Best Shopping Malls in St Paul's Cray Area

"If you’re looking for a beautiful and photogenic landmark St Paul’s Cathedral should be on your list, especially if photographed from One New Change. The reflections in the shiny mirror-like windows of the mall add to the Instagrammability of the shot. Once you’re done taking photos you can either visit the inside of one of the largest and most famous cathedrals in England, or go shopping in One New Change."

"One New Change isn’t only a great Insta spot from the ground floor, it also has an incredible rooftop with sweeping views. From the roof of One New Change you get a close up view of the St Paul’s Cathedral dome, as well as the London skyline. Entrance is free; just take one of the lifts and head to the top floor!"

"Source: Photo by Flickr user Roel Hemkes used under CC BY 2.0. Another Westfield chain, Westfield Stratford City Shopping Center offers a wide variety of shops, as well as dining and entertainment. With 83 restaurants, including those serving halal and vegetarian dishes, everyone will find something on the menu."

"From Armani Jeans and DKNY Men to Clarks and the Disney store, there's a variety of shops in the centre. If you want to grab some food, options for lunch include Nando's, The Real Greek, YO!. Sushi, Chicago Rib Shack and Franco Manca."

"One of the newer additions to London’s shopping scene is Westfield Stratford City. This shopping centre opened in September 2011 and it’s considered to be one of the largest in Europe. It bears a retail floor area of 175,000 m2!"

"I’ll level with you: the extent of Covent Garden’s ‘market’ status is kind of questionable, despite it being one of the most famous markets in London. There are more shops selling designer bags here than there are market traders but that doesn’t stop it from being a historic market spot in the centre of London. Don’t think it’s all about the big names here either – there are independents and quirky finds if you poke around, particularly at the weekends when independent makers set up around the Apple Market."

"Watch a musician or magician in the piazza and wander among the stalls and high-end shops at Covent Garden Market. Housed in and around the iconic Market Building, this central London shopping market is an architectural masterpiece. Alongside Apple Market, speciality shops such as perfume boutiques, homeware stores, restaurants and cafes, you'll find gorgeous crafts, antiques and jewellery."

"In the heart of London's bustling Covent Garden, you'll find this covered market with quirky stalls offering local artwork, handmade clothes and extra trinkets and souvenirs. The surrounding area is filled with pubs, restaurants and bars too, with plenty of live entertainment on offer from musicians to comedians. When to visit: It's open seven days a week, 10am-6pm."

"Located in the heart of London’s financial district, the Royal Exchange previously hosted the centre of commerce for the City of London. Today, however, the Royal Exchange hosts a variety of luxury shops, Rolex, Tiffany & Co., Hermes, Gucci…just to give an idea. Luxury restaurants and champagne bars are a great place to take a shopping break and the location of the Royal Exchange, the opposite side of town from our other shopping centres, means it is oftentimes not as busy as the better-known shopping locations of London."

"Not a single shop, but a collection of exclusive boutiques and restaurants, founded in the 16th century and housed in a striking building constructed in 1837. Shops include Hermès, Georg Jensen and Tiffany & Co, and goods available to buy range from fashion and accessories to beauty products and homewares. 3 Royal Court, Royal Exchange, Unit 15C, London EC3V 3LN"

"Sitting snugly between Bank and Monument Tube stations, the Royal Exchange building used to be the centre of commerce for the City of London. It has twice been burnt down and rebuilt, most recently in the 1840s. Royal Proclamations were traditionally read out on its lavish steps by the town crier."

"Of course you will want to check off primary attractions such as The Big Ben, The London Eye, or Westminster Abbey off your list. If you’re a keen shopper, you will want to hit the shopping mecca that is Oxford Street. But also make sure you experience luxurious afternoon tea in London , take an offbeat food tour, sample street art, and hit a few alternative bars in town. Check out our Guide To London for loads of offbeat and fun ideas of things to do in London."

"Whilst it is possible to go inside and take a tour, I’d suggest just taking photos from the outside of this beautiful building, particularly of the Elizabeth Tower, home to Big Ben, and then heading on to:"

"This iconic sight is best viewed from the Westminster Bridge or from the south side of the Thames. Westminster Abbey – This large, mostly Gothic, church is one of the most notable religious buildings in the UK and is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for British monarchs. It is simply breathtaking both inside and out but it is inside that you will find so much to explore. Make sure you allow a good few hours to visit properly."

"Big Ben/ Elizabeth Tower is seen in countless photographs, and from Westminster Bridge you’ll find some great spots to capture pictures. You could try something different and use ND filters and a tripod to get a slightly different long exposure shot such as below. This particular location is also great to take night photographs of London with light trails from buses going past."

"Westminster Bridge is always very busy, but even on weekends you can usually get a quiet spot and moment without too many people around. I love this view of the London Eye with the River Thames and I’m sure your Instagram followers will love it too!. Click here for the exact location."

"Next suggested stop is HMS Belfast(fee*), which is permanently moored on the Thames a short walk from Tower Bridge on the south bank. This historic warship, operated today by Imperial War Museums, will definitely be of interest to military buffs, or anyone with an interest in boats. Launched just before the outbreak of World War 2, this Royal Navy Light Cruiser saw action in both World War 2 and the Korean War, before being decommissioned in 1963."

"After you’ve crossed tower bridge, you might consider visiting HMS Belfast, which is permanently moored on the Thames a short walk from Tower Bridge on the south bank. This historic warship, operated today by Imperial War Museums, will definitely be of interest to military buffs, or anyone with even a slight interest in boats."

"This brightly coloured bistro on Brick Lane ticks just about every stereotype box, from poster-clad walls, candles and the kind of furniture that looks as if it might belong on a patio, through to a menu of unashamed clichés. From tartare to confit via terrines, moules and escargot, Chez Elles serves exactly what people want at very decent prices, taking itself with far too little seriousness to feel French at all. Bravo.Chez Elles, 45 Brick Lane, E1 6P"

"Whilst French restaurants are often known for meat and cheese, Gauthier does things differently. There are two entirely vegan menus to choose from, including a seven-course vegan tasting menu for £65. Featured image: @bonvivantrestaurant"

"Winner of the Best Vegan Menu at the PETA Vegan Food Awards in 2016 and since popping up on many of London’s best restaurant lists, this fine dining restaurant is known for inventing a vegan alternative to foie gras."

"Less shiny Parisian bistro and more rustic rural French eatery, this bar and restaurant just off Trafalgar Square specialises in low-intervention natural wines, and food to match. Come for a glass, a bottle and some small plates or a full-blown meal and enjoy the likes of cured meats and cheeses, rich fish soups and unctuous rillettes. If you want to get carried away with wine, then you’re in the right place; if not, starting prices for a glass are about £6."

"Split over two floors, Terroirs in London’s West End is both a wine bar and restaurant. Reserve a table on the ground floor to sample fine wines and pick at small plates of charcuterie and cheese, or choose to sit in the cellar restaurant for exquisite three-course meals. Order oysters by the half dozen, sample the bouillabaisse or the red mullet, or, if you’re feeling carnivorous, share a whole black leg chicken or a one-kilogram Angus T-bone steak."

"While the majority of our listed restaurants offer excellent French wines, we thought it worthy to include Terroirs as the stand-out wine destination. This charming wine bar in Charing Cross is exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about recognising the worth of every bottle. The word terroir actually refers to the characteristic flavour imparted to a wine from the environment it is produced in, such as soil and climate."

"A relatively recent emphasis — in no small part because of a growing relationship between London restaurants and Cornish suppliers — is being placed on English waters. Westerns Laundry, by the same operators, Jeremie Cometto-Lingenheim and David Gingell’s Western Laundry (the pair also oversees Primeur and Jolene), is one of London’s best seafood restaurants, in the past year featuring a covered terrace for outdoor eating alongside the main dining room, serving glorious plates like fideo pasta rich with cuttlefish, squid ink, and aioli; monkfish friggitelli and mojo verde; and John Dory, peas, braised gem lettuce, and pancetta. A stellar winelist, with low-intervention and classic options adds to the reasons to visit this outstanding, warmly lit and carefully designed Holloway restaurant."

"A relatively recent emphasis — in no small part because of a growing relationship between London restaurants and Cornish suppliers — is being placed on English waters. Westerns Laundry, by the same operators, Jeremie Cometto-Lingenheim and David Gingell, of Primeur and Jolene, is one of London’s best seafood restaurants. The cuttlefish and ham croquette remains a standout dish; langoustine with bloody marie rose is as good as minimal shellfish service gets; the rum baba has nothing to do with seafood but is an essential order nonetheless."

"With the bifold doors flung open and pre-dinner drinks out on the terrace, the team who also run Primeur and Jolene have turned this unlovely former laundry by the Emirates Stadium into a little slice of foodie paradise. Enjoy snacks and a glass of Vermouth under the olive tree and feel like you're far away from North London. More about Westerns Laundry"

"Eat and explore at the same time with London Shell Co., a canal boat restaurant serving British seafood while travelling along Regent’s Canal. Enjoy Dorset Estuary oysters, battered mackerel with tartare sauce and baked brill with crab bisque while cruising past some of London’s most iconic landmarks, from London Zoo to Regent’s Park. If you fancy something a little more static, you can eat on the boat Tuesday to Friday lunchtime when it’s docked at Paddington Central."

"Dinner on board The Prince Regent with The London Shell Co means not one view, but countless. The barge-based restaurant runs cruising dinners, during which diners can enjoy expertly sourced British seafood dishes as they travel via the capital’s canals from Paddington to Camden and back again. From leafy canal paths to landmarks including London Zoo and Regent’s Park, dining here is to see the capital from a different perspective."

"Go one step further than a waterside view, and take your date onto the canal for a scenic boat ride while they tuck into dinner. It's not just the romantic setting that is the draw here - the food really is exceptional, with British seafood taking centre stage among an internationally influenced menu. You just might want to check your other half doesn't get seasick before you step on board."