The area of Victoria is rapidly becoming more than just a railway station and coach stop.
Surrounded by the affluent areas of Belgravia, Westminster and Pimlico, Victoria also neighbours one of the most famous addresses in the city - Buckingham Palace. With ongoing development and regeneration of the area surrounding the train and coach station, Victoria is showing some promising signs of transformation, becoming a vibrant district and an excellent place to shop, eat and soak up some of London’s culture. Alongside the excellent Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, you can also explore the smaller private art galleries in the area, or take in a show at one of Victoria’s theatres.
Photos by @urbanpixxels. Dutch expat + photographer + travel blogger living in London. Bit of a foodie and coffee addict.
Jacintha Verdegaal, Urban Pixxels
Victoria is a small district in the borough of Westminster, best known for the station, one of London’s busiest transport hubs. The area around the station features mostly offices and foreign embassies, so a lot of the food options are small delis or chains for takeaway food, or fine dining restaurants. Hidden away from the main roads however, you can find some great restaurants at affordable prices, such at The Thomas Cubitt pub or Tozi. Elizabeth Street in nearby Belgravia is one of London’s prettiest streets, showcasing independent food and wine producers.
Peggy Porschen is an award-winning cake designer, so you can expect the best from her cake shop in Belgravia, Victoria. The Parlour serves freshly baked cupcakes, cookies and layer cakes and also offers a selection of Peggy’s own blend teas, inspired by flavours found in her kitchen.
WebsiteTOZI is a Venetian-Italian restaurant and bar in Victoria. Chefs Maurilio and Daniele have developed a menu of cicchetti (small sharing plates); including breads freshly baked in the wood oven, grilled and fried food and their high-praised pasta dish: Buffalo ricotta ravioli with black truffle. Don’t forget to order a bottle from the all-Italian wine list.
WebsiteIris & June is an artisan café launched by New Zealand-born Jodie Whitelaw. They offer a selection of lunch food freshly prepared on site and coffee drinks made from carefully sourced, ethically grown, Ozone beans.
WebsiteThe area around Victoria station is not known for its culinary delights, as it’s mostly food chains offering a quick, takeaway lunch. Pimlico Fresh is a welcome addition to the area, offering breakfast, lunch dishes and coffees. Two big wooden tables are available for communal eating, the dishes are big and fairly-priced and the service is quick.
WebsiteThe Thomas Cubitt Public House & Dining Rooms is located on Elizabeth Street, one of the most charming streets in London. Nearby independent delis, wine and coffee shops and bakeries, The Thomas Cubitt fills the spot of a traditional British pub and is a favourite with the locals. The open fireplaces and wooden floors make it a cozy place to spend a winter Sunday afternoon.
WebsiteFood and drink recommendations courtesy of @LilinhaAngel. Busy Mummy Blogger. Passion for Fashion & Make-up! Loves Travelling, Fine Dining & Wine! There is Always a Reason to Smile and Be Happy!
Lilinha Angel, Lilinha Angel’s World
Victoria is located close to many of the big Central London attractions such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, making it an ideal place for shopping after some sightseeing. You’ll find the majority of common high-street stores, from fashion and beauty outlets through to local florists, bakeries and supermarkets. Also in the area is Cardinal Place shopping centre where you can find numerous retail stores all under one roof and handily located within walking distance of Victoria Underground station.
Hotel Chocolat is the perfect chocolate shop to pick up a gift for someone else, or a treat for yourself. They have various gift boxes containing a mouth-watering selection of chocolates, such as the cocktail selection, with Mojito & Daiquiri inspired chocolates. They also have a beauty selection – try a hand cream infused with cocoa butter or the cane body polish with cocoa butter and cane sugar
WebsiteThese two stores go hand in hand. Monsoon offers a range of casual and formalwear for women, well known for their elegant dresses and occasion-wear. At Accessorize you can ‘accessorize’ to your heart’s content, with a selection of jewellery, hats, bags and footwear.
WebsiteJones Bootmaker was established in 1857 and has over 100 branches throughout the UK. This heritage brand are known for their premium quality shoes and boots for both men and women. They also have a selection of children’s footwear and bags and accessories that include all your shoe necessities, from laces to cleaning kits and shoehorns.
WebsiteHawes & Curtis is the home of the luxury shirt for both men and women, Hawes & Curtis have been making shirts since 1913 and take pride in their craft, with royalty and acclaimed aristocracy amongst their customers. This British heritage brand has a vast selection of formal shirts, as well as shoes and accessories.
WebsiteLocated inside Cardinal Place shopping centre, L’Occitane is a French beauty brand offering high quality beauty products and fragrances, which have been developed following the principles of phototherapy and aromatherapy. These natural products include face care, such as moisturisers and serums, as well as bath, body and haircare.
WebsiteShopping courtesy of @TheLDNDiaries your source of all things fashion, beauty, lifestyle, food and then some.
Paula Holmes, The LDN Diaries
Victoria has a wide range of must-see places waiting to be discovered, many of which often house a treasure trove of unique stories and experiences. Explore some of our top recommendations below and get the insiders’ take on Victoria’s hidden gems.
A short walk south from Victoria Station, Tachbrook Street Market appears every day apart from Sundays; feeding hungry office-workers in search of lunch and helping to keep the fridges of local residents well-stocked. Tachbrook Street Market provides space for food vans serving burritos, falafel and jerk chicken, as well as more traditional greengrocers’ stalls, making for a diverse and popular market.
WebsiteYou’ll have to listen hard to find this hidden gem in Victoria. Beneath much of London, including Victoria, runs the Tyburn River. Keen eyes can spot a circular manhole cover on the road above the Tachbrook Street Market. If you don’t mind getting a funny look or two from passersby you can put your ear to the ground, and hear the invisible river rushing along beneath your feet.
WebsiteFor the beer connoisseur, rather than those seeking a romantic spot for a date or a sleek bar for a business meeting, Cask provides a stunning array of brewed beverages. Focused on showcasing beers produced both in the UK and further afield, Cask also serves up burgers and a decent roast on a Sunday, to go with a pint of your choice from their extensive and ever-changing list.
WebsiteSurrounded by Belgravia’s swathes of exclusive private gardens, and named for the English queen of the same name, Victoria Square is a rare green space in this corner of the city that is open to the public. During the week, it’s the perfect spot for a sunny lunch or a coffee rendezvous with a friend, beneath the gaze of the former regent, who stands on a plinth in the middle of the tiny square.
WebsiteStanding outside its magnificent facade, the home of the Catholic Church, Westminster Cathedral, doesn’t look much like a hidden gem, but the nearby Westminster Abbey always seems to steal the cathedral’s thunder. Opened in 1903, Westminster Cathedral has a stunning interior, inspired by Byzantine architecture. A particularly fine collection of mosaics is also housed within the cathedral, which has been continually added to since the early twentieth century.
WebsiteHidden gems courtesy of @AccidentalLDNr. Urban blogger. Londoner. Gin enthusiast.
Flora Tonking, The Accidental Londoner
One of Central London’s busiest transport hubs, Victoria itself is a small district but well situated, making it easy to get to and around. Whether you’re passing through on business or working in the area, you can find somewhere to get your healthy fitness fix. With a good mix of gyms, yoga and fitness offerings, there is something to meet your needs whatever your level of fitness.
Powerflex Studios were brought to life by two personal trainers with decades of experience, helping individuals and groups to reach their fitness and weight loss targets. All you have to do is trust their specialist Personal Trainers and commit to 15 or 30-minute sessions a few times a week. Using Power Plate technology you can expect to get the same results in half the time! Other benefits include weight loss, flexibility, strength and increased muscle tone.
WebsiteWith over 82 classes per week, including a 60 minute express lunchtime slot, you’re sure to find something to meet your needs at Sohot Victoria. Located just a few minutes’ walk from London Victoria station, this studio has a great atmosphere and highly experienced teachers. Weight loss, body toning, back problems, sports performance, injury rehabilitation and stress are just a few areas that you can gain benefits in from your classes here!
WebsiteWith an air conditioned room and changing facilities on-site at Westminster City School, this is the perfect venue for your after work insanity class in central London. With classes running three evenings per week, there’s plenty of choice to get your high intensity interval training fix.
WebsiteTry out the latest training techniques and a wide selection of group exercise classes at Fitness First, Cardinal Place. Open every day including Bank Holidays, there’s no excuse not to get your workout in as well as saunas for some post sweat relaxation. With the promise of expertise and customer care, go along and train free for a day to help you decide if this could be your fitness home.
WebsiteThe Light Centre is one of London’s leading natural health centres, offering a full range of therapies, over 60 yoga and Pilates mats classes each week, mindfulness classes, workshops and more. Therapies include masseurs, acupuncturists and homeopathic practitioners. With no onerous membership fees, maybe it’s time you booked yourself in for a holistic health screening.
WebsiteGrovesnor Square gardens are maintained by the Royal Parks as a public garden, as well as being the centrepiece of the Duke of Westminster’s property. Open till dusk each evening, you can amble through the green space whilst taking in the memorials for President Roosevelt, September 11 and the RAF’s Eagles Squadron. Or just take a seat, breathe deeply and appreciate the moment.
WebsiteHealth and wellbeing courtesy of @keepitsimpElle. Health & Fitness blogger | Personal Trainer. Triathlete in the making!
Elle, Keep it simpElle
Victoria has a range of buildings from modern purpose built serviced offices with large open plan floors , to smaller converted properties.
Offices starting from £500
Offices starting from £529
Offices starting from £300
