Once named by The Sunday Times as the best place to live in London and renowned as a safe haven for bohemian literary giants, Fitzrovia is a truly special place to stay and visit. While geographically Fitzrovia is situated right in the heart of central London, its distinct community feel and cultural legacy make it a sanctuary for its visitors and residents.
This area guide will provide you with an overview of the best things to do in Fitzrovia — from bucket-list attractions to hidden gem experiences, Fitzrovia is a truly compelling district to visit.
An Overview of Fitzrovia
Fitzrovia is an area steeped in cultural history, with even its name a product of the artistic circles who would frequent the Fitzroy Tavern on Charlotte Street in the 1930s. Among these regulars were the likes of Virgina Woolf, George Bernard Shaw and George Orwell, firmly placing Fitzrovia as the pinnacle of the 20th century literary movement. While its reputation as a refuge for artists began almost 100 years ago, the district remains to this day a hotspot for writers, musicians and filmmakers who take inspiration from Fitzrovia’s charming streets and socialise in the area's many trendy restaurants and bars.
With Oxford Street to its south and Marylebone to its west, Fitzrovia stands out from its neighbours as a chic and contemporary part of London with a strong sense of its community and bohemian identity. Although slightly smaller than other popular London tourist destinations, Fitzrovia most definitely packs a punch in terms of its culinary, sightseeing and visual offerings.
If you’re someone who has an appreciation for the cultural things in life, and perhaps have artistic tendencies, definitely consider staying in or at least visiting Fitzrovia.
What to do in Fitzrovia
An absolute must-visit attraction in Fitzrovia is The British Museum. The museum is dedicated to human history, art and culture, and is located just on the outskirts of Fitzrovia. With a constantly changing list of specialist exhibitions, and being the permanent home to over eight million works, The British Museum caters for all tastes and areas of interest. Plus, it’s perfectly situated being just a six-minute walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station and surrounded by charming courtyard cafes and restaurants for you to stop by after your visit.
Our alternative pick is the Grant Museum of Zoology. This museum might not be for everyone as it boasts an extensive array of skeletons, mounted animals and preserved specimens. However, if you’re someone intrigued by perfectly preserved extinct and endangered animals, this is an attraction for you.
Located in the Rockefeller Building at University College London, the Grant Museum of Zoology has been around since 1827 and houses around 67,000 different species. Visiting is an experience truly unique to Fitzrovia as it is the last remaining university zoological museum in the capital.
What to see in Fitzrovia
There is plenty to see in Fitzrovia, with even the area’s pubs being steeped in cultural history. Walk down Charlotte Street and take in the variations of eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century architectural styles and the array of colourful buildings. A detour to Whitfield Street is a must, where you can admire the iconic Pollock’s Toy Museum building. While London’s oldest toy museum is unfortunately now closed indefinitely, the building itself is known as a photo-worthy spot.
Another must-see in Fitzrovia is the BT Tower. This grade II listed communications tower was praised for its groundbreaking architectural design when it was built in 1964, and is nearly 200m tall. We recommend observing this iconic tower from Fitzroy Square — a gorgeous green space lined with original Georgian buildings and complete with a Naomi Blake sculpture and a Blue Plaque dedicated to Virgina Woolf. The square is the perfect place to bring a picnic and take in the views of BT Tower on a sunny day.
In Fitzroy Place you’ll find Fitzrovia Chapel, renowned as one of the best examples of Gothic Revival architecture. Designed and completed by John Loughborough Pearson in 1892, its illustrious interior design has resulted in the chapel becoming a unique venue for exhibitions and fashion shows throughout the year. These exhibitions are generally open to the public so it’s definitely worth checking out what events they have on while you visit.
Where to eat in Fitzrovia
In Fitzrovia, you really will be spoiled for choices in terms of food and drink options. We’ve recommended a few of our favourites to make the most of the array of cuisines on offer.
The Attendant is a famous tourist spot for coffee and brunch in Fitzrovia, and for good reason. It’s a café set in a restored underground Victoria mens loo from the 1890s, and still has its original Doulton & Co porcelain urinals. While this might not seem like an obvious venue for a flat white, it’s worth checking out this quirky coffee bar for their top quality espresso and truly memorable setting.
There’s plenty of dinner options in Fitzrovia, with Ottolenghi’s Rovi being a popular choice for Middle Eastern small plates like celeriac shawarma and Jerusalem mixed grill. However, our top recommendation is Akoko, a Michelin-starred restaurant offering ten-course tasting menus largely inspired by the cuisines of Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal. Founder Aji Akokomi has drawn on his own West African heritage to create a diverse range of cutting edge dishes that blend the freshest seasonal British ingredients with African spices. With its brown-hue minimalist interior and an open kitchen, diners at Akoko can fully immerse themselves in their dining experience, all whilst witnessing the meticulous preparation, cooking and serving of each course.
For after dinner drinks, it has to be the Fitzroy Tavern. Famous as a meeting place for London’s artists, intellectuals and bohemians, this pub is steeped in cultural history and still retains its original Victorian appearance from polished mahogany partitions to wrought-iron pub signs. The Pear Shaped Comedy Club has been running in the Tavern’s downstairs bar on Wednesday nights since 2000, so if you’re planning a mid-week trip it’s definitely worth a visit.
Where to stay in Fitzrovia
While there are a host of hotels and B&Bs located in Fitzrovia, many being dotted around Tottenham Court Road and Foley Street, we recommend staying on the south side of the district towards Oxford Street and Bond Street. In this area you will be able to make the most of everything Fitzrovia has to offer whilst being able to easily explore other worth-visiting parts of the city such as Mayfair and Marylebone.
At Luxury London Listings we offer a stunning luxury two-bedroom flat in this prime location, just off of Oxford Street and a stone’s throw away from the heart of Fitzrovia. With a private entrance, two spacious bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen and living space, our property is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of exploring Fitzrovia and enjoying this truly special part of London.
For more information to discuss your rental needs, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@luxurylondonlistings.com.
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