Researching the best of London can feel like an endless task. At London Grid, we have done the work for you, curating a collection of experiences that are guaranteed to surprise and delight. We wish you an extraordinary time in our city.
A Westminster institution since 1946, the Regency Cafe is the definitive London caff: original art deco tiles, Formica tables and a full English breakfast that draws everyone from builders to politicians. Its distinctive black tiled exterior and no nonsense charm have made it one of the most filmed cafes in Britain, but the real draw is still a proper fry up at a very honest price.
A quirky floating theatre set on a converted barge in Little Venice. Puppet shows inspired by classic stories, myths, and fairytales with seating for 55 people. There are tea, coffee and light snack facilities on board, as well as limited parking for pushchairs and scooters.
Moored on the Regent's Canal in Paddington Basin, the Cheese Barge is exactly what it sounds like and all the better for it: a beautifully designed double decker vessel dedicated entirely to the very best of British and Irish cheese. The seasonal menu is genuinely inventive, from the curried cheese curds with chilli honey to a whole baked Baron Bigod, and on a sunny day the open top deck is one of the more unusual and enjoyable places to eat in London.
Self drive electric boats that let you explore the capital's waterways at your own pace. No experience needed - just a map, a picnic and some sunglasses on your journey through Little Venice and beyond. An unhurried and whimsical way to see London from the water.
A beloved London institution opened in 1828, set within the greenery of Regent’s Park. Home to a wide range of species, from big cats to penguins and tropical habitats. Combines conservation, education, and immersive exhibits across themed zones. Make sure to check out bookable experiences including animal encounters, feeding sessions, and behind the scenes tours.
Traditional toy shop with roots dating back to the 19th century, inspired by Victorian theatre. Specialises in wooden toys, puppets, and its signature miniature paper theatres. A unique spot for imaginative gifts that celebrate storybooks and charming theatrical magic.
Indoor amusement park with a futuristic space theme set in the heart of Camden.
Packed with rides, arcade games, and a standout indoor roller coaster. Designed as an all weather destination for high energy fun. Feels vibrant, surreal, and slightly chaotic in the best way, like stepping into another world.
A smaller zoo offering close up encounters with small and playful animals. Home to lemurs, meerkats, otters, and other species which are perfect for younger visitors. Combines animal discovery with interactive play areas and outdoor exploration. Feels relaxed, engaging, and easy to enjoy within the greenery of Battersea Park.
Pedal boats and row boats available on the park’s peaceful central lake. An old fashioned way to slow down and spend time on the water, surrounded by lush greenery, with friendly ducks and swans by your side. Make sure to pack your sunglasses and prepare to give those legs a good workout!
Underground bunker used by the British government during the Second World War, operational from 1939 to 1945. Preserved almost exactly as it was left - with maps, phones, and rooms frozen in time. Includes Churchill’s private quarters and the Cabinet War Room where key decisions were made.
This Japanese garden was gifted by the city of Kyoto in 1991 as a symbol of friendship with the UK. Designed in a traditional style with waterfalls, koi carp, stone lanterns, peacocks and carefully placed rocks. Quiet, contemplative, and beautifully composed, it feels worlds away from the surrounding city.
Reimagined museum opened in 2023, designed to spark creativity in young minds. Highly interactive spaces where design, play, and imagination take centre stage. Encourages hands on exploration with exhibits you can touch, build, and experiment with.
London's premier Mexican churreria, tucked just off Covent Garden, Aguamiel does one thing and does it brilliantly: freshly made churros, cooked to order and served with your choice of dulce de leche, chocolate or condensed milk. Founded by chef Bernardo Pro, who trained in high end kitchens in California and Paris, everything on the menu is made in house, right down to the horchata and the spiced Mexican hot chocolate that is absolutely the right thing to order alongside.
Claiming to be the oldest riverside pub in London, the Prospect of Whitby in Wapping has been drawing drinkers to the banks of the Thames since 1520, back when it was known as the Devil's Tavern and counted smugglers, pirates and the notorious Hanging Judge Jeffreys among its regulars. The original flagstone floor, rare pewter topped bar and a wooden gallows overlooking the river make it one of the most atmospheric pubs in the city, and the balcony views of the Thames are as good today as they were when Turner and Whistler came here to paint them.
Founded in 1123, one of the oldest surviving churches in London, with deep medieval roots. Remarkable for its Norman architecture, heavy stone arches, and dimly lit interior. Used as a filming location for numerous productions, adding to its quiet sense of familiarity.
Tucked inside the Grade II listed Battersea Power Station, Control Room B is one of the most visually striking bars in London, built around the building's original 1950s control desks, switch dials and switchgear racks, all meticulously restored and frozen in time. By day it's a relaxed spot for coffee and champagne overlooking the vast Turbine Hall; by night it transforms into an intimate cocktail bar with a menu of inventive, electricity themed drinks that match the extraordinary setting.
Set within Battersea Power Station, originally built in the 1930s and once powering a fifth of London. After decades of abandonment, the building was restored and reopened in 2022, turning this industrial giant into a cultural landmark.
The glass elevator rises through one of the reconstructed chimneys, a structure that had to be dismantled and rebuilt as part of the revival.
Faithful reconstruction of the original 1599 theatre associated with William Shakespeare, rebuilt and opened in 1997.
Open air design means performances take place just as they did in Shakespeare’s time, exposed to daylight and weather.
Standing in the yard places you right at the edge of the stage, with actors performing just metres away.
A Royal Navy warship launched in 1938, now permanently moored on the Thames. You can explore all 9 decks of the ship, from gun turrets to engine rooms, exactly as it was used in the past.
From climbing ladders, ducking through tight corridors, stepping into real living quarters - this feels less like a museum, and more like walking through a frozen moment in history.
Neo Gothic mansion completed in 1895 for William Waldorf Astor, built as a statement of wealth and power. Remarkable for its lavish interiors, with intricate wood carvings, stained glass, and a dramatic central staircase. Opens seasonally for exhibitions. Less a traditional gallery and more a glimpse into a highly personal, almost theatrical vision of Victorian ambition.
Art gallery founded in 1932, now housed within the historic rooms of Somerset House. Best known for its Impressionist and Post Impressionist masterpieces, including works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Manet. A must see is Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear by Van Gogh, one of the most iconic works in the collection.
Smaller and more focused than major museums, allowing you to experience world class art at close range.
Set inside Sir George Gilbert Scott's spectacular Gothic Revival dining room at St Pancras, Hawksmoor's newest London restaurant is one of the grandest places in the city to eat a steak. The double height ceilings, ornate Victorian detailing and Hawksmoor's signature parquet floors make for a genuinely breathtaking room, and the adjoining Martini Bar, with its soaring ceilings and terrace, is arguably even more impressive and well worth arriving early for.
The only Chinese restaurant outside Asia to hold two Michelin stars, A. Wong on Wilton Road is chef Andrew Wong's extraordinary love letter to the full breadth of Chinese culinary history. By night the Collections of China tasting menu takes you through 30 dishes and 3,000 years of regional cooking in a single sitting, with standouts including the inside out xiao long bao filled with ginger vinegar foam and the iconic steamed duck yolk custard bun; at lunch, the dim sum menu is equally exceptional and considerably easier to get a table for.
Indoor Jacobean style theatre opened in 2014 as part of Shakespeare’s Globe. Lit almost entirely by candlelight, recreating how plays were originally staged in the 17th century. Performances feel close and immediate, with actors and audience sharing the same intimate space. A rare chance to experience theatre as it once was, shaped by light, shadow, and live presence.
