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What to Do in Central London

Wed, 28 February 2018

Words by Contributor

sir-john-soane-museum-london-credit-gareth-gardner

To Stay

To Eat

To Drink

To Shop

Plan Your Trip

Sidestory

Have London fed to you on a silver spoon by creative movers and shakers. Sidestory provides a roster of experiences led by an insider who’s expert in that field. There’s something for everyone whether it’s a cocktail tasting tour by a well-respected food and beverage writer called Chloe or seeing London’s more alternative sights with award-winning photographer Antonio. Tours can be private or taken with other people, although there’s usually a cap of six. Prices start from around £50 for three hours.

020 3432 8187
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Photography by Gareth Gardner

Soane Museum

Sir John Soane, a professor of architecture at the Royal Academy, spent his lifetime building up his museum. Situated just north of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Soane spent nearly 30 years rebuilding the homes that would later become Soane Museum. It was soon transformed into a place for art and architecture students to come and study from the expansive collections. Since 1837 the museum has remained open to the public just as Soane had wished, and on the first Tuesday of every month it has free candlelit tours.

020 7405 2107
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13 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London
WC2A 3BP

Afternoon Tea at Claridges

High tea is a British right of passage and there is no better place to experience it than at one of London’s most classic hotels, Claridge’s. Endless teas from around the world are served daily in time slots from 2.45 to 5.30PM along with a variety of pastries, scones and delicious finger sandwiches. If you’re feeling a special occasion then be sure to add a glass of bubbly to truly top off the afternoon. It’s old school, so don’t look scruffy.

020 7629 8860
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Brook St
London
W1K 4HR

Loo Tour

Loos certainly are not the first thing you think to explore upon coming to London, but we can’t say it isn’t an option! London Loo Tours are offered most Saturdays and Sundays through both Waterloo (no pun intended) and Bloomsbury. And of course, after an hour and a half of toilets what better way to end a tour than with your group for a pint at the local pub? At least now you know where the nearest bathroom is.

07808 169 995
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Photography by Bill Cooper

Royal Opera House

The Royal Opera House in London is home to The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera, together with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Centrally located in Covent Garden, this historic theatre presents more than 500 performances each season with something to suit every taste from much-loved works such as Tosca and Giselle to brand new works from some of the leading composers and choreographers in the world today.

020 7240 1200
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Bow St
London
WC2E 9DD

ICA

The Institute of Contemporary Arts, better known as the ICA, has maintained its reputation as a hub for avant-garde art since its opening in 1946. The museum frequently presents high profile shows and exhibitions of artists around the world (past shows have included Damien Hirst and Steve McQueen). The ICA showcases artists from a variety of disciplines – including sculpture and sound – and was notably one of the first venues to feature The Clash.

020 7930 3647
Go to Website
The Mall
London
SW1Y 5AH

Soane Museum

Afternoon Tea at Claridges

Royal Opera House

ICA

City Guides

You know how you have that one incredible friend who knows their city inside out? That’s us. We take the world’s most dynamic destinations, hand-pick the best bits and give them to you in one place. This is the kind of guide that you don’t need to run by a local – it was written by one. Eat your heart out, shop until you drop, drink like a fish, dance your socks off, sleep – then repeat.