Categories: 10 of the Best, Camden, Excursions, Kentish Town, London Living
Drum roll please… summer is here! Over the next 8 weeks we will be welcoming over 2000 students from all corners of the world to improve their English with us here in London.
In our eager anticipation of their arrival, we’ve put together a handy little read on some of the ‘proper cool’ things to do in London. And the best part is, they’re all free! So, without further ado, let’s go!
From sustainable and earth-friendly products to vintage and original fashion and much more – Camden Market is FREE to visit and worth exploring whilst staying with us. This place is driven by a diverse community of creative sellers, street food traders, and independent stores.
Where is it?
Sitting opposite our Camden Campus or easily accessible within walking distance from our Kentish Town campus.
What can you do there?
Camden Market Hawley Wharf is holding a family-friendly event this summer where you can enjoy listening to live music, tasting various food and watching different entertainers for FREE. What an exciting opportunity for you to see what it’s like to become one of the Camden Town locals! It's held every weekend in 2022 from June 11th till August 29th.
Visiting the first national public museum of the world while immersing yourself in British culture is a must! The British Museum is located in the Bloomsbury area of London. International students can learn about the artist Mary Gillick and the process behind the portrait of the young Queen Elizabeth II that you can find on British currency. Or discover some of the most compelling emerging British artists in the field of contemporary drawing. There are more than sixty galleries in the British Museum for you to visit, and since it's free to enter, you can come back any time in case you miss something.
Mind the gap! Hop on a tube and travel to Notting Hill Gate or Ladbroke Grove and explore the world-famous Portobello Road Market. If you want the whole street experience, then Saturday is the best day to visit.
Why Portobello Road Market? For its antique stalls, its location and everything from hidden London gems and vintage trinkets to delicious food, fresh fruit and flowers. Notting Hill locals believe you can find anything in this place!
Don’t miss out on the New Youthquake event taking place on Sunday 17 July. Pencil this date in your student diary and be inspired by young creatives promoting and selling their work. This day will be packed with ambitious young entrepreneurs who want to make a difference.
If there is a place in London that we can call a home of modern and contemporary art, it is Tate Modern. This tall building owns a rich calendar full of interesting exhibitions and is located in the Bankside area of Southwark. We highly recommend our international students visit Tate Modern so they can enjoy art in all its complexity and diversity. Currently, until December 2022, amongst many other exhibitions, you can explore British artworks from 1545 to the present day.
Nestled right in the heart of London - the Borough Market is well-known for its food and drinks variety. Every item in this market has its own story so don’t hesitate to ask because the traders will happily feed you and your curiosity!
In a new twist, many of the market’s halls were converted into outdoor eating spaces earlier this year, which means you can enjoy an al fresco dining experience throughout the warmer months. If you are a food lover, we highly recommend listening to a Borough Talks Podcast hosted by different food writers. Not only you can learn something interesting, but podcasts are an excellent way for you to improve your vocabulary and listening skills.
Believe it or not. The Sky Garden offers lush greenery, exquisitely landscaped gardens, an open-air terrace and spectacular views of London for, that’s right, FREE. Tickets are released every Monday and you are required to book your slot up to three weeks in advance of your visit.
What can you see from Sky Garden? On a good day, when the skies are clear you will be able to see everything from Canary Wharf to Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, London Eye and more – after all, you’ll get a 360-degree view of London. Pretty impressive, right?
Where is this oasis? Find this relaxing green space in the walkie-talkie skyscraper near Monument tube station.
Visit a neighbourhood brimming with indie cafes and restaurants that is located within short walking distance from our Kentish Town or Camden campuses. Why is this place so popular? Although the idea of climbing a hill might not be appealing at first, the stunning panoramic views of the London skyline will help you to understand why this place is worth adding to your London bucket list. With its six different viewpoints, provided the skies are clear, you can see London Eye, the Shard and other important landmarks in London – not to mention you are surrounded by birdsong and greenery.
No real introduction needed for one of the most famous museums in the world, the Natural History Museum - a cathedral to nature. Understanding life on Earth is the greatest scientific challenge of our age, and for young people today, it is not only one of London’s most popular visitor attractions, but also a leading scientific research centre.
Where is it?
Find this mesmerising building full of interesting events and exhibitions in South Kensington.
What’s on?
Lose yourself in time at the display of the Nation’s Favourite Dinosaur Dippy, experience Dino Snores for Grown-ups - a sleepover (slumber party) in the museum - or see a free exhibition that explores how humans have transformed the natural world. Without hesitation, international students should have this place on their radar when visiting London as it’s full of interactive adventures and fun facts.
“The future of the natural world, on which we all depend, is in your hands.” Sir David Attenborough
Not many people know about the stunning views of St Paul’s Cathedral that the One New Change roof terrace can offer… no wonder typing this feels like revealing a big secret!
One New Change is a retail development in the city of London – in other words - it’s heaven for shopaholics. Their incredible roof terrace is open to the public daily from 6 am to midnight. Find it near the Bank or St. Paul’s tube stations, and thank us later.
You can find the Science Museum on the Exhibition Road in South Kensington and have fun in the Pattern Pod, which is a multi-sensory area where you can explore water ripples without getting your feet wet or discover the most fascinating and remarkable collections – there are plenty of activities for everyone. This summer, you can enjoy their free exhibition exploring the technologies being developed to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Don’t forget to visit their ‘Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries’ – which display the most significant medical collections in the world of Henry Wellcome. Some of the extraordinary medical artefacts include the world’s first MRI scanner, Fleming’s penicillin mould and even robotic surgery equipment.
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