Things to do in London during COVID
There’s an autumnal crispness in the air but you’re probably not quite ready to bundle up and see out the cooler months from indoors just yet. So we’ve come up with a list of top activities to do in London during COVID - a mixture of indoor and outdoor activities that are fun and exciting while being safe and smart.
Take to the Water
Coursing through the centre of the city is its lifeblood, the Thames. How about hopping aboard a boat and seeing the glorious city from the water? With a Thames River Boat Cruise you can take it all the top sights, including the House of Parliament and Big Ben, The London Eye, The Shard and the Tower of London with the magnificent Tower Bridge, among many many others. Remember to pack your camera for this whistle-stop tour of the city’s world-famous centre!
Nosey Round a Royal Residence
Opening up their doors and welcoming us common folk, the royal residences both past and current are resplendent with treasures to explore. Take a wander around Windsor Castle, the Queen’s primary residence, and discover the history and architecture of the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and you might even catch a presentation of the Changing of the Guard. Happen upon Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII’s flamboyant stomping ground, and you’ll be met by gilded interiors and gorgeous gardens right by the riverside. Or, explore the enchanting Kensington Palace, now the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the former home of Lady Diana, and the palace's world-famous orangery.
Get Active!
There’s no time like the present to be out enjoying the fresh air after spending most of the year cooped up indoors. Explore the capital on two wheels with a London Bike Tour and choose from a traditional or mountain bike and see the city with an expert guide stopping at intervals to reveal the history of your surroundings and London landmarks. What’s more, London is dotted with great green pastures, such as Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and Hampstead Heath, to name a few. Take a breather from the frenetic streets and drink in the beauty of these lush parklands. You can find nestled among the trees and fields, landscaped gardens, historic structures and statues, artwork, swimming ponds, and gorgeous cafés for a caffeinated pitstop. Or, if you’re a fitness freak and can’t bear to do away with your gym gear, not even for a day, then don’t sweat it! Take a look at Our Parks outdoor fitness booker to see what classes and training events you can get involved in.
Sports Venue Tours
COVID has been unkind to the world of sport, but you can still support your favourite teams by taking a look inside their hallowed grounds. Footie nuts will absolutely love the Emirates Stadium Tour to get a peek behind the scenes of Arsenal Football Club and experience the players’ entrance, directors box, diamond club area, home changing room, players Tunnel and pitchside, and more. Unless Chelsea is your team, then stop by Stamford Bridge to get a taste of the inner workings of Chelsea FC. You can visit the Press Room, see the team’s shirts in the changing room and visit the fascinating Chelsea FC Museum exhibitions.
Be a Culture Vulture
London’s museums are among the finest in the world and are putting in the work to make sure that your safety is a priority while visiting. At the National Gallery, explore some misdemeanors at the exhibition of Sin that blurs the boundaries between religious and secular art. Internationally renowned Ai Weiwei has installed in the Imperial War Museum a fascinating exhibition documenting refugee crises. Weiwei’s History of Bombs is a commentary on politics, power, and conflict between society and state. Look up in awe as the IWM’s glorious atrium is given in its entirety to an artist for the first time in the history of the building. Elsewhere in this cultural capital, you should definitely take a look inside the Design Museum where the exhibition Electronic: From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers presents the impact that electronic dance music has had on the world. The clubs might not be open any time, but you can still throw some shapes among the strobes inside this museum.