London has plenty of activities for anyone who wants to have a bit of fun in the half term. But, since you only have a week, we will give you five ideas for how to make the most of your mini- break!
1. Take part in an immersive game
London offers some of the most innovative and new experiences anywhere in the UK, particularly in the entertainment sector. If you are tired of escape rooms and just want to have a bit of fun, London has you covered! They have many immersive games such as Monopoly Life-Sized, The Cube, or the Crystal Maze, but our top pick is Quiz Boxing Camden. It is an incredibly fun game that allows your group to compete against each other in a TV-style quiz, such as The Chase or Weakest Link. The Boxing theme adds a level of theatricality and high stakes to the experiences (but don’t worry, the questions aren’t boxing themed) and the winner gets to have a picture with their Championship belt, and receive prizes! It is undoubtably one of the best things to do this half-term.
2. See A Concert
London’s music scene is one of the most diverse and deep in the country. Although many people will try to sound cool by claiming that London’s music scene is “dead”, the fact is that London still is one of the best places in the UK for hearing live music. With big name concerts selling out in seconds these days, what better time to go see an up and coming act? Apps such as DICE, Fatsoma, and even Spotify can help you find smaller, cheaper shows that suit your music taste, so why not take a chance?
3. Go For A Walk
Admittedly, London might not be the first place you think of when you want to go on a day hike, but that may change soon. There are many hidden gems in and around London that provide for a spectacular day’s walk, especially once you leave Zone 1. For example, between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace there is a 4km nature reserve walk on the path of an old railway. Or even further out, the Ockley to Leith Hill loop provides great views of Central London, nature and historic architecture. Even in the very centre of the city, the Regent’s Canal walk snakes through central London while avoiding all the big crowds. If you are more outdoorsy, this could be the choice for you!
4. See A Movie
You might go to the cinema often, but London offers the best in moviegoing experiences in the entire country. The Picturehouse group of cinemas shows arthouse and independent films throughout the world, with cafes and spaces to drink throughout their venues. The BFI offers cheap screenings of historic films, as well as the Mediatheque, a free to use area which streams from the BFI’s entire library. And best of all is the iconic Prince Charles Cinema in the West End. A staple of London life, the Prince Charles has the best selection of cult classics, regular classics, blockbusters, indie films, old movies, new releases, you name it! A truly one-of-a-kind place, the Prince Charles Cinema is one of the most welcoming and friendly places in London, and an incredible place to see your favourite films, or to discover some new favourites. It is currently in a dispute with its landlords, so there is no better time to support the only independent cinema in London’s West End!
5. Explore!
London is an iconic city, with world-famous landmarks aplenty, but it is also one of the oldest cities in the world, with its origins stretching back even to before the Romans arrived in Britain. This long history has led to a diverse city that is truly fascinating just to walk around and spot the quirks and oddities that time has created. The mix of architecture, the influence of different events such as WW2 and the Great Fire of London, the diverse communities who have found their homes in London, all of these are what gives London its heart and soul. If you really want to find out what
London is, you won’t find it at the London Eye or Harrods, but in the streets themselves. If you have some time, explore the area where you are staying and see what there is to see, since there are so many things to do that you may never find out unless you go to look for them.
Hopefully you now know what you should do on your half-term trip to London, but don’t hesitate to explore and see everything that the city has to offer!
