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40 free things to do in London

The fact is there are tonnes to do with just an Oyster card in your pocket

By Zahra Surya Darma, Laura Fowler and Tristan Parker

1 December 2022

40 free things to do in London right now

London has many great qualities, but affordability isn’t usually one of them. If you know where to look, however, there are all kinds of free things to do in London, so we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to the best activities that won’t cost you a penny. From one of London’s best museums to strolling through city farms, these are free things to do that will give you an action-packed day. Alternatively, check out our editor-curated guide to the best things to do in London this weekend.

Looking for affordable things to do in the capital? This is how to spend a day in London for £50 (or less).

Free things to do in London

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1. Markets
Best for: window shopping, but fun
Even if you’re not buying anything, wandering through some of London's best markets is a strangely rewarding experience. Maybe it’s because of the variety on offer: countless colourful bouquets at the marvellous Columbia Road Flower Market; antiques and knick-knacks at Portobello Road Market; glorious food at Borough Market; and a bit of everything at hipper-than-hip Broadway Market. Those are a few of our favourites, but there are plenty more across the city. The following advice, however, applies to any London-market visits: check the opening and closing times online beforehand, get there early and prepare for a lot of other people to be doing the same thing. Whichever one you do end up at, stroll through, soak up the atmosphere and perfect the following phrase to keep things free: ‘Thanks, I might come back later.’
Check out more of the best London markets.
2. Sky Garden
Best for: sky-high relaxation
Everyone loves a good view of London and when that view comes from the city’s highest public garden, it makes it even sweeter. This space is found on floor 37 of 20 Fenchurch Street – known to absolutely everyone as the Walkie-Talkie – and it’s free to visit as long as you book ahead online. Once you’ve been whisked up to floor 37 it’s a surprisingly stylish affair, with several storeys of luscious, exotic greenery to wander through. Just don’t forget to check out the incredible views of the city. There are also several reasonably fancy restaurants and bars in the garden if the altitude goes to your head and you can’t resist treating yourself.
Address: Sky Garden, 1, Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF
Website: skygarden.london/sky-garden
3. Horniman Museum & Gardens
Best for: kooky curiosities
This brilliant venue in south-east London has just as much going for it as the city’s headline museums – more, in fact, if you count the famous taxidermied walrus that’s been at the Horniman for more than a century and allegedly wowed Queen Victoria in 1886. Walrus aside, there are all kinds of fascinating animals and oddball artefacts on display, plus an aquarium, a butterfly house and a room full of musical instruments from around that globe that’s probably meant for children but is usually full of excitable adults. Entry to the general museum is free (some special exhibitions are ticketed) and there are also regular free tours, markets, workshops and talks. The gardens are rather lovely, too, particularly on a summery day.
Address: Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ
Website: horniman.ac.uk
Read more on the best museums in London.
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4. Grant Museum of Zoology
Best for: a creepy museum not for the squeamish
How do you feel about jars stuffed full of moles and dissected brains? If you’re still reading, you most likely have the stomach for this fascinating mini museum hidden inside UCL. The grand wooden-panelled room is packed floor to ceiling with animal skeletons, taxidermy and lots of jars full of preserved creatures, many of which are rare and extinct. Look out for the dodo and the skeleton of the zebra-like quagga.
Address: Rockefeller Building, 21 University St, London WC1E 6DE
Website: ucl.ac.uk/culture/grant-museum-zoology
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5. God's Own Junkyard
Best for: a neon artist’s surreal world
God’s Own Junkyard is a visual onslaught of light and colour, a crazy bright world of vintage signs and stage props reworked in lightbulbs and neon. It’s all the work of the late, great artist Chris Bracey, who worked with neon to create the most extraordinary (and very collectable) artworks of light and reclaimed signage, mixing Soho seediness with macabre carnival paraphernalia, Catholic kitsch and disco wondrousness... The Rolling Scones café and bar means you can sit in wonder while sipping a coffee or glass of wine. Worth the trek to the end of the Victoria Line.
Address: God’s Own Junkyard, Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall St, Walthamstow, London E17 9HQ
Website: godsownjunkyard.co.uk

Yogarise
6. Free yoga classes
Best for: saluting the sunrise on a rooftop
Something truly in keeping with yogic principles yet also extraordinary: free yoga in London. Sahaja Yoga Meditation offers free meditation sessions for spiritual realignment around the city, although donations are welcome. Activewear stores Sweaty Betty and Lululemon also host free classes, but remember to book online for Sweaty Betty and get there early for Lululemon. See websites for timetables and more details.
This is The best way to spend 24 hours in London.
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7. British Library
Best for: literary treasures
Now that everyone agrees libraries are cool again, you’d be wise to visit one of the very best around. From the minute you enter it’s hard not to be struck by the building’s importance, and just walking around it will make you feel infinitely more well read. Speaking of which, it’s perfectly possible to use the reading rooms as a regular, non-scholarly mortal, but the registration process takes a bit of pre-planning. It’s much easier to simply drift around the many free exhibitions and galleries. The accurately named British Library Treasures Gallery displays priceless printed works from throughout history: Shakespeare’s First Folio, a copy of the Magna Carta, handwritten Beatles lyrics, letters from Charles Dickens, illustrations by Michelangelo. Swotting-up has never been so fun.
Address: British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB
Website: bl.uk
8. Daylight Music at Union Chapel
Best for: eclectic tunes in an unrivalled setting
There are many opportunities to catch free music around London. But only one of them takes place in a Grade I-listed church and performance space that’s also one of the city’s most important contemporary-music venues: Daylight Music at Union Chapel. These regular two-hour sessions (most Saturdays from 12–2pm) are a chance for a diverse range of artists to perform anything from folk, alt-pop and jazz to curveball organ recitals of Destiny’s Child hits. Previous guests include Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor, Laura Marling, Nils Frahm and even Frank Sidebottom. The sessions are pay-what-you-can, so you can indeed go in for free, but we strongly advise donating a few pounds, as all the money goes towards future events and maintaining the venue itself.
Address: Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, Islington, London N1 2UN
Website: unionchapel.org.uk
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9. City farms
Best for: feed goats and stroke soft things
Other than the odd squawk, you’d hardly know London’s urban farms were here, tucked between railway arches and housing estates. Some highlights: the annual Oxford and Cambridge Goat Race at Spitalfields City Farm; more animals at Surrey Docks Farm and Kentish Town City Farm; and innovative cultural goings-on at Stepney City Farm, including a weekly farmers’ market. There’s also the 32 green acres overlooking Canary Wharf at Mudchute Park and Farm; free drop-in activities for children at Freightliners City Farm off Holloway Road; alpacas and horses at hands-on Vauxhall City Farm, plus a riding school for people with disabilities; and affectionate donkeys and a buzzingy café at Hackney City Farm.
10. The tide at Greenwich Peninsula
Best for: an urban playground
Billed as London’s first elevated riverside linear park – we can’t think of any others, so we won’t argue – The Tide is taking on the bold task of livening up the area around The O2, and it’s doing a pretty good job of it. It’s also full of free stuff. There are public art installations to gaze at, including two Damien Hirst sculptures; ‘audio wellness portals’, where you can tap into guided meditations using an app; occasional free fitness classes at Outrivals on The Tide; plus a series of elevated, winding walkways and some much-needed greenery to explore. An ever-increasing number of cafés and restaurants are also emerging if you do fancy splashing out on coffee and cake.
Address: The Tide, Pier Walk, London SE10 0JF
Website: greenwichpeninsula.co.uk

11. Lunchtime concerts
Best for: heavenly harmonies
You’ve probably walked past the quietly spectacular St Martin-in-the-Fields church many times. But step inside on various weekdays and you’ll be treated to more than just magnificent baroque architecture – you’ll also hear blissful music as part of its free lunchtime concerts. The performances are predominately classical and choral recitals and, as well as witnessing some incredibly talented musicians, it’s also a great opportunity to indulge in a spot of high culture if this kind of music isn’t usually on your radar.
Address: St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JH
Website: stmartin-in-the-fields.org
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12. Turner at Tate Britain
Best for: light in the dark
For a calm, improving afternoon indoors, head for the Tate Britain’s Clore Gallery which is dedicated to the works – hundreds of oil paintings and sketchbooks – of JMW Turner. Even in the dimness – or perhaps especially in the dimness – the extraordinary light in his paintings lifts the soul. Also, there are always plenty of free exhibitions so take a look at the website to see what's on.
Address: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Website: tate.org.uk
13. The Line Art Walk
Best for: a cultural stroll
Running between The O2 in Greenwich and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, The Line is a great place to see not only some interesting corners of London, but also a series of very cool modern art. Along the three-mile route, walkers will encounter works by Antony Gormley, Abigail Fallis and Gary Hume, including DNA-imitating shopping trolleys, a giant blackbird egg and a sculpture that plays with quantum physics. Technically, the route involves hopping on the Emirates Air Line cable car over the River Thames, which will set you back a few pounds, so keep it free by sticking to one section of the walk or taking a detour through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. Access it from Oxford Road in Finsbury Park.
Website: the-line.org
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14. The South Bank
Best for: riverside spectacular
It’s possible to spend all day on the South Bank without spending money (as long as you take a picnic and a vow of frugality). Visitors can laze on the grass in Queen Elizabeth Hall’s roof garden; run through the fountains; build sandcastles on the urban beach in summer; or just walk the bright and colourful length of the South Bank all the way to Tate Modern, stopping to watch street performers and free shows outside the National Theatre. If it’s raining, head into the uplifting modernist space of the Royal Festival Hall – there are often events held in its Clore Ballroom, including free dance classes. Plus, you’ll find free workshops, discussions and music, from folk and jazz to electronica, taking place around the Southbank Centre – and can always take the singing lift up to the top floors for sensational river views. Check the website for details.
Address: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 8XX
Website: southbankcentre.co.uk
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15. Tate Modern
Best for: modern masterpieces
The Tate Modern is one of the world’s leading modern and contemporary art galleries, in the incredible setting of Herzog & de Meuron’s transformed Bankside Power Station – and, joyously, it’s free. Well, certainly enough of it is (some of it's temporary London exhibitions cost extra). The permanent collections are impressive: eight huge spaces filled with important works from 1900 to the present day. Plus, there are lots of smaller-scale short-term exhibitions focusing on digital and video art, as well as painters such as Monet and Rothko. The vast Turbine Hall also hosts large immersive installations, such as Louise Bourgeois’s giant spider, Ai Weiwei’s Sunflower Seeds and Superflex’s swing seats.
Address: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Website: tate.org

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16. National Maritime Museum
Best for: ship-shape in Greenwich
The marvellous National Maritime Museum is set in grand 17th-century buildings, part of Greenwich’s UNESCO-listed Old Royal Naval College. Which might sound a bit boring if you don’t like boats, but it is actually curiously fascinating. There are almost three million items relating to history’s greatest travellers and explorers, including weird antique equipment, maps and astronomy stuff, art by Turner, Nelson’s private bits and bobs, a simulator so you can see what it’s like to drive a ship – and the most amazing kids’ section with pirate dressing-up quarters (try and find the poo in a drawer).
Address: National Maritime Museum, Park Row, London SE10 9NF
Website: rmg.co.uk
(c) National Gallery, London
17. The National Gallery
Best for: the Greatest Hits of fine art
As everything since 1900 has been housed in London’s more attention-grabbing modern galleries, there’s a lot of religion, gloom and battle to traipse through at the National Gallery. But hold tight, there’s wonder, too. For a whirl through the greatest hits – Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ (above), various bathers by Monet, Cezanne and Seurat, and Stubbs’ rearing ‘Whistlejacket’ – check out the gallery’s own suggested Top 30.
Address: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Website: nationalgallery.org.uk
This the ultimate guide to the best exhibitions in London.
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18. Hampstead Hill Garden & Pergola
Best for: an enchanted garden in Hampstead
Stumble upon this pergola by accident and it’s as magical as discovering a secret garden and wondering if you have in fact been transported to an alternative universe in which David Bowie is still alive and singing ‘Magic Dance’. Finding it using Google Maps, in a hidden north-west corner of Hampstead Heath, does little to dispel the romance. Lord Leverhulme had it built in 1904 for summer parties, then it was left to crumble – the tumbledown nature of the place only adds to the enchantment. It’s been restored over the years, but thankfully it still feels a little weathered while looking fresh – exactly as it should do.
Address: Hampstead Hill Garden & Pergola, NW3
Website: cityoflondon.gov.uk
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19. The Wallace Collection
Best for: go rococo-loco
In an extensive Marylebone townhouse, the Wallace Collection is the antithesis of London’s contemporary galleries. Room after richly decorated room is packed with 18th- and 19th-century art and objets collected by four Marquesses of Hertford and subsequently Sir Richard Wallace, including so many French 18th-century decorative artworks (biens nationaux from France, sold off after the Revolution) that it rivals Versailles. There are miniatures and masterpieces by Titian, Rembrant, Rubens, Canaletto, Gainsborough, Van Dyck and a thousand others; renaissance and rococo; uncountable curiosities and ceramics; treasures from gold snuffboxes to Marie-Antoinette’s commodes.
Address: The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
Website: wallacecollection.org
20. Go canoeing on a canal
Best for: clear sailing
Spruce up Limehouse Cut or Regent's Canal from the water with Moo Canoes. Usually, people have to pay to rent a canoe, but join the monthly canal litter picks and you’ll get a free sailing session and an altruistic boost all in one.
Website: moocanoes.com

21. RAF Museum
Best for: spitfires over Hendon
At the far reaches of the Northern Line, the Royal Air Force Museum is really rather good, especially for those with young children who need entertaining. A range of flying machines are housed in massive aircraft hangars: silvery bombers, Spitfires, colossal Chinooks and flight simulators so realistic that grown-ups emerge ashen-faced. The offering for kids is brilliant, too – particularly the outdoor playground, featuring mini-versions of various aircraft that children can pilot and plenty of climbing walls, slides and objects to clamber over.
Address: RAF Museum London, Grahame Park Way, London NW9 5LL
Website: rafmuseum.org
22. Museum of London
Best for: the ultimate London museum
Where do you start to tell the story of the most storied city in the world (OK, one of them)? Here. It’s immersive, engaging, lively, and completely fascinating for lovers of the greatest city in the world (OK, one of them), with treasures from the beginning of time to the present day, as you walk through atmospheric sets of the city through the ages.
Address: Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN
Website: museumoflondon.org.uk
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23. Sir John Soane's Museum
Best for: a hoarder’s dream in Holborn
Neoclassical architect Sir John Soane designed the Bank of England, but his most thrilling legacy is his museum. It’s filled with thousands of architectural books, artworks, salvage, models and artefacts – and even a sarchophagus (he threw a three-day party to celebrate its arrival) – which he voraciously collected since he picked up a fragment of Pompeii on his Grand Tour of Europe. It’s all curated amid the many-layered, crazy-chaotic, mind-bogglingly decorated setting of his Lincoln’s Inn Fields townhouse.
Address: Sir John Soane's Museum, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn WC2A 3BP
Website: soane.org
24. Wellcome Collection
Best for: creepy weird stuff in Euston
If you ever thought science was boring, the Wellcome Collection will make you reconsider. It rightly claims to be the free destination for the incurably curious, with possibly the weirdest exhibits in the world. American-born pharmacist and philanthropist Sir Henry Wellcome was fascinated by the ‘art and science of healing’, and an unstoppable collector of things to do with the body (human and animal): glass eyeballs and preserved human hands, a serial killer’s brain, a book on virginity bound in human skin, anti-masturbation devices, and a tiny pair of bellows to pump tobacco into the body via the anus. Yep, science is totally rude.
Address: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE
Website: wellcomecollection.org
25. The Saatchi Gallery
Best for: sensationalist art on the King’s Road
Charles Saatchi’s collection of contemporary art is one of the best in the world. The focus has always been on unknown and international artists largely unseen in the UK, and yet the vast Duke of York HQ is filled with sensational artworks by every big-hitting artist of the last 50-odd years – testament to Saatchi’s eye for a winner (his patronage can turn an unknown into a rockstar artist overnight – not least the Young British Artists of the 1990s) since he started exhibiting in the mid 1980s with Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, Donald Judd and Brice Marden.
Address: Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York's HQ, King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4RY
Website: saatchigallery.com
26. Newport Street Gallery
Best for: Damian Hirst’s private collection in Vauxhall
In a terrace of former theatre-set-painting studios, Newport Street Gallery has been reimagined by Caruso St John architects into a huge gallery that is home to Damien Hirst’s private art collection. He’s been collecting since the late 1980s; it’s vast. Works by fellow YBAs – including Tracy Emin, Gavin Turk and Sarah Lucas – as well as Bacon, Picasso, Jeff Koons, Banksy and many more, fill six exhibition spaces. There’s also taxidermy (obviously) and natural history specimens. Exhibitions change around, and all are free.
Address: Newport Street Gallery, Vauxhall SE11
Website: newportstreetgallery.com
27. Mudlarking
Best for: treasure-hunting in the Thames
In the 18th century, poor people scraped together a living from what they found in British stinking mud banks. Now London’s metropolitan liberal elite are taking it up as the most fun you can have on Sunday morning, poking around the Thames’ riverbanks at low tide with the vague notion of discovering some jilted lover’s engagement ring. Experienced mudlark and Condé Nast Traveller Chief Sub-Editor Rick Jordan has some tips: ‘My favourite mudlarking spot is just down from the Millennium Bridge, with the Shard rising upriver like a space ship. Check the tide times, and take some disposable gloves, but not a spade – digging’s against the spirit of mudlarking: it’s what you find on the surface.’
28. Poplar Union
Best for: poplist arthouse happenings
Poplar Union is a thriving arts hub, which, in addition to its ticketed cultural events, puts on a number of free activitiets each month. These include screenings of old and new films in its Pop-Corn Presents series; popular seasonal scratch nights showcasing works-in-progress by up-and-coming writers, performers and poets; and regular Live in the Library music sessions.
Address: Poplar Union, 2 Cotall St, Poplar, London E14 6TL
Website: poplarunion.com

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29. The Barbican Centre
Best for: challenging yourself
Most Londoners learn to love – or pretend to love – this brutalist concrete dystopia. The architects behind this monstrosity, Chamberlain, Powell and Bon, had a vision to radically transform how people live in buildings by cultivating the concept of a city within a city. Comprising 2,000 flats and surrounded by schools, a library, cinemas and even a man-made lake, the unique design marries ancient Roman fortresses and French Modernism to Mediterranean hideaways and Scandi-style minimalism. Though the Barbican’s architecture challenges, its cultural programme is wide-ranging and varied and includes free events, performances and installations on Level G that are worth exploring.
Address: The Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
Website: barbican.org.uk
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Sophie Knight
30. Barbican Conservatory
Best for: unwinding in an urban jungle
Within the Barbican building is a true hidden gem, the Barbican Conservatory is the second-largest conservatory in the capital. Inside the 23,000 square feet of glass-bound rainforest, you’ll find over 2,000 species of tropical greenery as well as koi ponds and turtles. Go for a stroll around and if all else fails, you can always take a good book and just sit outside beside the fountains. The conservatory is open on select days and booking is required.
Address: Barbican Centre, Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS
Website: barbican.org.uk/visit-the-conservatory
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31. “10 Downing Street”
Best for: patriotic peruse
Home of the British prime minister, 10 Downing Street is arguably the most famous street in the UK – and so is that distinguishable black door which has drawn in crowds eager to catch a glimpse in person. A symbol of the nation's political powerhouse, it’s played host to some of the most important speeches in British history. But if you want to take a picture, it’s almost impossible. Due to security reasons, you can't just stroll up and snap one unless you're invited. Fortunately, there’s a doppelgänger door just up the road on 10 Adam Street. To the keen eye, there’s an obvious distinction between the two but upon a quick glance, it bears an uncanny resemblance; besides the obvious number 10, there’s the golden knocker and letter box, surrounding black fencing and intricate transom window. The building is currently used as an office space so be mindful when visiting.
Address: 10 Adam St, London WC2R 0DE
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32. Canalside strolls
Best for: spicing up your walking route
While exploring London’s best parks is always a good idea, the capital also has an underrated canal system that makes for some scenic strolls. Start at Paddington Basin, where you may spot people whizzing through on boats decked out with drinks and delightful treats, or diners tucking into cheese boards and toasties on floating restaurants. Weave your way through Little Venice to be greeted with rows of boathouses and quirky cafes before heading to Regents Canal. Marvel at the opulent residences or look out for monkeys by London Zoo. Follow the path up to foodie destination Camden Market before finishing at Coal Drops Yard for some window shopping. The route takes less than two hours at a leisurely pace, giving you plenty of time to soak in some of London’s best.

33. Moments of peace
Best for: bubbles of calm
London is hectic, and central London is even more hectic. But amid the hustle and bustle, you can still find little pockets of peace hidden in plain sight. Just steps from Tottenham Court Road station (on Exit 4) is the floor-to-ceiling sensory art box created to help passersby practice mindfulness. Hosted by Outernet London, step inside the immersive installations showcasing nature-themed pieces through jaw-dropping audio-visuals that will either transport you high above the clouds, deep in the ocean or into a galaxy far far away. And less than a 15-minute walk away, in between Bond Street and Hanover Square, is the discreet entrance to Medici Courtyard. Enclosed in concrete-clad buildings, this secluded spot is the perfect escape for those wanting to take a breather from a busy day.
Addresses: Outernet London, Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 8LH; Medici Courtyard, London W1
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34. Kenwood House
Best for: culture hit with the family
Nestled on the tip of Hampstead Heath, the 112-acre estate complete with sprawling landscapes, a world-renowned art collection and Georgian architecture makes for an enjoyable family day out. Marvel at the interior masterpieces in The Dining Room and soak in the panoramic views from the terrace – especially in Spring when bluebells bloom.
Address: Hampstead Ln, London NW3 7JR
Website: english-heritage.org.uk/kenwood
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35. Natural History Museum
Best for: educational opportunities
On a Romanesque-style building in South Kensington sits an extraordinary collection of 80 million objects and specimens. Separated by four distinct galleries, the Natural History Museum follows the overarching themes of evolution and the diversity of life. Some famous installations to check out include the 82-feet and 4.5-tonne whale skeleton hanging in the grand Hintze Hall, which is sometimes accompanied by “Dippy”, the 105-foot replica of a dinosaur skeleton. The Earth Hall also has an extensive display of mineral and geological finds and even an earthquake simulator. On occasion, you can book a night at the museum where exhibits glow and the mood is intimate and almost crowd-free – it’s truly an experience everyone needs to have.
Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
Website: nhm.ac.uk
36. Speakers' Corner
Best for: opium for the masses in Hyde Park
Every Sunday morning at Speakers’ Corner, orators with something to shout about – including, in the past, Marx, Lenin and Orwell – get up on their soapboxes to spread the word, whether that’s about religion, equality, politics, or oral sex. Regular hecklers add to the spirited debates.
Address: Speakers' Corner, near Marble Arch, Hyde Park, London W2
Website: royalparks.org.uk
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37. Rooftops
Best for: uninterrupted skyline views
If you want to enjoy panoramic views of London’s skyline in a tranquil hideaway, head up to one of the many rooftops. The Garden at 120, situated at the Fen Court building, is the capital’s largest public rooftop space housing over 115 trees with relaxing water features and plenty of seating space to soak in the views. Coq d’Argent by Bank Station is a secret garden oasis while the sky-high terrace at One New Change is open daily from 6am until midnight and offers spectacular views of St Paul’s Cathedral and other exquisite landmarks.
38. Library Lounge at the Standard Hotel
Best for: snazzy studying
One of London’s slickest hotels, The Standard by King’s Cross is also home to a retro working space complete with a library, plenty of cosy lounge sets, a recording studio and even a DJ booth spinning chill tunes throughout the day. The warm hues make it the perfect spot to put your head down and work with the option to order tipples and nibbles at a cost. Bookings are not required but after 6pm, laptops are kindly asked to be tucked away.
Address: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG
Website: standardhotels.com

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39. St Dunstan in the East Church Garden
Best for: a secret reading spot
Slip away from the buzz of the city and head to St Dunstan. What was once a Wren church before it was destroyed in the Second World War is now a secret garden oasis where vines cover the ruins and trees weave through windows. With benches peppered throughout, this horticulture haven is perfect for book lovers.
Address: St Dunstan's Hill, London EC3R 5DD
Website: cityoflondon.gov.uk/st-dunstan-in-the-east-church-garden
40. Friday lates
Best for: conversation starters at the Victoria & Albert
At the weekend, the Victoria and Albert Museum is mobbed with tourists, but smart cookies with sculpted brows head here after-hours for the Friday Late nights. Held on the last Friday of every month except May and December, the events are a celebration of contemporary design and visual culture, brought to life by artists, live performances, film, installations, debates, talks, dance, poetry and other forms of art. There are DJs and bars in the splendid entrance hall and garden. Tate Modern runs its Friday-evening fun in the form of Uniqlo Tate Lates, with a similarly enticing mix.

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