🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom
St James Backpackers
📍 21-23 Longridge Rd, London SW5 9SB, UK
Photo: official website
Your stay — St James Backpackers
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for London.
The Property — St James Backpackers
St James Backpackers is a no-frills hostel in a Victorian townhouse just off the Edgware Road. The lobby feels functional and sociable — scuffed floorboards, a noticeboard covered in tour ads, and a front desk that’s more efficient than cheery. It suits budget travellers who want a bed near central London and don’t mind shared bathrooms or thin walls. If you’re after character or quiet, look elsewhere; if you need cheap access to Paddington and the West End, this works.
Chronicles of London
London began as the Roman settlement of Londinium around AD 50, built on the Thames as a trading port. The medieval City grew within its walls, survived the Great Fire of 1666, and rebuilt with Christopher Wren’s churches. The 19th century saw sprawling suburbs linked by railways and the Underground, while the Blitz of World War II levelled large areas. Today, London is a global financial and cultural hub, its skyline a mix of Victorian brick, Georgian squares, glass towers, and royal parks.
Best Time to Visit
Full London guide →Best months
June, September: long daylight in June for evening walks and outdoor markets; September has milder temperatures and lighter crowds after summer peak.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak due to school holidays, Wimbledon, and the Notting Hill Carnival. Hotel prices spike 30–50% above shoulder rates, and advance booking is essential.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer lower prices, fewer queues at major attractions, and mostly pleasant weather (10–18°C) for sightseeing.
Weather & packing
London’s June averages 13–22°C but can rain abruptly any hour. Pack a light waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes — umbrellas blow inside out in the wind.
Live City Briefing — London
- Elizabeth line services from Paddington (10-minute walk) now run direct to Heathrow and Abbey Wood, cutting cross-city travel time.
- The National Gallery and British Museum require free timed-entry slots during peak summer; book online at least a week ahead.
- London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) now covers all boroughs — if driving, check your vehicle’s compliance or daily charge (currently £12.50).
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to St James Backpackers, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the rear garden. These are the quietest, furthest from the street. No lift means fewer guests pass your door.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor facing Longridge Road. Street noise from taxis and night buses is constant, especially after midnight. Ground floor also has the step at the entrance and foot traffic from reception.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on upper floors look over the garden and adjoining Victorian terraces. Street-facing rooms see a typical West London residential road.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4, top two of the four floors. Less foot traffic, less street noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Longridge Road is a bus route and close to Earl's Court Road. Expect traffic noise from 6am to midnight. The NCP car park on Penywern Road adds some early-morning vehicle movement.
Insider tips
If you're in a group, ask for rooms on the same floor to avoid climbing stairs repeatedly. No parking on site; the NCP Earl's Court on Penywern Road (5 mins walk) costs about £30 for 24 hours. Check in early if you want a rear-facing room — they go first.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — St James Backpackers
Free Wi-Fi throughout the building. Speeds are adequate for browsing and messaging, but not for streaming HD video. No login required; just select the network.
No lift. The hostel is a converted Victorian townhouse over four floors, all accessed by stairs only.
No newspapers. A small communal TV lounge shows Freeview channels. The building retains original fireplaces and sash windows typical of an 1870s terrace.
Check-in from 14:00 to 23:00. Late arrivals after 23:00 must notify in advance. Check-out is strict at 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs £10 if available. Bag drop allowed before check-in at no charge.
Free luggage storage available in a locked room on the ground floor during your stay and for a few hours after checkout.
No step-free access; there is one step at the main entrance and no lift. Not suitable for wheelchair users or anyone with mobility issues.
No on-site parking. The nearest public car park is NCP Earl's Court on Penywern Road, about 5 minutes' walk, costing roughly £30 for 24 hours. No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None; VAT is already included in the quoted rate.
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for this summer weekend. A £10 cash key deposit is collected at check-in, refunded on return.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Saint Cuthbert with Saint Matthias (200 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (671 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: New Apostolic Church (832 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: St Philip's (844 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
The Kensington Arcade — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Columbia Gardens — 621 m · ~8 min walk
The Mosaic Rooms — 738 m · ~9 min walk
Finborough Theatre — 962 m · ~12 min walk
Ifield Road Playground — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 617 m · ~8 min walk
Tesco Pharmacy — 377 m · ~5 min walk
MyShop — 552 m · ~7 min walk
Earl's Court — 492 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or Post Office for best rates; avoid airport bureaux and tourist-area exchange shops with poor rates.
Contactless and chip-and-pin cards are widely accepted; mobile pay works almost everywhere; carry some cash for small independent stalls.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service charge not added. Taxis: round up to nearest pound. Hotels: £1-2 per bag for porters, £1-2 per day for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a bakery or cafe chain, around £2.00-£2.50.
A sandwich or wrap from a supermarket meal deal (includes drink and snack), about £3.50-£4.00.
Pub classic like fish and chips or burger, main course around £10-£14.
South Kensington or Portobello Road markets have stalls; wider London offers market food halls like Borough Market (weekdays cheaper).
Tesco Express and Sainsbury's Local are common nearby; Lidl and Aldi are slightly further out but cheaper.
High-street chains on King's Road or Oxford Street; consider TK Maxx for discounts on branded items.
Use Oyster or contactless pay-as-you-go for Tube/buses (capped daily at £8-9 for zones 1-2). From Heathrow: Tube (Piccadilly line) around £6, or National Express coach from £6-10.
Eat lunch at supermarket meal deals instead of cafes. Use free museum entry and book timed slots in advance. Walk or cycle instead of taking short Tube journeys.
Good to know — London
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in London, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at St James Backpackers
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 617 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Tesco Pharmacy — 377 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Central London attractions (Leicester Square, Charing Cross) → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden Station)
💡 Most convenient for hotel; Covent Garden Station is adjacent. Contactless payment auto-caps daily fares at £8.50. Download TfL Go app for real-time updates.
Airports/Central London → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden)
💡 Get Oyster card or contactless payment; cheapest local option. Piccadilly Line goes near Covent Garden. Avoid rush hours if possible.
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden area)
💡 Use official taxi ranks at airports; Uber available but black cabs are iconic. Surge pricing during peak hours (7-9am, 5-7pm).
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (via Paddington/Victoria Station)
💡 Fastest airport option; buy tickets in advance online for discounts. Connect via Circle/District lines to hotel area within 10 mins.
About London
Wikipedia ↗
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.1 million people in 2024. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.4 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at St James Backpackers?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the rear garden. These are the quietest, furthest from the street. No lift means fewer guests pass your door.
Which rooms should I avoid at St James Backpackers?
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor facing Longridge Road. Street noise from taxis and night buses is constant, especially after midnight. Ground floor also has the step at the entrance and foot traffic from reception.
Is St James Backpackers noisy?
Longridge Road is a bus route and close to Earl's Court Road. Expect traffic noise from 6am to midnight. The NCP car park on Penywern Road adds some early-morning vehicle movement.
Which rooms have the best views at St James Backpackers?
Rear-facing rooms on upper floors look over the garden and adjoining Victorian terraces. Street-facing rooms see a typical West London residential road.
What are insider tips for staying at St James Backpackers?
If you're in a group, ask for rooms on the same floor to avoid climbing stairs repeatedly. No parking on site; the NCP Earl's Court on Penywern Road (5 mins walk) costs about £30 for 24 hours. Check in early if you want a rear-facing room — they go first.
What time is check-in at St James Backpackers?
Check-in at St James Backpackers is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does St James Backpackers have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout the building. Speeds are adequate for browsing and messaging, but not for streaming HD video. No login required; just select the network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at St James Backpackers?
None; VAT is already included in the quoted rate.
Where can I eat cheaply near St James Backpackers?
A sandwich or wrap from a supermarket meal deal (includes drink and snack), about £3.50-£4.00.
What is the cheapest way to get around from St James Backpackers?
Use Oyster or contactless pay-as-you-go for Tube/buses (capped daily at £8-9 for zones 1-2). From Heathrow: Tube (Piccadilly line) around £6, or National Express coach from £6-10.
When is the best time to visit London?
June, September: long daylight in June for evening walks and outdoor markets; September has milder temperatures and lighter crowds after summer peak.
Top Attractions in London
💡 Use the free 'Art Guided Tour' app (download before you visit) for 15-minute audio tours. The Sainsbury Wing entrance is less crowded than the main portico.
💡 Go early on weekday mornings (10am) to avoid crowds. The permanent collection is free; special exhibitions cost extra.
💡 Walk the full length from Marble Arch to Kensington Palace (about 2.5 km) for the best cross-section of the park. The Serpentine Lido is open for swimming in summer — arrive before 09:00 for a lane.
💡 Walk from Hyde Park Corner to Kensington Palace via the Serpentine Bridge. Free deckchairs are available near the Lido (first come, first served). Avoid the paid boating unless you really want to.
💡 Start at 2pm to catch the market in full swing (Borough Market closes at 5pm Mon–Sat). No entry fee for any part of the walk itself. Cross Tower Bridge for a free view of the Tower of London.
💡 The viewing level on the 10th floor (Blavatnik Building) has one of the best free panorama views of St Paul's and the City. Entry is free; book a timed slot online.