London area of Holborn guide

What to do and where to stay in London's Holborn neighbourhood

Located between the idle pleasures of the West End and the spectacular wealth of the City, Holborn (recently rebranded 'Midtown' by over-eager estate agents) quickly became London's main drag for lawyers and journalists. The newspapers moved on from Fleet Street in the 1980s, but the area is still full of media professionals. The lawyers have remained in the area surrounding the Inns of Court and the Temple, and with them the expensive restaurants and wine bars that they favour, though since this is largely a commercial area, it is very quiet late in the evening and at weekends, so hotels around here offer a good night's sleep. To the South, the curve of Victoria Embankment is a good place to get a panoramic view of London, taking in Westminster, The City, Bankside, Millbank, Whitehall and The South Bank.

See our recommended nearby Holborn Hotels, Entertainment, Sights and Attractions, Shopping, Restaurants, Pubs, Nightlife, Leisure, Education, and Meeting Venues.

Holborn Hotels

in or near Holborn
Rosewood London
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
252 High Holborn, WC1V
Located in High Holborn, Rosewood London is the most luxurious hotel in the area and is nearby to the capital's main business district and a number ... More
 
 
 
The Montague on the Gardens
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
15 Montague Street, WC1B
Overlooking the gardens of Montague Garden Square, this sedate hotel has a peaceful feel even though the British Museum is right next door and Covent Garden's ... More
 
 
 
Crowne Plaza Kings Cross
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
1 Kings Cross Road, WC1X
Halfway between the City and the west End, the Bloomsbury area is an oasis of calm in the very heart of the capital. It's a lovely ... More
 
 
 

Holborn Entertainment

in or near Holborn
PICK
The Funny Side of Covent Garden (Upstairs at The George)
London > Entertainment > Comedy Clubs
213 Strand, Holborn, London WC2R
The Funny Side comedy group runs comedy clubs in three locations in London, including the flagship Covent Garden venue above The George pub which puts on ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Peacock Theatre
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Portugal Street, Holborn, London WC2A
This theatre is a major force on the national and international dance scene, with an innovative programme from Sadler's Wells that is keeping London's finger ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Catherine Street, Holborn, London WC2B
London's oldest theatre is also its most spectacular, with a palatial auditorium that is among the most impressive in the world. The first theatre on this ... More
 
 
 

Holborn Sights and Attractions

The best museums, galleries, attractions in or near Holborn
PICK
Hunterian Museum
London > Attractions > Museums
35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, Holborn, London WC2A
The Hunterian Museum within the Royal College of Surgeons boasts a host of enlightening, permanent and temporary, galleries and exhibitions. Housed in the college, the Hunterian ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Inns of Court and Royal Courts of Justice
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Strand, Holborn, London WC2A
A stunning example of Gothic architecture, London's Inns of Court date back to before the 14th century. It is here that barristers train and traditionally practice. ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Fleet Street
London > Attractions > Other Attractions
Holborn, London EC4A
Once the thriving hub of Britain's newspaper publishing industry, Fleet Street now plays host to some very historic pubs, beautiful old churches and large financial buildings, ... More
 
 
 

Holborn Shopping

The best shops and markets in or near London's Holborn
PICK
Ede & Ravenscroft
London > Shopping > Clothing
93 Chancery Lane, Holborn, London WC2A
Founded in Aldwych in 1689 Ede and Ravenscroft has the rare distinction of being the tailors and robe makers of choice for twelve coronations and holds ... More
 
 
 
PICK
London Silver Vaults
London > Shopping > Gifts and Luxuries
Chancery House 53-64 Chancery Lane, Holborn, London WC2A
This is a collection of thirty shops containing the largest display of silver under one roof in the world. Also included are high class jewellery and ... More
 
 
 
PICK
The Old Curiosity Shop
London > Shopping > Shoes
13 Portsmouth Street, Holborn, London WC2A
16th century shop and literary landmark. With its precarious overhanging upper storey, uneven floorboards, sloping roof and wooden beams, this 16th century building warrants its title as ... More
 
 
 

Holborn Restaurants

What are the best dining options in or near Holborn London?
PICK
Fields Bar & Kitchen
London > Restaurants > British restaurants
Lincoln's Inn Fields, Holborn, London WC2A
Benugo, the restaurant group set up by Ben Warner in 1998, adds to its London cafe and restaurants opening Fields Bar & Kitchen in place of ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Department of Coffee and Social Affairs, Chancery Lane
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
90 Chancery Lane, Holborn, London WC2A
With the original branch opened in Leather Lane Market in 2010, the Department of Coffee and Social Affairs now has eight branches across London. Aiming to ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Vanilla Black
London > Restaurants > Vegetarian restaurants
17-18 Tooks Court, Holborn, London EC4A
Born out of a desire to offer something more exciting than a pasta bake, vegetable curry or halloumi kebabs, Vanilla Black specialises in experimental, flavoursome vegetarian ... More
 
 
 

Holborn Pubs

The best pubs in or near London Holborn.
PICK
The Castle
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
26 Furnival Street, Holborn, London EC4A
... More
 
 
 
PICK
Cittie of Yorke
London > Nightlife > Pubs
22 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V
Although the site of the Cittie of Yorke has been home to a public house since the 15th century, it has been housed in many different ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Edgar Wallace
London > Nightlife > Pubs
40 Essex Street, Holborn, London WC2R
... More
 
 
 

Holborn Nightlife

Holborn clubs, bars, cabaret nights, casinos and interesting nightlife.
PICK
Bounce Farringdon
London > Nightlife > Bars
121 Holborn, Holborn, London EC1N
Paddles at the ready! Europe's first social ping-pong club has arrived in London and, quite brilliantly, is built in the exact spot that table tennis was ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Scarfes Bar
London > Nightlife > Bars
252 High Holborn, Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V
Named after the cartoonist Gerald Scarfe (whose characterful illustrations adorn the bar's walls), Scarfes Bar is a shining beacon in the otherwise lacking High Holborn area. ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Bleeding Heart Bistro
London > Nightlife > Wine Bars
Bleeding Heart Yard, off Greville Street, Holborn, London EC1
Set in an attractive cobbled courtyard, this candlelit bistro/wine bar is a taste of an older, more civilised world. Uniformed French waiters glide unobtrusively between tables ... More
 
 
 

Holborn Leisure

Holborn gyms, sporting activities, health & beauty and fitness.
PICK
Lincoln's Inn Fields
London > Leisure > Parks and Gardens
Holborn, Holborn, London WC2A
The largest public square in London, Lincoln's Inn Fields has a rich and varied history. In 1683 it was the site of the public beheading of ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Sense Spa at Rosewood London
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
252 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V
Launched in November 2013, the Sense Spa at Rosewood London is a sanctuary within central London. With Rosewood being an award-winning signature spa brand, visitors can ... More
 
 
 
PICK
My Chocolate Workshops
London > Leisure > Activities
Hatton Square Business Centre, 16-16a Baldwin Gardens, Holborn, London EC1N
Immerse yourself in a world of chocolate with this mouth-watering workshop. You will discover how chocolate is processed from bean to bar. Sample a variety of ... More
 
 
 

Holborn Education

in or near Holborn
PICK
Career Energy
London > Education > Career Services
4-6 Staple Inn, Holborn, London WC1V
Situated in the heart of London, Career Energy – formed in March 2002 - offers comprehensive advice on careers, career change and job searching. They’ll analyse ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Saw Swee Hock Student Centre
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
1 Sheffield Street, Holborn, London WC2A
The award-winning Saw Swee Hock Student Centre, designed by Irish architects O'Donnell + Tuomey and awarded the RIBA London Building of the Year Award in 2014, ... More
 
 
 
PICK
The Method Studio
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, Holborn, London WC1R
Learn to act by becoming the person you are portraying. Think yourself into the role... eat what they would eat, weigh what they would weigh, behave ... More
 
 
 

Holborn Meeting Venues

Where to have your meeting, conference, exhibition, private dining or training course in or near Holborn.
PICK
 
 
 
PICK
Sir John Soane's Museum
London > Business > Venue Hire
13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, Holborn, London WC2A
An appealingly higgledy-piggledy treasure trove of artefacts, the extraordinary Sir John Soane's Museum elegantly located on Lincoln's Inn Fields is well worth an exploratory rummage. Lurking ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Honourable Society of Gray's Inn
London > Business > Venue Hire
8 South Square, Gray's Inn, Holborn, London WC1R
... More
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SALE
London Hotels

From cheap budget accommodation to luxury 5 star suites see our deals for hotels, including from 0% off.

 

 
Call now: hotel deals 0207 420 4960