Today I want to bring you my guide to Victoria, London. This neighborhood was once a fairly bland area by one of the city’s major train stations, but today it’s thriving. There’s a lot to discover in Victoria, so read on for the highlights.
Victoria, London
Best known for the train station of the same name, Victoria has long lived in the shadow of neighboring Belgravia.
But with Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and St James’s Park on its doorstep, the area’s rise from obscurity was inevitable. And now that rise has finally happened.
Where to Stay in Victoria
If you want to stay in Victoria, my favorite hotel in the area is The Resident Victoria (formerly The Nadler).
Just around the corner from Buckingham Palace, it’s in an ideal location in the heart of London. The rooms are stylish and the prices are hard to beat for the quality it offers.
Restaurants in Victoria
The most obvious sign of the area’s new beginning was the opening of the Nova complex, which ushered in a host of new restaurants in Victoria.
From casual pizza to wine bars, coffee shops, burger places, and sushi restaurants, there’s no shortage of options in an area that formerly offered little choice.
Beyond Nova, cafes like Iris & June still delight with their great coffee, and restaurants like Bleecker have the burger market cornered (their veggie burger is amazing, too).
And that’s not all. The Cardinal Place Food Market is one of my favorite under-the-radar markets in London. Every Thursday it fills the plaza with sizzling scents and mouth-watering treats under its awnings.
And speaking of markets, Market Hall Victoria has restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and a roof terrace overlooking Victoria station.
Theater in Victoria
It’s not just food that makes Victoria worth another look, though. This London neighborhood also has a lot of cultural highlights.
In addition to Buckingham Palace and the adjacent King’s Gallery and Royal Mews, the area has a number of good theaters.
From long-running Wicked at the Apollo to performances at The Other Palace, there are established and experimental works on stage.
Even cinema fans have the comfy Curzon to get excited about. But most noteworthy is the acclaimed musical Hamilton, which calls the Victoria Palace Theatre its home.
Side Streets in Victoria
As if that’s not enough, Victoria has some lovely side streets to explore. I’m a sucker for a good mews or alley, and if I’m going to love a neighborhood, it has to have a few.
The area between Victoria Street and Buckingham Palace has a tangle of streets and mews to rival the prettiest in other parts of the city. Buckingham Mews is my favorite. I love its colorful houses and wisteria vines.
There are some good little pubs in Victoria tucked away in places like Wilfred Street, and I always smile when I walk by Pine Apple Court.
On the other side of Victoria Street, the candy-cane stripes of Westminster Cathedral dominate the scene. But the wander-worthy streets behind it have equally lovely treasures to discover.
And that’s to say nothing of Little Ben, Victoria’s diminutive answer to Westminster’s iconic clock. It puts a smile on my face every time I walk by.
Victoria
Victoria may never match Belgravia in style or Big Ben in fame, but it’s come a long way from its bland past. There’s still a lot to come, too, and I can’t wait to see what the neighborhood surprises me with next.
Have you been to Victoria, London? What are you favorite places in this London neighborhood?
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I recently had brunch at Timmy Green a couple of times, which was fab and am keen to try out Hai Cenato too. I lived there for years until 5 years ago and I think I left at just the wrong time, since so much as opened up around there since then!
Yeah, it’s amazing how much the area has changed in the last five years!
I haven’t visited the city in a while but Victoria was always my favourite station when I lived there – bustling and a little bit grubby! What’s not to love! I’m glad to hear the neighbourhood is on the rise though.
Yeah, it will be really different when you’re next there. I hope it hasn’t changed too much for your liking!
wow!I see something different here, do u use drone to take photos?
I don’t think drones are allowed in central London, but I suppose you could get the same effect from one.
I walked around in this area last fall when I was there and got to see little Ben still shrouded amidst a jumble of construction equipment. I also visited the cathedral which is as pretty inside as it is outside. It’s a lovely area.
That’s great that you visited the area last year! I hope you can come back on your next visit to see how much it’s changed.
I honestly could be on the marketing team for Victoria, I love it so much!
Yeah! Me too.
Definitely taking off! I want to try loads of the Nova places, but I also really like Iris & June which is a little tucked away.
Nice! Sounds like a great place.
I stayed in Victoria for a little while while I was visiting London a few years ago – wonderful area!
Yeah, it’s a great part of London!
I lived in Victoria for a year! I lived almost next to Westminster Cathedral, and would explore the streets around there constantly. I loved Little Ben, I’d pass by it every day on the way to the tube. It’s always such a busy area, but I really do miss it, and miss living there!
That’s great! Little Ben is so cute, isn’t it?
This is very helpful for our upcoming visit. We’ll be staying in a flat in Victoria and plan on living like locals while we’re there. The market sounds great and its nice to know that the pubs nearby are friendly and welcoming. I’ll continue to follow your blog for more info. Thanks.
P.S. How can I trade jobs with you?
That’s great! I hope you enjoy Victoria.
I lived and worked in Victoria in the 1960’s. My office (the building now demolished) looked out over little Ben and I lived in Eccleston Square. The gardens in the square were not looked after then but they are now looking wonderful. I visit as often as I can and (I hope) for a bit longer yet. My heart stays in London wherever I live.
That’s great! It’s amazing how much the area has changed over the years.