101 things to do in London
Discover the city with our list of the best things to do and see in London, for visitors and locals alike. From free days out to unmissable restaurants, this is your ultimate London checklist
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in London and the change in season brings with it a sparkling schedule of events in the city, from festive lights to winter markets. Whatever the season, though, we’re always completely spoilt for brilliant things to do in London. From top gigs to incredible art exhibitions, iconic attractions to secret spots, by day and by night, there are actually so many more than 101 things to do in London. But we think this London bucket list (curated by our editors and always hotly debated in the Time Out office) is a good place to start.
Whether you’ve lived here all your life or just arrived in town, our city checklist will help you hunt out hidden gems, find something new at London’s landmarks, get a taste for the West End even when you can’t get a ticket for a show, travel the world through a hundred amazing cuisines and discover new parts of town you’ve never even heard of before. Got the energy to go beyond 101? Check out events in London happening right now.
You can also find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world, or take a look at our list of the 50 best things to do in the world right now.
Written by Ellie Walker-Arnott, Lucy Lovell, Emma Hughes, Anya Meyerowitz, Stephanie Hartman, Grace Allen, Katie McCabe, Charley Ross and Alexandra Sims.
101 best things to do in London
See a world-class exhibition at the V&A
What is it? A cathedral to culture, the V&A is a world-class museum championing the very best of decorative art and design.
Why go? The V&A houses one of the greatest collections of art, design, fashion and textiles on the planet. The permanent exhibits in this South Ken museum are fascinating, free to visit and include a mini pet cemetery. High-profile ticketed exhibitions often sell out.
Don’t miss: The world’s first all-porcelain courtyard created by architect Amanda Levete with 11,000 handmade tiles. When it catches the sunlight, the glittering ceramics make London look like 1960s Rome.
Eat your way around Borough Market
What is it? One of the city’s largest and oldest food markets. It heaves with both tourists and locals gaping at a dizzying array of gastronomic delights and scoffing free samples.
Why go? This mega market in London Bridge has a history that goes back to the thirteenth century, and these days it’s livelier than ever. Packed with artisan traders such as Brindisa and Monmouth Coffee, it’s also home to some of the best restaurants and bars in the city. Take a seat beneath the glass-and-iron roof after hours and watch the traders pack up after another day.
Don’t miss: The Market Porter pub. It opens at 6am for those working the graveyard shift, perfect if you’re in for a very early (or late) one. It also appeared in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ as a bookshop next door to The Leaky Cauldron.
See free art at Tate Modern
What is it? A riverside icon on London’s South Bank dedicated to modern and contemporary art. It’s the younger, hipper sibling to Pimlico’s Tate Britain.
Why go? To be inspired and challenged. Tate Modern is based in what was Bankside Power Station. Step inside and you can discover works by the likes of Warhol, Dalí and Hockney, as well as eye-grabbing installations, which are all part of the free permanent collection. The Switch House extension has an incredible 360-degree view of the London skyline.
Don’t miss: The Tate Boat (decorated with Damien Hirst dots) runs up and down the Thames between Tate Modern and Tate Britain every 40 minutes during gallery opening hours. Just tap in and out with an Oyster or contactless card as you would on the tube or bus.
Be a ‘groundling’ at Shakespeare’s Globe
What is it? A reconstruction of William Shakespeare’s circular theatre, which was destroyed by a fire, sat a few hundred yards from its original site.
Why go? It’s the closest you’ll ever get to experiencing the Bard’s plays as his Elizabethan audience did. To stand or not to stand, that is the question. In the era of Mr Shakespeare himself, many theatregoers would stay on their feet when watching a play. Known as ‘groundlings’, those who stood would get an ace and up-close view of the show. At the Globe, this tradition has endured and you can get a standing spot for as little as £5. Honestly, the action is so engrossing that by the time you realise your feet hurt, it’ll all be over.
Don’t miss: A midnight performance. You’ll have to book well in advance for one of these late-night shows but it’s worth it for the raucous atmosphere. Pop to the pub beforehand for a pint or two – and maybe a coffee to keep you awake into the early hours.
Queue for your dinner at Kiln
What is it? Oh, just London’s top restaurant. No biggie.
Why go? There’s always a queue here, but it’s worth waiting in line. Owned by Ben Chapman of Smoking Goat and Brat, with a kitchen headed up by Meedu Saad, Kiln serves up delectable dishes influenced by the food of northern Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.
Don’t miss: The plump Isaan-style Tamworth sausages, punchy jungle curries and signature clay-pot-baked glass noodles with pork and crab – the last is a steal at just £6.75.
Get cultured at the Southbank Centre
What is it? A riverside titan of arts and entertainment, the Southbank Centre – comprised of brutalist icon Royal Festival Hall, contemporary art gallery the Hayward and events space Queen Elizabeth Hall – is one of the most revered cultural hotspots in London.
Why go? The Southbank Centre is like a cultural Transformer: it can morph to fit any artsy need. The collective includes three major venues with a bunch of smaller rooms and terraces that host a wide range of events. Think: London Literature Festival, Meltdown and the Women of the World festival. Plus it’s simply a prime strolling spot. Munch on vegan cake at the food market or pick up a rare first edition at the Southbank Centre Book Market. In winter, explore the magical festive market along the banks of the Thames.
Don’t miss: The Queen Elizabeth Roof Garden. A green space and open-air bar with views of the river in the summer. Last year it transformed into a Scandi sauna in the winter months. That’s some multi-tasking Londoning, right there.
Party all weekend at Notting Hill Carnival
What is it? Europe’s biggest street party, the annual Carnival takes over the streets of Notting Hill every summer.
Why go? This yearly celebration of London’s Caribbean communities, their culture and traditions, has been taking place since 1966. Over Sunday (family day) and Bank Holiday Monday there’s a parade and fantastic live music, including reggae, dub and salsa, as well as 37 static soundsystems, soca floats, steel bands and a whole lot of delicious Caribbean food.
Don’t miss: The warm-ups and after-parties. Soundsystems on the street and in the squares are a big draw, but that’s where you’ll hear some of best DJ sessions.
Buy fancy fabric at Liberty
What is it? The beautiful Liberty opened in 1875 and continues to be one of the most renowned department stores in the world.
Why go? A stone’s throw from Oxford Circus tube station is the whimsical London icon that is Liberty, an impressive building constructed with the timbers from two ancient warships. Peruse the silks, Liberty-print cottons, haberdashery and nifty collaborations with titans of the fashion world in this famously quirky outfitters. Oscar Wilde once said, ‘Liberty is the chosen resort of the artistic shopper.’ Make like the writer and shop for elaborately decorated silk scarves.
Don’t miss: The Liberty Christmas Shop. Open for a sizeable chunk of the year, it’s a magical, glitter-covered, gift-wrapped festive grotto, perfect for selecting weird and wonderful decorations for your tree. Brussels sprout bauble, anyone?
Sip cocktails at The Connaught Bar
What is it? One of the best bars in the world, dontcha know.
Why go? With its mirrors, low lighting, Gatsbyish silver leaf and plushly upholstered nooks, this is a seriously glamorous spot for a cocktail. Nothing here comes cheap, but it’s worth making your martini last so you can soak up the glamour.
Don’t miss: The martinis, of course – they’re mixed on a trolley in front of you and pepped up with a selection of special Connaught bitters.
Spend a Sunday at Columbia Road Flower Market
What is it? One of London’s oldest and best-loved flower markets.
Why go? A weekend institution in east London, the Sunday flower market that lines Columbia Road is a hipster paradise and one of the best places in the city to buy flowers, bedding plants, cacti and even a banana tree if you’ve got the patio space at home and the upper body strength to carry it there.
Don’t miss: The best blooms and bargains. The market goes on until 3pm in all weathers, but for the best buys you need to get there for 8am. Alternatively, hold out for the end, when traders often sell off their remaining stock cheap. Either way, you’re guaranteed to leave with armfuls of flowers.
People-watch and party in Soho
What is it? A West End neighbourhood with a somewhat sleazy history, that now teems with a bustling mix of party-goers, foodies, tourists, theatre buffs and media types in addition to a few surviving colourful local characters.
Why go? If you really want to soak up those city vibes settle in for a stint in the heart of London’s West End. Soho is home to some of London’s best theatres, restaurants, bars, clubs and shops. The maze of streets, linked by narrow Dickensian alleyways, are always busy and full of life. Order a coffee at one of the pavement cafés on Old Compton Street and watch the world go by in all its glory.
Don’t miss: Grade-II listed pub The French House. Charles de Gaulle used it as a base in exile during World War II, Dylan Thomas and Francis Bacon both drank here and beer, famously, is only ever served in halves.
Discover drama (and comedy) at the National Theatre
What is it? One of the UK’s most prominent performing arts venues, which sits proudly on the South Bank.
Why go? Seeing a play isn’t the only reason to visit Denys Lasdun’s 1970s concrete edifice (though it is a very good reason). Behind-the-scenes life here is like a permanent piece of site-specific theatre, which you can explore on daily tours with guides who have a seemingly endless supply of fascinating anecdotes about the building and its history.
Don’t miss: Tea and cake. Book a table for afternoon tea at House, the National’s restaurant. The menu is wittily themed to reflect past productions and the moreish pork pie – a gruesome nod to the NT’s production of ‘Sweeney Todd’ – is not to be missed.
Get lost in Kew Gardens’ Temperate House
What is it? Oh just 3,00 acres of beautiful green space, filled with stunning vistas, rare plants, Victorian glasshouses, a Chinese pagoda and a treetop walkway.
Why go? Kew Gardens is unlike anything else in London. The world-leading botanic garden is captivating at any time of year. Visit for swathes of blooms in spring and summer, a crunchy, autumnal paradise or to follow the super popular, innovative Christmas at Kew lights trail which takes over the space every winter. The newly restored Temperate House is also a horticulturalist’s delight. A Grade I-listed greenhouse, twice the size of Kew’s famous Palm House, it recently reopened its doors to the public after a major five-year renovation.
Don’t miss: Encephalartos woodii, a spiky cycad that’s one of the rarest plants in the world, in Temperate House. It outlived the dinosaurs, but Kew’s specimen is thought to be the last one in Europe. Alas, poor woodii!
Swim in Hampstead Heath Ponds
What is it? Bathing ponds in the middle of the wild green space of Hampstead Heath, where you can splash about any time of year. In fact, it’s the only place in the UK to offer life-guarded open-water public swimming all year round.
Why go? With men’s, women’s and mixed ponds, there’s nowhere better – or more picturesque (the ponds are a short walk from Parliament Hill, with views over the city skyline) – to cool off on scorching London days. The mixed pond is members-only and not lifeguarded in winter. Competent swimmers aged eight-plus are allowed. Just jump right in: there’s no shallow end!
Don’t miss: Looking for a hot shower afterwards? You’ll only find them at the Ladies’ Pond. Sorry, chaps.
Sleep over at the Natural History Museum
What is it? The magnificent South Kensington home of around 80 million plant, animal, fossil, rock and mineral specimens. This fascinating museum, which is also a world-class research institution, is full of wonders.
Why go? To come face-to-face with animatronic dinosaurs, a man-sized model of a foetus, a dodo, a giant sequoia tree, an earthquake simulator, glow-in-the-dark crystals and a great big blue whale skeleton which hangs from the ceiling of the Hintze Hall.
Don’t miss: Night at the museum. The NHM often holds after-hours events where you can solve crimes, conduct experiments, listen to talks or watch movies. At Dino Snores you can actually have a sleepover in the museum itself.
Hang out with the plants at Sky Garden
What is it? London’s highest public garden – three storeys of lush landscaped gardens on the thirty-fifth floor of a City skyscraper.
Why go? Located on Fenchurch Street, right in the heart of the City, this beautiful venue caused quite a stir when it first opened. That’s because you can zip up 35 floors of the Walkie Talkie and be transported to a public garden with truly spectacular views. As well as all the lush greenery, you’ll find an observation deck, an open-air terrace, two restaurants, two bars and an uninterrupted panorama of the city’s skyline with the Thames snaking by below. Entry is free – you’ve just got to book in advance online.
Don’t miss: Fancy watching the sunrise from Sky Garden’s spectacular Sky Pod? Rock up at 6.30am for a dynamic vinyasa flow yoga class followed by breakfast at the Darwin Brasserie. Tickets are available online.
Get a history lesson at the Tower of London
What is it? An actual medieval castle on the north bank of the Thames, and, officially speaking, Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and fortress.
Why go? For all that bling (and the ravens). You can’t help but gawp at the staggeringly priceless collection of diamonds, tiaras and sceptres that make up the Crown Jewels. Arrive early to beat the crowds and catch a glimpse of these precious rocks that the Royal Family still uses on official occasions. This 900-year-old monument is one of the country’s finest historical attractions and has enough to see to fill a whole day.
Don’t miss: A tour with one of the Yeoman Warders (aka Beefeaters) to get the Tower lowdown by someone who lives and works there. Opt for a Twilight Tour for extra atmosphere.
Have multiple dinners at Market Hall Victoria
What is it? This is the second Market Hall (the other two are in Fulham and off Oxford Street) and the best thing to happen to Victoria since the trains arrived.
Why go? Food halls are taking over the capital, and while they all have their charms, Victoria’s Market Hall is definitely home to some of the biggest and best names. Where else can you munch on roti canai, salt beef sarnies and wontons all in the same sitting?
Don’t miss: Flaky, buttery roti from Gopal’s Corner, a Reuben at Monty’s Deli and rainbow dumplings by Baozi Inn are all must-orders.
Decipher the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum
What is it? The British Museum is one of the UK’s most famous institutions, dedicated to human history, art and culture.
Why go? There’s so much to see at the British Museum –Parthenon sculptures, Lewis Chessmen, The Rosetta Stone. The world-famous Egyptian stone, the key to deciphering the hieroglyphs, is the most sought out item in the collection. If you think you’ve done it all, delve deeper by looking out for new acquisitions, or pop into one of the museum’s temporary exhibitions.
Don’t miss: The Mermaid in the Enlightenment gallery. It once belonged to Queen Victoria’s grandson Prince Arthur of Connaught and is said to have been caught in Japan in the eighteenth century. It’s not true, though... The head and torso of a monkey has been attached to the tail of a fish using the dark art of taxidermy to create what is possibly the capital’s most fascinating fake.
Hunt for antiques at Portobello Road Market
What is it? The world’s largest antiques market, on a pastel-painted, picturesque shopping street in Notting Hill.
Why go? Although home to fruit and veg stalls too, Portobello Market is best known for the antiques and bric-à-brac stalls featuring at the Chepstow Villas end of the road. Don’t be fooled by the fold-out tables – this isn’t cheap tat and there are some serious treasures here. For more secondhand goodies, head further up the road, beyond the Westway.
Don’t miss: The market at its antiquey best. Sections of the market are open six days a week but for vintage treasures, brave the crowds and go browsing on a Saturday.
Admire the views from The Shard
What is it? London’s one and only 95-storey skyscraper, and the tallest building in Western Europe.
Why go? The Shard has established itself as a timeless London landmark despite being barely a handful of years old. As well as making the city skyline a whole lot spikier than it used to be, it’s an ace place from which to cop a look at London in all its glory.
Don’t miss: The very top. There are bars and restaurants all the way up, but at public visiting area The View from The Shard, the tower boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with amazing views. You can peer out over the city at 244 metres above ground level. It’s as if you’re perched over the capital on your own cloud — and it makes for one awesome snap. Say cheese!
Browse cool brands on Carnaby Street
What is it? A buzzy shopping mecca tucked away behind Oxford and Regent Streets and full of independent brands, quirky flagship stores and some of the city’s best places to eat and drink.
Why go? This pedestrianised street is one of London’s best shopping destinations. Creative Carnaby is known for being at the heart of the swinging ’60s in London, when the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Elizabeth Taylor were all regular visitors. Nowadays the area is home to shops like Monki and The Kooples as well as dining and drinking destinations Dishoom, Cahoots, Pizza Pilgrims, Le Bab and Breddos.
Don’t miss: Carnaby’s Christmas lights. Carnaby Street’s annual winter display is always much anticipated and never disappoints. This year’s a collaboration with ocean conservation charity Project 0. The dazzling underwater-inspired decorations have been made using repurposed fishing nets, 500m of post-use bubble wrap and over 1,500 recycled plastic bottles.
Walk the canals of Little Venice
What is it? A tranquil and photogenic pocket of London just north of Paddington, which is known for picturesque waterways and narrowboats.
Why go? Home to a community of boat-dwelling Londoners, Little Venice is a special spot. Wander through Rembrandt Gardens, feast on seafood at The Summerhouse or browse the plants and have a cuppa in the Quince Tree Café at charming Clifton Nurseries. Then hop on board a cruise travelling between Little Venice and Camden Lock, or wander east along the canal towpath to London Zoo or Primrose Hill.
Don’t miss: The Puppet Theatre Barge. This intimate water-borne theatre is the setting for quality puppet shows that put a modern twist on traditional tales and kids’ classics.
Spy Buckingham Palace from St James’s Park
What is it? A 57-acre park in Westminster, which is basically the Queen’s giant front garden.
Why go? St James’s Park has undergone a lot of changes over the years. In King Henry VII’s day it was swampy and used mainly as a deer-breeding ground. King James I drained it and moved more animals in (including elephants, crocodiles and exotic birds). Today it remains as it was redesigned in the 1820s, all lush landscape and winding paths. Spot squirrels scampering around and pretty views of Buckingham Palace at the western end.
Don’t miss: The park’s famous avian tenants – the pelicans. In 1664 the Russian ambassador presented a pair of pelicans to the king, and today the birds are still offered to the park by foreign ambassadors. Find them at the big lake in the middle.
Have afternoon tea at Claridge’s
What is it? The most quintessentially English thing you can ever eat at one of the most traditional and elegant hotels in London.
Why go? Forget brunch, afternoon tea is really where it’s at. With flattering lighting, the scent of fresh roses and classical musicians playing away in the corner, the Foyer at Claridge’s is a class act. This elegant art deco space is where chic A-listers and other ‘people with taste’ come to take tea. Expect tasty patisserie, sensational just-baked scones and incredible finger sandwiches.
Don’t miss: The drink at the heart of the ritual. Sip on a fine bone-china cup of Claridge’s Blend, a bespoke tea designed for this very occasion.
Get lost in the Barbican Conservatory
What is it? A large, leafy greenhouse within the iconic performing arts and exhibition centre.
Why go? The concrete rampart that forms the Barbican doesn’t look like it would house a lush indoor garden, but lo! Concealed artfully in this brutalist marvel is the second biggest conservatory in the city. Inside you’ll find more than 2,000 plant species and even exotic fish. It’s like stepping into the happy ending of a dystopian thriller, when the characters finally find signs of life on an abandoned planet.
Don’t miss: Everything else the Barbican has to offer. The much-loved complex is also home to a theatre, cinema, exhibition spaces, restaurants, bars and a very good shop.
Keep dancing at Fabric
What is it? Fabric is London’s most iconic club. The former meat factory is a bastion of drum ’n’ bass.
Why go? ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.’ Not just the words of Charles Dickens, but of every exhausted clubber to emerge from Fabric at 4am. Numerous attempts have been made to shut down this treasured superclub over the years (we nearly lost it for good in 2016) but Londoners have always rallied around to save it. The queue might snake as far as Farringdon station some Saturday nights, but if you haven’t been to Fabric, you haven’t experienced London nightlife. End of story.
Don’t miss: A legendary extended set from Chilean-born Germany-based techno warrior and semi-regular at Fabric Ricardo Villalobos – you’ll never have a Saturday night like it.
Watch ‘Hamilton’ at the Victoria Palace Theatre
What is it? Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Pulitzer- and Tony-winning musical, currently the best and most sought-after ticket in London.
Why go? You can’t do London without seeing an all-singing, all-dancing West End show. Fact. We have an insatiable appetite for Broadway transfers like ‘Hamilton’, ‘The Book of Mormon’ and ‘Kinky Boots’, but there’s homegrown success, too: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s epic ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, Cameron Mackintosh’s ‘Les Misérables’ and the RSC’s ‘Matilda’ are among the hits that just keep on going.
Don’t miss: Your shot. For ‘Hamilton’ try the £10 ticket lottery available online for all performances. For other shows, last-minute tickets from the Leicester Square ticket booths are usually your best bet for a bargain.
Visit the famous residents of Highgate Cemetery
What is it? A magnificently gothic, overgrown, 53,000-grave cemetery (housing 170,000 dead) in north London.
Why go? A stroll through a graveyard may seem like a macabre way to spend an afternoon, but the chaotically overgrown Highgate Cemetery really is something special. It was one of London’s seven great Victorian cemeteries but fell into disrepair. Today, you can go and witness it in all its crumbling glory. The West Cemetery requires booking in advance for a guided tour (£12) during the week (at the weekend just show up and join a tour). Entrance to the East Cemetery is £4 at the gate.
Don’t miss: The cemetery’s famous residents. Find the final resting places of, among others, ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide’ author Douglas Adams and poet Christina Rossetti. You can also visit Karl Marx. You can’t miss his spot – it’s topped with a massive sculpture of his head.
Spot deer in Richmond Park
What is it? London’s biggest, grandest royal park.
Why go? For ancient woodland, open space and enchanting rural wilds in the city. This former royal hunting ground has changed little over the centuries, but modern-day visitors are more likely to be wielding a kite than a bow and arrow. Look out for wild red and fallow deer but be sure to keep your distance (especially during autumn’s rutting season).
Don’t miss: The Isabella Plantation for swathes of blossom in spring and summer. Rent a bike to really get to see the whole park.
Explore space at the Science Museum
What is it? Founded in 1857, the Science Museum is one of London’s largest tourist attractions, and one of the world’s major museums.
Why go? From daytime play for little ones to lates for geeky grown-ups, the Science Museum is a happily noisy home of scientific discovery that’s free to visit for one and all. Head to Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery, a state-of-the-art seven-zone area of the museum that’s ticketed, allowing you to see live experiments and shows away from the crowds, or Space Descent, an immersive VR trip through the cosmos with British astronaut Tim Peake as your guide.
Don’t miss: Amazing objects that have shaped the last few decades, from the first Apple computer to Apollo 10, which orbited the moon in 1969.
Feast on pasta at Padella
What is it? A carb-lover’s paradise near Borough Market, which more or less only serves pasta.
Why go? With a small menu of six antipasti and ten totally delicious pasta dishes, Padella’s whole ‘less is more’ formula has proven immensely successful. Ever since opening in London Bridge in 2016 it has been nearly impossible to get a table without queuing first.
Don’t miss: Padella’s sister site, Trullo. The hugely popular Islington restaurant was owners Tim Siadatan and Jordan Frieda’s first venture. You’ll recognise some menu items, like the famous pappardelle with beef shin ragú. Head there instead if you can’t stand the wait.
Admire the view from Primrose Hill
What is it? A grassy hill on the northern side of Regent’s Park, and the name of the surrounding swanky neighbourhood.
Why go? The picture-postcard view of the capital’s skyline might be your top reason for visiting Primrose Hill – but it shouldn’t be the only one. This well-kept annexe of Regent’s Park is also surrounded by posh cafés and nice shops and frequented by some of London’s friendliest dog walkers, making it a great place to people-watch.
Don’t miss: The sunset. When the sun starts going down, it really is all about that view, so pack a picnic, set your camera to ‘panoramic’ and play ‘spot the landmark’ as London is bathed in awesome orange light.
Visit Hogwarts at the Harry Potter Studio Tour
What is it? There are a whole lot of Harry Potter locations in and around London, but the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Watford is the most magical.
Why go? The capital is heaving with Harry Potter hotspots. Locations like Diagon Alley were set here and scenes from the world-famous movie franchise were filmed here. There’s the stage play ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’, walking tours and photo ops at the actual Platform 9¾ in King’s Cross. But you can’t beat the Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter, just outside of the capital, to get up close with incredible props and sets from all eight of the HP films.
Don’t miss: The chance to fly your very own broom. Or drink butterbeer. Or wander in the Forbidden Forest. Or pose in the Great Hall. Or window-shop on Diagon Alley. Go!
Order a full English breakfast at E Pellicci
What is it? A good old-fashioned caff. Since 1900 this workers’ café has provided carbs and protein in eggy, meaty and pan-fried form to the good people of east London.
Why go? Traces of bygone eras, like art deco interior details and Formica tables have earned E Pellicci Grade II-listed status, but what diners love best is that the fry-ups, grills and Italian plates are still all dished up by the same family.
Don’t miss: As strange as it might sound, you’re going to want to chase down your fry-up with a helping of bread-and-butter pudding – it’s a customer favourite.
Venue says A classic east London café serving the local community for over a century.
Bathe in neon light at God’s Own Junkyard
What is it? A whole lot of neon artwork on display at a salvage yard in Walthamstow.
Why go? If you happen to appreciate a good neon sign, well, you’ll be in heaven at God’s Own Junkyard. Its late owner, artist Chris Bracey, collected neon signs over a period of 37 years, as well as crafting and restoring them. Some are on the super-seedy side, having featured on 1960s strip clubs and peep shows, while others are heartwarmingly nostalgic.
Don’t miss: The neon wonderland’s ‘Rolling Stones’ café. It serves cake and hot drinks, or something a bit stronger if you so desire.
Drool over dairy at the cheese bar in Kerb Seven Dials
What is it? A 40-metre electric conveyor belt laden with all the dairy your heart could desire? No, it isn’t the stuff of fevered cheese dreams. This is real life – and you can dig in at Kerb Seven Dials.
Why go? Pick & Cheese is run by the team behind Camden Town’s fabled The Cheese Bar, and they really know their stuff. Here, they’ve put together 25 pairings, including coolea with hazelnut brittle and fresh ricotta with sherry cherries. Just take a seat and they’ll do the rest.
Don’t miss: The Basque-style burnt cheesecake. And the four-cheese toastie, and the whole baked Waterloo, and…
Get lunch to go from Brick Lane Beigel Bake
What is it? A charmingly scruffy bakery that has been serving Londoners fresh bagels since 1977.
Why go? Ah, the salt beef beigel (or bagel). It’s salty, it’s beefy, the mustard will singe a layer of skin from the inside of your mouth (you have been warned) and it’s an absolute classic. Beigel Bake allegedly churns out 7,000 of the boiled bready beauties a day! That’s why they’re consumed by everyone from night-shift taxi drivers and party people to savvy tourists and local pensioners. At less than a fiver a pop, it’d be rude not to.
Don’t miss: Your place in the queue. Much like the fast-paced delis in New York, Beigel Bake offers fairly brusque service. Know exactly what you’re having before you order, and have your cash ready.
Revel in a drag show at The Glory
What is it? An East End pub and LGBTQ+ performance venue, with a basement disco and a full roster of shows. If you’re looking for forward-thinking queer entertainment, you’ll be spoilt for choice here.
Why go? One of the brains behind The Glory is drag legend Jonny Woo, so no surprise that it does gender-ambiguous and adventurous alternative cabaret brilliantly.
Don’t miss: Up-and-coming stars of the scene like drag king Len Blanco.
See Tower Bridge lift up
What is it? The capital’s most famous bridge, which crosses the Thames near the Tower of London.
Why go? The historical structure – not the star of childhood ditty ‘London Bridge Is Falling Down’ FYI – is a bit of a stunner. It lifts up in the middle when large vessels are passing underneath (lift times are available on its website) and it gained a daring glass floor on the high walkways in 2014, allowing visitors to look straight down to the road and river 42 metres below. Each of the six glass panels is 11 metres long and weighs more than 500kg. Try not to think about that as you’re walking across them.
Don’t miss: Your chance to stand inside Tower Bridge’s Bascule Chambers. These underground caverns allow for the movement of the huge counterweights when the bridge is raised. The subterranean space is normally out of bounds but is sometimes used for concerts and events.
Take a tour of Sipsmith’s gin distillery
What is it? The home of Sipsmith gin. It planted its copper stills here in west London in 2009.
Why go? Sipsmith was the first of the new wave of London gin distilleries, becoming the first copper pot still in London for nearly 200 years. Now you can sip a G&T while listening to a little history of gin in London, tour the Sipsmith stills and get a tutored tasting. To drink deeper, book on to the Sipsmith Sipper Club every Tuesday – after the distillery you head to Charlotte’s Bistro for a gin-themed slap-up meal.
Don’t miss: The wall of weird and wonderful gin experiments in the bar. This is where Sipsmith’s master distiller gets creative, cooking up unusual flavour combinations that don’t go on general sale. If you’re lucky you might get to try one.
Pick up something to read at Daunt Books
What is it? A totally beautiful, independent bookshop, founded by James Daunt in 1990.
Why go? Daunt Marylebone, the small chain’s flagship store, might be London’s most beautiful bookshop. Occupying an Edwardian building on Marylebone High Street, it boasts an incredible galleried main room and stained-glass windows that feel like they’re from a long-lost world. All the books are arranged by country – regardless of content – which makes for a fun and unique browsing experience. Take home your books in a branded tote bag for the true Daunt experience.
Don’t miss: The other amazing bookshops in London, like King’s Cross bookshop barge Word on the Water, tech-free Libreria in Shoreditch, Persephone Books on Lamb’s Conduit Street, which sells pretty reprints from female writers, and the stellar London Review Bookshop in Bloomsbury.
Survive a movie marathon at Prince Charles Cinema
What is it? The legendary Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square is central London’s coolest movie house.
Why go? It’s a breath of fresh air in tourist-trap central. The two-screen independent shows an eclectic mix of new releases, cult and arthouse titles. It’s comfy, cheap and very cheerful, and the programming is as good as it gets. Expect double bills, short seasons, singalongs and unusual screenings – epic 70mm presentations of ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ take place in one screen while people acapella-along to ‘Pitch Perfect’ in the other.
Don’t miss: The all-nighters. Ever fancied watching every Harry Potter film in one 22-hour sitting? How about a ‘Lord of the Rings’ extended editions marathon? A seven-film Disney pyjama party? Or six classic horror movies back-to-back? Rock up and get ready for a seriously numb bum.
Party at Lovebox, a music festival in a London park
What is it? Consistently one of the finest festivals in London, Lovebox caters for cool kids and party monsters alike, packing as much fun into two days as many festivals manage in three.
Why go? Music festivals don’t have to mean muddy sleeping bags and washing with baby wipes. Lovebox (and London’s other music festivals Field Day, South West Four, Wireless, Citadel, All Points East and British Summer Time) attract ace acts, stellar food and all the alternative entertainment you could ask for. And you can just get the tube back to your bed when you’re done. Winner!
Don’t miss: Previous years have boasted acts like Solange and Childish Gambino, but make time for the other goings-on, like disco crazy golf, hip hop karaoke and spoken-word performances.
Eat vegan junk food at Dinerama
What is it? Street Feast’s Shoreditch base is a tastemaking street-food hub with a heaving party atmosphere.
Why go? Dinerama is somewhere between a yard and a warehouse, with a resident DJ, seven bars and ten global street-food traders. Expect to queue for your food and hustle for a place at communal tables. It does a roaring trade from Wednesday to Saturday, dishing up a mish-mash of global fare (from pizza and steamed dumplings to chargrilled seafood and bite-sized doughnuts) alongside punchy drinks in such subtly named spots as FünkenPümper and German Sex Dungeon. The vibe is strictly ‘party’. Not a quiet night out then, but definitely a delicious one.
Don’t miss: You don’t need us to tell you that veganism is on the rise; you’re probably stirring almond milk into your coffee right now. London is teeming with exciting places to eat vegan right now, but one of our faves is Club Mexicana at Dinerama. Its to-fish tacos are out of this world.
Pretend you’re a parcel on the Mail Rail
What is it? Built by the Post Office a hundred years ago, this underground train line was once used to move mail around the city. Now a chunk of the network has been opened up for visitors.
Why go? While everyone knows about the London Underground, the Mail Rail was shrouded in secrecy until recently. Shuttling letters and parcels across the city for nearly eight decades and delivering post through six-and-a-half miles of tunnels, it was taken out of service in 2003. But its tracks are now humming again, encouraging visitors to make like a letter and hop aboard the tiny electric tube train to discover a secret subterranean London.
Don’t miss: The Postal Museum’s calendar of events, from historical walking tours to papermaking workshops for kids.
Smell the roses in Regent’s Park
What is it? A Grade I-listed Royal Park, which is home to London Zoo, a boating lake and lush rose gardens.
Why go? Londoners’ nostrils have a pretty hard time of it, what with the traffic, the bin lorries and the lack of public loos. On balance, though, we really can’t complain, especially considering that we’ve got free and unticketed access to one of the country’s largest collection of roses in Regent’s Park. Queen Mary’s Gardens are home to around 12,000, of more than 85 varieties, including the unique Royal Parks rose. The fragrance is fantastic throughout the year, but visit in early June to see the blooms at their best.
Don’t miss: The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre for further alfresco pleasures. It’s a magical way to enjoy excellent outdoor theatre from April to September.
