City guides: London

London's diversity has something for everyone - from the latest trends in fashion and music to high-class culture, eclectic eating and a never-ending supply of things to see and do.

Bars and clubs

From the trendy and relaxed ambiance found in The Jam Tree (Clapham) to the artsy hipster vibe of the Amersham Arms (New Cross), to the party fever found at typical student hang Belushis (Greenwich), London certainly has a host of bars to satisfy a range of student needs.

As for clubs, the city is home to various places dubbed 'superclubs', due to the vast range of popular music on offer. With each promising the 'ultimate clubbing experience' it can be hard to choose.

However the best nights tend to occur at either Fabric or Pacha and of course Ministry of Sound. If you instead desire authentic intimate gigs from up and coming artists, underground performers and those already established in the musical field, spots such as XOYO London (Shoreditch) and the Brixton Academy may be the ones for you.

Shopping

With the colossal amount of shops located on Oxford Street, London certainly lives up to the nation's expectations when it comes to shopping. However, shoppers eyes have recently been drawn to the humongous Westfield centre, cited in East London. The centre offers a huge range of high street shops including Topshop, Victoria's Secret, Primark and Apple, as well as a Vue cinema, Juice bars, Starbucks and a Krispy Kreme counter.

With good transport links and an extensive range of shops on offer, shopping at Westfield quickly becomes a full day out. But if you prefer seeking out vintage clothing and hunting through thrift stores, locations such as Brick Lane, Portobello Road, Camden and Dalston are perfect for those unique bargain items.

Eating out

The cosmopolitan atmosphere found in London is certainly reflected in places to eat. Walking down a London street, restaurants presenting food from all across the world is a standard sight.

Many chic café's and eateries offer organic produce and cater for the needs of coeliacs, vegans and vegetarians. Restaurants from places such as Japan, Italy, Mexico, Lebanon and Bangladesh fill the towns in London, providing some of the most delicious and exotic foods to those interested enough to find it.

One of the best places to eat at can be found in Lewisham. The humble 'Meze Mangal' offers an extensive menu focused largely on Turkish meat dishes cooked in an authentic brick oven that always leaves the clientele impressed. In addition to this the Southbank’s market is something not to be missed, as carefully sourced fresh food and produce from around the world is on offer throughout the year.  

Entertainment

London has huge historical prestige and this is visually evident in the monumental theatres that host entertaining musicals within the West End. However the Southbank centre also offers a variety of shows from spoken word, dance spectacles and singing performances, all at more affordable student prices.

Museums and galleries are abundant in London, with many offering free entry. The Tate and the Natural History Museum are certainly sites not to miss out on. If music is where your heart lies, gigs crop up frequently in the capital's pubs and in hang out spots such as Hyde Park.

Top 3 places to see

• Southbank Christmas market
• Oxford Circus
• British Museum

With so much going on, London is not a place for students looking for the quiet life. But, if you enjoy being where it all happens - whether it's music, sightseeing, culture, people or places - then this is the university city for you. The easy part is finding something amazing to do every day; the hard part is trying to fit it all in.