Our Destinations

London

View more cities:

What's on in London

Travel by train to London from Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh with East Coast for cheaper train fares.

Jul/Aug/Sept

Listen up, music lovers, for there is much to delight all ears this season. The Summer Series at Somerset House (8-18 Jul) includes performances by Florence and the Machine, Air and Noah and the Whale; the Greenwich Summer Sessions (21-25 Jul) features Seth Lakeman, The Levellers and Athlete, and the BBC Proms (16 Jul-11 Sept) offers more than 70 classical concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. For dance music fans, a thrilling set by supremo Tiesto in Victoria Park (30 Jul) is sure to attract even greater hordes than last year’s 25,000.

This is also the time of year when you can have a snoop inside Buckingham Palace—the eight-week Summer Opening (27 Jul-29 Sept) is complemented by a chance to take tea on the West Terrace, overlooking the famous lawn and lake. If that’s a lifestyle you could get used to, pop along to The Goring hotel’s Thursday afternoon croquet, tea and champagne sessions (22 Jul-26 Aug), or head to Graphic bar for their Tuesday Gin Nights, where you can sample exciting new brands or join a cocktail masterclass.

Sargent and the Sea

10 July-26 September

John Singer Sargent is best known for his glamorous portraits of American society; now, for the first time in Britain, a different side to the artist’s work is explored through around 80 paintings, drawings and watercolours of seascapes and coastal scenes he produced early on in his career during holidays to France and Capri, and on two transatlantic voyages.

royalacademy.org.uk

Greenwich Comedy Festival

6-12 September

Now in its second year, the 2010 festival includes Ed Byrne, Adam Buxton, Phill Jupitus, Rhona Cameron and John Cooper Clarke. Expect enthusiastic audiences in a 1,000-seater tent within the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College.

greenwichcomedyfestival.co.uk

The Railway Children

4 July-5 September

Following two sell-out runs at York’s National Railway Museum, the stage version of E Nesbit’s classic adventure transfers to London and Waterloo station. In an ingenious use of the former Eurostar terminal, an exclusive theatre space has been constructed on either side of the track, which comes into its own when a real, moving steam train enters stage left.

railwaychildrenwaterloo.com

5 things to see and do in London

Museum of London

Recreated pleasure gardens with mannequins in Philip Treacy hats, a 240-year-old printing press spilling out news stories across the ceiling, and an 18th-century debtor’s prison cell are among the exciting displays at the Museum’s brand-new galleries.
Museum of Childhood

Take the kids along to Funky Fridays (30 Jul-27 Aug), a series of special events that include live music, arts and crafts, storytelling and workshops inspired by the Museum’s weird and wonderful toy collections.
Horniman Museum and Gardens

This fascinating and quirky museum has much to delight all ages, from anthropological artefacts to Victorian taxidermy, a world-renowned collection of rare instruments and a captivating new aquarium.
London Zoo

Visit the spectacular new Rainforest Life exhibit, a giant bio-dome filled with free-roaming monkeys, sloths, tree anteaters and birds. The lion enclosure has also been enhanced to let you get even closer to the big cats.
Tooting Bec Lido

Cool off with a dip at the largest freshwater, open-air swimming pool in England, which offers a 90m pool and a children’s paddling pool with a nearby gazebo-shaded area, brightly coloured changing huts and a café (until end of Sept).

Comprehensive guide and accommodation ideas for London.

Near the station

Neuhaus Chocolates - Barnby Street, NW1 1AA

Neuhaus chocolates are some of the world’s most delicious, being created with all the care, skill and expertise you would expert from the makers of Belgian’s finest. Their London store is a stone’s throw from King’s Cross Station.

St Pancras Market - St Pancras International, NW1 2QP

The new international market that opened at St Pancras International station this summer has turned out to be very popular with shoppers. With a sumptuous range of fresh produce including fruit and vegetables as well as organic beer and wine, meats and specialty cheeses, be sure to stock up before you catch your train.

Housmans Booksellers - 5 Caledonian Road, N1 9DX

This self-styled “radical bookseller” has been in operation since 1945 and stocks a broad range of books, periodicals and pamphlets of radical interest and progressive politics. Subjects such as civil liberties, the environment and human rights make the literature different and thought-provoking.

Megaro Hotel - 23-27 Euston Road, NW1 2SD

St Pancras can be an overwhelming place with its constant noise and rush of commuters. The Megaro Hotel offers the chance to escape the crowds and melt into a serene fine-dining room with a superlative menu, which draws its inspiration from contemporary English and French cuisine.

The Cross Kings - 126 York Way, N1 0AX

The Cross Kings is a quirky venue offering real ales and traditional English food. Superb value for money and there are specials catering for vegetarians and vegans too.

Addis Restaurant - 40-42 Caledonian Road, N1 9DT

Try something different with a visit to Addis restaurant, which offers beautifully cooked traditional Ethiopian dishes bursting with flavour. With excellent, friendly service and a warm, relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant is the perfect dining spot.

The Dun A Ri Bar - 19 Caledonian Road, N1 9DX

A pleasant bar which is popular with locals, the Dun A Ri Bar is a relaxed place to enjoy a quiet drink in the evenings. With outside seating and low-key décor, the bar is unpretentious and comfortable.

The Boundary Rooftop - 2-4 Boundary Street, E2 7JE

The Boundary Rooftop bar and restaurant in trendy Shoreditch boasts spectacular 360-degree views of the city as well as a large, well-stocked bar, comfortable seating and a garden designed by Nicola Lesbirel.

Club Surya - 156 Pentonville Road, N1 9JL

For those looking to dance the night away in a stylish bar/club, try Club Surya on Pentonville Road. With an emphasis on the environment, the club seeks to raise awareness of climate change by promoting a sustainable dance venue. A unique place to visit, it is well worth checking out.

The British Library - 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB

The British Library is a treasure chest of rare books, manuscripts and classical stamps. Home to the famous Magna Carta, it has interactive exhibits and displays to help visitors find out more about their favourite authors and their works.

The British Museum - 44 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG

One of the most exciting museums in the world, the British Museum offers visitors the chance to trawl through thousands of fascinating artefacts from almost every era of civilisation from the Aztecs, Mayans, Romans, Egyptians and Ancient Chinese.

The Guardian News and Media Gallery - 90 York Way, N1 9GU

The Guardian Media Gallery keeps a finger on the pulse of developments in news and journalism within the UK. Admission is free and there is a rolling programme of exhibits that draws upon archive collections to explore various aspects of reporting.