London is an incredible ciy firmly atop many people's travel lists.
In this blog post we'll tell you why we believe Pimlico is the best place to stay in London for sightseeing.
Why stay in Pimlico for sightseeing?
With its location in Zone 1, Pimlico is right in the heart of the action: you’ll find many of the city’s best sightseeing locations are right on your doorstep.
Pimlico is a great starting point for London exploration, too: leafy streets and beautiful architecture set the scene, and whether you choose to walk or take public transport, you're just a stone’s throw from the centre.
A walk to Westminster
A short stroll, for instance: 30 minutes (or 35 if you detour along the Thames) will see you gazing up at Big Ben, wandering the streets surrounding the Houses of Parliament, or riding the famous London Eye for spectacular views of the city's skyline.
From there, the heart of London
Tack on another half an hour through the streets of neighbouring Westminster, and you’ll soon be walking past Buckingham Palace or admiring the beautiful green spaces of Hyde Park and St James’ park (basically the palace's front garden!).
Give your feet a break
If you prefer to give your feet a little time off, there are plenty of excellent transport links available. Pimlico station connects with the city’s underground train network via the Victoria line, you can ride an iconic red London bus with bus stops all over the area.
The London river bus service also runs up and down the Thames, giving you a truly breath-taking view of the city. Why not jump on a boat to Greenwich and explore this beautiful, historic area of London?
Why not stick to Pimlico?
You don't have to go far afield to enjoy London's delights. In the streets around Dolphin Square you can find more than enough to keep you entertained on your trip to the city.
Food, for example. There are plenty of great restaurants and cafes to try: the Regency Café for a proper full English breakfast, or the Boisdale restaurant for an evening of traditional Scottish fare with a little jazz alongside your after-dinner whisky.
For something a bit more informal, there’s also a brilliant farmers market every Saturday morning offering stalls laden with fresh local produce, delicious baked treats and top-notch street food to try.
Architecturally, Pimlico, with its white stucco terraces surrounding leafy garden squares, has a definite ‘Mary Poppins’ charm to it and has been home to many famous faces throughout the years. Ebury Street, in its heart, is adorned with Blue Plaques marking its former residents who include Alfred Tennyson, George Moore, Michael Caine and Dame Edith Evans. Keep wandering, and you’ll find the plaque and statue to honour Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who composed his first symphony there in 1764.
Famous residents, leafy spots, delicious food, great architecture and easy reach to the centre of London? Pimlico really is sounding like the best place to be on your trip to London. But don’t just take our word for it. We’ve rounded up some of the top spots in Pimlico as recommended by other sites and visitors just like you!
Where to go when you're staying in Dolphin Square
If you are keen on getting out and about to explore our nation's capital, here are some of our favourite places to go.
Tate Britain
According to TripAdvisor, the Tate Britain is ‘one of the top museums in London, and it’s located a mere 11 minutes away from our front door. It is an absolute must-visit for lovers of British Art and Culture and features the most extensive collection in the world: the permanent exhibitions showcase art from the 1500s through to the present day, featuring the artistic masterpieces of J.M.W Turner and John Constable to the outstanding contemporary works of Barbara Hepworth and David Hockney.
Temporary exhibitions and an annual art commission also allow space for cutting edge modern art and design to feature, so there really is something for everybody.
Bessborough Gardens
TripAdvisor rates Bessborough Gardens as a hidden oasis amongst the busy city. It’s a little smaller than some of the other Garden Squares in Pimlico, but that only serves to help its calm and quiet charm. Surrounded by those iconic London white terraced houses, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.
Many visitors to the area have stopped off in the gardens on the way to Tate Britain from Pimlico station, a lovely leafy green detour providing a breath of fresh air on your travels.
St Georges Square
Our final TripAdvisor recommendation is for another green space, right in the heart of Pimlico. St Georges Square stretches down to the river and offers another respite from the busy London streets. Visitors have said it was the perfect place to walk off their jet lag and that it felt safe and clean and was enjoyed by walkers, picnickers and cyclists. With plenty of trees, pretty streets surrounding it and open spaces a-plenty it’s an excellent option for a stroll or time to relax when the Great British weather is in your favour.
You don't need a map for this one, either. It's on the road that runs down the east side of Dolphin Square!
So much to see and do
With lots to see and discover in Pimlico and with great links to the rest of the city, you’ll need somewhere to rest your head at night. Basing yourself in one of our beautiful apartments at Dolphin Square, right in the heart of Pimlico (just next to St Georges Square in fact), is an excellent choice for your trip to London. Book now to experience the wonderful sightseeing locations in Pimlico and start your London adventure right.
