How to plan out your first weekend in London
Do you want to feel right at home in your new city? Here are some great things to do in London, including parks, museums, cafes, and more.
London is calling! There’s so much to see and do in the UK capital that you would need years to fit it all in. Whether you’re an art-lover, an antiques collector, or a rabid sports fan, there’s no shortage of things to do in London.
It’s even easier to feel right at home in London when you live in a turnkey Blueground home. All of our furnished apartments in Europe, the Middle East, and North America have everything you need to feel at home from your very first day in a new city. Every Blueground home features fast Wi-Fi, a fully equipped kitchen, and a comfortable work-from-home setup.
Friday: Dinner and Some Telly
If you had a long week at the office, pick up a curry or some fish ‘n chips right in your neighborhood. You do have a fully equipped kitchen at your disposal, so cooking is also an option. How about making a jacket potato (that’s a baked potato to Americans) served up with a lamb chop and a lightly dressed salad?
While you’re waiting for your supper to heat in the oven, fire up your Smart TV to enjoy some quality British entertainment.
Your new furnished apartment is probably very comfortable — but imagine if it wasn’t? Phobe Waller-Bridge’s gone-too-soon series Crashing follows a group of six young Londoners who take up residence in an abandoned hospital. (Don’t confuse this British comedy with the equally funny HBO series Crashing, starring Pete Holmes as a struggling NYC comic!) You’ll laugh more than you cry through the show’s six half-hour episodes, and still get to sleep at a reasonable hour.
Is jet lag keeping you up? Notting Hill will let you experience some of London’s most beautiful neighborhoods on the small screen. (You’ll also get a sneak peek at Portobello Road, the site of tomorrow’s adventure.)
Saturday: To Market, To Market
Rain or shine, Portobello Road Market is a magical way to spend your Saturday. This sprawling street market dates back to the 19th century, but it wasn’t until the 1940s that it rose to prominence among Londoners. Nowadays, the Portobello Road Market is one of the best places in the city to shop for antiques, and there are also stalls selling new and vintage clothing.
Head to Notting Hill in the morning to explore the market. Saturday is the busiest day of the week, which means you’ll have the best selection. There are plenty of cafes in the neighborhood where you can get a pastry or a jolt of caffeine. You can also get breakfast or lunch on the go from one of the food stalls within the bounds of the street market.
If you don’t end up blowing your budget on a vintage Pucci dress or a silver tea service, head to Farmacy for a fancy meal. This high-design farm-to-table restaurant has a completely plant-based menu, and all ingredients are locally sourced. On the weekend, Farmacy serves up a popular brunch as well as high tea.
Sunday: Art House
London is home to more than 250 museums, so you would have to live locally for years to visit them all. The Tate Modern, located in Bankside, has an incredible collection of artworks by Jackson Pollock, Cy Twombley, and other big name 20th century painters.
Entry to the Tate Modern is free, but you’ll need a timed ticket to enter. You can reserve these tickets ahead of time online. You’ll also have to pay for each exhibition you would like to see.
After you’ve gotten your culture fix, stroll along the banks of the Thames and enjoy the summer atmosphere. There are plenty of cafes and takeaway restaurants nearby if you’re feeling peckish.
If you’re already one of our London renters, you know all about the benefits of the Blueground experience. But maybe you’re still renting the old-fashioned way? Blueground offers flexible leases on gorgeous furnished apartments around the world. We want all of our guests to feel like locals from day one, whether they stay with us for a month or a year — or longer.
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