Have you ever had family or friends visit you, and you didn’t know what to do? — After all, how many times are you willing to ride the London Eye until it’s enough? — So, you search and search through your saved Reels for a great place to take them, and when you finally hit the jackpot… the waiting times are endless or even worse, it’s sold out.
We get it! Having people over can be stressful because you want to show them how beautiful this city is without doing all the touristy things again. Don’t worry! That’s why we’ve rounded up 10 incredible things for you to book in advance in London that will make your guests fall in love with the city as much as you do.
1. Monopoly Lifesized
Nothing screams friends & family more than a fun board game night. Take your game night to another level by playing Monopoly Lifesized where you’ll have to solve escape rooms, play board games, and win team challenges, to build wealth and buy houses. Feel the rush as you “Collect Go” or scoop a prize on “Free Parking”. Just make sure to book your spot in advance, as it tends to get booked fast!
2. Candlelight Concerts
Treat your loved ones to an enchanting evening by booking tickets to a Candlelight concert. Whether your friends are more into chart-topping hit or your family into classical, Candlelight has a concert for everyone. Best of all, these concerts usually take place in London’s most iconic venues like Southwark Cathedral or Central Hall Westminster, so you kill two birds with one stone, you see a beautiful concert, and they get to experience all the touristy stuff. Check out all the upcoming Candlelight concert here!
3. 2L Aperol Spritz at Conchiglia
Is there anything more iconic than drinking 2L Aperol Spritz with your friends or mum? At Conchiglia, you can indulge in this summery drink and a pizza for only 25 quid. But if Aperol isn’t your jam, don’t worry! They just came out with a Sgroppino lemon sorbet float made with Limoncello, Prosecco, limonata and lemon sorbet floating inside – wait for it to melt or scoop as you drink!
4. Genesis Light Show
Delight everyone with an unforgettable art installation that depicts the origins of the world in a brand-new light – quite literally. After touring all of Europe, Genesis finally arrives in London, and from what we’ve seen so far, it’s going to be packed! So, book ahead if you want to experience this one-of-a-kind, very instagrammable immersive experience. The light show will be housed at The Swiss Church in Covent Garden starting July 28. Book tickets here!
5. Sky Garden
We all know this is a MUST when having your friends or family over. We just can’t help it! Sky Garden‘s stunning views of London and enchanting garden beat everything, but because it’s the IT place, you know you have to book in advance to get the best spot. And since you already know the drill, this is just your friendly reminder to do it.
6. Dalí: Cybernetics
Instead of taking your loved ones to a museum to learn about Salvador Dalí’s world, why not step on it? At Dalí: Cybernetics at The Boiler House on Brick Lane. At this immersive experience, you’ll be able to interact with Dalí’s artworks through a 15-minute world-first VR experience within the exhibition, as well as explore the life of the surrealist painter through 3D glasses, floor-to-ceiling projections and music. Make sure to book in advance, as tickets tend to sell out quickly!
7. The Natural History Museum Silent Disco
Give your guests the time of their lives at The Natural History Museum’s silent disco night. For a couple of nights a year Hope, The Natural History Museum‘s whale, becomes the centre stage —and probably the DJ!— of this epic dinomite club. You’ll be handed headsets where you can choose which of the three different DJs you’ll boogie to. So, grab your dancing shoes to disco-dance amongst the dinosaurs and truly live your own Night at the Museum. New dates have been announced for August 25, September 29 and October 27, but tickets tend to sell out fast, so make sure you get a move on.
8. The Color Festival
Forget about Banksy, The Color Festival is where it’s at! Taking place at Camden Market‘s Hawley Wharf, at this art installation you’ll get the chance to see the works of more than 35 incredibly talented international and local artists. From street art to photography each artwork is displayed in larger-than-life fashion rooms themed by colour. A sure hit for all ages, grab tickets ahead here!
9. Bottomless Cake at Jack and Beyond
When it comes to eating sweets, is there really a limit? Treat your guests to a limitless sweet treat at Jack and Beyond’s Bottomless Cake. For 22 quid, 28 if you want a hot drink, you can eat all the cake in the world for 1.5 hours. Choose from their bestselling red velvet cake, irresistible carrot and cinnamon cake or cheesecake crumble, among others. RSVP here!
10. Harry Potter Studio Tour
Do you have any Potterheads in the group? Then, they’ll probably want to have the ultimate Harry Potter experience at the famous Harry Potter Studio Tour. Fight trolls, call for Hedwig or cast spells —It’s LeviOsa, not LeviosA— as you get to see where all the magic from the films happened. As this is quite literally one of the most booked experiences in London, make sure to book in advance if you want to visit the Wizarding World.