12 epic things to do in London if you visited it before
If, like me, you have lived in London for more than 3 months, it is not your first time in England’s capital, or you are just not that into the touristy things that London has, then this post is for you. After more than 10 years living in London and working within the tourism industry, it is time to share the 19 epic activities to do in London if you visited it before.
In this post I will be sharing the last decade of cool activities in London that have been part of my weekend in and out in the city. London is an amazing place, and everyone that comes to revisit this city has never had the same experience – this is the reason why I love London so much!
In this post you will get first hand the top 19 activities in London for those who either live in London or have been to London before. I won’t be able to list all the things to do in all the neighbourhoods, buttt challenge is accepted!
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Epic things to do in London
Visit Harry Potter Studios
Although this is not in London**, I would definitely make a priority to visit the studios where all movies were recorded at some point.
For years, I had this in my bucket list for London. I remember writing it as a goal for 2018 when I left Australia.
You can expect to see the main rooms for Grifindor, Slytherin, Dumbeldoor’s office, the Malfoy Manor, the Forbidden Forest (and all the spiders), my favourite: Gringotts Bank – so real!
It is the best day out! Cannot wait to go back again!
Some insight that might be worth taking into consideration, after working for the main supplier for Warner Bros. Tickets in London I gathered insight about the best time to book tickets and how to get the best deals.
There are 2 ways of securing your entry to the studios:
1) buying the ticket only or 2) buying the ticket with transportation.
The studios are not located in Central London. As these were the actual studios where the movies were made it is normal to be outside the main city. In this case the studios are located about 2.5h away from central London.
- If you buy the tickets only in the Warner Bros. you will have to make your way to studios from London that involves a train ticket from Paddington to Watford and then a shuttle bus from Watford to the studios.
- You can get the return transport included in your ticket from central London, either Victoria or Kings Cross. There is the official Harry Potter bus that offers entertainment onboard, and worth going of course. You can watch the 2nd movie on board and when you get to studios you basically live the movies. The house of the Weasleys makes you actually question life as we know it ahah.
**Studio’s address: Harry Potter™ Studio is located at Leavesden in Watford
Harry Potter bus pick-up from London:
Departure points:
Victoria – Bus Stop 1 Bulleid Way, Victoria, London SW1W 9SR.
King’s Cross – King’s Cross Station, Pancras Road, Bus Stop T, London N1C 4TB
Price: from $53
Go up Lift 109
There is a new view point in South West London that allows you to see the Shard and the whole city from a different prospective. The impressive London Power Station has just been renovated and finally put to use after decades of not being utilised. The whole region has been regenerated and transformed into a great shopping centre with amazing rustic characteristics including the boiler room and access to a spectacular view point.
Address: Battersea Power Station
Price: from $19.75
Chelsea Stadium
You don’t have to love football to enjoy a football stadium tour. The sensation of entering into a stadium is quite wow, you see this perfect green patch of grass and the thousands of seats. With a pinch of imagination you can picture yourself as a footballer.
Address: Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, London, SW6 1HS
Price: from $28
Theatres to see in London
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
For those fans of Harry Potter books and movies, the theatre play is a must – at least once in your lifetime. It doesn’t bring you closure to the books and movies, but brings you a sense of nostalgic and real magic to life. This play was particularly one of my favourites because I watched it exactly 13 years after the last movie and I felt super connected to the characters. I had heard lots of comments about magic on stage, and yes, it does happen! People disappear through telephone machines, papers fly with spells, Transfiguration is made to the point that the audience is very much “wow”. I actually wrote a review about the play in my previous post.
Seats for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child can be quite pricey $$$ but there is ways around it:
- Be familiar with the Theatre Week that happens every year in February, tickets can go as low as $15 in the TodayTix App.
- Try to buy tickets on the day when the show starts, normally you can get very good last minute seats for a low price. I remember getting ours for another premium play at $30 each for the grand circle!
Address: Palace Theatre
Price: from $15
Moulin Rouge
Oh-My, Oh-My – Have you watched the movie?! Loved it? Well, regardless you will love this play. It is my favourite musical in London for sure! Super fun, sexy and tragic, it is the movie in person and more! I could not recommend this musical well enough, I remember going to Paris, and wanting to watch it. I am glad I saved it until London – So cool! Glamours, Dance, Music, Love, Passion, Disaster, but the show must go on!
The story of a performer that is forced to be together with a Duke to save the theatre Moulin Rouge, but destiny made her in love with the american songwriter. Their love is impossible, she cannot be with him, the Duke will never allow it. But the show must go on!
- You can get affordable tickets during Theatre Week that happens every year in February.
Address: Piccadilly Theatre
Price: from $15
Epic Exhibitions to see in London
God’s Own Junkyard
Located in the north of London, God’s Own Junkyard is an insane space full of the most crazy neon signs. The world will never be the same after you visit God’s Own Junkyard, and you feel like telling everyone what you experienced. There’s signs, signs, and more signs. You can find neons that were created specifically for hollywood movies such Batman, Blade runner and others.
God Own Junkyard has a well run cafe with several sofas and comfortable seating around the venue to relax. Owned by the manufacturers family (2 sons and a mom) that still to this day build the neon signs for movies and shows. The signs are insane, my jaw dropped the moment I opened the door – mind blowing. The out-of-the-ordinary ‘museum’ offers free entrance and the best part: You can buy whatever sign you see. Disclaimer: it is $$$!
I had a little conversation with the manager when I last was there, and we had a great little chat. He said that “working in the Junkyard is the best job he could ever wish for” he also told me that they spend about $1000 per month on electricity!
Address: Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall St, London E17 9HQ
Price: free
Small is beautiful
I love small detailed little things, and art plays a very important part in my life. Small is Beautiful is an exhibition brought officially by Fever. If you haven’t heard about it, make sure you check them out. I spent 3 hours inside, and there is a world of small detail to explore.
I was so impressed by the detailed pencil carved with Marvel characters! WOW
Please note that Small is Beautiful exhibition is now in Belgium
Price: from $16
Disney 100: The Exhibition
After travelling from the US, Disney finally opened an exhibition in London – the exhibition was set to celebrate Disney’s 100 year anniversary and it brings to life the magic of Disney in London.
Disney is timeless, and this special exhibition is a dream come true, you can see all the props of a lot of the movies, from Cinderella’s shoe to Cruela’s dress. You can also learn so much about how the movies were made and the life behind Mr Walt Disney – his adventure throughout the years building this incredible imaginary world that so much brings us back to our fondest memories.
Explore ten immersive galleries showcasing Disney’s incredible story, from timeless classics like Snow White (1937) to the latest tales like Encanto (2021). Interact with Mickey and Minnie Mouse reimagined through the eyes of a famous British artist, Dominic Harris.
This 20,000-square-foot exhibition isn’t just for kids! It’s a global celebration of 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, featuring characters from Pixar, Star Wars, and MARVEL. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the magic in London.
Address: ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL
Price: from $16
Epic Activities to do in London
Ice Skate in Queens London
I am a bit biassed because I am an ice skater and this is the place where I spend most of my time practising. However, I need to mention it, because it is the only all-year Ice Rink in central London that is affordable and offers a variety of other activities.
I remember the first time I went to Queens back in 2016. Queens.London has also bowling, arcade and crawling – it is great for night outs and meet ups
Address: 17 Queensway, London, W2 4QP
Price: from $8
Putshak White City
Mini-Golf is a tradition. I guess because Golf was invented in the UK, but quite often we have been to mini-golf. Despite the fact that I am s**t at it, I find it good fun. Putshak is one of my favourite mini golf venues because of the technology involved. Each player gets a club and a ball, and when you play your ball the system associated with your ball and measures speed, your ball can also win prizes throughout the holes such as free beer, another round.
Address: Shepherds Bush Westfield shopping center
Price: from $8
Flight Club
Flight Club is a great example on how a traditional sport that was dying in popularity can revitalise with a bit of creativity. We all have heard of darts, the sport with the wheel on the wall and we have to get the arrows closer to centre as possible, or around the inner green circles to multiply and triple the points. Now, Flight Club twisted the game merging board games with darts. Imagine, at flight club there is a game called snakes and ladders where you score your points with the arrows and need to finish the board game avoiding descendent ladders. Great fun and much more competitive.
Address: Several locations
Price: from $8
Bongo’s Bingo Clapham Junction
I was just thinking that Bongo’s Bingo brings a similar concept to Flight Club, in the sense that it transforms an old, sometimes boring game of bingo to a fun, crazy, and not at all boring night out. London does this quite well. Bongo’s Bingo is perfect for getting together with friends that just want to have some fun, meet some people, and party – There is a bit of heavy drinking involved, but not mandatory – the just deals at the bar are normally great!
I like these types of Bingos. For my 30s I took my work crew to play some bingo – it was fun – the music was banging!
Address: The Grand – Clapham Junction
Price: from $8
London is an everyday changing city, every day, every week, every month, there are new activities popping up in London. New attractions, new exhibitions, new cafes – oh I love this city! This is the reason why I decided to pull everything I have done in London in the last 2 months that does not involve going home broke (or too broke!) but that you can still have the time of your life.
I still enjoy London as if I was fresh to the city. Mainly because there is always new activities to do in London. I also wrote a guide about what to do in London, England, if it is your first time and includes things like South Bank views, Big Ben, London Eye, Tower Bridge and so on, still makes me gasp, and I hope you really get to live this city to the fullest!
Safe travels!
Love Miri x
