New survey sheds light on the reasons people come to the UK capital.
London: The Big Smoke. If you’re British, chances are you have an opinion about the capital. The very idea of the place can elicit strong emotions, ranging from excitement to dread. But what exactly is it that draws other British people here?
Now, new research offers new clues about the main motivations of people who come to London for non-work reasons. In a survey commissioned by Tristan Capital Partners of a thousand British visitors to the capital, people from all generations were asked to vote for their primary reason for travelling to the capital. And the results might not be what you’d expect.
1. First We Feast
Across all categories, across all generations, it turns out that the most popular reason for visiting London is food: 39% of respondents selected restaurants as their #1 motivator for coming to the capital.
2. Retail Therapy
Dining beats shopping: but not by much. The survey shows the second most popular reason for coming to the capital is shopping, with 37% saying it’s a primary motivation for heading into town.
3. Art Pilgrimage
The third most popular draw, according to the survey, is London’s profusion of cultural attractions. A solid 32% said they come here for institutions such as the British Museum and Tate Modern.
4. Park Life
London’s lush, expansive parks and gardens turn out to be a big draw, with almost a quarter of people - 24% - considering them a top reason to visit.
5. Night Fever
Conversely, and hot on the heels of the parklife-lovers, 23% of those surveyed said bars and nightclubs are a priority.
6. The Tourist Circuit
Perhaps surprisingly, classic tourist sights such as Big Ben and Tower Bridge ranked at fourth place in the survey, with 19% considering them important. Meanwhile, London’s theatres and West End shows achieved just 18% as the primary pull for visitors.
Or perhaps the results aren’t all that surprising? After all, eating is a human necessity, while a trip on the London Eye … isn’t. But the results also speak to the capital’s recognition as a destination for foodies. According to some polls, owing to its culinary diversity, London is Europe’s top food city.
So if you wanted to conveniently enjoy all the city had to offer, where would you begin? Well, it’s pretty hard to argue that Sicilian Avenue ticks all the boxes when it comes to Britons’ favourite London attractions. Top restaurants and cafes? The Avenue is literally lined with them. Retail therapy? You’re within minutes of the city’s most famous boutiques. Museums? The British Museum is just six minutes by foot. Gardens? Sicilian Avenue is just over the road from Bloomsbury Square, London’s oldest square.
In sum, if you’re looking for a laid-back location from which to see the best of the capital, whether it’s a launchpad or a lunch pad, Sicilian Avenue is a bit of a no-brainer.