Six of the best London experiences
Things to do in LondonEven if improving your English is your top priority, spending most of your time in a classroom in London seems like a wasted opportunity! Whether you’re booking for 3 nights or 3 weeks, we think you should still see as much of London as possible. The difficulty is squeezing everything in when there’s so much going on, and new experiences, tours and activities open up each week!
Most of our guests are also looking for as authentic an experience as possible, eating in restaurants that Londoners go to and discovering out-of-the-way places off the tourist trail.
Our team knows London inside-out and can make your stay here even more special. Go immersive by spending time with local English teachers who, in addition to teaching you in your apartment, can accompany you on guided half or full-day trips. Need inspiration? Here are six of our most popular activities and things to do in London.
Take a black cab London taxi tour
Usually, we recommend exploring as much as possible of London on foot, but a taxi tour is the perfect introduction to the city and ideal if you have a special interest. All tours are personalised, and we can help you choose from a selection of tailormade itineraries. Why not take an Art Deco London taxi tour or a tour of London by night when the views from London’s bridges are simply stunning?
What’s included?
You will be picked up from your central London apartment and taken on a private guided tour in an iconic black taxi with a driver-guide. Your English teacher can also accompany you if you have beginner level English and need some extra help with understanding.
Traditional English afternoon tea classes
English afternoon tea just keeps on getting better and better! There’s nothing to beat a traditional cream tea in a pretty village in the countryside, but there are also plenty of ways of enjoying tea in the city. Most London hotels offer afternoon tea – with the full complement of sandwiches, scones and fancy cakes. We also like the afternoon tea at the restaurant in the Wallace Collection gallery, just round the corner from your apartment.
But for a really novel experience, why not try making afternoon tea yourself? Learn how to make speciality sandwiches and scones and find out about the history of afternoon tea. After that, it’s time to practise your English over a delicious tea of sandwiches, scones, sweet tea bread and traditional cakes!
Day trips from London
If you’re spending more than 3 or 4 days here, we’d highly recommend an excursion outside London. Visit the stunning colleges in the famous university cities of Oxford and Cambridge or head a little further west to visit Bath, best known for its Georgian architecture and, of course, the Roman baths.
You can, of course, explore any of these places on your own. However, there’s no question that a local guide will add colour and interest to your day. The best option is to visit with a Blue Badge Guide who is also a qualified English teacher. That way, you’ll continue with your English learning throughout the day with tours that are suitable for your English level.
London’s food scene
Thanks largely to its multi-national population, London’s food scene continues to thrill. Start your day with a food-related English lesson in your apartment that will introduce you to the history of food in the capital. Then it’s time to set off on a food trail through London with your English teacher Blue Badge Guide, pausing for street food nibbles as you go.
Visit a National Trust house or garden
Nothing captures traditional Britain quite like the National Trust. Providing access to some of the UK’s greatest treasures, this independent organisation’s raison d’être is the protection of public historic houses, gardens and ancient monuments. There are several to visit in London – one of our favourites is Fenton House in Hampstead.
There are many to choose from just outside London, for example in the Chilterns and in the counties of Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Some are accessible by public transport but visiting with a private guide is far more relaxing and will give you a more immersive English-speaking experience. Our current favourite is the family home and garden of Sir Winston Churchill at Chartwell in Kent, a must for history and garden lovers!
Take a walking tour of Hampstead
For many of our guests, Hampstead couldn’t be further removed from their expectation of London! Packed with museums, parkland, churches and charming streets, you could easily spend two days here. It’s also a great place for pub lunches! When you need a break from the city centre crowds and are in need of some green space and fresh air, we’ll take you on a teacher-led private tour of Hampstead that includes all our favourite places.