Travel

London is a vast, sprawling metropolis. Because it was once a collection of separate towns and villages or “boroughs,” it developed pockets of attractions and activities from one end of the public transportation system to the other, and beyond. Still, it’s the West End, with its concentration of entertainment, shopping, restaurants, bars, famous parks, and historic attractions, that lures both visitors and locals looking for a night out on the town. Piccadilly, Covent Garden, Soho, Mayfair, St James’s, Knightsbridge, Trafalgar Square, and Parliament Square are among the famous neighborhoods loosely included in the “West End.” If you’re heading “up West,” as many Londoners say, just remember to stay alert, because pickpockets and scam artists love this part of London too.