100 Most Memorable Experiences in London
Moving to London is like discovering a bottomless treasure trove that lets you uncover new gems every single day. When I moved to London 5 years ago, this is how I felt. I just wanted to see and do everything, and felt like there was too much to do and too little time. So I started… one by one, making my way through this incredible city, feeling amazed every time, always holding on to the thought of how lucky I was to live here. Writing this piece is like re-living my wonderful experiences, each so meaningful in its own way. London has its icons that everyone wants to see.. Buckingham Palace, London Eye etc etc.. These are great places, and definitely generate wonderment when you see them for the first time. However, that thrill wears out soon, and you are left with the other ‘off the beaten path’ stuff that makes this city unique. Here are my favourite and most memorable London experiences in no particular order:
- Queuing up to get into the grounds at Wimbledon and watching superstars play (plus strawberries and cream)
- Walking through Portobello Road Market on a summer day and watching a film at Electric Cinema Portobello
- Climbing the 842 steps of the iconic BT Tower for charity (and the view from the top)
- Walking through the City over the weekend when it feels like a ghost town, and sitting down with a coffee on a bench in the serene Postman’s Park, or wandering about in Christchurch Greyfriars
- Snuggling up with a blanket and cocktail whilst watching a chick flick on a balmy summer evening at Rooftop Film Club, Queen of Hoxton
- Enjoying a romantic date night at the world’s oldest surviving music hall, Wilton’s Music Hall
- Taking a walk in Hyde Park on a hot summer day, and then cooling down with a great art show at the Serpentine Galleries; my favourite one was the immersive 512 Hours by Marina Abramovic
- Seeing my favourite stars in flesh and blood, delivering powerful performances, from a front row seat – Kevin Spacey in Clarence Darrow, Bradley Cooper in Elephant Man, Kim Cattrall in Sweet Bird of Youth, Matthew Perry in The End of Longing, and Mark Strong in A View from the Bridge
- Entering a time capsule and experiencing the smells, sounds and sights of a 1700s house at Dennis Severs’ House (even more magical during the festive period)
- Walking the red carpet at London Film Festival, as well as watching some of the most beautiful independent films at London’s most atmospheric cinemas
- Taking a tour of the Houses of Parliament led by my local MP, and attending a debate at the House of Commons
- Chilling in Monica’s apartment and having a coffee at Central Perk at Friends Fest
- Eating the most delicious vegan cupcakes at Ms. Cupcake in Brixton
- Watching the cricketing legends play in an epic match at Lord’s
- Gawking at the weird collection of pathological specimens at Hunterian Museum and Barts Pathology Museum
- Being an audience member at a recording of Q.I. with Stephen Fry
- Spending several Sunday afternoons in Brick Lane market, eating bagels at Beigel Bake, cereal at Cereal Killer Cafe, and shopping for vintage goodies at Spitalfields Market
- Whizzing down the world’s longest tunnel slide at the Orbit
- Reminiscing about my childhood, looking at the vintage games, dolls and toys at V&A Museum of Childhood
- Climbing the Big Ben all the way to the bell tower and hearing it chime whilst standing within
- Watching the Olympic and Paralympic closing ceremony in the stadium, and being blown away by the grandeur
- Sampling the creations of London’s best chefs and restaurants at Taste of London
- Exploring the National History Museum, Science Museum and V&A after hours as part of Museum Lates
- Eating street food in an East London pop-up
- Attending a criminal hearing at Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey)
- Partying at the Mayor of London’s volunteer celebration event at London’s Living Room in City Hall
- Feeling like being in Jurassic Park amidst the dinosaur sculptures at Crystal Palace Park
- Watching a midnight performance of Shakespeare in the magical Globe theatre
- Bar-hopping and enjoying a tipple in some of the coolest bars in London during London Cocktail Week
- Enjoying the funky art and gorgeous view at Tate Modern
- Taking a tour of the disused Aldwych Underground Station
- Meeting then Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street at a private reception for London 2012 volunteers
- Watching films in the Tower Hamlets cemetery at Danny Boyle’s Shuffle film festival
- Planting ceramic poppies in the Tower of London moat as part of an installation in remembrance of WWI
- Learning all about Maki, Nigiri and Gunkan in a hands-on sushi masterclass
- Getting my fashion fix at great shows like Alexander McQueenat V&A, Jean Paul Gaultier at Barbican, Louis Vuitton at 180 Strand, and Prada and Dior at Harrods
- Seeing weird and quirky medical artefacts at the Wellcome Collection
- Attending a Choral Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Stall-hopping at Borough Market, and wolfing down the burgers, paella and duck rolls
- Having fun learning wines whilst studying towards a qualification with WSET
- Watching the cyclists race through London in Tour de France 2014 stage 3
- Spending a day at Greenwich, visiting the Royal Museums, Greenwich Market, and finishing with a picnic in Greenwich Park
- Bringing in the New Year at one of the largest street parties in the world with the most spectacular fireworks display at the London Eye
- Getting a glimpse of life in Britain during the war at Imperial War Museum
- Devouring chocolate-covered strawberries at Winter Wonderland – ‘Christmas in London’ post coming soon!
- Climbing the O2 and enjoying the magnifiecent view from the top
- Taking a horse riding lesson at Lee Valley Riding Centre
- Discovering hidden and secret bars in London
- Seeing the deer roam freely at Richmond Park
- Being inspired by world leaders such as Kofi Annan, and meeting them at LSE’s public lectures
- Admiring the brutalist architecture at Barbican, and checking out its great art shows and tranquil Conservatory
- Spending a peaceful afternoon at the British Library, and visiting the ‘Treasures’ gallery
- Sampling some delights in Broadway market, and walking down to The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities for a drink with a taxidermied lioness for company
- Checking out cool, new art exhibitions in East London galleries on the First Thursday of every month
- Singing along at a fabulous West End musical – Mamma Mia and Thriller are my absolute favourites!
- Dressing up in my finest to see the queen and royal family at the Royal Ascot races
- Celebrating Diwali at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden
- Driving past the beautifully-lit Albert Bridge late at night
- Getting messy with London’s best and dirtiest burgers at Patty and Bun, Meat Liquor and Bleecker Burger
- Having a great laugh at a cabaret show at Madame Jojo’s (now closed)
- Spending the day at The British Museum and marvelling at the collections
- Practicing some self-defence techniques at Women of the World festival at Southbank Centre
- Shopping the latest catwalk trends at London Fashion Weekend
- Having a Christmas drink and meal at London’s most beautiful and festive pub, The Churchill Arms
- Attending a live concert at the O2 arena
- Enjoying nature amidst the concrete jungle at the Sky Garden
- Getting fashion freebies and champagne at Fashion’s Night Out London
- Attending one of the most prestigious social events of the year, Chelsea Flower Show
- Discovering a tranquil oasis in the heart of London at Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden
- Savouring exquisite Northern Chinese cuisine with a divine view at Hutong, the Shard – blog on best London dining experiences coming soon!
- Feeding the goats, llamas and rabbits at Mudchute farm
- Getting crafty at Drink, Shop & Do
- Partaking in the Chinese New Year festivities, and savouring hot pot and crispy duck at Chinatown
- Climbing up the 311 steps of The Monument for panoramic views of the city
- Taking a walk in posh Primrose hill and eating the delicious cupcakes from Primrose Bakery
- Getting the full effect of a high-power action film at BFI Imax
- Snooping around buildings that are usually closed to the public during Open House weekend
- Watching naked people bike for a cause at World Naked Bike Ride
- Exiting an art exhibition by sliding down the building at the Carsten Höller show
- Welcoming the new Lord Mayor at the Lord Mayor’s Show
- Picking up fresh flowers at Columbia Road Flower Market
- Throwing snow balls around on a snowy day in Green Park
- Seeing graves of famous people buried at Highgate Cemetery
- Learning all about booby traps at the National Army Museum
- Appreciating the best art from around the world at Frieze London
- Meeting my favourite authors at London book signings
- Waving my rainbow flag at the colourful parade floats at Pride in London
- Having a glimpse of life during during WWII in an underground bunker at Churchill War Rooms
- Getting behind the scenes at one of the world’s most famous opera houses, Royal Opera House
- Being fascinated by the Egyptian collections at the The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
- Sitting down at Paternoster Square to watch an alfresco performance as part of the City of London festival
- Having a celebration meal at The Ivy London, Chiltern Firehouse and Bob Bob Ricard
- Experiencing match-day frenzy at Wembley Stadium
- Watching a Christmas concert and the Proms at Royal Albert Hall
- Feeling the pain and sweet victory at the London Marathon
- Brushing shoulders with fashion royalty at the Vogue Festival
- Holding a real gold bullion in the Bank of England Museum
- Watching a film in the beautiful setting of Union Chapel
- Watching tourists attempt to re-create the famous Beatles album cover amidst traffic at Abbey Road
- Visiting the animals after-hours at London Zoo Lates
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