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7 Top Tips for Housesitters in London
Many of our housesitters return to favourite spots discovered while travelling and housesitting. Tips for housesitters in London are especially worth noting if offered by a seasoned traveller like Tiera St Claire who has been visiting the capital for many years and enjoying its attractions. Read on to learn Tiera’s top tips for London, highlights of the capital you should not miss.
North, South, East and West. When housesitting in or near London, there is so much to see. Here are a few of my favourites, in this London housesitting guide, perhaps some of them are not so well known and therefore new for you to discover.
If you are looking for things to do during a London housesit look no further. These are my tips for housesitters in London gathered from my own years of petsitting and housesitting in London.
Photo credit – Tiera St Claire
North – Tips for Housesitters in London
If you find yourself in North London housesitting then the following suggestions are on your doorstep, or at least very accessible. Most are free or very reasonably priced so in keeping with the frugal travel principles of travel by housesitting.
Alexandra Palace:
This is London’s “People’s Palace”.
Alexandra Palace — often affectionately called “Ally Pally” — is a grand Victorian entertainment and cultural venue in North London, set within Alexandra Park between Muswell Hill and Wood Green.
A Vision for the Public
Originally conceived in the 19th century as the “Palace of the People”, Alexandra Palace was intended as a place for leisure, education, and recreation for everyone — not just royalty or the elite. The park opened in 1863, and the palace building followed, opening in 1873 in spectacular fashion. It hosts concerts, exhibitions, sports events, and festivals throughout the year.
Photo credit – Debbi Scholes
Top Tip💡- Book the ‘Summit’ to the top of the Palace, it’s highly recommended and offers great views.
A new attraction called the ‘Summit’ at Alexandra Palace lets visitors climb onto the palace roof for expansive panoramic views over London. This opened just this year, and a couple of friends went. They said it was exhilarating, being so high and seeing such a view of London.
My friends were very impressed with their guide, Max, who was a font of information. For example, do you know how many pods the London Eye has? 32. Why? Because there are 32 boroughs in London!
Inside the building is gorgeous, and there is a cafe where you can grab a cuppa after your climb or before going for a walk in the beautiful park.
Wherever you are house sitting in London this is very accessible. You can get a train from King’s Cross Station directly to Alexandra Palace station. Or take the Victoria Tube Line to Finsbury Park and then a train or bus. If you don’t want to walk uphill, the bus is recommended.
Photo credit – Tiera St Claire
South – Tips for Housesitters in London
If you find yourself in South London housesitting then consider my ideas for walking tours and gallery visits as worthwhile investments of your time while in the neighbourhood, so to speak.
Dulwich Picture Gallery — London’s First Public Art Gallery
Dulwich Picture Gallery is a historic and beautiful art museum, nestled in leafy Dulwich Village, in South London. It holds a special place in art history because it is the world’s first purpose-built public art gallery — intentionally designed to share great art with everyone, not just private collectors or the elite.
Top Tip 💡- It’s in my tips for housesitters in London because it’s a must, even thought it’s off the beaten track.
The building itself is enjoyable, and the people are always friendly and helpful.
What You’ll See
Inside, the gallery’s permanent collection includes masterpieces by some of the greatest artists of European art history, such as:
- Rembrandt
- Rubens
- Gainsborough
- Poussin
- Canaletto
These works span Baroque, Renaissance, and British portrait traditions, making Dulwich an exceptional place to see Old Master paintings outside central London.
The Dulwich Picture Gallery also hosts temporary exhibitions that explore specific themes, artists, or art historical topics, bringing new perspectives alongside the historic collection. Just recently, I saw an exhibition called ‘Painting Light’ showing paintings by Danish artist Anna Ancher. Apparently, when she was a child, her mother encouraged her art after Hans Christian Anderson came to stay at their guest house.
Photo credit – Tiera St Claire
More Than Paintings: Garden and Play
Beyond classic art, the Gallery’s Sculpture Garden and new ArtPlay Pavilion (great for families) make the visit feel relaxed and welcoming. The gardens are dotted with contemporary sculptures, and the ArtPlay Pavilion offers playful, art-inspired spaces for children.
Top Tip 💡- There is a darling café, perfect for recharging before you roll onto the next gallery.
The easiest way to get there is by train from Victoria Station to West Dulwich. The village of West Dulwich is small yet charming, great for a wander around on foot and looking in all the shops.
East – Tips for Housesitters in London
If you happen to be on an East London housesitting then you may already be familiar with some of these streets. If not make a point of doing the self-guided tour I offer. You won’t regret it.
I love street art in the East End of London. It gives me a sense of the people, their vibe and tone of life, with all the underpinnings of a place. People are so creative! I have often pondered what great masters would have created if they had not been constrained by the social, political and religious mores of the time. So I’ve included this walk through these streets in my tips for housesitters in London because the area has energy, it is truly impressive, innovative and highly creative. Don’t miss this.
Can you imagine strolling along streets where El Greco, Monet, Rubens, Goya, Rembrandt …simply painted what they felt and thought?
In the streets around Spitalfields and neighbouring Shoreditch, graffiti isn’t just decoration — it’s part of the area’s identity. Walk along andfind walls layered with bold murals, stencil art, paste-ups, and ever-changing tags. It’s one of London’s most dynamic and photographed neighbourhoods.
Photo credit – Tiera St Claire
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🎨A Living, Changing Canvas
Unlike traditional galleries, the “exhibition” here constantly evolves. A mural that exists today may be painted over next week. The reason this area makes my list of tips for housesitters in London is because of that sense of impermanence, it gives Spitalfields a real creative energy — the streets feel alive, reactive, and current.
I’ve been here at times where I was awed and excited at every turn and other days where it was really cool but didn’t speak to me as deeply.
Photo courtesy of Tiera St Claire
The area became a hotspot in the late 1990s and 2000s as artists transformed former warehouse buildings and industrial walls into large-scale canvases. Today, everything from politically charged pieces to playful characters and intricate lettering can appear overnight.
Spitalfields graffiti isn’t just something to tick off — it’s something to wander through slowly. No two visits are the same. Whether you’re into photography, urban culture, or simply exploring London beyond the postcard landmarks, this corner of East London offers colour, creativity, and constant surprise.
Photo credit – Tiera St Claire
Start Your Self-guided Walking Tour, start at Old Spitalfields Market.
Begin under the Victorian market roof, that’s one of my top tips for housesitters in London for this area. Grab a coffee and head toward Brushfield Street. You’ll start noticing smaller paste-ups and stencils on shutters and side alleys.
Top Tip 💡 – Look at shop shutters — many feature commissioned pieces.
Brick Lane
Turn right onto Brick Lane — the beating heart of East London street art.
- Large-scale murals change regularly.
- Look down the side alleys like Grimsby Street.
- Political pieces often appear here.
Top Tip 💡– Keep your camera ready or make sure your smart phone is well charged — walls rotate quickly and you’ll want to take lots of photos.
Hanbury Street
Just off Brick Lane, the streets often host some of the largest murals in the area. You’ll usually find bold, colourful works covering entire building façades.
Walk west along Hanbury Street toward Commercial Street to enjoy the best views.
Photo credit – Tiera St Claire
Fashion Street
Turn left onto Commercial Street, then right into Fashion Street.
This stretch is known for:
- Layered tagging walls
- High-detail paste-ups
- Occasional works linked to artists like Banksy (historically — pieces come and go).
Rivington Street & Great Eastern Street
Head north into Shoreditch proper.
These streets frequently feature:
- Massive commissioned murals
- Graphic, colourful characters
- International street artists
This is where street art meets design studios and creative agencies.
Redchurch Street & Boxpark Area
Continue toward Redchurch Street for a mix of boutiques and smaller pieces tucked between doorways. Nearby pedestrian areas often feature fresh, experimental works.
You can circle back toward Spitalfields via Curtain Road and Commercial Street, or finish near Shoreditch High Street Overground station.
West – Tips for Housesitters in London
Photo credit – Tiera St Claire
While London is so vast if you happen to be in a West London housesitting try to make a bee line for my recommended visits, the gallery and the streets, to say nothing of the shops and boutiques. It’s all a feast for the eyes.
In the Heart of Chelsea
Located on King’s Road in Chelsea, the Saatchi Gallery is one of London’s leading spaces for contemporary art, known for showcasing emerging and international artists. As a lover of all art and architecture but especially contemporary art I have to include this gallery in my tips for housesitters in London.
It was founded in 1985 by advertising magnate Charles Saatchi and is famous for helping launch the Young British Artists (YBAs) in the 1990s
The caller has large, minimalist white gallery rooms — perfect for bold, immersive exhibitions and showcasing art and cutting-edge, provocative, or experimental shows.
Photo credit – Tiera St Claire
A Novel Museum
Unlike traditional museums, the exhibitions change frequently, so every visit feels different.
Top Tip: 💡– If you love modern or contemporary art don’t miss the Saatchi Gallery
What You’ll See
- Painting, sculpture, photography
- Large-scale installations
- Multimedia and conceptual works
- Themed group exhibitions
It’s a great place to discover artists before they become widely known.
General admission is usually free (special exhibitions may be ticketed)
Getting there is easy by taking the Underground to Sloane Square and then walking about 5-7 minutes down The King’s Road.
Photo courtesy of Tiera St Claire
This puts you right in the heart of Chelsea, where there are boutiques and cafes to enjoy.
Top Tip: 💡– Visit the Chelsea Flower Show but book well in advance
If you visit in the Spring, you can also enjoy the Chelsea Flower Show, which usually happens in the third week of May – but do check dates well ahead of your visit.
From the gallery, you can return to Sloane Square and then walk up Sloane St. to window shop all the gorgeous designer stores, of which there are many. The top of the street brings you to the department store Harvey Nichols, or Harvey Nicks as it’s known by the locals! If you turn to the left, you come across Harrods, or if you keep going straight, you can enjoy a lovely stroll through Hyde Park. Whichever way you turn your adventure will be well worth the walk.
London offers endless discoveries for housesitters, and these seven tips help you enjoy the city while caring for pets. Whether you’re exploring neighbourhoods or relaxing between duties, housesitting in London is one of the best ways to experience the capital like a local.
👩💼 About the Author Tiera St Claire: Tiera has spent 20 years as a housesitter, often in London one of her favourite cities. She has been caring for pets and properties across 30+ countries. Her journey proves that midlife can be the beginning of your greatest adventure. Follow Tiera’s ongoing housesitter journey, and enjoy her London travel tips at House Sit Match,
FAQ: Housesitting in London
1. Is London a good city for housesitting?
Yes. London is one of the most popular cities for housesitting because homeowners frequently travel and many have pets that need care. Housesitters benefit from staying in a comfortable home while exploring the city’s neighbourhoods, parks, museums, and attractions at little or no accommodation cost.
2. What should I do on my days off during a London housesit?
Great housesitting opportunities can be found across North, South, East, and West London. Areas like Muswell Hill, Dulwich Village, Shoreditch, and Chelsea offer a mix of culture, parks, cafés, and local attractions, making them ideal bases for housesitters who want to explore while staying close to their petsitting responsibilities.
3. Which London neighbourhoods are best for housesitters?
Great housesitting opportunities can be found across North, South, East, and West London. Areas like Muswell Hill, Dulwich Village, Shoreditch, and Chelsea offer a mix of culture, parks, cafés, and local attractions, making them ideal bases for housesitters who want to explore while staying close to their petsitting responsibilities.
4. How do I get around London during a housesit?
London has excellent public transport, including the Tube, buses, Overground, and trains. Most housesitters rely on a combination of walking and public transport to reach local attractions. Using a contactless card or Oyster card keeps travel simple and affordable.
5. How can I find housesitting jobs in London?
The best way to find housesitting opportunities in London is to create a strong sitter profile on Housesitmatch.com, check new listings regularly, and apply early. Homeowners look for reliable, communicative sitters with good references, so keeping your profile updated helps you stand out.
Further Reading on Housesitting, Petsitting and Affordable Travel
At Housesitmatch.com we like to share useful blogs and practical advice, like this article on tips for housesitters in London. We hope you find this small selection of blogs on house sitters and sustainable travel useful.
Housesitting and sustainable travel
Dog sitting in London – A guide
London house sitting – London calling
What a housesitter does – Top 10 responsibilities
