Thinking of studying in London? Here's a few ideas of what you could explore, shared by a London resident and enthusiast.
I moved to London over three years ago and I’m still discovering fantastic things to see, do, and experience. I’m always open to exploring somewhere new, and London has been the perfect city for my adventurous spirit.
Below, I share some of my top recommendations that are easily accessible from UoP London’s Walthamstow campus, but also from many other parts of London if you come to study at UoP London and choose to live elsewhere in the city.
Local to Walthamstow
With the second-largest urban population in Europe (after Paris), London is a hub of culture, creativity, and energy - and the Walthamstow campus sits right on the cusp of it all.
Within the local area, UoP London’s website already recommends some great activities in Walthamstow itself, including William Morris Gallery, God’s Own Junkyard, shopping spots, and Soho Theatre Walthamstow, to name a few. You can find more details on the Life Outside Study page on the UoP London website.
Beyond Walthamstow
There’s never a day in London when you won’t find something to do - if you choose to. Below is a list of some of my favourite activities in and around central London. Travel times are based on journeys from the Walthamstow campus, so you may need to factor in a little extra time for walking to and from stations depending on where you’re based.
15 minutes on the Victoria Line + 5 minutes on the Piccadilly Line: Covent Garden
Classic and charming without feeling overloaded with tacky tourist traps, Covent Garden is always a joy to visit. Neal’s Yard is a beautiful little courtyard where you can sit and soak up the atmosphere. The piazza itself is full of great shops, and the Jubilee Market next door offers all sorts of weird and wonderful things to browse - and buy.
Make sure to wander through Seven Dials for excellent food options. I once did a bottomless cheese tasting here (on every Wednesday), which was divine.
20 minutes on the Victoria Line: Westminster
Go full tourist mode and visit Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. You can pay for a tour of the Abbey or simply walk around the area and bask in the scale and history of both landmarks. A short walk will take you to Buckingham Palace, which is equally impressive to stroll around.
If you time it for around 11am, you’ll catch the Changing of the Guard - just don’t try to make them laugh!
20 minutes on the Victoria Line + 5 minutes on the Northern Line: Leicester Square
Leicester Square is about as chaotic as London gets, but if you’re a theatre fanatic like me, it’s one of the best places to be. London ranks above New York City as one of the world’s leading cities for a theatre break and I can see why whenever I visit Leicester Square.
You can often see West End shows here at affordable prices by grabbing deals at ticket kiosks or searching for rush tickets (last-minute, on-the-day deals) through apps like TodayTix. Leicester Square is also close to Trafalgar Square, so I’d recommend stopping by while you’re in the area.
20 minutes on the Overground to Gospel Oak: Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is probably my favourite green space in London- though I am biased, having lived nearby. Home to the famous bathing ponds (where I once spotted Harry Styles taking a dip), I spend much of my summer here. There’s even a dog pond, which is exactly as cute as it sounds.
West Hampstead is a lovely area to wander around and grab some food once you’re done exploring. While the viewpoint at Parliament Hill isn’t my favourite- Primrose Hill in nearby Camden offers better panoramic views- it doesn’t take away from the Heath being my favourite urban forest to explore. You still get stunning views just by walking around.
London has more parks than any other city in Europe, so wherever you’re based, you’ll never be short of green space.
15 minutes on the Victoria Line: King’s Cross & Coal Drops Yard
Coal Drops Yard has a brilliant atmosphere, especially with salsa dancing in the courtyard every Wednesday. There’s also a new sauna and cold plunge facility opening here, which I’ll definitely be checking out soon.
The area is packed with pubs offering quizzes and comedy nights, as well as nearby Angel in Islington- a neighbourhood well known for its comedy scene.
20 minutes on the Victoria Line: Oxford Circus, Soho & Chinatown
Chinatown is a food lover’s dream. It does get very busy, so I’d recommend going a little earlier if you want to dine at the most popular spots. One of the best ways to experience the area is to walk between bakeries and takeaway stalls, grazing as you go while taking in the decorations and buzzing atmosphere.
I highly recommend picking up a sweet treat from one of the Chinese bakeries - the mini custard-filled taiyaki (three for £2) are a personal favourite, and the smells drifting through the streets are enough to convince anyone.
These are just a few of my top picks, all easily accessible from UoPL’s Walthamstow campus. I hope you enjoy exploring - happy adventuring!
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