The Business Traveller’s Guide to Central London

Getting Here

Fly into City airport if you can, it’s just a stone’s throw from the centre so you’ll waste no time travelling. All the hotels by ExCel are just a five-minute taxi but you can get on the DLR to Canning Town if you’d rather. It’s perfectly possible to walk too, if you don’t mind carrying your bags. If you’re coming from Gatwick it will take about an hour travelling, get a fast train to London Bridge, then use the London Underground and take the Jubilee line and connect to the DLR. From Heathrow Airport you’ll need to get on the Piccadilly Line to Green Park, then Jubilee Line to Canning Town and change for the DLR.

London Tube

Getting Around

To plan your routes use the Citymapper app or TFL website. You can use your contactless bankcard to pay for travel, just tap in and out at the barriers. The ExCel Centre is close to Royal Victoria (usually the quieter option) or Custom House stations, so you can rely on the DLR to get around. This connects to the Jubilee line and will take you more central should you wish. The river taxis are a fun way to get over the river, as are the cable cars that depart regularly from The Royal Docks. These take about ten minutes and provide a breathtaking birds-eye view that’s even more fabulous at night, when all of London twinkles beneath you in the darkness.

Local Eateries and Bar Hotspots 

Grabbing some breakfast on the way to the event? Look no further than the Garden Community Café. For lunch on site there’s a splattering of restaurants to choose from, I’d recommend La Barrique and The Bagel Factory. If you’ve got a little more time to stretch your legs, walk 20 minutes to Trinity Buoy Wharf, home to London’s only lighthouse. It’s currently used as an old school art space and café.

For after hours dining get dressed up and go to Canary Wharf; a great place to arrange any business dinners or client entertainment. Watch the sunset over the river from Smollensky's or Roka. Sticks and Sushi is good for groups, order the miso marinated black cod and thank me later. Alternatively, for a low-key affair, the best curry in town is The Tale of India, on West India Dock Road.

All foodie paths lead to Borough Market by London Bridge, it’s about 30 minutes away on the Jubilee Line and packed with artisan snacks and fresh produce. Find the Scotch Tails cart for the best Scotch egg and sweet potato you will ever eat, then grab a coffee at Monmouth.

Evening Entertainment 

Camden is easily reachable and great for live music gigs. Catch Hannah Trigwell at BarFly on Wednesday 11th May or, if you’re more rap than acoustic pop, Wretch 32 is playing at hot local venue KOKO on Thursday 12th May.

Vue cinema in Stratford is ideal for seeing the latest flicks and is surrounded by cool bars and restaurants to discus the plot in afterwards.

‘Game of Thrones’ fans can see Rob Stark (aka Richard Madden) in Romeo and Juliet at Garrick Theatre. To see him in action get the DLR to Canning Town and hop on the Jubilee line until you reach Westminster. The 02 is another popular choice for shows and Il Divo are in town on Friday 13th. Make a night of it with cocktails at Ny-lon bar, the Vera margarita is guaranteed to help.

                                                                            Camden Town Subway Station                                                                  Amy Whinehouse Street Art in Camden

For the Health and Fitness Conscious

Stock up on vitamins with a fresh fruit juice in the morning from Naturally Good, the place to go for healthy eating on site. Most hotels here are well equipped for the fitness conscious and provide good gyms and pools, but if you want something better equipped, try The Connaught Health & Fitness Club. Running is a fun way to explore the area so make your way to the River Lee, this connects to the canal network and sets you up for a nice five mile circuit along Victoria Park and down Regents Canal. For directions check out Routes in East London.

Retail Therapy 

You’ll never be short of places to shop in London. Head to Camden for quirky market stalls and vintage garbs or connect to the Jubilee Line for Oxford Street and Bond Street. The Westfields Shopping Centre in Stratford has all the high street favourites plus boutiques and beauty salons.

                                                                                           Summer in London                                                                                         Sunset at Southbank 

Fancy Something a Bit Different? 

Go to Greenwich! It’s a beautiful and historic part of South London that’s super close to ExCel. Once you’re over the river, point your feet towards Greenwich Park - it’s one of the prettiest green spaces for miles and simply magical on a sunny day. Get yourself to Reginella for delicious, authentic Italian food that clever local residents have managed to keep a secret from visitors.

Greenwich Market is always fascinating to look around; expect to return home with anything from one-off fabric and vintage clothes to an antique wall clock and some local art. Need to burn off some calories? Take a hike up the steep hill and see the Royal Observatory; the views over London are to die for!

Right, that’s your itinerary covered. Now for all your business hotel booking needs, Roomex has you covered. No costs, no fees, no contracts, it’s a no-brainer. Request a demo.