ll see a round-the-corner queue for snazzy French brasserie, Balthazar. This sophisticated eatery exudes an upmarket Big Apple vibe with a European twist, the result being a place that feels a little bit special – perfect for a long-overdue brunch with the girls. Their brunch menu has a range of tempting treats: think eggs Florentine and American-style pancakes, all washed down with one of the best Bloody Marys in the city.
Nutbourne, Battersea - Closest tube station: Fulham Broadway
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If you’re dreaming of the fluffiest pancakes or the most mouth-watering cooked breakfast, you’re in for a real treat at Nutbourne. This chic restaurant gets its name from a part of West Sussex, which is where the owners (the brothers behind two other well-known London establishments) grow the ingredients served here. We’re talking the most exquisite eggs benedict, a classic full English breakfast, and some mouth-watering orange blossom pancakes with golden syrup.
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The Greenhouse, Mayfair - Closest tube station: Green Park
London has no shortage of iconic restaurants, but The Greenhouse in Mayfair is up there with the greats. The upmarket décor combined with the fact its been a fixture of the high street since 1977 contribute to a real sense of occasion, outdone only by the mouth-watering, two-Michelin-starred lunch dishes. And what’s more, its leafy, secret garden-like entrance hall makes for some gorgeous Instagram content to show off with the girls. If your interested in staying nearby then take a look at our hotels near Mayfair.
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Oblix – The Shard, Southwark - Closest tube station: London Bridge
Ready for a really special dining experience? Located on the 32nd floor of the coveted Shard building, Oblix has panoramic views of London and beyond, so it’s the perfect place to have dinner and wine with the girls. If you’re lucky enough to get a table by the window, you can eat your meal overlooking all of London’s most iconic landmarks - we recommend the soft-shell crab starter and the spiced rump of lamb for main, all washed down with a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
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London is no place to do things by halves, and drinks at a rooftop bar overlooking the capital is a must for a girl’s weekend. Here are our favourite places to sip wine and take in a spectacular view:
Bar Elba, Waterloo - Closest tube station: Waterloo
Fairy lights, check. Rustic décor, check. A menu of delicious cocktails, check. Bar Elba has it all, plus panoramic views of the London skyline. Having your girl’s weekend in the winter? Not a problem, Bar Elba’s rooftop is covered during the colder months to shield drinkers from the elements.
Culpeper Roof Garden - Closest tube station: Aldgate East
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With an unrivalled view of The Gherkin and surrounding architecture, Culpeper Roof Garden is a fabulous place to enjoy a cocktail with your girlfriends. Whether you’re planning a trip in the winter (think fire pits and cosy blankets) or summer (climbing vines and barbeques), Culpeper is the perfect place to relax and sip after a long day of exploring the city.
London is arguably the most exciting city in the world, so you’ll need lots of energy to explore everything the Big Smoke has to offer. We recommend staying right at the centre of the action, at our London Tower Bridge, London City, or London St Paul’s hotels. These put you within walking distance of some of the city’s most prominent landmarks, plus a plethora of bars and restaurants to enjoy a cocktail with the girls.
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