In reality, there’s no official district or area called Central London. On most urban planning definitions and ones set by the Royal Commission, what someone would refer to as Central London would be the areas and serval boroughs that include the British Parliament, Royal Palaces, the headquarters of Government, the Law Courts, the head offices of commercial and industrial firms, the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Gallery, the University of London, and the headquarters of many national associations, trade unions, trade associations, social service societies, etc.
In short, Central London can be defined as where all the key attractions and government offices are based. Big Ben, Palace of Westminster, National Gallery, Buckingham Palace, the West End, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral and many more are all here. Its history is aligned with the history of the city itself, stretching from the Roman times and growing with importance as each monarch and dynasty took the throne, increasing in global importance as a trading centre at the height of the British Empire. Even today, its value to the worldwide economy in the 21st century is unprecedented due to it being the pinnacle of business and financial transactions in Europe.
Full of corporate offices, theatres, galleries, museums and parks, it’s no wonder that this is by far the most popular and important area of the city itself. Leisure and business travellers can really enjoy every aspect of the vast metropolis when they book a short or long term stay with us.
History of Central London
As Central London encompasses all the pivotal sites that have graced the city for millennia, its history is very much tied up in its formation and stretches from the Romans to the English Civil War, the Great Fire of London, WWII, the financial crisis of 2008 and beyond.
Four years after Roman Emperor Claudius invaded Britain, Londinium was founded as a civilian town on the point of the river where it was narrow enough to bridge and was a strategic location due to its easy access to the rest of Europe.
The decline of the Roman Empire, and it’s withdrawal from Britain, led the city itself to suffer. With the arrival of the Saxons, once more the city became a pinnacle of trade but was soon invaded and sacked many times by the Vikings.
The death of Edward the Confessor led to the supplanting of the crown by William, Duke of Normandy. He and his heirs built the impressive Tower of London as well as the first incarnation of London Bridge. With the ruling of the Plantagenets some centuries later, the Black Death and the Peasants Revolt rocked the city. Even these upheavals were nothing compared to the War of the Roses, the Tudors, the English Civil Wars and the execution of Charles I.
Theatre and literature thrived throughout these periods, cementing the city as the centre of European culture. The 19th century would bring the works of Charles Dickens to the forefront and give London a whole new smoky character. At the height of the British Empire, this is where ¼ of the globe was ruled with an iron fist.
Modern Britain, and the city of London, have been shaped by WWII as well as the move from manufacturing to a service-based economy and migration from former colonies of the Empire. Today, it is still recognised as one of the key centres of the global economy.
Business Life in Central London
London is the centre of business and finance in the United Kingdom, so it’s of no surprise that Central London is where all the action takes place. On average, London produces about ¼ of the UK’s GDP making it a vital asset for the economic health of the grand nation. Alongside this, the metropolitan area contributes about ⅓ of the country’s GDP.
So, when it comes to surmising the business life of London, it can only be described as extraordinary. The Bank of England, the pulse of mighty Britain, is aptly situated in Central London while the likes of The Shard, The Gherkin, Liverpool Street and The Sky Garden are representative of the business life in the city. In Camden, Shoreditch, Hoxton and Moorgate, other trendy startups and new businesses with chic names and services lead the way in new technology and financial services. Some of the biggest companies that are headquartered in London include HSBC, Royal Dutch Shell, BP, Barclays, Lloyds TSB Group, GlaxoSmithKline, Aviva, Unilever, Facebook (London HQ) and Google (London HQ).
One aspect of business life in Central London is the array of corporate serviced apartments that are spread throughout the vast area. All of the apartments are fully equipped for business travel and can be worked from remote to add convenience as well as comfort no matter how long the stay is. Their central location ensures that our corporate guests can get to the office easily and head to top attractions and restaurants whenever they wish.
Where to Stay in Central London
Given that Central London contains some of the city’s top boroughs, it will come as no surprise to find out that there are many places where leisure and corporate travellers can set up camp. From Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lambeth, Kensington & Chelsea and Wandsworth.
Our serviced apartments can be found all over the centre of London - part of our promise to deliver cosy yet centrally located accommodation that makes all stays memorable for the right reasons. From quirky areas and trendy accommodation to high end areas and sharp accommodation, there are many options to consider for a home away from home. With all amenities taken care of, furnished apartments don’t come better than these.
But some of Central London’s areas are only going to attract certain types of people. Business travellers will be looking for corporate apartments near the Bank of England or the London Stock Exchange, while leisure travellers will be quite comfortable near Finsbury Park Shoreditch and Hoxton.
Which part of Central London becomes the short or long term home is up to the traveller, but either way, the perfect stay can be found within our extensive portfolio.
Facts about Central London
Central London is arguably one of the most recognised parts of London; everything that one associates with the city can be found here (Big Ben, the London Eye, British Museum, Buckingham Palace, the Bank of England and St James Park). But regardless of how well known something is, there are elements that will remain a mystery - and that's the same for Central London.
Below are 10 facts that guests should know before they arrive:
- The City of London can trade with the Eastern Hemisphere in the morning and the Western Hemisphere in the afternoon, allowing it to trade in all major markets in one day
- Though it is the oldest part of London, the City doesn’t look very old because it has been destroyed and rebuilt twice
- About a quarter of the buildings are replaced every 25 years or so
- Before 1980, any bank operating in the City of London had to have an office within 10 minutes walk of the Bank of England
- The Bank of England was devised by a Scot, William Patterson, and its first Governor was a Frenchman, John Houblon
- The City of London has more Japanese banks than Tokyo and more American banks than Manhattan
- Over 40% of all the world’s foreign exchange transactions are made in the City
- Some of the City’s most famous institutions started out in coffee houses at the end of the 17th century
- Over one hundred Livery Companies still exist today even though the trades they represented have vanished from the City
- There are more international telephone calls made from the City of London than anywhere else in the world
Things to Do in Central London
When guests have settled into their serviced apartment, they can then think about what to do next. And because they’re staying in Central London, there will be ample opportunities to make the days go by. The Q&A below can point new travellers in the right direction:
Q. What are the most popular things to do in Central London?
Some of the most popular things to do in Central London are:
- Visit the British Museum
- Ride the London Eye
- Take a pic of Big Ben
- Take a tour of Westminster Abbey
- Explore the Houses of Parliament
- Relax in Trafalgar Square
- Discover the best art in the National Gallery
- Take long walks through the busy streets
- Shop down Oxford Street
- Explore the second-hand bookshops near Leicester Square
- See the changing of the Guard
- Watch a West End hit
Q. What is the best way to spend a day in Central London?
Here’s how you should spend a day in Central London:
- See Westminster Abbey before the queues start forming
- Go the London Eye and take in astounding views
- Get that all-important Big Ben selfie
- Have some lunch at one of the Westminster pubs
- Take a quick stroll around the National Gallery, especially the Impressionists
- Head down to the bustling crowds of Oxford Street
- Catch a bite to eat at one of the fashionable eateries
- Watch the changing of the Guard
- End the day with a show in the West End
Places to Visit in Central London
With Central London being full to the brim of attractions and things to do, a comprehensive list could go on for a long time. But these attractions aren’t just for tourists; even corporate travellers could enjoy a few of them in between meetings.
Here are a few:
- Westminster Abbey - The church where all of Britain’s monarchs get coronated, this Gothic structure is one to be admired
- Big Ben - The famous clock is one of the golden selfies to take whilst in the city
- Trafalgar Square - Home to Nelson’s column, many tourists can be found sitting on the steps every day watching the world go by or taking snaps with the fountains
- Leicester Square - Crowded with shoppers, squashing through the horde of people is an activity in itself
- National Gallery - From Van Gogh to Cezzane, Da Vinci and Sauret, this is the key gallery of London for art lovers
- British Museum - Journeying through history can’t get as epic as this huge and diverse museum
- West End - All the big hits can be found here, with a few smaller shows scattered around
- London Eye - See 360 degree views of the city in one of the familiar and slow-moving capsules
Places to Eat in Central London
The city centre is full of global cuisines that can fill the mind stomach and soul. They don’t call London a diverse city for nothing; the restaurant options alone more than show it has a world’s view, not an insular view.
Q. What are the best restaurants in Central London?
The 10 best restaurants in Central London are:
- Frenchie
- Sabor
- Bocca di Lupo
- Blacklock Soho
- Parsons
- BAO
- The Palomar
- Barrafina
- J Sheekey
- Gymkhana
Q. What are Central London’s cheaper dining options?
Those looking for cheaper places to eat in Central London should go to:
- Abu Zaad
- Arancini Brothers Factory Café
- Ariana II
- Bao
- Gourmet Goat
- Baoziinn Romilly Street
- Bánh Bánh
- Berber & Q Shawarma Bar
- Bibimbap
- Bleecker St
Shopping in Central London
The centre of London is home to a vast supply of shopping attractions. From malls to secret alleyways of luxury brands, shopping malls and iconic shopping streets, there’s much that shoppers can enjoy when they want to satisfy their consumer craving. These include the likes of:
- Oxford Street
- Tottenham Court Road
- Westfield London
- Bond Street
- Hays Galleria
- Covent Garden
- Piccadilly Circus
- St Martin's Courtyard
- The Royal Exchange
- Burlington Arcade
Transportation in Central London
Getting around London is easy. With the likes of the London Underground, London Overground, DLR and TfL Rail services, exploring the city and its surrounding couldn’t be more convenient.
With Central London, there are substantial connections that will get travellers all across the city, with some stations having access to multiple lines and networks, like:
- Westminster
- Waterloo
- London Bridge
- Kings Cross St Pancras
- Euston
- Leicester Square
- Piccadilly Circus
- Oxford Circus
Travelling around London though isn’t free. An oyster card is the best bet; all visitors need to do is touch in and out at the start and end of their journey. But to get the most out of London, it’s best to at least get a Zone 1-2 card even though Central London is in Zone 1:
- Single journey ticket (zone 1-2) - £4.90
- Oyster/Contactless payment card (zone 1-2) - £2.40
Plus, with TheSqua.re’s Central London serviced apartments, guests are assured and delivered a central location that gives them easy access to the London Underground.
Weather in Central London
The weather in Central London is much like the rest of London, which is also like the rest of the UK; in short, it can be difficult to predict. The city of London is known for its cold winters (where temperatures fall below freezing), but also for its hot summers where temperatures can reach average highs of 24 degrees (or 35 degrees, like in 2019). But it’s fair to say that British summers are notoriously unpredictable, so wet-weather clothing is essential at any time of the year. The month of September is often a good time to visit as well, as the temperature is usually still warm, whilst being a little cooler than August in the evenings, making for a more comfortable stay.
So, overall, whether a guest is in Central London for business or leisure, the weather will hold many surprises for them.
