So… you’re planning a trip to London, but maybe you want more from your trip then the usual sights. As a Black person, you might be eager to connect with the history of Black people in London, but you are unsure where to start.

This article shares all the things you need to know as a Black person travelling to London. Whether you’re looking for places to get great Caribbean food, to connect with the African diaspora in London or somewhere to get your hair done; you’ll find all the gems that you need for an immersion into London’s Black culture.

Photo Credit: Black History Walks

Black History in London

The first place I would start is with Black History Walks. Black History Walks offers guided tours around London that highlight the African contribution to London’s culture. The tours that they offer uncover periods of Black history in different areas of London.

During the tours, you’ll learn about the role that Africa played in the wealth and growth of the British Empire. You’ll be given insights to parts of London that are not on a traditional London tour’s itinerary.

So whether you’re curious about the history of the Windrush Generation, are keen to learn about the gentrification of certain areas of London or just want to add to your knowledge of African history in London, a tour with Black History Walks is a must-do.

Events Celebrating Black Culture in London

Throughout the year in London, there are a variety of events that take place to celebrate Black culture. From concerts, to day parties, to conferences and workshops – you can fill your calendar with culture-rich, entertaining and educational experiences.

Photo Credit: Reggae Brunch

The Reggae Brunch

The first event I would highly recommend you secure tickets for is The Reggae Brunch. Every Saturday in a different London location, you can experience all the fun and the flavours of the Caribbean. It’s island style partying with all the popular dancehall and reggae hits, and you also get to enjoy a good filling plate of jerk chicken with rice and peas.

The event starts with an unlimited rum punch hour, followed by a three course Caribbean meal and you spend the day dancing. By the time the event is over, it’s still daytime and you don’t have to worry about wandering around looking for a taxi – you can get the tube or bus home.

Photo Credit: Reggae Bingo

Reggae Bingo

Taking place every Friday evening is bingo like you’ve never seen before. The stereotype of bingo is completely thrown out the window. Reggae Bingo is a night full of comedy, cash prizes, reggae and dancehall hits and three fun rounds of bingo.

If you’re like me, and born to be centre stage with a mic in hand, you’ll love the Reggae-oke. You don’t have to be pitch perfect, just up for a great time.

Whether you win a round or not, the Caribbean vibes make it a winning night for everyone.

Photo Credit: Ghana in the Park

Ghana in the Park

Ghana in the Park is an annual all-day festival that has been taking place in London since 2005 for the African diaspora in the UK. The festival celebrates and showcases Ghanaian music, food, arts and crafts, fashion and heritage. It continues to grow each year and is a great time for both adults and kids.

It’s definitely one of my favourite events that take place in London during summer. There’s such a great vibe and sense of community. The food on offer is second to none, you’d think you’re eating rice and stew straight from the pot of an Auntie in ax free Accra.

Photo Credit: Notting Hill Festival

Notting Hill Carnival

Notting Hill Carnival is the one of largest carnival celebrations in Europe, with visitors from all over the globe visiting the city for it. It’s been celebrated since 1966 in the heart of West London.

The colourful and vibrant carnival runs during the last weekend of August, on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, however carnival events start within the week running up to the weekend. The Sunday caters to a younger audience, having children’s floats showcasing the costumes and crafts by local kids, whereas Monday’s costumes and atmosphere attracts the 18s and over.

On both the Sunday and Monday, Carnival floats parade the streets of Notting Hill from the morning until around 6pm, but different static music systems keep the party going all night. Throughout the day you can venture around Notting Hill trying food from over 200 food stalls, dance to the rhythm of steel pan drums, reggae, soca and even salsa.

Photo Credit: Black History Month

Black History Month

In the UK, October is Black History Month, a month dedicated to the history and stories of Black Britain. Black History Month provides an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the great contributions of Black people in Britain. We celebrate Black athletes, scientists, men, women and children who have made an impact and inspired our community.

Throughout the month, you will find a variety of events and educational exhibitions. Hackney, Brent and Southwark are boroughs that have large Black communities and so they have an array of events taking place throughout Black History Month.

Where Can I Eat?

Whether you are looking for a taste of a Caribbean island or the flavours of your favourite African country, you will find something to tickle your tastebuds in all parts of London.

Photo Credit: Flavourz Africana

Eating Out

There are many family-run African restaurants in London, and my favourite, due to the price, taste and portion size, is Flavourz Africana. It’s a Nigerian restaurant located in North West London, offering both dine-in, takeaway and delivery.

If you’d like to experience the flavours of Africa while you are on the move in London, I GO CHOP is perfect for you. Stop by and grab the Oga Burrito, a Nigerian take on the burrito, with jollof rice and beans.

For your jerk chicken fix, Juici Jerk is a must try. Juici Jerk is in Tooting, South West London, and although it is not centrally located, it’s still worth the trip.

Eating out is great, especially with London having such a variety of options to choose from. But sometimes you want to save some money and enjoy the comforts of a home cooked meal…

Shops and Supermarkets

Buying ingredients for dishes from the Motherland is easier and more affordable than you think. Planning a jollof rice night? Wanting to wake up to ackee and saltfish?

In most supermarkets in London, they have “World Food” aisles, where you’ll find an “Afro-Caribbean” section, with different foods from Africa and the Caribbean. Whether you’re looking for Indomie noodles, plantain chips or jerk seasoning, you are sure to find them in these aisles.

However, if you want to save a little money and find more of a variety, head to a butcher, fishery, or fruit and veg shop in one of the London areas populated by African and Caribbean communities. There you’ll find a variety of ingredients for your home-cooked meal. Grab some Maize meal for your Zimbabwean dish, callaloo for your Caribbean night, or scotch bonnet peppers and plantain – great components of any African or Caribbean meal. You’ll also get a much better price for them then you would at a supermarket.

What To Do With Your Hair…?

As a Black traveller, when visiting different countries for extended periods of time, one common concern I usually have is, “have I brought enough hair products?” and “how will I maintain my hair while I’m here?”.

When visiting London, no need to worry. Getting a top-up on your hair products or getting your hair freshly braided is not a problem, and you are spoilt for choice when it comes to salons.

Where to get hair products

Harlesden, Shepherds Bush and Wembley are great places to purchase well-priced, affordable hair products if you’re around West or North West London. They have shops that are dedicated to supply products for Afro hair. If you are south of the Thames, head to Camberwell, Brixton or Peckham.

Those are just a few areas of London that predominantly have African and Caribbean populations. There are several others that offer an abundance of hair shops and hairdressers to choose from too.

Where to get your hair done

Instagram is also a great search engine if you are looking for affordable prices to get your hair done in London. Search “#braidslondon” and you’ll find many hairdressers that you can book an appointment with and some even come to you.

Travelling to London as a Black person is a must. You do not want to miss out on connecting with the African diaspora or experiencing the many celebratory events that take place in the year. You’ll be exposed to a host of new, educational experiences, with all the home comforts to go with it.

Don’t panic if you’ve forgotten your hair gel and slick brush or you didn’t pack Maggi seasoning cubes in your suitcase. London is a city that is no stranger to Black culture and you’ll never be too far away from the things that make you feel at home.

Read Next:

• 10 Amazing African Restaurants In London You Need To Try
• 10 Hidden Gems To See With Three Days In London
• 11 Books Based In London and the UK To Read During Lockdown

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Books are the most amazing form of escape: turn the pages and you can be transported into an entirely different universe, dimension or world. Of course, you don’t have to go quite that far, if you don’t want to. If you’d rather travel a little closer to home, books can also whisk you away to another part of our world, showing you the streets of another city, or the landscapes of a country far from home.

Right now, when our regular travel options are a little bit limited, one of the best ways to get a taste for a new destination is through the magic of books. No flight required, no visa needed, and absolutely no jet lag to contend with. And if it’s London you’re looking to explore, there’s no shortage of books based in London (& beyond) that you should read in lockdown.

Here are a few I think you’ll love:

1. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Originally a serial published in monthly instalments in a magazine, Oliver Twist has now become a classic novel, depicting London in the mid-19th century. Oliver’s tale begins in the rough workhouses of the fictional town of Mudfog, but when he escapes, he travels to London, where he meets the Artful Dodger.

Through its many twists and turns, Oliver Twist offers an insight into 19th century London, and the struggles of the working class under the harsh new ‘Poor Laws’. But it also offers a literary tour of London, with no fewer than 90 references to specific locations in the city!

Get the Oliver Twist book at Waterstones and Books a Million

2. London Eyes by Frances M. Thompson

If you’re having trouble concentrating right now (I mean, there is a LOT going on in the world), short stories are the perfect way to escape for very small chunks of time. They offer all the fulfilment of a full-length story in bite-sized pieces, and if they’re well-written, they’ll have you thinking about them for days and weeks to come.

Frances M. Thompson’s London Eyes is a brilliant collection of London-themed short stories. I read them years ago, but there are a couple that I still think about to this day. And the sense of place in them is fantastic – you’ll be taken from Shepherd’s Bush to the London Underground, Angel, Elephant & Castle, and plenty more.

Get the London Eyes book at Books a Million

3. The 392 by Ashley Hickson-Lovence

Set entirely on the 392 bus in the space of just 36 minutes, The 392 offers a peek into a quintessential slice of contemporary London life: the London bus.

The cast of characters travelling from Hoxton to Highbury on the fictional 392 route is as varied and diverse as you’d expect to find on any East London bus, and each is beautifully portrayed in their own words. Author Ashley Hickson-Lovence says of his incredible debut, ‘The 392 is a voice-driven, tension-building text, which hopefully explores themes of ‘other-ness’, perception and prejudice.’

Get The 392 book at Waterstones and Books a Million

4. A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen

Londoner James Bowen once struggled with homelessness and addiction, busking on the streets in the day to support himself. When he eventually moved into a flat of his own, he met Bob, an injured ginger tomcat, who he took under his wing – despite a pet being the last thing he needed.

Bob and James formed an unlikely friendship, and soon Bob was joining James as he busked on the streets. The pair became inseparable, and their adventures together are told in this heartwarming true story. Since it was written, A Street Cat Named Bob has been adapted into a film, which stars the late, great Bob himself!

Get the A Street Cat Named Bob book at Waterstones and Books a Million

5. Darling by Rachel Edwards

Darling isn’t actually set in London (which is why I added the ‘and beyond’ bit to this list) but it’s so relevant to Britain today (Elle Magazine called it the ‘first Brexit thriller’) that I absolutely had to include it here.

Opening on the day of the UK’s historic (and controversial) Brexit vote, we meet Darling, a Black British woman, who begins a whirlwind romance with Thomas. She soon meets Thomas’ daughter Lola, and the tension begins to unfold between the two women. Within six months, one of them is dead.

Exploring themes of race, love and post-Brexit Britain, Darling is a twisty, shocking thriller that will leave you reeling.

Get the Darling book at Waterstones and Books a Million

6. The Guilty Wife by Elle Croft

My own debut novel was set in London, a city I’ve lived in for a decade, and which is such a joy to write about. Big cities offer a certain amount of anonymity, which I wanted to explore when I wrote this book. Could you murder someone in a massive city without anyone knowing? And could someone conceivably make it look like you’d committed murder if you hadn’t?

With scenes set in South Kensington, Hyde Park, Canary Wharf, Battersea Park and Knightsbridge, The Guilty Wife follows photographer Bethany Reston as she tries to prove her innocence after being framed for the murder of her secret lover.

Get The Guilty Wife book at Waterstones and Books a Million

7. Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

If you love the writings of Sally Rooney, Dolly Alderton and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, you need to pick up Queenie, the Sunday Times Bestseller that was also shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award.

Following the life of Queenie Jenkins, a 25-year-old Jamaican British woman living in London and trying to work out her place in the world, Queenie explores themes of cultural and personal identity, relationships, family, race, and anxiety, through the eyes of the sometimes self-destructive, often funny and extremely relatable Queenie.

Get the Queenie book at Waterstones and Books a Million

8. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

Another one that’s not London-based, but just outside (day-trippable, for those keen to explore Austen’s old stomping ground when you do visit London), in the village of Chawton, Hampshire.

Set in the 1940s, The Jane Austen Society follows an unlikely group of Austen enthusiasts as they unite to preserve the legacy of their favourite author before it’s gone for ever. Each character has their own quirks and troubles, and seeing them work together, overcoming their own obstacles, makes this a joy to read. Heartwarming and oh-so British, fans of Jane Austen won’t want to miss this wonderful tale.

Get The Jane Austen Society book at Waterstones and Books a Million

9. Brick Lane by Monica Ali

Nazneen arrives in London’s East End from Bangladesh when she’s still just a teenager, to enter into an arranged marriage.

London is a strange new world for Nazneen, who doesn’t speak any English, to navigate, but as she learns more about her new home, she also learns more about herself and what she truly desires. Brick Lane beautifully and powerfully portrays the life of an immigrant arriving in London, and it explores the role of fate in our lives.

Get the Brick Lane book at Waterstones and Books a Million

10. About a Boy by Nick Hornby

You may have seen the film (starring Hugh Grant, Toni Collette and Nicholas Hoult), but the book is still absolutely worth a read.

About a Boy follows 36-year-old bachelor Will as he forms a reluctant relationship with twelve year old Marcus (whose mum he met when he was trying to pick up women at a single parents’ group). Set in North London in the nineties, this novel is at times heartwarmingly funny, at times heartbreakingly sad, but always dripping with dry English humour and clever dialogue.

Get the About a Boy book at Waterstones and Books a Million

11. Blood & Sugar by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

This historical thriller, set in London’s Docklands in the eighteenth century, opens with the discovery of an unidentified body hanging from a hook at Deptford Dock, branded with a slaver’s mark. What follows is the investigation by war hero Captain Harry Corsham as he seeks to uncover what happened to the man, identified as passionate abolitionist Tad Archer.

Blood & Sugar explores a dark side of British history, showing the horrors of the British slave trade, while also describing the details of London at that time – with all of its sights and sounds and smells. It’s been nominated for, and won, a handful of awards, and for very good reason!

Get the Blood & Sugar book at Waterstones 

 

There are so many other amazing books based in London that I haven’t mentioned here – the city has been a haven to (and no doubt a muse for) countless writers throughout the decades – but if you start with these ones you’ll get a good idea of London past and present, from a variety of perspectives and in a wide range of voices.

Have you read any books based in London that I haven’t included here? Which ones would you recommend? Let me know in the comments below so I can add them to my reading list!

Read Next:

• 10 Cookbooks from Beloved London Restaurants You Should Definitely Get
• 11 London-Themed Movies + TV Series To Watch While Stuck At Home
• How To Do London While You Can’t Visit London

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Even after living in London for ten years, it still never fails to thrill me when my city appears in a movie or TV series that I’m watching. You’d think the novelty would have worn off by now – especially because there are so many movies and TV series set in London – but it’s a spectacular city that makes for a stunning backdrop to all kinds of storylines. And whenever I see a location I know, I still shout ‘I’ve been there!’ at the telly.

Seeing London on the screen has also given me a new appreciation for the English capital, showing me corners of it I’m yet to discover on my own. And now, more than ever, my screen is a way for me to explore my city’s far-reaching corners while I can’t get to them myself.

So if you’re looking for a (virtual) escape, these movies and TV series set in London all offer a taste of what you’ll see when you can visit in the flesh:

Luther (TV Series)

I had to start with Luther because it’s one of my all-time favourite TV series set in London.

The award-winning BBC crime drama follows DCI (that’s Detective Chief Inspector) John Luther, played by the incredible Idris Elba, as he brings his own brand of policing (i.e. obsessive, and often not by the book) to London’s worst crimes.

The best part about the show is Luther’s love-hate relationship with psychopath Alice Morgan (played by Ruth Wilson), which plays out like a dark and messed-up game of cat and mouse. Addictive, thrilling, and with plenty of iconic London scenery to enjoy throughout!

28 Days Later (Movie)

I know, I know: a post-apocalyptic horror film might not sound like the best way to get a virtual tour of London, but hear me out. If you’re happy to watch something about a virus right now (I understand if it’s just not the time – I don’t know how so many people are watching Contagion on Netflix, to be honest), you’ll get to see some pretty iconic London scenes (which may look eerily similar to the city over the past few months).

You’ll be treated to deserted shots of Westminster Bridge, Houses of Parliament, the Mall, the City of London, Tottenham Court Road, Piccadilly Circus, and plenty of other landmarks, both well known and slightly more obscure.

Visually, it’s about as close to a London walking tour as you’re going to get in a film – and it’s pretty spectacular!

Notting Hill (Movie)

A classic British romantic comedy, Notting Hill is as much a declaration of love for the area of Notting Hill as it is a quirky love story between the hapless bookseller William Thacker (Hugh Grant) and American megastar Anna Scott (Julia Roberts).

Portobello Road, which is given plenty of air-time in the film (although it’s admittedly been whitewashed – the area is known for its diversity in real life), is still one of my favourite streets in London, and if you know the film well (I may or may not know the entire script word-for-word), it’s possible to spot many of the locations as you walk along the bustling market street.

Some cameo appearances include The Ritz Hotel and the beautiful Kenwood House in Hampstead.

Bodyguard (TV Series)

If you’re looking for non-stop action, the thrilling miniseries Bodyguard is a must-watch!

The story follows Police Sergeant David Budd who, after stopping a terror attack on a train, is given the responsibility of protecting an ambitious politician, Home Secretary Julia Montague. There are only seven episodes, but each one is charged with drama, intrigue and action, all set in and around London.

Eagle-eyed viewers will be able to spot the city’s skyline from the fictional police headquarters (actually the Tate Modern), Number 10 Downing Street (actually filmed on a street about a mile away, outside a building with an identical facade), streets of St Pauls, Islington, Battersea, and Ham House in Richmond. It’s an adrenaline-fuelled tour of the Capital, in hour-long instalments.

Attack the Block (Movie)

John Boyega made his film debut playing Moses in the London-based sci-fi comedy Attack the Block. Based on a council estate in South London (said to be Brixton, but filmed throughout the city), the story focuses on a teenage street gang who have to defend their home against an alien attack on Guy Fawkes Night (a very British event that celebrates, with fireworks, the failed attempt of Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament).

It’s something of a cult classic, and it’s loads of fun to watch!

EastEnders (TV Series)

Love it or hate it, no one can deny that EastEnders, the soap opera that’s been running since 1985, is a British institution.

Following the lives of local residents in a fictional part of London called Walford, the show airs every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (unless filming is interrupted by, say, a global pandemic) and is watched by millions of Brits a week.

Although almost all of the filming happens in a studio, many of the locations are inspired by real places around London – for example, Albert Square, where most of EastEnders’ action takes place, was inspired by Fassett Square in the trendy area of Dalston, and the market in the show is based on Ridley Road Market in Hackney.

Bend it Like Beckham (Movie)

An oldie but a goodie, Bend it Like Beckham was a hit when I was in high school, and it remains a brilliant teen comedy to this day. It’s officially a romantic comedy, but it’s really about friendship, football (the English kind!), identity and culture.

The main character is 18-year-old Jesminder (Jess) Bhamra, brilliantly played by Parminda Nagra, who is obsessed with football (and, of course, David Beckham), but whose conservative Indian family won’t allow her to play the sport she loves. Jess finds a way to join a team, but in doing so, must lie to her family, causing all kinds of conflict.

Keira Knightley and Jonathan Rhys Meyers also star in this film based in Hounslow (which also happens to be the home of London’s Heathrow Airport), with scenes also set in Carnaby, Soho, and a stunning Sikh temple in Notting Hill.

Paddington 2 (Movie)

Who doesn’t love Paddington Bear? The loveable English teddy bear created by Michael Bond stars in a live-action sequel to the 2014 original film, with scenes set all across the city.

As any Paddington Bear fan would expect, Paddington Station, the location where our fluffy friend was discovered by the Brown family, is featured. But you’ll also find Alice’s Antiques (located on Portobello Road) standing in for Mr Gruber’s Antique Shop, as well as The Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral and even Tower Bridge – some of London’s most iconic landmarks, all in one fun-filled film!

His Dark Materials (TV Series)

At the end of 2019, BBC released its long-awaited adaptation of Philip Pullman’s incredible fantasy adventure series, His Dark Materials.

The story centres around Lyra Bellacqua, an orphan who has been brought up in Oxford’s Jordan College, protected under the scholastic sanctuary rule. The world Lyra inhabits is similar to our own, except everyone has a Daemon, an animal representation of their spirit, which remains with them at all times. Lyra’s thrust out of the world she knows and on an exciting and terrifying adventure when her best friend Roger is kidnapped by The Gobblers.

Although the show is not set entirely in London, some of its pivotal scenes are, including some beautiful (albeit not completely real) sweeping shots over the Thames. Look out also for The Magisterium building, which looks suspiciously like the location of Buckingham Palace!

The Crown (TV Series)

I have a confession to make: I haven’t actually watched The Crown yet, although I’ve only ever heard great things about it (and it’s on my to-watch list). I couldn’t write a list about movies and TV series set in London without including it, though, because there are so many locations in the Capital that you can spot throughout the show’s three seasons.

Many of the interior scenes of Buckingham Palace were actually filmed down the road, in the opulent Lancaster House, or in the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Eltham Palace, a manor house in Greenwich, is used as a stand-in for – among other locations – the Royal Yacht Britannia and the HMSS Queen Mary. And London’s Lyceum Theatre, now home of the magical musical adaptation of The Lion King, can be seen in an episode set in the 40s.

Killing Eve (TV Series)

Now in its third season, Killing Eve has sparked many a water cooler conversation in recent years, thanks to its high-concept, action packed episodes, with wardrobes that have left us all drooling.

Although Sandra Oh (who plays Eve Polastri) and Jodie Comer (who plays the wonderfully dastardly character of Villanelle) are the official stars of the show, London definitely deserves a credit, as it’s the setting for so many memorable scenes.

Hornsey Town Hall in Crouch End becomes a cafe in Moscow, Fabric Nightclub becomes a trendy club in Berlin where a murder takes place, an event space called Banking Hall Cornhill becomes a bank (where another murder happens), and a little-known area of South-West London, New Malden, becomes Eve’s home.

This last one is particularly cool for me, personally, because I worked in New Malden for a year (and can confirm that you’ll find the best Korean food in London there!).

So there you have it – around London in 11 movies and TV series! This is by no means an exhaustive list (I mean, I haven’t even mentioned Harry Potter), because there are just too many to mention in one article.

But I’d love to hear from you: which films and TV series set in London have you watched and loved? Share them in the comments so everyone can enjoy them (and so I can add to my watch list)!

Read Next:

• How to Keep Planning Your London Trip (even if you don’t know when you’ll visit)
• How to Do London When You Can’t Visit London
• How to Use Your US Phone in London (or any phone really)

Pin this to your London Pinterest board…

As a Londoner who quarantined outside of London and who now is living in a weird, quiet version of what the city used to be, I miss London just as much as you do! I miss meeting friends at the pub, trying the latest and greatest restaurants, and exploring new things to do (and sharing them with you on Instagram, of course.)

If you want some London in your life during lockdown, or just until you can make it back over again, here’s a (very) comprehensive list of things to watch, virtual experiences to take part in, books to buy, and drinks to make.

*Some of the links in this article are affiliated, which earns Love and London a commission if you make a purchase after clicking. Thank you for your support.

Virtual London Experiences

Let’s start with virtual experiences that are London-themed.

Virtual London theatre

Many of London’s world-famous and off-West End theatres are providing free show recordings to the public. Each theatre is doing this in different ways, but most are offering the recordings online for a limited time for you to enjoy.

For example, Shakespeare’s Globe has the live recording of Macbeth on its Youtube channel, that you can watch for free, until secondary schools reopen. There’s also an audio description version for those with visual impairments.

The National Theatre is showing free full-length plays every Thursday, available for one week only on their Youtube channel. Past shows included A Streetcar Named Desire and Coriolanus, starring Tom Hiddleston.

Like I mentioned, theatres large and small are sharing show recordings for you to enjoy for free, so check this What’s On Stage article which is updated daily to find something to watch.

PLEASE be sure to make a donation to the theatre or their associated charity when you watch these free pieces of art, as the arts need major support right now, and should be valued more than ever. You usually have to pay for tickets to see these shows so I’m totally going to guilt you into making a donation and not being a freeloader. Got it? Fab.

London virtual tours/ London history lessons

You can still have some London-y experiences virtually. There are quite a few tour companies that are offering virtual tours and experiences, in order to give freelance tour guides some work, and honestly, it’s being done in an effort to survive as the tourism industry has been hit so severely and will be for years to come.

So if you book in for a virtual experience, you get an hour or two of fun and education, while also helping to provide work and revenue to a business that really needs it. If that’s not a win-win, I don’t know what is.

Let’s start with our friends at Devour Tours. They have a ton of free and paid content and experiences to watch, led by knowledgeable tour guides and city experts.

Their free experiences are hosted on their Facebook page, and then go to their website to book experiences like “How to Pair Cheese and Wine like a Parisian”. For London fun, book into “Discover England’s History Through 10 Dishes” hosted by Shabby, head London tour guide. She’s a fantastic storyteller. You also get sent a PDF with recipes for some of the foods talked about, and a discount on the Devour Tours cookbook that I’ll mention again later.

Walks also has some experiences for London and other cities around the world. The London ones are very history and tourist-attraction focused, like a breakdown of the Changing the Guard ceremony, and a tour of the Tower of London. Plus if you book one of their very affordable virtual experiences, you get a $25 Walks voucher, valid for use over the next two years.

Virtual London Pub Quiz

Also, if you like trivia, we hosted two virtual pub quizzes that you can still watch on our Youtube channel. The second one is below, to get a taste of it, but it’s best watched on a TV so you and your quarantine buddies can play along together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PbGJy0SufQ

London-y artistic releases

I feel like this is a great time to do things you used to love, but usually never have time to do like painting, or colouring, or drawing, or sleeping…

You can combine your artistic preference with something London-y for extra fun and nostalgia.

London Colouring Book

I love colouring because it’s relaxing, keeps my hands busy so I don’t mindlessly scroll social media, and I barely have to use my brain to do something fun and creative.

Off of that love, and our community’s need for London-y things, I teamed up with London artist Jen Darr from Jen and Jennifer to create the London Colouring Book. The community fully funded it before it was made, so we made sure that people actually wanted it and that it would at least cover our costs to make.

Our goal had been to sell 70 but we pre-sold 120! It’s still available for you to buy now, and it’s digital, so you get it instantly in your inbox. Just print it or use your tablet and stylus to colour it.

Get the London Colouring Book

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8WH7X5fueQ

Painting and Drawing

I haven’t found any London-specific painting or drawing courses yet, but why not sign up to two free months of Skillshare Premium, do some of their art classes, and then paint or draw a London-y scene?

You’ll make something that you’ll hopefully cherish for a long time, or that you can give to someone as a gift.

Do something with your travel photos

Have you already been to London? I bet you have a ton of photos from your trip sitting on your memory card or phone, but you haven’t done anything with them besides post a few to Instagram way back when.

If you’ve got some free time during quarantine, use it to finally organise your travel photos and then do something with them besides occasionally peruse them on a teeny little screen.

Back up and organise your travel photos

Take this time to, first of all, back up your travel photos to a cloud service like Google Photos or Dropbox. This will ensure you have those photos forever, even if you lose your phone or your laptop goes bust.

But before you upload them to the cloud, take the time to organise and curate them. You don’t need 10 similar copies of the same shot, as it wastes cloud space and is honestly just annoying to browse through. So get to deleting those duplicates and less-than-amazing pics.

Order photo prints or canvases of your travel photos

Something I did back at the beginning of lockdown was FINALLY print some of my travel photos! Ugh, it’s taken me soooooo long, I’ve had empty frames sitting in my room for months. When I head back to London, one of the first things I’ll do is put those pictures in their frames and hang them on my walls.

While you’re organising your photos, I suggest adding your absolute favourites to a file called “to print” so once you’re ready, you can get them printed quickly and easily.

I printed mine with Snapfish, they were delivered right to my house, and Snapfish do this weirdly good deal that you get 50 free prints a month here in the UK, with Snapfish US having a similar deal. It ends up being so cheap since you only pay for shipping.

You could also get posters printed of your photos, or turn your favourite into a canvas, all through Snapfish too.

Make a photo book of your London trip

Another nice option for making digital photos into something tangible is to create a photo book. They make for a lovely addition to your coffee table, and it’s nicer to show someone your trip through a book than just showing them pics on your phone.

Snapfish also make (reasonably priced) photo books.

Add London to your home decor

Since I’ve been stuck inside, I’ve been going crazy with researching and thinking about interior decor (you’ll clearly see this on my Pinterest account). Are you the same? Well, since London is your happy place, then why not infuse London into your home decor, in subtle or not-so-subtle ways?

From Etsy shop ChinChinPrints

London pieces on Etsy

Etsy is a great place to start looking for London-themed home decor, as you can find very unique and mostly non-cheesy pieces. Plus, extra points to you for supporting small businesses and artisans.

When you do a London search on Etsy, you’ll see tea towels, prints, mugs, book ends, signs, and lots of other cute options. The London prints are stand-outs for me, and some of them are digital, so you can print them yourself saving you some money and shipping costs.

We Built This City

You might have seen in a few of my videos that I recommend We Built This City as my favourite shop in London for souvenirs.

Well, they had to shut their physical shop, but you can still order their stuff online, and they ship worldwide and are also offering a 25% discount off their entire online shop at the time of publishing this.

Pick up some very cool and funky prints and other London-y items made by London artists.

Do some London shopping

I’m sure, if you’ve been to London already, that you have some favourite shops that you wish you had done a little more spending in. Or, if you haven’t been to London yet, I imagine you have a must-visit list for shopping (maybe some of the shops I mentioned in the 3-Day London Itinerary?)

A lot of indie shops in London are shipping their stuff worldwide, so do a little research and browsing so you can pick up some new, “this is from London” items while supporting a small biz too.

For example, Ragyard, a family-run shop in Notting Hill, takes vintage and old clothing items and upcycles them into colourful and unique statement pieces. Find out more about the shop and how they make their pieces in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceszefw9Ahs

See some other shops that are super underrated in London…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qpj-MIQieQ&t

Cook London-y foods

Whether you like it or not, I’m sure you’ve been cooking a hell of a lot more recently (for me, I do not like it.) So why not make some Londony meals? Whether you want to make some classic London or British dishes, or you want to emulate a meal you had at one of the city’s many amazing restaurants, there are quite a few cookbooks to help.

Devour Tours Cookbook

As mentioned before, Devour Tours have created a digital cookbook that will help you make London classics like Dal Tadka and Pea and Ham soup, as well as recipes from other cities and countries around Europe. You could choose one city to focus on for each meal, or have a European feast and make a smorgasbord of international dishes all at once.

Cook like London’s most luxurious restaurants

Some of London’s most famous and luxurious restaurants have one or more cookbooks to help you bring their cuisine home with you. These cookbooks are also beautiful, so if you’re like me and you love cookbooks but tend to never use them, just pop them on your coffee table for some aesthetic pleasure and to relieve the guilt of the money you’ve spent on books you’ll never use.

Get the Claridge’s cookbook from WHSmith or Books a Million

Get The Ritz’s cookbook from Waterstones or Books a Million

Cook dishes from London’s best mid-range restaurants

Below are cookbooks from some of my favourite mid-range restaurants in London.

St. John is an absolute London institution, as they really pioneered the nose-to-tail eating concept back in the nineties, making sure that no animal would go to waste if it was killed for food.

Get the The Book of St. John from Waterstones and Books a Million

Have you ever queued up for pasta restaurant Padella, near Borough Market? Chef Tim Siadatan heads up both Padella and Trullo, a north London Italian restaurant specialising in Pugliese cuisine and known for being one of the best Italian spots in the UK. Pick up his cookbook Trullo for both bold and authentic Italian recipes.

Get Trullo from Waterstones and Books a Million

Dishoom has been one of the most-loved restaurants in London these last few years, because they deliver unique-but-delicious Indian street food in a relaxed atmosphere with a not-so-crazy price tag.
If you’ve already dined at a Dishoom, I’m sure you’d be keen to have some of their dishes at home…

Get the Dishoom cookbook at Waterstones and Books a Million

One of the first restaurants I’ll go back to when the lockdown lifts and it’s safe to dine out is Ottolenghi’s Rovi. It’s a low-waste restaurant that, while not soley vegetarian, focuses on doing amazing things with veg. Ottolenghi’s cookbooks are known for having fairly difficult recipes, but for anyone with minimal cooking skills (like me) then pick up Simple and pretend you’re at one of his many amazing restaurants around the city.

Get Simple at Waterstones and Books a Million

Drink like a Londoner

In addition to eating like you’re in London, you can drink like you are too. Here are some easy, classic drink recipes that are common in London or were even invented here.

Gin and Tonic

Gin is the most favourite spirit in Britain, but you haven’t really had it until you’ve gone somewhere a bit more upscale, where you get a quality gin that’s paired with a speciality tonic and complemented by the correct garnish (it’s not usually lime).

To see how they make a proper G&T at Mr. Fogg’s in Covent Garden, up in their Gin Parlour, watch this video…

Pimms Cup

Londoners love a good Pimms Cup in the summer. It’s such a yummy, refreshing drink, and it’s the official drink of Wimbledon, the world-famous tennis tournament. Pair a Pimms Cup with strawberries and cream and you ma’am are experiencing a quintessential British summer.

The primary spirit in a Pimms Cup is Pimms, which is… well… an alcohol that’s uncategorised. It’s mixed with the UK version of lemonade, which in other parts of the world might be considered a lemon soda. Then you add a ton of fruit and pop it in a jug!

To find out how to make Pimms Cup, watch this How to Drink tutorial.

Espresso Martini

If you’ve watched our Youtube video with SandyMakesSense showing you some of the best coffee shops in London, you’ll know that the Espresso Martini was invented in London in the 80s, when someone famous asked the founding bartender to “make me something that will wake me up and f* me up”. Damn.

Although this drink is not a favourite of mine because I react to caffeine the way a four year old would, it makes for a sexy after-dinner drink or pick-me-up at brunch.

How to Drink has two great ways to make it without needing an espresso machine.

Keep planning your London trip

London will open up for everyone eventually, so take this downtime to do lots of research to help you see the more local side of London.

Our website is chock-full of info to help you plan your trip, as well as our Youtube channel that has hundreds of videos about London, like the one below.

We also have a ton of content about all types of London topics on our Pinterest account.

Or if research isn’t your thing and you’d rather a London expert plan your days for you (in a flexible way) then grab the 3-Day London Itinerary. If you get the 2020 version and your trip ends up getting postponed to after the 2021 version is available, you can just shoot us an email and we’ll give you the newer version of the itinerary.

Ok at this point I think you have quite enough options for how to keep London alive in your life. For some reading to help you with your trip planning, check out the articles listed below.

More London Planning Tips:

• How To Keep Planning Your London Trip (Even If You Don’t Know When You’ll Visit)
• What to Pack For London: A London Packing List
• How to Use Your US Phone in London (or any phone really)

Pin this to your London Pinterest board….

When visiting London in September, be prepared for a transition in the seasons. The summer is wrapping up and autumn is on its way. This can mean a mix of warm days and cool nights, and of course there is always a chance of rain. It’s London, right? The average high temperature is 19 C/67 F and the average low is 12 C/55 F. No matter the weather, there is still plenty to do in London in September.

Prefer to watch instead of read?

Open House London

Open House weekend is a celebration of architecture in the city. Many buildings that are usually private are opened to the public – for free! Some venues require tickets, so book in advance as those ones sell out fast. It usually happens on a weekend in mid- September. Visit the Open House London website for more information and to order their guide.

Watch the video below for a preview of what you could see…

Open House London website | Mid-September | Free

 

Totally Thames

This festival celebrates the River Thames for the whole month of September. There are many events including shows, exhibitions, and boat parties. From the world’s oldest boat race to hip-hop inspired poetry, to musicians and storytellers, this festival has a ton going on. To see what’s happening when you’re in London, visit the Totally Thames website.

Watch the promo video below to get a better idea of what happens during the festival.

Totally Thames website | All of September | Free and paid events

London Fashion Weekend

If you’re visiting London in September and have an interest in fashion, the London Fashion Weekend allows you to shop more than 150 of the top British and international fashion brands at discounted prices, at the iconic Victoria House in Bloomsbury. You can also get tickets for industry talks and special events.

London Fashion Weekend takes place mid- September (check the website for this year’s dates) and is more accessible than London Fashion Week itself (which happens before the weekend festival). Tickets for some events sell out fast so visit the London Fashion Weekend website and order tickets early to ensure you get to check out whatever interests you.

Watch the video below to see more of what it’s like.

London Fashion Weekend website | mid-September | free to £££

London Design Festival

Similar to Fashion Week Festival, the London Design Festival happens throughout the city with a purpose to celebrate and promote London as the design capital of the world. There are many design events and exhibitions (both public and private) to explore during the week-long festival. Listings of the various exhibits are available on the London Design Festival website.

See the video below for a visitor’s experience going to the festival.

London Design Festival website | mid-September | Free and paid exhibitions

Buckingham Palace Summer Opening

The Buckingham Palace Summer Opening continues into September, during which London visitors can get access inside Buckingham Palace and experience that year’s special exhibition. Ticket prices, opening times, and directions are available on the palace’s website. If you’re into history and the royals, this might be worth the ticket price for you.

Buckingham Palace Summer Opening website | July – October | £££

 

 

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A post shared by Jess | London Travel Guide (@loveandlondon) on Oct 17, 2019 at 8:57am PDT

Oktoberfest in London

Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest actually mostly takes place in September every year, and London likes to get involved as much as possible without having to deal with the massive crowds and jacked-up hotel prices they’d get in Munchen…

Lots of pubs and venues around the city will put on special Oktoberfest celebrations, and there are even a few “Oktoberfest-style” pubs and beer gardens that are open year round anyways.

You can find out events and parties happening around the city as it gets closer to Oktoberfest time by checking the listings on Time Out London and Design My Night. I personally love celebrating at German Kraft, a brewery located next to the Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Castle. They have a German-style drinking atmosphere in their stunning beer garden all year round, but during Oktoberfest time, they do special treats like oompah bands and dancing on tables… you’ll feel like you’ve been drunkenly transported to Munich!

Oktoberfest in London | Most of September, weekends | £-££

BBC Proms

The BBC Proms finishes up in the first half of September. Each year, the BBC Proms host two months of concerts over the summer, aiming to bring the finest classical music to as many people as possible at affordable prices and in an informal atmosphere, with standing tickets or high-up gallery tickets from just £6.

“Proms” is short for “promenade concerts”, which tend to be informal and offer affordable tickets. The tradition of “promming” happens when you take part by buying one of those inexpensive tickets, with up to 1,350 of these usually being on offer for each BBC Proms show, which happen at the famous Royal Albert Hall.

If you want to get involved, you can find more info and tickets on the BBC Proms website. The promming tickets are usually sold online the morning before the show, and also at the door on a first-come-first-served basis. Check out Visit London’s guide on how to be a top Prommer so you can make the most of the experience.

Watch the video above for a preview of one act from the 2019 Proms…

BBC Proms website | July – mid September | £-£££

For more tips about visiting London, sign up for my free London 101 Guide. It has everything a first-time visitor to London needs, and you can grab it for free! You’ll get helpful tips about airport transportation, what type of power adapter you need, and how much to tip for all those pints of beer. You’ll be well prepared to make the most of your visit.

More tips for your London visit:

Important Things to Know Before Visiting Pubs in London

What to Pack For London: A London Packing List

Cool Things to Do When Visiting London in the Fall

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