Now that we’re all a bit more settled into the new year, it’s a great time to think about new ways to enjoy your free time in London. And since tracking them down can be time-consuming, we’ve partnered with TfL to do the heavy lifting for you – rounding up a whole host of great activities and places to see, from vintage shopping in Haringey to board game cafés in Croydon.
It’s worth knowing that TfL Go has had an upgrade – You can now see when you reach your daily cap and how much you’re saving with each additional journey, making it even easier to keep trips low cost.
Don’t forget, fares on London Overground, Tube, DLR, and the Elizabeth line are capped at £12.80 in Zones 1–4, so once you reach the daily cap, every extra journey is free.*
Download the TfL Go App to plan your journey now.1. Admire gorgeous greenery at Lesnes Abbey Woods
Home to a ruined abbey, a park, and no less than 88 hectares of ancient woodland to explore, Lesnes Abbey Woods is a wonderful place to spend a day in the great outdoors. It’s also believed to have the largest display of daffodils in south-east England, which is guaranteed to be a spectacular sight as spring edges ever closer.
Price: free
Closest station: Abbey Wood
Nearby bus routes: 229, 602, 669, 99, 469, 301
2. Enjoy a rejuvenating sauna session by the water
Nothing screams weekend well-spent like a sauna and a cold plunge (you know it’s good for you!). Sweheat Sauna at Royal Victoria Dock offers authentic, wood-fired sauna sessions in a peaceful waterside setting. Once you’re sufficiently toasty, you can head to the relaxation area, or brave the cold plunge and let the endorphins flow. You can even enjoy 60 minute sessions for just £15 if you book their 9 o’clock club, Thursday-Monday only.
Price: £20 (90 minutes)
Closest station: West Silverton DLR Station, Royal Victoria DLR Station, Custom House DLR Station, Custom House Station
Nearby bus routes: 330, 129, 147, 474, 304
3. Enjoy a sociable workout at one of London’s run clubs
Run clubs have changed the way that people engage with exercise in London, and we are totally here for it. You can socialise, stay active, and even get a bit of a sweat on (if you so wish!). In fact, some clubs take it that step further and blend their love of running with another passion – like a good old fashioned party. For example, Midnight Runners host party-themed runs, as well as long runs, track runs, and bootcamp runs. But there are so many run clubs all over London, both neighbourhood specific, and many that travel around throughout the week. A handful of our top recs: Putney Running Club, Queer Running Club, Riverside Runners, Finsbury Park Runners, Your Friendly Running Club. Many are free, some require a small fee, but all of them are excellent vibes.
4. Start the weekend with live music and authentic Sri Lankan food
The end of the working week always deserves to be celebrated, and live music in a trusted local pub is a great way to transition into weekend mode. The Coach & Horses in Leyton shows live music every Friday from 8pm, with their musicians bringing everything from Blues to Indie. But it’s not just your ears that will be in for a treat, as the pub serves authentic Sri Lankan street food from family-run kitchen, Kamu.
Price: live music is free, all traditional curries £15 or less
Closest station: Leyton Underground Station
Nearby bus routes: 58, 69, 97, 158, 308
5. Paint your next masterpiece to the sound of your fave music
Running might not be your thing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn one of your hobbies into a social occasion. At Art Play’s Vibe N Paint Party, you can unleash your creativity to the soundtrack of upbeat tunes from the resident DJ. Depending what night you go, you can listen to Hip Hop, R&B, Afrobeats/Amapiano/Dancehall, House and Garaged, or mixed tunes. Unlimited paints and materials are included in the ticket, and you can buy drinks and snacks at the bar.
Price: £25 (ticket only)
Closest station: Shoreditch High Street Rail Station, Liverpool Street
Nearby bus routes: 8, 26, 35, 42, 47, 78, 135, 149, 205, 388
6. Discover local arts events and exhibitions at artsdepot
A cornerstone of Barnet’s cultural scene, artsdepot is a go-to destination for theatre, comedy, dance and live music in north London. The ever-changing programme is super varied, and offers lots of free and affordable events, workshops, and performances. Two of their current, free exhibitions are showing until April, one reflecting 20 years of artsdepot’s history, and the other a display of colourful abstract landscapes.
Price: varied
Closest station: West Finchley Underground Station, Woodside Park Underground
Nearby bus routes: 626, 683, 13, 460, 134, 221, 125, 112, 263, 383
*Always use the same card or device when touching in and out. Excludes London Cable Car, River Bus, Southeastern high‑speed services. Daily caps apply to journeys made between 4:30am and 4:29am the following day. For full details visit http://tfl.gov.uk/capping