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Wonderfully spontaneous things to do this winter in west London

Fill the first few weeks of the year with free winter activities, spirit-lifting comedy and nourishing nature walks
Photograph: Transport for London
Photograph: Transport for London | Photograph: Transport for London
Written by Time Out in partnership with Transport for London
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We’re here – along with Transport for London – to help you regain a little bit of that spur-of-the-moment energy for the start of a new year. After all, the capital is packed with fun, free things you won’t need to plan weeks in advance. Below, you’ll find six fantastic activities in west London, from live music nights to colourful art shows – all of which are free or under a tenner. What’s more, your outings need not break your budget, thanks to TfL. Jump on the Night Tube to get home and you won’t pay more than £2.80 from Zone 1 to 2!* Or, pay just £1.75 for a night bus with the Hopper fare**. Add the frozen bus and tram fares*** and the £8.50 daily cap**** to that and you’ve got yourself all you need for fantastic affordable outings. Now get out there, London!

Discover more spontaneous fun across London.

1. Lose yourself in Visions of Nature: A Mixed Reality Experience at the Natural History Museum

Lose yourself in Visions of Nature: A Mixed Reality Experience at the Natural History Museum
Lose yourself in Visions of Nature: A Mixed Reality Experience at the Natural History Museum
Photograph: Visions of Nature crab story © Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London and SAOLA Studio

Nearest station: South Kensington Tube

Ever wondered what the world could look like in 100 years? Well, this VR experience does just that. You’ll be transported from present-day South Ken to the next century through a mixed-reality headset, which surrounds you visually and audibly with the wonders of the natural world. Highlands, rainforests and oceans are all waiting to be explored, so plug in and prepare to learn all about the importance of conservation through a totally unique technique. 

Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD. Open daily, 10.15am-4.45pm. £9.95. 
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2. Get a huge dose of LOLs at Live Next to the Apollo

Get a huge dose of LOLs at Live Next to the Apollo
Get a huge dose of LOLs at Live Next to the Apollo
Photograph: Live Next to the Apollo

Nearest station: Hammersmith Tube (with the Night Tube running on the Piccadilly line on Friday night)

This popular comedy night is well known for hosting some of the biggest names in comedy – just before they really exploded in popularity. Head to Riverside Studios and discover eclectic line-ups of hilarious up-and-comers.
Riverside Studios, 101 Queen Caroline St, W6 9BN. 7pm Tuesdays and bi-monthly Friday nights. £6.50.
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3. Take a bracing winter walk in Gunnersbury Park

Take a bracing winter walk in Gunnersbury Park
Take a bracing winter walk in Gunnersbury Park
Photograph: Jayne Lloyd

Nearest station: Gunnersbury Tube and Overground (Mildmay line)

Zip up your jacket and pull down that beanie: it’s time for a brisk winter walk in one of west London’s loveliest parks. Gunnersbury Park is a perfect spot for a stroll, thanks to its 72 hectares of Grade II listed parkland and gardens. Not only that, but right now the Gunnersbury Park Museum is currently hosting the free exhibition called 'Peoples Unite! How Southall changed the country', which follows the multicultural neighbourhood’s role in shaping the country as it is today.
Gunnersbury Park, Popes Ln, W3 8LQ. Free. Exhibition on from now until July 6, 2025.
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4. Listen to live music at Alice House in West Hampstead

Listen to live music at Alice House in West Hampstead
Listen to live music at Alice House in West Hampstead
Photograph: @rosewhiteldn

Nearest station: West Hampstead Tube and Overground

When the nights get chillier, there’s only one thing to do: grab a warming drink at a cosy London pub.  With its romantic string lighting, inviting leather Chesterfield sofas and hearty gastropub menu, Alice House in West Hampstead is the perfect snug hideaway from the cold. Things get even more atmospheric on Sunday evenings when live acoustic sessions from London musicians provide the soundtrack.

283-285 West End Lane, NW6 1RD. Every Sunday from 6pm. Free. 
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5. Brighten up your day by visiting a vibrant artwork at the Serpentine Gallery

Brighten up your day by visiting a vibrant artwork at the Serpentine Gallery
Brighten up your day by visiting a vibrant artwork at the Serpentine Gallery
Esther Mahlangu, Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, 2024. Courtesy Serpentine and The Melrose Gallery. Photo by George Darrell

Nearest station: Lancaster Gate Tube

Be inspired by the bright geometric style of painting by South African artist Dr Esther Mahlangu, at this free-to-visit public artwork. Part of the Serpentine’s Public Art programme, this painting is one of several outdoor works you can explore in the beautiful Kensington Gardens. It’s titled 'Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu', translating from Ndebele as 'I am because you are', emphasising the interconnectedness of communities and living beings.
Serpentine North Gallery, W Carriage Dr, W2 2AR. Free. Now until Sep 28, 2025.
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Get there with Transport for London

Thanks to Transport for London’s affordable fares, you can get even better value as you travel across the city.

Download TfL Go to your iOS and Android devices to plan your journey and check live arrival times or visit TfL’s website.

*Travel from Zone 1 to Zone 2 on the Night Tube from £2.80
Fare stated is the adult off-peak pay as you go journey from Zone 2 into Zone 1 on the Tube. The Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.

**Pay just £1.75 with the Hopper fare
Travel as many times as you like within an hour for £1.75. Applies to buses and trams. You can also make unlimited bus trips all day long for £5.25 with daily bus fare capping. Always use the same card or device. Daily capping applies to bus and tram trips taken between 4.30am and 4.29am the following day. For full terms and conditions, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/hopper.

***Take advantage of frozen fares
TfL pay as you go fares on buses and trams, including the Hopper Fare, which gives unlimited bus and tram journeys within the first hour for £1.75, are frozen until March 2026.

****With the daily cap, you can make unlimited trips all day long in Zones 1-2 and never pay more than £8.50.
Always use the same card or device when touching in. Excludes London Cable Car, River Bus and Southeastern highspeed services. Daily capping applies to trips completed between 4.30am and 4.29am the following day. 

Wherever you’re going, by choosing public transport you’re making a good choice for you and a more sustainable choice for London.

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