Instagram favourites in London – and where to find them! London Cafes have jumped on the instagram bandwagon with enthusiasm. Peggy Porschen Cakes led this trend and now have queues of wannabe instagram sensations waiting for a turn to take a selfie! Flower filled cafes are everywhere now.
Instagrammable Cafes:
- Peggy Porschen Cakes, Elizabeth Street, SW1
- St Aymes, Connaught Street, W2
- Aubaine Selfridges, Oxford Street, W1
- Elan Cafe , Park Lane W1
- Biscuiteers, NottingHill
If you REALLY want to get a pic at Peggy Porschen, my advice is go early or late (my pic above was taken late in the day and the instagrammers had gone home, you won’t find me joining a queue!) There are several branches so look at the website link. My photo was taken in Elizabeth Street, right by Victoria Bus station, Elizabeth Street is full of pretty instagrammable shop windows such as Jo Malone so this is a good one to choose.
However, if you want somewhere just as pretty but not so well known then visit Saint Aymes which is located at 59 Connaught Street, W2 . It is a short stroll from Marble Arch tube and near Hyde Park.
PHOTO: Saint Aymes, Instagram Favourite in London
Delicious coffee and cakes, if rather pricey. But its dog friendly too, which is perfect! For a 5 day luxury London Itinerary read here:
PHOTO: Coffee and Cake at Saint Aymes, London
There is a very instagrammable florist right next door too!
PHOTO: Florist in Connaught Street, London W2
If you are feeling energetic, stroll across Hyde Park, so many pretty things to photograph including The Serpentine Lake, hire a boat for the ultimate selfie shot! Also nearby if you cross Hyde Park are Kensington and Chelsea.
Instagrammable Restaurants:
- The Ivy Cafe, King’s Road, Sw3
- Ting at The Shard, Shangri La Hotel, London Bridge
- Sketch Restaurant, Mayfair
- The Ritz Restaurant for old world glamour
- Annabel’s, Mayfair, riot of flowers on the exterior
- Sky Garden, City of London
- Coppa Club, London Bridge
The Coppa Club is a fun bar/restaurant. Not expensive and great views of Tower Bridge and The Shard. A little bit touristy but fun.
Make sure to book a table though. My favourite views of London are from The Shard. Got to Gong Bar in Shangri La Hotel. Booking is essential and there is a minimum spend of £30 BUT if you take into account that a ticket to the top of the Shard is £28, it is much nicer to sit in a gorgeous bar, sip a cocktail and admire the views!
PHOTO: Gong Bar, Shangri La Hotel, The Shard
PHOTO: Views from The Shard, Gong Bar
I loved dining at Hutong Restaurant in The Shard. For more info read this blog:
PHOTO: London view from Hutong Restaurant
For those of you who want something slightly more intellectual, visit The Wallace Collection. Very few tourists venture here, but it is one of my favourite museums in London with a stunning Art collection and lovely Cafe in the middle. It’s free too! AND you can take photos.
The Wallace Collection is 2 minutes from Selfridges, so combine a bit of shopping with some culture.
London’s East End:
Get off the beaten tourist trail with a trip to the cool and on trend East London. The Docklands are particularly photogenic!
PHOTO: The Thames taken from Captain Kidd Pub
How to get there? Take a Tube to Tower of London. The bonus is the super shot from outside the Tube station, see below:
PHOTO: Tower of London taken from Tower Tube
Then take the DLR (docklands light railway) to the Docklands and explore this fascintating area of London. The old docks completely renovated and now home to some super chic apartments, cafes, restaurants but the history of the area is there in every brick!
PHOTO: Exploring Tobacco Dock in the Docklands
Read more about this area here:
The London Parks are so beautiful, perfect for a stroll, cycle ride, picnic, hire a rowing boat. People from all around the world enjoy the parks in summer! Explore Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens (you might spot the Royal children walking here), Regent’s Park and Green Park.
PHOTO: The Serpentine in Hyde Park
Then head West, to the beautiful West London areas from popular Notting Hill to the West End, there is something to photo every step of the way!
The white stucco house are another instagrammers favourite, but do avoid standing on peoples doorstep… how would you like it if it was your house! The photo above is a hotel, before you think I am not following my own advice! You will find these all over London, this is near Oxford Street, W1. Read more about Where to go in London here:
https://luxurytraveldiva.com/where-to-go-in-london-insider-tips/
PHOTO: Harrods, Knightsbridge
Harrods makes for a dramatic instagram shot, especially at night with the lights twinkling. See if you can get an iconic London bus in the photo too. Take the tube to Knightsbridge and you will be right outside Harrods.
PHOTO: Harrods and a London Bus
Pop inside Harrods too, I love the Food Hall and can never resist buying some treats for my friends. You can take photos too.
PHOTO: Harrods Food Hall
Another pink Elan Cafe is just outside Harrods and so is the most gorgeous Macaron shop from paris!
PHOTO: Outside Harrods
For those of you who love doorways, there are some gorgeous Regency houses in Knightsbridge, just stroll around and snap away.
PHOTO: Explore Knightsbridge
A classic, but unbeatable instagram destination is Fortnum and Mason for Afternoon Tea. You will have to book, because it is very popular. However, much better value for money than some of the expensive London Hotels.
PHOTO: Fortnum and Masons Afternoon Tea
Fortnums is located on Picadilly and is near Green Park Tube, you have The Ritz right there too, if you want to splash out on cocktails!
Instagrammable Shops:
- Harrods, Knightsbridge, W1
- Fortnum & Mason, Picadilly W1
- Fortnum & Mason at The Royal Exchange, City of London
- Liberty’s, Regent Street
- Elizabeth Street, SW1 pretty boutiques
- The Shop at BlueBird Covent Garden, WC2
- Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Wonderland, Westfield Shopping Centre
- Choccywoccydoodah, Covent Garden, WC2
- Hamleys Toy Store, Regent Street, London W1
- Burlington Arcade – Walk through the arcade to Picadilly
However, if you want to be a bit more original in your Instagram shot quest, how about the beautiful Canal at Maida Vale? A short stroll from St John’s Wood Tube and not far from the iconic Beatles zebra crossing, so you can combine the two.
PHOTO: Canal at Maida Vale
This area is popular with celebrities, I see a famous face or two most visits to Maida Vale and St John’s Wood.
PHOTO: Canal at Maida Vale
You can take a ride on a barge near Camden Market. Find the info here: http://canalmuseum.org.uk
Another great way to take the BEST instagram photos of London is on the Thames! Take a RIB boat ride along the Thames and snap away as you sail down the river and back! If you don’t want a RIB ride then hop on a Water Taxi. You can use your Oyster Card for water transport. Definitely get one of these travel cards if you are staying for a few days.
PHOTO: Views from the RIB ride on The Thames
A RIB ride saves you from walking for miles too! And you get to see many iconic buildings while you enjoy the ride. Read more about London here:
PHOTO: The Sky Garden, Instagram favourite in London
There are amazing views of London from The Sky Garden. Best of all, it is free! Just book a ticket online before you go. Fantastic aerial shots of London.
PHOTO: Burlington Arcade, Instagram favourites in London
The famous London Arcades are great for Instagram pics too. How about Burlington Arcade, above? Located on Piccadilly it is easy to find near Fortnum and Mason.
You cannot beat some of the iconic London Landmarks for an Instagram shot, forever popular!
PHOTO: Houses of Parliament
INSTAGRAM TIPS:
There is more to instagram success than a pretty photo. Follow the 3 E’s:
Engage: I think of instagram as a microcosm of real life. You don’t bore your friends to death with endless photos of yourself, do you? The same applies on instagram, ENGAGE with your followers, comment on their photos and become interested in each others instagram! Follow people who have the same interests as you and stick to a niche market.
Entertain: A pretty picture paints a thousand words but you must be interesting, informative and hopefully entertaining at the same time! Concentrate on instagram followers that you really like and grow from there. Follow their followers and they will follow you too!
I would not post too many photos. Times have changed and this is what insta story is designed to do these days. The instagram alogrythm has changed, Instagram rewards us for posting Stories now. Concentrate on quality content and good HASHTAGS. The hashtags you choose are all important to attract the right audience.
Beware! It is tempting to have little moan sometimes on instagram, if you are having a bad day! Just have in mind those people you know in real life….. you know the ones… you avoid them like the plague because they are always moaning? Again, Instagram is a microcosm of real life, we are drawn to those who enrich our lives and avoid toxic personalities.
Evolve: Instagram changes all the time, so grow and change too. Embrace change and enjoy all of the new features such as insta story. Learn from other instagrammers and adapt as time goes on. Hope this helps!
