Things to do in London today

What would London be without pubs? The city’s waterholes are an integral part of its chatty, chaotic and slightly tipsy self. There are thousands here and they come in many forms: your old-man boozers with crap carpets permanently sticky from decades of spilled beer, your craft-beer hipster hotspots, your questionably soundtracked 3am blurs and more. Our 100 best pubs list exists to celebrate London’s taprooms in their many guises. From the perfect pubs for drinking alone to the best boozers for giant yorkshire puddings – get stuck in, spot your local and maybe find a new favourite.

London might well be the world’s greatest city for top nosh, but it’s also expensive enough that most of us can’t eat out as much as we’d like to. But never fear! Everything in this list has been priced at £10 a head or less to eat in or takeaway, but many of them will have you well-fed for a fiver. And variety is the name of the game – so expect London staples like fish ’n’ chips or pie ’n’ mash, but also the best banh mi, patties, gozleme, shawarma, steamed buns, lahmacun and more. Not only will visiting these places give you the kind of buzz only a bargain bite can deliver, you can relish the fact that you’re supporting small London businesses. Winner winner, chicken dinner!

The West End is bursting with plays and musicals, some of which have been on there for decades. But what’s new – and what’s good? Our critics’ reviews will tell you. Click through to browse the latest Time Out theatre reviews to halep you decide what to see today.

Yes, it’s cold out. It’s also quite wet. The leaves have fallen from the trees and turned the pavements into a slimy, slippery ice rink. But we’re lucky to have some amazing, huge, parks in London, and walking around in them on a crisp winter’s day is genuinely one of life’s great joys.

You can’t get bored of eating out in London. The city’s restaurant scene is a rich tapestry of different cuisines and flavours. From the family-run neighbourhood Thai joint that’s been around for years to the Michelin-starred grandee where you can sit at a counter and watch genius chefs at work, London’s restaurants are diverse, creative and always exciting. This is your guide to eating out in the capital in 2022. Tuck in.

Whatever seasonal movie is closest to your heart, it’s bound to be screening in London over the next few weeks. Pop-up cinemas are, er, popping up all over the city and many of our beloved independent picture houses have curated ace Christmas-themed seasons and special events. Have a look at what’s on and get ready for some big-screen festivity.

Whether you’re a visitor, a daytripper or a tourist in your own hometown, there are certain iconic London attractions that you simply have to visit. These museums, galleries, monuments and parks are part of the city’s fabric – to experience them is to uncover the capital’s identity, culture and history. But where to begin? We’ve pulled together a list of the 50 best attractions in London for you to start ticking off your bucket list.

Looking at great art needn’t cost the same as buying great art. With a shed-load of free art exhibitions in the capital, wandering through sculptures, being blinded by neon or admiring some of the best photography in London doesn’t cost a penny. Here’s our pick of the best free art exhibitions this week and beyond.

Grab a bunch of thrill-seeking, puzzle-solving mates and sign up for one of the many live escape room experiences London has to offer. These range from the traditional locked-room escape mission to a ‘Sherlock’-themed mystery and an all-out recreation of classic ’90s TV show ‘The Crystal Maze’. Whichever you choose, your group will have to help each other to solve puzzles within a strict time limit. Our advice? Pick your teammates wisely. 

Do you ever hanker to experience the quirkier side of the capital? Our guide to unusual and original things to do in London sends you off the beaten track to those one-of-a-kind, unexpected places and experiences that give the city its edge. Read on for animal adventures, historical havens, culinary curiosities and loads of other really strange stuff.