Top 5 Must-Do Activities for University Students in London: A Student’s Guide

Congratulations on getting into a London university! After the stress of A-levels or BTECs and the nail-biting wait for results day, you’ve made it to one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

London’s 1,572 km² landscape, with over 9 million people, offers endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. But where do you start?

As a fellow London-based student, I’ve spent my time seeking out the best experiences, and I’m here to share my top 5 must-do activities for university students in London. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly outings or unforgettable views, this guide will have something in store for you.

1.   Explore London’s Rooftop Views

London has a lot of rooftops that aren’t just bars and restaurants, but also free viewing platforms offering stunning skyline views. Whether you’re into photography, sightseeing, or just looking for a spot to relax, these rooftops won’t disappoint.

Here’s a list of some of my favourites:

• The Garden at 120: Offers greenery and panoramic city views.
• The Sky Garden: An indoor garden with a 360-degree view of London- perfect for rainy days.
• Crossrail Place Roof Garden: An escape in Canary Wharf with exotic plants and modern architecture.
• One New Change (St Paul’s): Pretty views of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the city skyline.
• Horizon 22:The highest free public viewing gallery in London, recently opened. .
• Tate Modern Viewing Platform: A unique view of the Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral from the Tate Modern art museum.
• The Lookout: A lesser-known spot with views of the city from the 50th floor.

Pro Tips:

2.   Enjoy Different Exhibitions

London has tons of exhibitions, events, and immersive experiences that rotate all year long. Museums, galleries, and pop-up spaces regularly host shows that can appeal to all tastes.

Here’s a few exams of the types of exhibitions and events that take place:

• The Canary Wharf Winter Lights: Light installations and immersive art experience
• The Cult of Beauty: Welcome Collection, temporary installation
• Taylor Swift Song Book Trail: V&A Museum, temporary installation
• Barbie the Exhibition: Design Museum, temporary installation
• The Van Gogh London Exhibit: Art Gallery, immersive experience

Pro Tips:

3.   Explore London’s Green Spaces

London is lucky to have many stunning parks and green spaces that provide a perfect balance and escape from its usual hustle and bustle, so they are certainly worth a visit!

Top Green Spaces to Visit:

• Hyde Park – You can go paddle boating on the Serpentine, there are outdoor concerts hosted year round and is home to Winter Wonderland at Christmas time.
• Holland Park – Has the pretty Kyoto Japanese Gardens to visit.
• Battersea Park – So many cute dogs roam this park! Near Battersea Power Station, a very tranquil and nice, more South western side of London, near Chelsea and Wandsworth.
• St James Park – Near Buckingham Palace, has tons of wildlife and touristy attractions around the area, like the Mall, the King’s Guards, Downing Street etc.
• Regent’s Park – Known for its beautiful gardens, open-air theatre, and the London Zoo.
• Hampstead Heath – Climb Parliament Hill for very nice views of the city, very rustic, woodland park with lakes you can swim in.
• Greenwich Park – Has got the Royal Observatory here, this park offers really nice views of the Thames and Canary Wharf.
• Richmond Park – More on the outskirts of South West London, but has deer roaming around and London skylines from the top hill.

Pro Tips:

4.   Discover London’s Food Markets

• Borough Market – London’s most famous market, it’s got tons of delicious stalls and tasty snacks, the gyoza was particularly good.
• Camden Market – A great mix of global street food (great inexpensive noodles) with lots of vintage shops and a funky, very lively atmosphere.
• Maltby Street Market – A smaller niche market in Bermondsey with great street food and craft drinks.
• Old Spitalfields Market – Lots of mixed food stalls, independent shops, and regular events.
• Southbank Centre Food Market – Very nice location on the riverside with lots of variety of international cuisines.
• Seven Dials Market – An indoor multi-floored market hall with lots of varied cuisine restaurants, bars and a bookshop.

Pro Tips:

Visit my Personal Favourites

After spending a lot of time in London, I would probably say that the next few experiences (albeit being quite random) are some of my most memorable ones, so I’d have to recommend them.

 1. Swingers Crazy Golf London

• If you’re looking for a fun, competitive night out with friends or your partner, Swingers Crazy Golf is great.
• They have locations in the City and West End, and the venue combines fun themed crazy golf courses with food and cocktails. It’s a wonderful combination of sport, socialising, and fun, and an amazing pick for a date night!

Why I Love It: It’s the perfect blend of an activity to bond over (no matter whether you’re good at golf or not) with just going out for dinner and drinks.

2. City Bouldering

• City Bouldering is an indoor climbing experience available at multiple locations that’s perfect for both beginners and experienced climbers.
• The walls are not extremely high up as well, even if heights are not your thing (they’re definitely not mine) you feel very safe and it wasn’t actually that scary at all, especially knowing that you can jump off the wall at any point onto a mat and you’ll be okay.
• The community is also really friendly and laid-back, everyone is very happy to help each other out.

Why I Love It: It’s challenging but in a very enjoyable way and proves to be a great workout.

It’s just a nice environment to hang out in, get some exercise, and meet new people. You can also take everything at your own pace and there is no pressure to it.

3. Kew Gardens

• Kew Gardens is again an area a bit more out of central London, but it has really beautiful landscapes, exotic plants, and historic glasshouses.
• It’s a great day trip out where you can just explore lots of greenery and escape the business of London.

Why I Love It: The variety of plants is extensive, you feel like you’re walking through all kinds of places around the world in one place. The Treetop Walkway is great fun, but when it’s windy it can be rather scary as it’s quite high up, but still worth a try.

4. Harry Potter at the West End

• Seeing “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” at the Palace Theatre in the West End was very enjoyable, you don’t even have to be a mega fan to enjoy it.
• It’s a two-part play with amazing special effects, an engaging storyline, and a truly nostalgic note to the Harry Potter world.

Why I Love It: The special effects were some of the best I’ve seen in a live theatre production and it was just such an enjoyable atmosphere.

5. Riding the O2 Cable Cars

• Riding the O2 Cable Cars (Emirates Air Line) from North Greenwich to the Royal Docks or vice-versa is a fun little scenic ride over the Thames.
• It’s short, but a stunning and different kind of experience in London that is especially beautiful at sunset or after dark when the city lights up.

Why I Love It: It’s a refreshing change from the typical London attractions, with a bit of a thrill factor to it. It’s a great way to see a lot of London from above without spending a fortune.