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London has it all. High culture and street style; the Royal Albert Hall and Notting Hill Carnival; Shakespeare’s Globe and immersive theatre; sushi and fish and chips. Here’s a list of ten ways to enjoy a great city.
1. Where to play
AIM Escape Rooms
Goodman’s Fields, 8 Canter Way, E1
Live escape rooms in London. Intricate puzzles to get the pulse racing and keep the mind sharp. Technology and storytelling, hyper realistic sets.
Belong Gaming Arena
318 Oxford Street, W1
Latest gaming tech, wide range of gaming titles, high powered PCs, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles and more.
Crystal Maze Live Experience
22–32 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D
For ages 9 and over. 75 minutes to run around four different zones, solve challenges and test your skills.
Liverpool Street, City of London
Beginner or pro, improve your game or just relax. Eight bays, a bar and lounge.
War of the Worlds Immersive Experience
56 Leadenhall Street, EC3
The ultimate Martian invasion of London – live it! 24 interactive scenes, live actors, VR and THAT soundtrack from Jeff Wayne. One hour and 50 minutes long.
2. Where to see it for free
This Bright Land Festival
Somerset House Courtyard
August 1 to 29
Rolling programme of free day and night festival activities (treasure hunts, outdoor games) and performances, workshops. Also a 35m observation wheel and other events.
Carnival Weekender at Seven Dials Market
Aug 26 to 29
Sounds from Reggae Roast, plus masks and glitter, all ages welcome, free activities and fun. Live calypso sounds and cocktails (Reggae Rum Punch). Menu from El Pollote.
Disney on Stage: Magical Covent Garden pop-ups
Until Sept 4
Frozen in Covent Garden’s Infinity Chamber, a Beauty and the Beast swing seat, Disney costumes and a Lion King sunrise.
Notting Hill Carnival
August 27 to 29
One heck of a street party in West London: 50,000 performers and 30 sound systems. Why not book a hotel in London?
Oxford Street Clean Power Aerial Art
From August 10
Oxford Street’s flags are going green. Curator/artist Morag Myerscough’s bold installation promotes a low carbon future for businesses and individuals, and the 105 colourful, recycled banners will raise funds for zero carbon initiatives. Made of recycled plastic from marine environments, the installation will span from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road, before it moves around the globe. Spectators can get involved by purchasing digital artwork by Morag for £3, and through this, the campaign will fund new community rooftop solar energy in Central London, as well as planting woodland in Greater London. Clean Power, was founded by #TOGETHERBAND to support the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7.
Oxford Street, W1.
3. A walk in the park
St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace
St James’s Park alone boasts 57 acres of parkland, plus cafe, food kiosks, a lake with birdlife and Horse Guards Parade. And Buckingham Palace. Blue Orchid’s Rochester hotel borders nearby Vincent Square, itself one of the largest green squares in London.
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Superbloom at the Tower
Until mid-September
Wander through a new eco–haven of wildflowers. Year after year the cornflowers and toadflax will reappear. One recent comment sums it up: “The happiest place in London.”
Tower Suites Hotel by Blue Orchid has some excellent staycation and afternoon tea deals.
St Dustan in the East Garden
St Dunstan's Hill, EC3
Picturesque church ruin. Now a fine public garden.
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The Garden at 120
Fen Court Building (15th Floor), 120 Fenchurch Street, EC3
One of London’s prettiest rooftop spaces. Italian Wisteria, fruit trees and a 200ft long water feature. Entry is free. Good picnic spot and 360º views of the City. 3 minutes from historic Leadenhall Market.
4. Eat your way around the world
Cento Alla Torre
100 Minories, EC3
Artisan pasta and fine Italian cuisine. Kids eat for free this August when you book a Tower Suites’ Family Time offer.
Gaucho Tower Bridge
2 More London Riverside, SE1
Argentine food and wine. 3 minutes from floating museum, HMS Belfast.
Near the heart of King’s Cross, an all–day Grand Cafe, restaurant, outdoor sun terrace and two bars. European inspired breakfasts, lunch, dinner and brunch. Chic Meister Bar.
Heddon Yokocho
8 Heddon Street, W1
A retro ramen bar designed to take you back to the 1970s Yokocho alleyways of Japan.
High Timber Restaurant
Broken Wharf House, 8 High Timber Street, EC4
South African cuisine, featuring Stellenbosch’s most awarded wine estate, and chef Bartek Wegzryn.
Ristorante Olivelli
Sicilian delicacies, coffees, ice cream from the Sicilian owners.
Sushisamba
35 The Market Building, Covent Garden, W2
Japanese–Peruvian–Brazilian fusion cuisine on the Opera Terrace above the Market Building. Eric Parry-designed glass roof. Great views across the piazza.
5. Sight & sound: galleries, music, talks
2022–23 Gresham College Programme
Barnard’s Inn Hall, Holborn, EC1
Free public lectures since 1597. Among many subjects: Gods of Prehistoric Britain (Sept 21) and The End of Planetary Atmospheres (Sept 28).
BBC Proms
Until September 10
84 concerts: Mahler, Thomas Tallis, The Earth Prom, South African Jazz.
City Music Foundation Lunchtime Concerts
From August 18
Great Hall at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, EC1
Opera, orchestra and solo performance.
Trafalgar Square, WC2
Over 2,000 works of art, from Van Gough’s Sunflowers to Da Vinci’s Madonna of the Rocks. Every day, 10am–6pm; until 9pm on Fridays.
Royal Academy of Arts
Until October 16
Burlington House Piccadilly, W1J
Milton Avery: American Colourist at Royal Academy
Luminous paintings by one of America’s most important and influential 20th century artists.
Serpentine Gallery
Kensington Gardens, W2
Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster’s Alienarium 5: The artist asks us to imagine a close encounter of the 3rd kind. It’s the culmination of the artist’s long interest in science fiction and her research into deep space and alien life.
Summer in Aldgate: Aldgate Sounds
Throughout August
Aldgate Square. Aldgate High Street, EC3
Musical lunch breaks. Have yourself a mindful musical midday every Tuesday in August, from 12pm–2pm.
Tate Britain
Until October 16
Millbank, SW1
First–rate British artist steals the show with her immersive War Room installation.
Yayoi Kusami’s Infinity Mirror Rooms
Until June 2023
Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1
Extended to public demand. Mirror magic. Perfect for a City of London hotel.
6. Museums
British Museum
Great Russell Street. WV1
Two million years of human history and culture. Entry free. “No other museum is responsible for collections of the same depth and breadth, beauty and significance.”
London Transport Museum
Various dates until September 1
Climate change and the role that transport plays in a sustainable city. Family workshops too.
Victoria and Albert Museum
South Kensington
Three spectacular cafes (the Gamble, Poynter and Morris Rooms); 2,000 years of jewellery and fashion from the 1500s and up. Current show: Africa Fashion.
Natural History Museum
South Kensington
Ambitious ecological project that will see NHM Wildlife Garden double in size.
7. Theatre
Kids’ Week
For every adult ticket purchased, one child goes free. To take full advantage of this offer, combine this with a Kids Week package at Blue Orchid’s Rochester Hotel.
101 Dalmatians
Until August 28
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, NW1
Innovative puppetry and Kate Fleetwood as Cruella.
Frozen the Musical
Until October 2022
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
“Frozen is one hot hit” (Daily Mail)
Lion King the Musical
Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington Street, WC2
Spectacular design and ensemble cast.
My Neighbour Totoro
September to January 2023
Barbican, EC2
RSC production of Studio Ghibli’s much loved My Neighbour Totoro. Live action, animation and puppets. Joe Hisaishi score.
Much Ado About Nothing
South Bank
Shakespeare set in the 1930s: slap–stick fun and Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd). A hit.
Summer Season at Shakespeare’s Globe
21 New Globe Walk, Bankside
Tours, workshops and performances from this faithful recreation of Shakespeare’s Globe. Best value tickets in London (standing room with the groundlings).
Wicked
Apollo Victoria Theatre, 17 Wilton Road, W1
One of London’s longest–running shows. Seen by over 10 million people.
8. History
Until August 31
Tower of London
Chaotic scenes from Medieval London life acted out three times a day on the South Lawn. Performances at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm.
Ongoing
The Tower Vaults, Tower of London
The famous plot to blow up Parliament, just two years after the death of Elizabeth I: an immersive experience, taking you back to 1605, with Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter) starring as Guy Fawkes. Tickets available.
Illuminated River Boat Tours (Totally Thames)
“Join the City of London guides as they take you on a journey under the rivets of all nine illuminated river bridges. The boat tours offer the opportunity to sail underneath the bridges and view these iconic landmarks that have stood at the very heart of the story of London.”
9. Outdoor trails
Art of London Season 2022: Brighter Future
From August
Outdoor venues across the West End
Artwork from comedian Harry Hill and three contemporary artists on display across Central London. Digital art from Zara Hussain, immersive environments from Sam Williams and interactive installations from Fiona Quadri.
Culture Mile Events
London’s Culture Mile is a cultural district that reaches from Farringdon to Finsbury Circus. It delivers theatre, tours, film, exhibitions, gardens and more for the city community. “Around the Corner” is a series of 12 installations between Millennium Bridge and Barbican Station that transformed the area.
The Photographers Gallery
Ramillies Pace W1
Ongoing
The Photography Quarter. Free art display covering the streets of Soho.
Sculpture in the City
Popular annual sculpture trail that uses the City streets as a gallery space. The 11th year brings 20 artworks to the financial district, including Jesse Pollock’s colourful piece, The Granary. Also Sarah Lucas and Eva Rothschild. Go see. Downloadable map available.
South Ken Green Trail
Until mid-October
New art installations and a green trail.
Until October 31
Stretching from Bank to St Paul’s Cathedral, Guildhall and Aldgate: outsize globes designed by commissioned artists examine the slave trade and how the past shapes the future, and how we can act for social change.
10. Where to stay
With so much choice it’s hard to single out any one area of London. The best advice is to choose a location as close to your centre of interest as possible. Tower Suites by Blue Orchid is minutes from UNESCO World Heritage site, The Tower of London. To the West of town, Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park are a short distance from Blue Orchid’s Rochester and Wellington hotels. It makes sense to stay close to the centre of town and make use of the London Underground (especially the brand new Elizabeth Line) and many bus routes. There are also some very useful river boat options, both the hop-on, hop-off variety.
Contact us at
hello@centrallondonalliance.com