Wondering how to spend your weekend in London? Memorise this template and repeat when necessary. It’s your key to making the most out of living in this vibrant, never-boring city.
Morning:
Get active
Get out of bed and make the most of the day by joining in with one of the capital’s many sports and fitness events. Parkrun may have spread to cities around the world, but its humble roots started in London. The free run takes place across the capital on Saturdays and Sundays.
Head out for brunch
There’s no better way to kick off your weekend than tucking in to a big tasty brunch. Thankfully, London is chock-a-block full of cool brunch hangouts and local favourites for you to choose from. Our favourites include Antipodea, an Aussie-inspired cafe in Kew, The Black Penny, a great café tucked in between Covent Garden and Holborn, and the trendy Blanchette Shoreditch: the place to be for all things delicious.
Go for a city stroll
On a sunny morning in London, the best way to explore is to lace up your shoes and head out on a city stroll. There’s a whole bunch of history to uncover as you explore the capital’s streets; you never know what’s around the next corner or what famous person used to live down a street near where you live. Walking is also the ideal way to get to grips with your local neighbourhood and uncover pockets of local life that you might have otherwise missed.
Lunch time:
Kick back by the river
The ever-famous river Thames is an ever-present feature of life in London and is an idyllic spot to enjoy a weekend lunch time. London’s Southbank becomes a hub of entertainment along the river on a Saturday and Sunday — think buskers, magicians, fairground rides, and skateboards all creating an amazing atmosphere.
But the Thames isn’t London’s only waterway. Regents Canal is usually bustling with Londoners on the weekend, partially the portion that runs alongside Victoria Park in East London. Here groups of friends and families stroll along the waterside, stopping off for a coffee or a bite to eat along the way.
Browse a market
London has no shortage of markets to spend your lunchtime exploring. The foodie favourite that is Borough Market provides a grazing ground for those who want to sample food from around the world. We challenge you to leave here without trying some of the mouthwatering offerings. Elsewhere, there’s the always busy Columbia Road Flower Market, which attracts an intriguing mix of locals and tourists, while nearby there’s the lively Broadway Market that’s mainly devoted to all things food.
Lounge in a park
When the sun is shining you can be sure that the capital’s many green spaces will be crammed full of Londoners sunning themselves. No matter where you are based in the city, you will more than likely be a quick walk or bus ride away from a park. Hyde Park is the perfect place to have a city centre to hang out in the sunshine, whereas Battersea Park is an easy-going spot alongside the Thames. Nature lovers should make a beeline for either Bushy or Richmond Park; both of these royal parks have free-roaming deer and wide-open grasslands.
Afternoon:
Go to a museum
If London has one thing going for it, it’s the museums. And guess what? The museums are usually completely free. There’s a massive selection of museums to choose from, so there’s bound to be a place to suit your fancy. From grand old museums filled with art, to new hubs of science and learning. They’re also the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon in London.
Go for a pint
For many in London, a weekend afternoon is best spent down the pub. London has an almost endless list of boozers to choose from, so you can try a new one every weekend. On cold winter days, find yourself a seat by the fire and enjoy a nice pint; in the summer head out to the beer garden and soak up the sunshine with everyone else.
Evening:
Go out for dinner
London is a hub of people and culture and with that comes an exciting food scene that should not be overlooked. The city’s restaurants run the gamut from tiny and independent to high-end and exclusive. Whatever you’re into, book you and your friends in for dinner somewhere cool and spend the night around the table laughing and eating.
Catch a live show
Evening entertainment in London comes in all shapes and forms. Musicals, gigs, drag shows, club nights, comedy gigs, and plays. Depending on what scene you’re into, you could take yourself to a gig at Koko in Camden, dance the night away in Fabric or catch a show in the West End.
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