Where to stay in London

The middle of the West End: the theatres, the market, and Soho's restaurants immediately west of it. Nowhere in London puts more within a ten-minute walk, and nowhere central is busier at eleven at night.

The south side of the river between Westminster and Tower Bridge, along a walkable stretch that takes in Tate Modern, the Globe and Borough Market. The City is one bridge away and the West End two.

Georgian squares, the British Museum and the university, running north to the two stations that bring in the Eurostar and most of the country. Central without being in the crush, and it empties in the evening.

East of the City, where the markets, bars and studios are. It is well connected to the centre and has its own reason to be there, which is the eating and drinking rather than the sights.