r/visitlondon 9d ago

ARTS Visiting this week, experimental music or art venues?

2 Upvotes

Hello! I am in town this week and had a few things shift in my schedule and have tonight (Monday) and Thursday evening open. I am an NYC-based artist and would love to check out some experimental music or art since I now have the evenings! Thank you!
(My post got removed before, genuinely not sure why, I’m looking for things that may be a lot more experimental etc., than is typical but maybe I misunderstood to sub rules! Apologies and thanks!)


r/visitlondon 14d ago

ACTIVITIES Which lavender field near London should I visit?

4 Upvotes

I’m going to a lavender field with a few friends but I’m not sure which one I wanna visit.
A field with good food places around would be nice. Also do any of them allow flower-picking without charging extra?


r/visitlondon 16d ago

ACTIVITIES Place to mooch around and somewhere to eat in Westminster

13 Upvotes

I’m swearing allegiance to UK tomorrow at 2pm at the Westminster council nonetheless!

Any place or food places to go near that area?
Love to see architecture, unusual non touristy places to visit.

Thanks


r/visitlondon 16d ago

ADVICE Visiting London but need an atypical itinerary

1 Upvotes

Parents and I will be visiting London and staying over a weekend next month. We are all adults. I'm planning the itinerary for two days, but we've already been to London many times and have seen all the major sightseeing destinations, so need some more niche recommendations.

I would like some help creating a list of activities/sightseeing/shopping to do with my parents that they'll enjoy. Kindly exclude any food places as we already have this sorted.

So far, I'll take them to the Borough and Spitalfields markets, then a theatre production in the afternoon. I'm also thinking of taking them to Kyoto Gardens, Roman baths, Primrose Hill and Tate Modern as, so far, these are the only places we haven't been. And also visiting China Town just to see it as I don't think they've been there either. As we are london veterans, I'm struggling to come up with more ideas/activities and searching online yields all of the obvious places we have already been to many times.

I really think they'd like to do one of the many walking/history tours available but i've never done one before and would like some recommendations for that too. The Jack the Ripper, ghost stories/ history ones look so good but there are too many of varying price and idk how good they are.

I also don't mind doing something more outside of central London than everything we have done so far.

I also don't mind cultural/heritage things like maybe showing them round some famous tea shops (my mum loves tea) or taking them to Fortnum & Masons etc.

Here are all the places we have already been: Soho road (many times), Edgeware road (many times, very boring now), Camden town (and all its markets, overdone by us), Buckingham palace, hyde park, British Museum, V&A, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Hunterian museum (we like museums lol), Wyndham's museum of curiosities, westminster abbey, st paul's, tower of london, big ben, harrods, oxford street, picadilly circus, covent gardens, m&m world, Royal Albert Hall, traflagar square, No. 10, Daunt books (and all its others).

Thank you for all of your help in advance!


r/visitlondon 16d ago

ACTIVITIES august recs for 2 metal heads

3 Upvotes

Visiting London for a week with my boyfriend next month (from the US, sorry in advance) and would appreciate any recommendations for alt / goth / unique things to do. I’ve been a few times for work, and want to avoid tourist traps and large crowds.

What we’re into - and just trying to be a little specific so you get our vibe:

- cool contemporary art shows
- laidback dive bar culture
- your fave “hole in the wall” spot for reliably good and quick eats
- metal, punk
- creepy, paranormal, true crime
- maritime history - NMM’s on the list already

Staying in Shoreditch but willing to travel. We’re pretty brave so we’ll take anything you’ve got! Thanks so much <3


r/visitlondon 17d ago

FOOD AND CULINARY Where should I go for lunch/brunch before an afternoon appointment in London?

2 Upvotes

I’m travelling down from the North to London (King’s Cross / Old Street / City Road) for an afternoon appointment and will have some time beforehand.

Does anyone have any good lunch/brunch recommendations?

Ideally somewhere casual, not too expensive, and fairly easy to get to by public transport.

just looking for somewhere decent before the appointment.


r/visitlondon 17d ago

FOOD AND CULINARY Specialty coffee shops in Hendon.

1 Upvotes

I am looking for recommendations for good coffee near where I'm staying in Hendon. I'm by the Brent reservoir fairly regularly over the next couple of months. Not planning to go into central. With the greatest of respect I'd prefer only coffee snobs to reply, A good flat white anywhere local will do the job.


r/visitlondon 18d ago

ADVICE First time visiting London, can I have some help?

3 Upvotes

Hi I’m Egyptian and coming to London for the first time will stay a couple days. Will book in PubLove Hostel have anyone tried there before? Is it good and safe and the cooling stuff good? It’s my first time abroad and I’m nervous cuz I will be alone. And about the transportation, what is the best and safest way to move there and to be saving money. Thanks!


r/visitlondon 18d ago

ACTIVITIES Any good arcades in London?

1 Upvotes

I am going to visit London in September, and I was wondering if there are any good arcades in the city. Mainly fighting games arcades.


r/visitlondon 18d ago

TOURS Harry Potter Studios Tour

1 Upvotes

My husband and I are looking to do tour to the studio so we don't need to worry about transportation, however it looks like the tours allow 4 hours at the studios, which seems like a short time. For those who have been there, is 4 hours enough or will it feel rushed? Also, any recommendations for a good tour company? Thanks!


r/visitlondon 21d ago

ADVICE Where to buy alternative, non-touristy merch? (bonus points for beer/left-wing politics)

2 Upvotes

I used to live in London but moved to Sweden after the 2016 referendum. I still visit quite often but as someone who likes buying T-shirts in places that I visit, I actually struggle to find anything to buy when I go to London.

In other cities I usually find nice T-shirts at breweries, or sometimes if I'm lucky I walk across a left-wing organisation of some kind that sells cool T-shirts, but so far in London I haven't had much luck. I would even settle for a more basic, London-themed T-shirt as long as it isn't the usual touristy T-shirt with a logo of the London Underground or a red telephone box.

Do you people have any suggestions of where in London I could go to find myself a nice T-shirt or two to remind me of London? As mentioned in the title, beer-related or political-but-still-clearly-from-London would be great, but other ideas for nice T-shirts are also welcome. Thanks in advance!


r/visitlondon 21d ago

ACCOMODATION Help! Narrowed it down to these hotels… I think!

2 Upvotes

UPDATE..... These are now the 3 top contenders

*Strand Palace (Superior King room) 997 pounds $1324

*Henrietta Experimental (Garden Supreme room) 1270 pounds $1687

*Clermont Charing Cross Deluxe Double room 1560 pounds $$2072

We will be in Europe next June and spending three nights in London. It will be our first time in London and we want to see the typical sites.… Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, the Tower of London, Big Ben. It will be my husband and myself. And another couple. We are in our 60’s. In very good health. Not interested in nightlife. But want some pubs/restaurants near us. And easy access to transit.
It seems like we narrowed it down to the Covent Garden area. These are the hotels we are considering. I know the last one is not in the same area, but I liked that hotel. I’m not saying my mind won’t change, because I’ve been trying to figure this out for the last few weeks. And I have changed my mind every day!
Any and all suggestions will be very welcome.
Strand Palace €1,291
Resident Covent Garden €1,455
Henrietta Experimental €1,317-1602
The Clermont Charing Cross €1,570
The Montague on the Gardens €1,162-1282


r/visitlondon 22d ago

SHOPPING Unconventional clothing store recommendations

1 Upvotes

I’m a collector of unconventional clothing items, and would like some recommendations for stores that sell anything unusual (near the city commercial center if possible).
Think as faaaaaar away from mainstream aesthetics as possible, and I don’t just mean alternative/punk styles.
I’m looking for clothes that would make sense as theatre costumes, or wouldn’t feel out of place in a costume party.
My usual favorites are royal inspired, vampire gothic and old school magician but I don’t would love recs for anything that most everyday people would be terrified of wearing in public 🙃
Thank you to any kind Londoners willing to put up with such a strange question~


r/visitlondon 23d ago

THINGS TO DO first solo day in London after years - how would you spend it?

2 Upvotes

i’m a mid 30’s mum to two kids, moved to london about 4 years ago and in between birthing them and taking 3 exams i never really had a chance to live London. while we venture out every weekend, and i have explored most bits with my family i’ve never actually done things on my own. this saturday I am getting a chance to live london on my own, and i ask you fellow Londoners, if you could what would you build into the perfect “rediscover the city” day?

i’ve seen most sights and parks. i wouldn’t say I am particularly leaned towards one interest so really anything. i had queuing up for wimbledon up on my list but im unsure if i really want to spend most of my day just trying to get in - i’ll be alone. i appreciate good food though i dont drink. i enjoy the outdoors but i wouldn’t want that to be my whole agenda.

really, as a londoner, If you had a rare full solo day in London with no responsibilities, how would you spend it?


r/visitlondon 24d ago

ACTIVITIES How to see first dinosaur fossil site?

1 Upvotes

Hi! I’ll be in London in August and going a few dinosaur places, and I’m hoping to see the place where they discovered the first ever dinosaur fossil! I don’t know a lot about the location and I’m having trouble finding out if it’s possible to go down and see it in person, like I’ve seen in documentaries, or if it’s closed off to general public.

And while I’m here, I’d love some more recommendations on dinosaur places to visit! I’m already going to Crystal Palace and Natural History Museum!

Thanks in advance!


r/visitlondon 25d ago

ADVICE World Cup

2 Upvotes

Maybe this has been asked a thousand times already, but what pubs / area would you recommend going to tonight to watch England play? Three Americans who want to experience authentic soccer (football) excitement with a local crowd.


r/visitlondon 27d ago

FOOD AND CULINARY Favourite vegetarian/vegan spots in London?

2 Upvotes

Spending the next few days in London, need some food recommendations as I’m a northerner with absolutely 0 knowledge of the veggie food scene in London. But it’s London, so I expect it’ll be good.

Thanks :)


r/visitlondon 29d ago

ACTIVITIES What are some unique/pretty/fascinating places to experience psychedelically?

0 Upvotes

Basically, my wife and I have a full day and we want to Fully Experience Ourselves And Our Minds, if you can pick up what I’m putting down. Ideas about where to go?


r/visitlondon Jun 22 '26

HOTELS Best hotel lobby to work remote from?

2 Upvotes

I know hotel lobbies are some of the best places to go to get some work done, since cafes can be hit-or-miss and I don't have a coworking space membership.

Which do you recommend that has plenty of sockets (I have an old laptop) and is potentially even great for striking up conversations with strangers? I live in Shoreditch, and so far have done The Hoxton, but am willing to travel around London to explore neighbourhoods I am not usually in (funemployment life, wee!).


r/visitlondon Jun 21 '26

HISTORY creepy stuff to do in London?

17 Upvotes

here for a few days and would love to soak up every minute! i love creepy stuff, like metaphysical shops, creepy museums, witchy places, ghost tours.. any recommendations??


r/visitlondon Jun 21 '26

FOOD AND CULINARY What can you recommend for Paddington station area?

0 Upvotes

We went to SoHo today and ate Rudy's Pizza Napoletana. We enjoyed it.

We would like breakfast for sure in Paddington and after a long day, dinners here may be nice.

We are down for anything not a chain…especially American chains but a British one that is nice option too.

I have jet lag and feel fried typing this..


r/visitlondon Jun 20 '26

WHERE TO GO Quiet places in/around Shoreditch?

6 Upvotes

I'll be going to London soon and spending a lot of time in Shoreditch. I'm autistic and have chronic fatigue syndrome so I get overwhelmed by crowds very easily and often need to find a quiet place to just gather myself for a bit.

I came across the Wellcome Collection's reading room which seems amazing but ideally I'd like somewhere I can go that's a bit closer. Suggestions would be appreciated :)

Obviously free to use would be great but I know that's not realistic lol. I'd be happy to get myself a little drink or snack in a quiet cafe or bar if it means I can stay for a bit


r/visitlondon Jun 19 '26

ADVICE Best jellied eels in town?

2 Upvotes

I'll be visiting London shortly and I can't wait to try jellied eels. I'm a big fan of pickled herring and the likes, in my hometown in Italy we have pickled eels and I love it. Where should I go to have the best jellied eels?


r/visitlondon Jun 18 '26

SHOPPING Shops for larger/plus size clothing?

2 Upvotes

I’ll be visiting next week and I wanted to use this opportunity to get a few new pieces of clothing or accessories to spruce up my wardrobe. I am a bit bigger- I wear mostly xl but l in some things (like a regular tshirt).

Any suggestions on shops I should specifically go to? Of course I’ll just wander a bit and look around but if there’s any I should definitely stop at, I’d love some recommendations! TIA


r/visitlondon Jun 17 '26

PUBS Riverside Pubs

5 Upvotes

In London this Saturday, staying in Westminster area. It's looking like it's going to be a scorcher so thinking of parking ourselves in a riverside pub at 12 and seeing what happens from there!

I've seen Tamesis Dock round that way, but I'm also willing to travel a bit if there's a decent option elsewhere. (I did try and check the wiki but it's not working).

Any recommendations much appreciated - thanks.