Residents and tourists alike agree summer is the ideal time to explore the British capital. There are a million things to do, with new experiences popping up every week and no matter how hard you try, you can never see it all.
So, we’ve narrowed down a list of five of the absolute best things you can do in London right now. These promise unforgettable memories and offer fresh perspectives on the city’s beauty, culture, and charm from every angle.
Bustronome – Fine dining on wheels
There is no shortage of high-end dining options when it comes to London, but how about a four or six-course meal on a luxury bus that takes you to the city’s most iconic sights?
Bustronome offers a gourmet dining experience aboard a bespoke-designed double-decker bus, with the upper deck converted into a sophisticated restaurant with proper tables and chairs, panoramic glass roof, cosy lighting and sleek black décor.
Enjoy Loch Duart salmon with a glass of champagne while passing the Royal Albert Hall. Dessert – chocolate and pear dome – arrives as you take in Piccadilly Circus from the comfort of your plush chair and quiet serenity.
Each dish is impressive and served on uniquely designed plates. The menu changes every six to eight weeks with an emphasis on fresh seasonal ingredients with much of the cooking happening on board the lower deck, in professional ovens.
Guests can scan a QR code to see a live route of the gastronomic journey and get a brief description of each iconic sight in nine languages.
All the furniture is thoughtfully adapted for a moving environment, including a specially designed stand to keep your champagne in place and magnetic placemats that secure the cutlery. The bus is also equipped with the posh lavatory and cloak room.
The journey lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes, but it feels like a dream of great food and sightseeing.
View Bustronome London dining bus tour tickets and itinerary
Frameless – Immersive art experience
Feel like you’re stepping into a piece of art with Frameless, the UK’s largest and the first permanent, purpose-built home for experiential art. Upon arrival, you descend to the galleries by a kaleidoscopic escalator, taking you down into an abstract mirrored world. It certainly makes you feel like Alice going down the rabbit hole.
Below there is a large modern venue containing digitalised versions of 42 famous paintings from 31 masters distributed across four skilfully curated galleries. In the room ‘Beyond Reality’ art is projected around the entire space, wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling, providing a seamless immersive experience – hence the name, Frameless.
The digitised paintings are tastefully animated and combined with sound and music to intensify the experience. Enjoy watching paintings of Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst come alive.
In another room called ‘Colour in Motion’ you can walk through and move the leaves of Claude Monet’s masterpieces and interactive with artworks from Vincent van Gogh.
‘The Art of Abstraction’ presents a creative approach to the popular movement of the 20th century. Be swept away by the beauty of our world, from crashing oceans to bustling cities and pastoral quietude in ‘The World Around Us’ room.
Frameless successfully caters to visitors of all ages, with both children and adults finding it captivating. There is also a cafe bar and gift shop, and it’s a great location at Marble Arch.
Book Frameless immersive art exhibition tickets at Marble Arch
Avora – New world cocktail experience
Avora is a theatrical, alternate reality adventure like no other. Guests put on space jumpsuits before entering a “magical”, Avatar-esque world and begin their mission in the secret Roscorp Laboratory of fictional billionaire CEO Geoff Rosbourne – which serves as the gateway to the magical world of Avora.
Joined by a cast of actors, including eccentric scientist Dr Shelly, attendees are invited to explore some of the world’s most unique and exotic flora and learn about your mining mission on Avora.
You will be offered colour-changing elixirs in test tubes to mix yourself to help you acclimatise to the planet’s atmosphere. Non-alcoholic mocktail versions of the drinks are also available and look the same. The use of augmented reality, and other interactive elements add a layer of depth and engagement to the event.
There are multiple rooms with scenes played out in each, including bars with drink stops along the way, serving beautiful glowing alien-like cocktails (Included in the experience). You’ll interact with actors and get involved in the narrative – it’s a lot of fun! The acting is very impressive and ends with a climactic conclusion.
The experience lasts 1 hour 45 minutes and suits perfectly for a birthday, stag/hen do or as a unique night out with friends.
Secure tickets for Avora’s immersive cocktail experience in London
Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station
Travel 109 metres above ground in one of Battersea Power Station’s iconic chimneys. Have one of London’s best views of world-famous landmarks that make up the city’s skyline, as well as a unique bird’s eye view of the regenerated power station itself and the ever-growing landscape of Battersea. This unusual observation desk offers a whole new perspective on the city without any obstructions.
Going up is a true adventure itself. The Lift 109 experience begins in the power station’s magnificent Art Deco Turbine Hall A. This is a perfect example of the successful integration of old and new.
The centrepiece of the hall is a spectacular, interactive chandelier suspended from the ceiling with eight rings of lights at varying angles. The chandelier links with a custom-made, multi-touch table directly underneath. This allows visitors to engage in an interactive game where they generate varying degrees of power to trigger the lighting above.
There are original records and short video clips, detailing the building’s rich history, architectural significance and enduring presence in popular culture. For example, it was a featured in period dramas and blockbusters like The King’s Speech, The Dark Knight, Fast & Furious and Superman III to name a few.
Once inside the lift you will hear the sound and lights around you resembling a spaceship, preparing to be launched into space. The glass lift ascends swiftly, then decelerates just before the top. A collective gasp from its passengers as the 360-degree view is revealed. It’s so stunning that you won’t want to leave.
Afternoon tea bus tour
This afternoon tea experience combines two British staples: tea and a London bus. The interior of a classic double-decker bus has been lavishly upgraded with tables and reupholstered seats to transform this iconic vehicle into a traveling tearoom.
Upon arrival all tables are already arranged and beautifully dressed. Savoury and sweet treats are not only elegantly presented in a three-tier serving stand but utterly moorish. A wide range of teas are available, and even a complimentary glass of Prosecco to make your journey extra special.
For an hour and a half, you’ll see all the sights through the heart of London passing by iconic landmarks and historical buildings. Keep an eye out the window for Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, and The Tower of London to name a few.
You can choose your seats while booking on the lower and upper deck with an option to reserve premium table on the front of the bus. Being a tourist has never tasted so good.
Book London afternoon tea bus tour with Prosecco
We teamed up with Coco-Moola to curate this list.
Discover more unique London experiences on Coco-Moola
Image credits: © Bustronome, Frameless, Avora, Lift 109, Battersea Power Station, Golden Tours
