| set in a victorian townhouse, this simple, modern hostel lies within a 7-minute walk of sadlers wells theatre, angel tube station, and the bars and restaurants of upper street. check-in time: 3:00 pmcheck-out time: 9:00 am. private rooms are available. there's also a music room with guitars, a tv room, and a patio. the functional single-sex and mixed-gender dorms feature free wi-fi, shared bathrooms and personal plug sockets. most come with bunk beds. facilities include a relaxed lounge and a shared kitchen, plus communal tea and coffeemaking equipment. other amenities include darts boards, a book exchange facility, lockers and a guest computer, as well as a guest laundry (fee)
Heathrow Airport 53 min
The Shard (17 min)
87-floor glass skyscraper with a jagged peak, with restaurants, offices, hotel and viewing platform. lastminute.com London Eye (14 min)
Huge observation wheel giving passengers a privileged bird's-eye view of the city's landmarks. St. Paul's Cathedral (7 min)
Churchyard and gardens outside Saint Paul's cathedral, with a floor-plan of the original building. Westminster Abbey (19 min)
Protestant abbey hosting daily services and every English and British coronation since 1066. The National Gallery (16 min)
Trafalgar Square art museum whose masterworks trace the development of Western European painting. The Regent's Park (15 min)
Modern, glass-clad cafe and sports administrative centre, with pitches and changing rooms. Big Ben (17 min)
16-storey Gothic clocktower and national symbol at the Eastern end of the Houses of Parliament. Buckingham Palace (19 min)
Visitors can tour the palace's opulent private and state rooms or watch the changing of the guard. Tower of London (18 min)
Centuries of bloody history around a medieval castle, home to Crown Jewels and iconic Beefeaters. The British Museum (10 min)
Huge showcase for global antiquities, including Egyptian mummies and ancient Greek sculptures. Trafalgar Square (16 min)
Nelson's Column rises above this iconic square's LED-lit fountains, artworks and lion statues. Tower Bridge (19 min)
Panoramic views from high level walkways and behind-the-scenes access to original lifting machinery. Palace of Westminster (18 min)
Neo-Gothic masterpiece and seat of the UK government. Guided tours on Saturdays and in summer. Borough Market (17 min)
Huge market under the railway lines, for British-reared meat and artisanal baked and dairy goods. Hyde Park (21 min)
Huge green space, home to Diana Memorial Fountain, with boating and swimming in the Serpentine lake. | 
