Your critical guide to arts, culture and going out in the capital

  • 101 things to do before you leave London

  • By Time Out editors

  • 91 101HI Bsgate.jpg
    Crack of dawn at Billingsgate Market

    53 Riff away on Denmark Street
    Look out for unimpressed, snooty staff in the guitar shops – and make them pay with a fumbled rendition of ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’.
    Denmark St, WC2. Tottenham Court Rd tube.

    54
    Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Chinatown
    Lion and dragon teams perform traditional dances and there are, of course, firework displays (at lunchtime and at 5pm). It all takes place in late January/early February.
    Gerrard St, W1. Leicester Square tube.

    55 Play chess in a pub
    The London equivalent of an alfresco game in New York’s Central Park. The Harrison in King’s Cross has plenty of boards, and runs a weekly competition (Monday 6-7pm).
    The Harrison, 28 Harrison St, WC1 (020 7916 3113) King’s Cross tube/rail. Feature continues

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    56 Get up early for Billingsgate Market
    Buy cheap fish, or just enjoy the foul language.Billingsgate Market, Trafalgar Way, E14 (020 7987 1118) Poplar DLR. Open Tue-Sat 5-8.30am.

    57 Laugh at old toys in Pollock’s Toy Museum
    Take in tin toys, teddy bears and more.
    Pollock’s Toy Museum, 1 Scala St (entrance Whitfield St), W1 (020 7636 3452/www.pollockstoymuseum.com) Goodge St tube.

    58 Survive a royal gun salute
    This deafening British display of pageantry happens on a handful of dates every year, when the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery makes a mounted charge through Hyde Park, sets up guns and fires a 41-gun salute. It occurs at noon on Accession Day (February 6), the Queen’s two birthdays (April 12, June 17), Remembrance Sunday (November 12) and other special days.

    59 Get sweaty over Indian food in Southall
    Or Wembley, or Harrow. These three are great:
    Dadima, 228 Ealing Rd, Wembley, Middx,
    HA0 4QL (020 8902 1072) Alperton tube.
    Madhu’s, 39 South Rd, Southall, Middx, UB1 1SW (020 8574 1897/www.madhusonline.com) Southall rail.
    Ram’s, 203 Kenton Rd, Harrow, Middx, HA3 0HD (020 8907 2022) Kenton Rd tube.


    60 Land on Eel Pie Island
    Or just ponder its place in rock history from a pleasant pub across the river.
    The White Swan, Riverside, Twickenham, Middx, TW1 3DX (020 8892 2166) Twickenham rail.

    61 Party on the beach
    When the tide goes out once a month, revellers come in. ‘Reclaim the Beach’ parties take place on the Thames in front of the Royal Festival Hall.
    www.swarming.org.uk/recl.htm or email beach@swarming.org.uk

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23 comments

  1. Posted by Amonamos on 19 Jul 2008 10:17

    i cant wait 2 come 2 london in the hoildays i am soooooooo excited ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !.....................

  2. Posted by taufik on 13 Jul 2008 16:28

    Have been away from london for long..too long really. Miss london more than any other place in the universe!!! So much, so much to do in london. London has every thing concievable!

  3. Posted by Justin on 06 Jul 2008 15:00

    I'm a Londoner who's lived abroad for 18 years, but come every summer with by boys. This list has given me some great ideas. Thanks.

  4. Posted by BECKY ATKIN on 04 Jul 2008 20:06

    No doubt in my mind that London Town is the best place on the earth...so much to do and see. Fantastic list, and how nice to see the obvious things are not on it! Im def planning on hitting the fish market at dome obsurd hour soon....

  5. Posted by bertie on 23 Jun 2008 20:03

    just moved out of london after four years and im missin it! oh how i love london......

  6. Posted by Ticker on 21 Jun 2008 16:58

    Suprised that the Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes is not featured. Everyone should have at least one night at this place

  7. Posted by Trevor Johnson on 11 Jun 2008 12:22

    Green Lanes kebab from Manor House to Turnpike Lane? Why not to the North Circular, just south of Palmers Green?

  8. Posted by faye on 25 May 2008 04:22

    I DON' T KNOW WHAT TO DO IN LONDON?

  9. Posted by mel on 04 May 2008 10:45

    Cool list, and to ignorant person who left neg comment about gay bowling, maybe its for gay people who love bowling and want to meet other gay people and socialise....duhhhh! I think its a cool idea.

  10. Posted by Tatian on 20 Mar 2008 17:44

    thenks for the imfo it really helped me on my report and its not like i wnated to do it in the first place:P

  11. Posted by Andy on 17 Mar 2008 16:14

    Wow! You hardly surprise a Roman but in this case you definitely did it!!! bravi!!!
    Thanks for the suggestions

  12. Posted by Vulprincess The Warrior on 14 Feb 2008 23:06

    i'm doing a report on things to do in london this really helped thanks!

  13. Posted by Rebekah o'connell on 07 Feb 2008 14:19

    people rock!

  14. Posted by Phyllis Manus on 06 Feb 2008 22:08

    London is awesome!

  15. Posted by ladybug on 26 Nov 2007 13:49

    Great! I've lived in the UK for 5 years and will be leaving soon. I will definitely check out some of these things!
    Time is getting short! :(

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