Embrace London culture
We’ve hand-picked eight of our favourite things to do in London, so that you can enjoy the best student experience that London has to offer from the moment you get here. From bustling London street markets to beautifully restored Victorian theatres, you'll be well adjusted to London life after visiting these treasured British hotspots.
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Have a picnic with friends in London Fields
London Fields is one of East London's most popular parks and is visited by people of all ages. The designated barbecue areas attract hundreds of visitors during the summer months, as friends and families come together to eat food and play games in the sunshine. On Sundays the area holds a popular street market, where you can pick up fresh produce, handmade gifts and delicious street food from all over the world.
Buy flowers from Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia Road Flower Market is open every Sunday and is regularly visited by thousands of locals and visitors every week. The market is the best place to purchase exotic and local flowers for any occasion, at a fraction of the cost. The market also has a number of stalls selling homemade bread and cheeses, as well as antiques, bespoke garden accessories and gifts.
Try something new on Ridley Road
A lively international marketplace, Ridley Road offers traditional food, clothing and gifts from the Jewish, Indian, Pakistani, Asian, African and Caribbean communities. At weekends, Ridley Road is wildly popular, and attracts visitors from all over the city to sample its tasty international street food.
Pet the animals at Hackney City Farm
Hackney City Farm is a real working farm that has been running for over 20 years. Head over to the farm to see a variety of traditional farmyard animals including goats, sheep, chickens and donkeys as well as rabbits and guinea pigs. The farm's chickens and ducks lay eggs daily, which can be purchased from their shop, alongside the honey from local Hackney bees. Hackney City Farm is committed to supporting the local community and regularly hosts a number of public events and volunteering opportunities.
Watch a show at the Hackney Empire
Hackney Empire is a beautifully restored Victorian theatre, which was originally built as a music hall in 1901. Now, the venue is renowned for its contribution to the UK's thriving comedy scene, and has hosted treasured comedy acts including Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Jo Brand, Harry Hill, Harry Enfield, Sir Lenny Henry, and John Cleese amongst many others.
Take a stroll through Notting Hill
Notting Hill is renowned for its charming coffee shops, art galleries and museums. The area showcases the best of quintessential British culture, with rows of beautifully kept houses and small independent tearooms, cafes and retailers. We recommend taking a look around Notting Hill's quirky Museum of Brands, to learn about the heritage of some of Britain's best loved consumer brands. During August, Notting Hill is home to the world famous Notting Hill Carnival, where many thousands of visitors come to see the spectacular costumes, live music and colourful floats, which never fail to bring the streets to life.
Browse the antiques at Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road is one of the world's largest antiques markets, boasting over 1,000 dealers selling eclectic and collectable antiques. Stroll around and take in the vibrancy and energy of this iconic mile of stalls, and you may also spot enthralling street performances too!
Walk with the deer in Richmond Park
Covering over 2,500 acres, Richmond Park is the perfect place to visit for a countryside escape. It's a haven of wildlife and greenery away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Situated on the outskirts of London, the park is one of eight Royal Parks in London and is home to over 600 deer who roam the land freely. The park is perfect for a summers day picnic and there's even a cycle hire point if you want to take a loop of the park with friends.