What To Do In London

Discover London

You’ll love studying in London – whether you’re new to the city or not.

With iconic buildings, museums and art galleries, international sporting and world-class music and theatre events, vibrant local neighbourhoods, markets, amazing restaurants, bars and nightlife – there is something for everyone, right on your doorstep.

From nearby Hendon Central tube station, take the Northern line tube and explore London.

The Tower Bridge and The Shard building illuminated by the sunset, showcasing a beautiful skyline of London.

Photo credit: David Monaghan on Unsplash

Things to do in London

Music

Enjoy live music everywhere – from small venues in nearby Camden to arena tours at Wembley or the O2.

Art and culture

Visit some of the finest art galleries in the world including the National Gallery, Tate, Tate Modern, the Royal Academy, Somerset House, and the Saatchi gallery.

Museums

There are 237 museums curating everything from dinosaurs to toys. Many are free. The best ones include the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Science Museum, the Royal Museums Greenwich, including the Planetarium.

Theatre, Opera, Dance, and Comedy

From nearby Islington to the West End and Soho, witness some of the world's finest actors, dancers, comedians, and singers in performance.

Eating out

For global restaurants, street food markets, old-fashioned pubs, nightclubs, and quirky new bars - visit just about anywhere but especially Camden, Kings Cross, and Euston.

International sports events

For football at Wembley and Arsenal, Cricket at Lord's and the Oval, Rugby with the Saracens at StoneX stadium, all the top international sporting events are a short ride away.

Green spaces

Hampstead Heath is 15 minutes away, Barnet Gate Nature Reserve is nearby, and a short tube trip will take you to Primrose Hill, Regent's Park, or Clapham Common.

Shopping

Brent Cross is a ten-minute bus hop with Oxford, Regent, and Bond streets – just 30 minutes by train.

A woman wearing a headscarf stands in front of a poster promoting a visit to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. — Visit Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Visitors observing a car painting in an art gallery. — Photo credit: Maria Teneva

A packed Wembley stadium with a large crowd of people sitting in the stands. — Wembley stadium Photo credit: Samuel Regan-Asante

A white car driving down a street lined with British flags. — Shopping on Oxford St Photo credit: Sabrina Mazzeo

Must-see places in under 30 mins away

Here are some top spots you can visit in under just half an hour from campus on the Northern Line from Hendon Central station.

Hampstead: 13 minutes

Hampstead Heath is 800 acres of park woodland and meadows away from the city, with wild swimming in the ponds. You can visit the Hampstead Theatre, Everyman Cinema, Keats Museum or Kenwood House, eat out and shop in upmarket boutiques.

the white facade of hampstead's kenwood house with lawns showing at the front

Enjoy breathtaking interiors and stunning world-class art collection at Kenwood House with paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner and Constable, walk through 112 acres of parkland.
Photo credit: Jack Calverley on Unsplash

Camden Town: 17 minutes

Enjoy Camden's lively market with tourists, students, goths, and punks. Grab a drink at the Hawley Arms or The Good Mixer, or play pool at The Camden Head. There's music for everyone with live gigs at the Roundhouse, Dublin Castle, Camden Assembly, and Dingwall's, plus dancing at Koko, Proud, the Jazz Café or Electric Ballroom.

two female middlesex univiersity students shopping at a vintage shop in camden market

Two students at Camden market

Euston: 23 minutes

euston square underground sign on empty tube platform

Travel to other UK cities like Manchester
Photo credit: Kevin Grieve on Unsplash

Kings Cross/St Pancras: 24 minutes

Stunning architecture and onward route to UK cities like Cambridge or take the Eurostar from St Pancras International to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.

a trolley and an empty bird cage against the wall at platform 9 and three quarters

Visit Harry Potter's platform 9 3/4
Photo credit: Sarah Ehlers on Unsplash

Canopy Market and Coal Drops Yard: 26 minutes

Check out food and drink stalls, global cuisine, pop-up shops and special events from Friday to Sunday.

A group of individuals sitting on the grass in front of a building at Kings Cross Coal Drops Yard.

Kings Cross Coal Drops Yard
Photo credit: Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash

Regents Canal: 1 hour

Walk from Kings Cross to Camden and then on to the Regent's canal and later to the spectacular Regent's Park.

view of the houses and canal boats along the regents canal london

Walk the canal path or enjoy a boat trip with a picnic
Photo credit: Daniil Korbut on Unsplash

Angel/Highbury and Islington: 26 minutes

Experience the upmarket quirky vibe here with independent shops and vintage stores plus places for brunch, lunch and a drink in the evening. Also, don't miss the art at the Estorick Collection or gigs at the Lexington – also an American whiskey bar.

Tottenham Court Road: 26 minutes

For culture, visit The British Museum – the world's oldest national public museum. Go shopping, and explore big-name stores on Oxford Street or smaller places around Carnaby Street. For cheap eats, try Koya on Frith Street for Japanese noodles or Hummus Bros for healthy dishes. For a fun night out, head to Soho or the Roxy for great prices for students.

interior shot in black and white of the british museum

The British Museum
Photo credit: Ryan Stefan on Unsplash

Leicester Square: 26 minutes

See work by the world's best artists for free in the National Gallery, snap up a half-price theatre ticket or treat yourself to a night at the ballet or opera in the Royal Opera House. Grab some dim sum in Chinatown and film premieres or cult films in Leicester Square.

two middlesex students, one male and one female, sit on the steps with the national gallery in the background

Students visiting the National Gallery

Waterloo: 26 minutes

Stroll the Southbank. Watch the buskers, enjoy the views and indulge yourself at one of the many eateries and bars. Visit the Southbank centre for music, dance and performance or Tate Modern for modern art. Check out the view of the city from the top of the London Eye or catch a film at the BFI IMAX cinema. Or just enjoy a picnic by the river and a fabulous sunset.

a young couple sit on the banks of the thames watching the sun set

Spent a day on the River Thames
Photo credit: Lucas Peng on Unsplash

Bank: 32 minutes

Discover the essence of historical London at this iconic location. Explore St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge. Treat yourself to exceptional steak at Hawksmoor Guildhall or enjoy breath taking views of the City at Vertigo 42.

two middlesex female students posing for a selfie in front of the tower of london

Visit Tower Bridge

London Bridge: 36 minutes

See Shakespeare's plays at the incredible Globe theatre on the River Thames. Visit Borough Market for fabulous foodie delights and enjoy a pint at the traditional Victorian Royal Oak pub.

stalls at borough marketing serving hot food under orange canopies

Visit Borough market
Photo credit: Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash

Old Street and Shoreditch: 30 minutes

Enjoy a curry or fresh bagels on Brick Lane or Vietnamese food on Kingsland Road. Join students at the Prince George pub in Dalston or catch live music at Village Underground.

colourful mural in shoreditch with abstract images and cartoon people

For murals, cool nightlife, trendy shops and great food, this is your stop.
Photo credit: Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash