Best things to do in London: 42 exciting ideas to enjoy the capital

Address: Turning Earth Hoxton, Railway Arches, 361-362 Whiston Road, London E2 8BW; The Kiln Rooms Copeland Park, Unit 3, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Road, London SE15 3SN; Hackney City Farm, 1a Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QA
Website: turningearth.org; thekilnrooms.com; hackneycityfarm.co.uk

Soho record storeSophie Knight

6. Peruse Soho’s famous record stores

Soho has a long musical history, with jazz clubs, listening bars and rock n’ roll legends attracting melophiles from far and wide. Aside from live music venues and bars, soak up this history with a stomp around some of the neighbourhood’s well-stocked record stores, flicking through piles of vinyl to uncover rare gems. Our favourites include Reckless Records on Berwick Street, which specialises in secondhand seven and 12-inch vinyl, and Sounds of the Universe on Broadwick Street, home to an incredible collection of records.

Address: Reckless Records, 30 Berwick Street, London W1F 8RH; Sounds of the Universe, 7 Broadwick Street, London W1F 0DA
Website: reckless.co.uk; soundsoftheuniverse.com

7. Catch exhibitions at major galleries

There are dozens of fascinating exhibitions in London showing simultaneously at any given time of the year – so many that deciding what to investigate can be a little overwhelming. The National Gallery is always a good place to start, housing more than 2,000 paintings from some of history’s most iconic artists, from Velázquez to Van Gogh. Alternatively, the National Portrait Gallery reopened in 2024 following a glitzy refurbishment. Cast your eyes over tens of thousands of portrait paintings, photographs and arty artefacts before a slap-up supper at The Portrait by Richard Corrigan.

Address: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN; National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE
Website: nationalgallery.org.uk; npg.org.uk

Greenhouse in Kew GardenGetty Images

8. Roam around Kew Gardens

We have Princess Augusta, the mother of King George III, to thank for Kew Gardens – the glittering botanical gardens that lie among some of the capital’s leafiest, prettiest suburbs. Just a short journey via overground or tube from the hustle and bustle lies this 326-acre site (Augusta founded a nine-acre garden in the grounds of Kew Palace to begin with). The landscape has gradually evolved over the centuries, but with careful thought and consideration. Grounds are punctuated by dazzling glasshouses, intriguing sculptures and paths that wind through no shortage of vibrant flowerbeds – be sure to seek out the Great Pagoda, William Chambers’ 1762 work and present to the Princess. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage site is home to more than 50,000 living plants, supplemented by various other rare additions during exhibitions and seasonal displays. Come Halloween and Christmas, the grounds are illuminated – be it by scares or sparkles – as families uncover the grounds away from the crowds under the guidance of the moon. Cafés and restaurants are located within the grounds, but the locale is well worth exploring as well. Settle into The Express Tavern before catching the train back to the heart of the action and wash down pizzas, hearty roasts or specials; the sprawling garden is a welcome oasis on warmer evenings.