16 fun things to do in London when you're stuck for ideas
- 1/17
16 fun things to do in London when you're stuck for ideas
Why is working out how to spend your weekend in London always a lot harder than it needs to be? Just like the Netflix library, when presented with too much choice we end up resorting to the comforts we know (pub, anyone?). But here’s where we’re here to help as we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in London whether you’re on a budget or feeling super fancy. From afternoon teas with a twist to cool spins on sight-seeing, keep scrolling for fun things to do in London.
Paul Winch-Furness / Courtesy of merchant - 2/17
1) Check out the summer terrace at Sea Containers
We’ve got no shame in admitting we’re going to be making the absolute most of every outdoor terrace London has to offer this summer, which is why we want to put the newly made-over terrace at Sea Containers on your radar. Alongside stunning views of St Pauls and the City of London, the space is now also home to lots of striking surrealist art as part of an exciting collaboration with Champagne house Laurent-Perrier. Once you’ve finished sipping on your exclusively created LP champagne cocktail, pop next door to the Tate Modern where the Surrealism Beyond Borders exhibition is taking place until the end of August.
Where: 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PD
Book nowPaul Winch-Furness - 3/17
2) Afternoon Tea at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
London boasts an endless list of luxurious afternoon teas, but they don’t get much better than cake designer Lily Vanilli’s super fancy offering in the Grand Saloon. Served on custom decorated fine bone china, the already wildly popular high tea offering will be adding some regal flair to the menu in honour of the Jubilee with its reimagined Regency Afternoon Tea. Alongside Lily’s signature puff pastry sausage rolls, there’s a decadent dark chocolate sponge cake on offer that’s piped with lilac buttercream and topped with fondant crowns. The tea also includes a fabulous cocktail called The Queen’s Punch which features Dubonnet (a favourite of Her Majesty's), gin, earl grey and ginger ale. The tea is priced at £49 pp or £57 pp with a welcome glass of Taittinger champagne.
Where: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine St, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5JF
- 4/17
3) Visit Maltby Street Market
Best to be enjoyed when very hungry, Maltby Street Market is a supreme spot for weekend brunching. Tucked away under London Bridge’s railway arches, there’s a huge selection of independent food stalls offering a variety of delicious cuisines from Duck Frites to Gyoza Guys. If you’re planning to plot up and also enjoy a drink or two at one of the bars, we recommend getting there early as seating is limited.
Where: Rope Walk, SE1 3PA
Dan Kitwood / Getty - 5/17
4) A gin tour
If gin is your go-to drink of choice and you’re starting to get bored of endlessly pitching up at your local pub, then why not give an immersive London gin tour a try? Part of a Virgin Experience package for two, a London historian/gin aficionado will guide you and a small group of fellow gin lovers on a three and a half hour tour of five of London’s best-known Gin Palaces where you’ll sample gin at each one. To round things off, the tour ends with a gin masterclass at the City of London Gin Distillery.
Where: The tour meets in Leicester Square
Book nowagrobacter / Getty Images - 6/17
5) Crazy golf at Swingers
Swingers is as much about the drinks, street food and Friday night atmosphere as it is the golf, but that’s not to say their 9-hole crazy golf courses aren’t some of the best in London. Unlike the Junkyard Golfs of the crazy golf world, Swingers West End is modelled on a 1920’s British seaside while the City branch is based on a 1920’s golf club set in the English countryside, so no wild backdrops and flashing neon lights. Simple but effective. But the best of all? The staff (or the caddies as they’re called) - just check out all the rave reviews on Trip Advisor.
Where: West End - 15 John Prince’s Street, W1G 0AB / City branch - City branch is at 8 Brown’s Buildings, EC3A 8AL
Paul Winch-Furness - 7/17
6) God's Own Junkyard
If the idea of neon lights and tightly packed spaces leaves you slightly on edge, God’s Own Junkyard might be one to swerve. But if you’re into Insta-friendly, put-a-smile on your face hidden gems, you’ll love it. A 15 minute walk from Walthamstow station, there are over 1,000 neon pieces crammed into the snug space. Entrance is free and you can refuel on food and drinks at the Rolling Scones cafe which also serves booze. Oh, and 80% of what’s inside is available to buy (they need to cover that electricity bill somehow), but you’ll need deep pockets.
Where: Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall St, E17 9HQ
Phil Dunlop - 8/17
7) Dine on a double decker
Our kind of spin on a sight-seeing tour, Bustronome will cart you around the capital on a double decker bus while you feast on a four-course lunch menu or six-course dinner option. With a glass roof, the bus offers 360° views of London as you weave around the Thames. Drinks are available if you want to knock back a glass of white with your kohlrabi cabbage risotto and there’s even a wine pairing menu on offer if you’re feeling super boujee.
Where: The bus departs from Victoria Embankment, WC2N 6PB
ROBERT DOWDESWELL - 9/17
8) Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature Exhibition, V&A Museum
Running until January 2023, the V&A Museum is celebrating the colourful life and work of Beatrix Potter this year. The exhibition showcases Potter’s stunning early drawings including one of her pet hedgehog that would eventually become Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, and charts her life from a scientist and conservationist to full-time children’s author.
Where: The V&A, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
Ellie Atkins - 10/17
9) The Hyde Park Sausage Dog Walk
One Dachshund is super cute. More than 50 Dachshunds altogether? Ridiculous levels of cuteness. Every month, pandemic permitting, sausage dogs from across London and their owners gather together at the Italian Gardens in Hyde Park before setting off on a short stroll. Even if you don’t own a sausage dog (or any dog for that matter), we honestly can’t recommend it enough. Head here for future dates and more info.
Where: The Italian Gardens, Hyde Park
Instagram - 11/17
10) A Big Mamma restaurant
If you haven’t already tried out one of the ridiculously popular Big Mamma Italian offerings, we suggest now’s the time. With interiors designed to be splashed all over Instagram, there are three options to choose from - Rathbone Square’s Circolo Popolare, Shoreditch’s Gloria and the most recently-opened restaurant in Covent Garden, Ave Mario. But it’s not all about the grid-worthy content, the food is exceptionally good. Friendly word of advice: always book well in advance if you can as walk-ins are limited.
Where: Rathbone Place, Shoreditch and Covent Garden
Jérôme Galland - 12/17
11) Explore Seven Dials
Seven Dials is one of those places you’ve most certainly heard of yet probably never explored, and we recommend paying a visit asap. It’s home to a huge selection of fantastic shops, concept locations and a massive food market featuring an excellent selection of independent vendors. Despite being located in the heart of the West End, it’s also a perfect location to properly unwind. If you’re limited on time, we recommend grabbing a coffee at WatchHouse or nipping into Stretch Inc for 25 minutes to let one of their specialists relieve any muscle tension. But if you’re making a day of it, enjoy breakfast at 26 Grains before booking into Neal’s Yard just next door for a Reiki session or back rub. For more info head to sevendials.co.uk.
Where: Seven Dials, WC2H 9HD
Stephen Chung Pinpep - 13/17
12) Cooking class at Borough Kitchen
Whether you consider yourself a novice or the next Nigella, you’ll come away from a cooking class like you’ve achieved a proper skill you can put to good use. With multiple locations across London, Borough Kitchen offers a dizzying array of classes, from fermentation and pickling (yes) to pastry essentials and cooking pasta from scratch. As well as in-person classes, they’re also offering virtual sessions.
Where: Hampstead High Street NWS 1RG, Islington Upper Street N1 1QP and Chiswick High Road W4 1PP
Ståle Eriksen - 14/17
13) Cinema in style
At £15 a ticket, going to the cinema isn’t cheap but at least at Everyman you can make the most of it in the sleekest surroundings. With a fully stocked bar and a huge menu featuring everything from sharing platters to full meals and sundaes, it’s all about the splurge (and the films, of course). Perfect for dates and rainy London days.
Where: Various
Johnny Stephens Photography - 15/17
14) Go see a show
Even if you're only in London for a short time, heading to a show is a must. There are so many to choose from as well, from upbeat musicals like & Juliet to small comedy shows at The Comedy Store. Right now, it's Operation Mincemeat that has people talking. With a huge number of 5* reviews the fast-paced, hilarious production centres around the most bizarre true story you've ever heard. It's such a good story it's also the focus of Colin Firth's hit film of the same now, which just came out in the UK.
Where: Riverside Studios, 101 Queen Caroline St, London W6 9BN.
Operation Mincemeat - 16/17
15) A flower workshop
Gather around if your idea of flower arranging involves cutting the string and hoping for the best as you bundle the bunch into a vase. Do you want to do better in 2022? Enter the professionals who will take you through the art of flower arranging. Learn how to make the perfect bunch at Hackney’s Flower Appreciation Society where they offer a number of different daily workshops including vase arranging and hand tied bouquet decoration from £80.
Where: BE Studios, 72A Southgate Road London, N1 3JF
The Flower Appreciation Society - 17/17
16) Up at The O2
If you love checking out 360° views of London and aren’t afraid of heights, add Up at The O2 to your bucket list. Definitely not your average Saturday afternoon out, strap in and climb to the top of the O2 for stunning views that stretch up to 15 miles away. As well as sunset and twilight climbs, they also offer a glass of celebratory bubbles for special occasions. We’ll go for the champagne option, please.
Where: Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX
Courtesy of brand
