Travellers on a reasonable budget who still want to watch their wallets might enjoy a room in a classic bed & breakfast (B&B) or intimate hotel. Some of the best lie outside London, but many are well located.

Most B&Bs are small and family run, which should ensure a warm welcome throughout your stay. As the name implies, breakfast is an integral part of the setup. And what a breakfast! You normally will be served coffee or tea, fruit juice and your choice of cereals, followed by a “full English breakfast” – a cooked assortment of eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms and toast. Vegetarians can opt for the non-meat ingredients and still get a great start to the morning. A hearty breakfast like that can fuel a strenuous day of tourism.

Be aware that some places dubbed B&Bs are messy, overpriced and guilty of serving under-tasty food. Our list attempts to avoid those, but if you have a bad experience please let us know and we will remove the location straight away.

On the following pages, we list of some of the best B&Bs and smaller hotels in various recommended areas of London. These include Victoria (near coach and rail stations), Earl’s Court (a traditional antipodean hangout), Paddington & Bayswater (near the station and Queensway), Hyde Park (the Royal Park is one of London’s finest open spaces), King’s Cross & St Pancras (ideal for access to the Eurostar international rail terminal) and Notting Hill (home to carnival, Portobello and that film). Of course, we can’t mention all the great places to spend a weekend, but we’ll do our best to help you make the most of your stay.