Luton Tourist Information Guide

Travel From London Luton Airport

COUNTRY CODE: Dial +44 for the UK.

Travel by Train Luton Airport

King's Cross in Central London is just 32 minutes away by Thameslink trains (www.thameslink.co.uk). There's also a free and frequent shuttle bus between the airport and Luton Parkway station. At peak times there are eight trains an hour, calling at five London stations. Tickets cost £10 one way, although there is a discount if you book in advance.

Travel by Bus or Coach

Greenline runs a coach service to Victoria Station via Brent Cross, Finchley Road, Baker Street and Marble Arch. easyJet passengers pay a one-way fare of just £7 or £8 return. Coaches are fairly frequent except between 1.30am-4.30am. Tel. +44 (0) 870 608 7261. www.greenline.co.uk

Travel by Car

It's a one-hour drive from central London and 15 minutes from London's orbital motorway the M25. It's just a mile from junction 10 of the M1 motorway, which connects London and the north of England.

Travel by Taxi

Two licensed taxi companies service the airport and charge around £55 into central London. Tel. +44 (0)1582 595555 / 736666.

Car Hire- Luton Airport

For special ParkandSave car hire rates checkout our Car Rental section. Through an assiociation with TravelExtras we can give you discounted Luton Airport Car Hire, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Pubs - Nightclubs - Music - Entertainment London

Low Cost Cheap & Cheerful (Around a £10)

The Rosemary Branch (2 Shepperton Road, N1. Tel. 020 7704 2730). Decorated with the works of local artists, this 400-year-old pub on the edge of Shoreditch serves a fine selection of traditional pub fare and contemporary cuisine. After a hearty meal, be sure to check out the adjoining theatre. Sausage & Mash Cafe (268 Portobello Road, W10. Tel. 020 8968 8898). Located on ultra-trendy Portobello Road, S&M Cafe offers up a creative selection of scrumptious sausages, including pork, beef, chicken and vegetarian options, paired of course with deliciously flavoured mashed potatoes.

Around £20

La Porchetta (141-142 Upper Street, N1. Tel. 020 7288 2488). This bustling Italian-owned pizzeria has garnered a loyal following for its large pizzas,stuffed calzones and pasta dishes. The fun, noisy atmosphere, friendly staff and to-die-for pizzas make the queue to get in well worthwhile. Navarro's (67 Charlotte Street, W1. Tel. 020 7637 7713). The brick-walled, basement-level dining area at this quaint West End tapas restaurant looks as though it has been transported straight from Barcelona.

Special Occasions

St John (26 St. John Street, EC1. Tel. 020 7251 0848). Eclectic cuts of meat have earned this stylish English restaurant rave reviews. Be brave and try such rare delicacies as pig's spleen and ox heart, or opt for more conventional dishes like widgeon duck or lamb shank. Bleeding Heart (11 Greville Street, EC1. Tel. 020 7242 8238). Enjoy classic French cuisine, a selection of over 400 wines and a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere at this Farringdon favourite. Expect the likes of delicate foie gras, succulent duck and mouth-watering venison.

Exclusive Restaurants

Sketch Gallery (pictured) (9 Conduit Street, W1. Tel. 0870 777 4488). Located on the former site of the Royal Institute of Architects and featuring innovative furniture design and eye-catching video art installations, the decor at Sketch Gallery is unbelievable. Not to be outdone, the menu is very creative and the food stylishly presented. Definitely a place to see and be seen! Zuma (5 Raphael Street, SW7. Tel. 020 7584 1010).With what some consider the best sushi in London, Zuma is the latest choice for high-end Japanese fare. When not enjoying the fried soft- shell crab and marinated black cod or admiring the sleek, minimalist surroundings, keep your eyes open for the celebrity diners who frequent this hot spot.

Pubs - Nightclubs - Music - Entertainment London

Public Houses (Pubs)

Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes (34-36 Kingsland Road, E2. Tel. 020 7739 9550). This new bar has quickly become popular amongst the fashionista crowd. The plentiful couches, live DJ playing relaxed beats and hip, yet understated decor make you feel like you are in a hipster's living room. The Archway Tavern (115 Upper Street, N1. Tel. 020 7226 1916). This friendly, relaxed pub boasts a small, attached performance area where you can catch an intimate peek at the best up-and-coming indie rock bands performing.

Live Entertainment Music

Cherry Jam (58 Porchester Road, W2. Tel. 020 7727 9950). From poetry readings and live jazz bands, to house and electro dance nights, to drum 'n' bass and rock shows, this three-room space acts as a club, bar/restaurant and art gallery, making it perfect no matter what your mood. Cargo (83 Rivington Street, EC2. Tel. 020 7739 3440). Focusing more on live, experimental acts than DJs and featuring an excellent sound system, Cargo is for the slightly more adventurous music lover.

Nightspots Clubs Nightclubs

10 Rooms (1 Dover Street, W1. Tel. 020 7734 9990). At this exclusive Piccadilly venue, artists such as Lionel Richie, Sean Paul and Chaka Khan have been known to pop in and play impromptu sets. Fabric (77a Charterhouse Street, EC1. Tel. 020 7336 8898). One of the only mega-clubs to retain its cool reputation, this cavernous nightspot sees large crowds dancing until the sun comes up to tunes spun out by the world's best DJs. Fortress Studios (34-38 Provost Street, N1. Tel. 020 7251 6200). Stark and slightly grimy, this is the spot to catch major artists before they make it big. Dance to a live Coldplay set in the main room or to underground hiphop MCs in one of the smaller rooms. Bar Monaco (39-45 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1. Tel. 020 7437 0847). Everyday of the week this happening club is packed with an international crowd. Get your groove on to R&B and hip-hop or from the upstairs balcony watch the beautiful people strut their stuff.

Places To Visit & See - Days Out - About London

Over the last few years Shoreditch has risen from a desolate warehouse district to London's trendiest neighbourhood. New clubs and bars seem to spring up weekly and the city's most cutting-edge music, fashion and art can be readily experienced on its streets. Storefronts that once served as shoe and handbag importers now act as spacious art galleries and boutiques. Be sure to visit it soon, before rapid gentrification turns the neighbourhood into a crowded tourist destination.

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