Things to do in London

Things to do in London

1. DoBloomsbury

   Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image

   BIMI

   Cinema owned by Birkbeck, University of London, featuring screenings and lectures. Most events are free but pre-booking is advised.

2. DoBloomsbury

   Bloomsbury Theatre

   Theatre owned by University College London staging both student and professional productions. Broad range of performances.

3. DoWestminster

   Changing of the Guard

   Each morning between May and July at 11:30AM the guard changes outside Buckingham Palace. The rest of the year, the guard changes on alternate days, weather permitting. A board is placed outside the palace in the morning to say whether the Changing of the Guard ceremony will take place or not. There is no charge to view the Changing of the Guard—simply turn up and stand at the fence in front of the Palace, but it is worth getting there early to ensure a good view, particularly when the weather is fine.

   May-Jul 11:30AM daily; for other times, see website·Free

4. DoWestminster

   Cineworld Haymarket

   Slightly off the main area for cinemas and entertainment around Leicester Square and Theatreland this cinema offers projections of recent movies on three large screens.

5. DoHolborn-Clerkenwell

   Conway Hall

   Theatre and concert hall. Home of the National Secular Society and the South Place Ethical Society: often hosts lively debates on religion, politics and secularism.

6. DoMayfair-Marylebone

   Curzon Mayfair

   Retro 1970s decor, a relaxing bar area and comfortable seating combine with a great art-house billing, easily one of the best cinemas in London.

7. DoBloomsbury

   Dominion Theatre

   A large London theatre that tends to show mainstream blockbuster-type musical productions.

8. DoNotting Hill-North Kensington

   Electric Cinema

   A restored cinema boasting all leather armchairs (most with footstools) and a bar in the theatre - this is definitely a Notting Hill experience. The Electric shows a wide range of films from cinema classics, cult and independent films, to regular Hollywood blockbusters. They also have the Electric Scream session, specifically for parents with screaming babies! Ticket prices vary depending on how fancy your seat is. More expensive than a normal cinema but a fun experience.

9. DoCovent Garden

   English National Opera

   A little easier to get tickets here than it is at the Royal Opera House but still difficult for the most notable productions. Look for last minute availability and off peak performances.

10. DoSouth Bank

    Florence Nightingale Museum

    Tells the story of the Lady with the Lamp. Various family events, including art workshops. In the grounds of St. Thomas' Hospital.

11. DoPaddington-Maida Vale

    Go Boat

    8-person boat hire for self-drive journeys around London canals.

    £55

12. DoCity of London

    Gresham College

    Founded in 1597 as London's alternative higher education institution to Oxford and Cambridge, Gresham College continues to provide free public lectures every week during term time. Most lectures require no booking, with wonderful speakers delivering lectures on a wide range of interesting topics.

13. DoHolborn-Clerkenwell

    Gresham College

    Attend free public lectures, in Barnard's Inn Hall (mostly, but other venues are used as well), renowned historic Inn of Court featured in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.

14. DoBloomsbury

    London Mathematical Society

    Based on Russell Square, they give lectures and exhibitions, for those numerically inclined.

15. DoSoho

    London Palladium

    Famous old London music hall whose boards have been trodden by many legendary names. These days it shows mostly blockbuster musical productions for the masses.

16. DoHolborn-Clerkenwell

    London School of Economics

    LSE hosts a prestigious public lectures programme, which is nearly always free to attend, but may require a ticket in advance for a lecture by a Head of State or Nobel Prize winner.

    Usually free

17. DoMayfair-Marylebone

    London Underground Tours

    Guided tours that cover the tube's 150-year-history in two hours, including its construction, design and social history. Meet at the Sherlock Holmes Statue.

    Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat (and bank holidays): 11AM·Adult: £20, Child (under age 12): £12, Senior (60+): £12

18. DoPaddington-Maida Vale

    Lord's Cricket Ground

    The home of cricket, Lord's usually hosts two international five-day Test matches each summer (which sell out), as well as limited-overs One Day International and Twenty20 cricket. It's the usual stadium for Middlesex County Cricket Club, who were relegated in 2023 and now play in Division Two of the County Championship - these games last 3-4 days. Also here are London Spirit men's and women's teams playing in The Hundred short game. Lord's houses the Marylebone Cricket Club Museum, with a vast collection of cricket memorabilia - tours are usually available daily except on match days.

19. DoSouth Bank

    Menier Chocolate Factory

    Restaurant, theatre, gallery and bar. This small theatre adjacent to Borough Market has done spectacularly well with revivals of musicals, including Sunday in the Park with George and A Little Night Music both by Stephen Sondheim and which ran in the West End and on Broadway.

20. DoSouth Bank

    Namco Funscape

    Entertainment centre including an amusement arcade, bowling alleys, ping pong tables, pool tables and bumper cars.

    Daily 10AM–midnight

21. DoLeicester Square

    Odeon Leicester Square

    Includes the Odeon Mezzanine and Odeon West End. This particular Odeon is famous for its red-carpet film premieres.

    M-F until 5PM £5-6.50; M-F after 5PM £10; Sa Su £11

22. DoSouth Bank

    Old Vic Theatre

    One of the oldest theatres in London, once under the artistic direction of Kevin Spacey. Kevin Spacey has been the artistic director here since 2003 receiving considerable media attention and starring in a number of the shows himself. Great for something a bit different, and further up the cut you can check the Young Vic which focuses on productions of a younger generation.

23. DoPaddington-Maida Vale

    Paddington Central

    Sheldon Square

    Checkout constantly changing events at the Paddington Central development with the amphitheatre in Sheldon Square, or visit for the food, shopping and atmosphere.

24. DoHolborn-Clerkenwell

    Peacock Theatre

    Owned by LSE, and part of their campus, this theatre is leased to Sadler's Wells as "Sadler's Wells in the West End".

    Booking Mon-Fri 8AM-7PM, Sat 10AM-5PM

25. DoLeicester Square

    Prince Charles Cinema

    The cheapest and in some ways most interesting cinema in the area. They screen the latest films, and also have an interesting selection of foreign and art house films. They often have theme nights. Get hold of the program at the door or on the internet and consider buying the discount-granting yearly membership if you plan to come back a few times.

    New release: M-F matinees £5-9; evenings, weekends, bank holidays £9.50-12; repertory: £6-10

26. DoPaddington-Maida Vale

    Puppet Theatre Barge

    A floating puppet theatre on a converted barge. Varied schedule of performances.

27. DoWandsworth

    Putney Arts Theatre

    Comes recommended for anyone interested in anything to do with theatre. They run drama courses for adults and children and around eight shows a year are produced by adults and children alike. Putney Theatre company offers opportunities for anyone interested in any type of theater work from acting to writing to set design. Group 64 is the youth drama group for kids, they run weekly classes, holiday projects but also put together shows.

28. DoPaddington-Maida Vale

    Queens Ice and Bowl

    Queens is an entertainment centre with 50,000 sq ft of activities including ice skating, 12 lanes of ten pin bowling, karaoke rooms, bar, food and video games.

29. DoMayfair-Marylebone

    Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

    During the summer, a perfect afternoon can be had by taking a picnic in Regent's Park followed by seeing a production at the Theatre.

30. DoCovent Garden

    Royal Opera House

    One of the world's great opera and ballet venues. Peak time tickets are like gold dust and it is very unlikely that a casual visitor will be able to obtain one. However, at least 65 tickets per performance are held off for on-the-day in person sales from 10AM, and tickets are sometimes available for off peak (especially matinee) performances and can be surprisingly affordable. Check the website or at London ticket agencies. Whilst there's no formal dress code for attending a performance, dressing smartly is advised. Casual styles (jeans, trainers) may get you disapproving looks from other attendees.

31. DoHolborn-Clerkenwell

    Sadler's Wells Theatre

    Leading dance production theatre with an amazing history back to the 1690s. Everything from classical ballet to hip hop. For ballet fans, you have often got a much better chance of securing a ticket here than in the Covent Garden venues. Also attached is the Lilian Baylis Theatre, primarily performances by students.

32. DoSouth Bank

    Shakespeare's Globe

    Sam Wanamaker's largely authentic reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, built using traditional techniques, stages plays in the summer months. Around the year, there is an exhibition ending with either a tour of the theatre (in winter, and mornings in the summer), or a virtual tour (summer afternoons). Tickets for plays are often available on the day, particularly if you are prepared to stand in the yard.

    May-Sep: daily 9AM-5PM, Oct-Apr: daily 10AM-5PM

33. DoCamden

    Shaw Theatre

    Theatre named after George Bernard Shaw and famous for showing high-quality non-mainstream productions.

34. DoWestminster

    St John's Smith Square

    SJSS

    Former baroque church by Thomas Archer. From the 1960s, converted into a concert hall and featuring world class classical music performers with daily concerts from September to July.

    Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM

35. DoCovent Garden

    St Martin's Theatre

    The theatre which has been showing Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap continuously since 1952!

36. DoLeicester Square

    TKTS

    half-price ticket booth

    Tickets can only be bought in person so do not try to contact by telephone. At times, there may well be long queues, so be prepared.

    Mon-Sat 10AM-7PM, Sun 11AM-4PM

37. DoCovent Garden

    The Garden Cinema

    Independent cinema specialising in cult classics and arthouse films

38. DoLeicester Square

    The Hippodrome Casino

    A former theatre, now home to a large casino with live cabaret shows and a steakhouse restaurant. Also sells souvenirs, poker chips and plaque keyrings that can be purchased from the cashier. If you stay here long have a look at the Hippodrome Rewards card.

    24 hours

39. DoWandsworth

    Tooting & Mitcham United Football Club

    The 'Stripes' are a football club based at Imperial Fields. They play in BetVictor Isthmian League South Central Division and normally play their league games on Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. The club has a café/bar with real ale and with big screen TV (Sky Sports) and has a gym.

    Adult £10, concession £5

40. DoWandsworth

    Tooting Bec Common

    A real gem, with tennis courts, football fields and plenty of open space. Sports facilities include Tooting Leisure Centre and Pool, golf, horse riding, Tooting Bec Lido (the biggest open air pool in the UK), athletic track and the nearby Streatham Ice Rink.

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to London (CC BY-SA 4.0).