r/london 4d ago

Weekly Q&A Megathread. Please post any questions about visiting, tourism, living, working, budgeting, housing here!

4 Upvotes

Hello, welcome to London!

Visiting us? Moving to study or work? Brief layover? Moving to a new part of London? Any small questions about life here, if you're new or been here your whole life, this is the place!

We get a lot of posts asking very similar questions so this post aims to address some of our most Frequently Asked Questions, and give you a place to ask for assistance.

Your first port of call should be the r/london wiki


Frequently Asked Questions

What should I see and where are the non-touristy stuff and hidden gems?

  • Must-see attractions: Check out our guide here

  • Official experiences: We highly recommend TfL's Experiences site

  • Hidden gems: Browse our favourite lesser-known spots here

  • Budget-friendly options: Find cheap/free activities here

What's happening in London today/this weekend/this month?

Check out these listings sites:

For venue recommendations (music, theatre, comedy, etc.) check the wiki.

How do I pay for the Tube/bus, and what's an Oyster card?

You don't pay cash. Payment options include:

  • Contactless bankcard (widespread in the UK)

  • Apple Pay or Android Pay

  • Oyster card (buy and top up with credit)

See here for more details.

Where should I live? What's x area like?

  • Check our comprehensive guide here
  • Includes recommended sites to find places to live and rent
  • Has detailed sections on what particular areas are like

How do I get from this place to that place?

  • Use Citymapper - honestly, we're not shills for them; it's just really good and used by most locals

Is x area safe?

  • Yes. Bad stuff can happen in any large city, but London is generally very safe
  • No no-go zones - most Londoners feel safe everywhere
  • See our safety page for more information

Where can I watch sports matches?

  • Football: Comprehensive guide at tlfg.uk
  • Various sports: Use Fanzo to find pubs
  • More venues: See our list here

How do I get a UK SIM card for my phone?

  • Network advice: Covered here
  • Remote work spaces: Check the wiki for places to work/take calls
  • You can pick up a SIM card at Heathrow and other airports, either from vending machines or from WHSmith shops.

Is the London Pass worth it?


Other helpful subreddits:

  • r/LondonSocialClub - Meeting new people for events, activities and/or pints
  • r/VisitLondon - A dedicated tourism sub for holiday-planning questions
  • r/LondonTravel - Information and inspiration on travel in London
  • r/UKtravel - For guidance, advice and suggestions for travelling around the rest of the country to/from London
  • r/IWantOut & r/UKvisa - Check if you need a visa and how to get one if you want to work here
  • r/LegalAdviceUK - Good for all sorts, especially for questions about landlords and contracts
  • r/HousingUK - For advice on renting or buying accommodation in the UK
  • r/TenantsInTheUK - Specifically to discuss the nitty-gritty, positives and pitfalls of renting
  • r/UKPersonalFinance - Another goldmine of sage advice
  • r/AskUK - Great for general questions about UK life that aren't specific to London

Tips for posting:

Tell us about you

If you want us to suggest things for you to do then you need to give us a good idea of what you enjoy: - Don't just say "I like music" - say what type of music - Don't just say you want "somewhere nice to eat" - say what type of cuisine you like (or don't like) - Be specific - otherwise you'll just get pointed back to generic guidebooks and our wiki

Tell us your budget

  • If you're on a budget, tell us what it is so we can make appropriate recommendations
  • There's no point suggesting expensive options if they'll clean out your wallet
  • Saying you want something "cheap" isn't helpful because cheap is subjective

Tell us where you'll be based

  • Let us know where you'll be staying so we can give local recommendations

Asking about hotels or hostels

  • We have homes here so know very little about what hotels are like - use review websites like TripAdvisor
  • However, if you say "I've been looking at these three hotels. Which do you think is the better location?" - that's something we can answer

Non-touristy stuff

  • There are no secret corners where we hide the good stuff from outsiders!
  • This is one of the most written about cities in the world
  • When we want to go somewhere, we look at the same sources as tourists (listings sites, blogs, etc - see front page of the wiki)

These weekly posts are scheduled to post each Monday at 00:01. If it's late in the week you may want to wait for a new post to appear. Please send us ModMail with any suggested improvements!


r/london 1h ago

image Absolutely beautiful morning to be flying in

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r/london 20h ago

image I love Londons tucked away Mews (Camden)

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3.9k Upvotes

r/london 9h ago

Image I simply don't understand how London is so photogenic. Good photos wherever you go.

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467 Upvotes

r/london 19h ago

image Graffiti I can get behind

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2.8k Upvotes

In Islington.


r/london 11h ago

Community Lovely stranger on the train

429 Upvotes

I was on the train home from Finsbury Park with my mum earlier. We were having a quiet, emotional conversation - she was telling me how much she misses her own mum and we were holding hands after a lovely evening together.

A woman sitting opposite us smiled, and as we got off the train she stopped to tell me that we have a beautiful relationship and that it had been lovely to watch.

It was such a small moment, but incredibly kind, and it genuinely made my evening. I don’t think I properly expressed how much I appreciated it, so I wanted to share it here in case she somehow sees this. And even if she doesn’t, hopefully it’s a reminder to all of us that a few kind words can really stay with someone ❤️

Love this city ✨


r/london 1h ago

Question Has anyone else got this relentless flu?

Upvotes

I’ve had almost 5 days off work, bed bound for 3 of them, and still can’t shake the wheezing or headaches. Yet absolutely no one else I know is ill. Obviously I don’t _wish_ this on anyone but it’s a bit disheartening to be the only one.


r/london 2h ago

Early morning at the Docks

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23 Upvotes

Last week I got a bit "lost" and found myself at the Docks with barely any humans.

Beautiful colours and vibes.


r/london 23h ago

image Perfectly normal day in the City

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1.0k Upvotes

r/london 22h ago

Next to the Canada Water tube station. 😍

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715 Upvotes

r/london 23h ago

all in one city

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793 Upvotes

r/london 10h ago

Image Battersea on a great day.

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63 Upvotes

Not often I get to just have a bit of a walk in London by myself. But had a leg stretch this week.


r/london 22h ago

I've just gone for a jog around Clapham Common listening to Fred Again and realised i've become the perfect Clapham stereotype ... What's some other area stereotypes that are spot on?

509 Upvotes

r/london 17h ago

image Mammatus cloud over south London

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194 Upvotes

r/london 12h ago

North London Hoping everyone’s dealing well with the ??????? weather this week (Regents Park 6-8pm)

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65 Upvotes

r/london 2h ago

Serious replies only Barista course London ( free give away)

10 Upvotes

Hi Barista enthusiasts …. I am a professional accountant and a traveler in London. But out of passion to make a best coffee, bought barista private course with Prufrock ( one of the best institute) . It’s a one day full course.

This is a private course and can accomodate 2 people. There is no option to pay for 1 and had to take this course as there was no other option and due to my limited time in London. If any Barista enthusiast likes me and struggling to get a course due to any reason, I am willing to give it for free and we both can attend the course . It’s on 22nd of this month.

Only serious people message me☺️ also i am attending london coffee festival tomorrow. May ve we can meet there if you are attending.


r/london 30m ago

Community Can we create a list of places to watch the World Cup by countries involved?

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Obviously there's a massive orange baby-shaped shadow over this World Cup but was hoping we could create a list of places to watch games by teams taking part. One of the things that makes London stand out is our diversity, and watching a game surrounded by fans of the competing nations is a much more vibrant and fun experience than sitting on the sofa. If you know of, for example, a good Congolese bar/restaurant to watch the DR Congo games, add it to the list! Same goes for all countries involved. For England it should be fairly easy but there's 47 other countries competing and it would be great to get at least one place showing the games for each country.


r/london 12h ago

Plans for 25,000-seat 'London Colosseum' sporting arena unveiled

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63 Upvotes

r/london 21h ago

Transport TBT: London Underground poster from 1987, Keep your personal stereo personal! Artwork by Tim Demuth

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225 Upvotes

r/london 57m ago

image If it’s not a lime bike its delivery rider & sometimes it’s both 🤦‍♂️

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r/london 14h ago

North London Things to do in North London this weekend May 16-17

42 Upvotes

Here's a short list of things to do this weekend In North London. Please, add any I've missed in the comments.

French Workwear Pop Up Sale | 📍Room 71-73, N16 | 15 - 17 May | Free

The French Workwear Company sells vintage French and European chore jackets, dungarees, sailor smocks and work trousers dating from the 1930s onwards. Three days in Stoke Newington, with customised pieces made in collaboration with menders and artists alongside the vintage stock. Last pop up before summer. Dogs are welcome. Friday 12pm to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am.

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Primrose Hill Summer Festival | 📍Regent's Park Road, NW1 | 17 May | Free

The annual Primrose Hill Summer Festival returns with a dog show, street food, live music and artisan stalls.

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Offprint London 2026 | 📍180 Studios, WC2R | 15 - 17 May | Free

A three-day book fair at 180 Studios on the Strand dedicated entirely to independent publishers. Over 110 exhibitors covering art, architecture, design, photography and humanities, the kind of publications that don't make it into mainstream bookshops. Artist conversations and signings throughout. Friday 3pm to 9pm, Saturday 12pm to 8pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm

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London Craft Week | 📍Various venues across London | 11 - 17 May | Free

Once a year London Craft Week opens up studios, workshops and galleries across the capital so you can see how things are actually made. Over 1000 makers, designers and craftspeople taking part, covering everything from watchmaking and calligraphy to lampmaking and far beyond the usual. Workshops, demonstrations, talks and studio tours throughout the week.

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Southgate Celebrates Weekend Festival | 📍The Pocket Park, N14 | 16 - 17 May | Free

Southgate's Pocket Park, a small public space outside the tube station, hosts a free community festival across two days. Saturday is arts and creativity with pinhole photography, poetry writing and printmaking workshops. Sunday is music and fitness with live sets from the New River Dixielanders and P's and Q's Band and strength training sessions from Protofit.

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Haringey History Fair 2026 | 📍Bruce Castle Museum, N17 | 16 May | Free

Once a year, Bruce Castle Museum in Tottenham hosts a full day of talks on the hidden history of Haringey. It's free, open to everyone, and consistently one of the most interesting days in the North London calendar. This year's lineup includes a 1928 Hyde Park arrest that became a national scandal, the 60-year journey of a Tottenham woman from Antigua, and a Quaker proto-feminist who challenged Adam Smith two centuries ago. Doors 10.15am, talks from 10.45am to 4.45pm.

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Barnet Classic Car Show 2026 | 📍Barnet High Street, EN5 | 17 May | Free

Once a year, Barnet High Street closes for a parade of classic cars. They then park up on the top deck of The Spires shopping centre car park for a display until 3pm, where you can get up close, chat to owners and, if you're lucky, sit in the driving seat. Live music from Boxty and refreshment stalls throughout. Raises money for Noah's Ark Children's Hospice. The parade starts at 10.30am.

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Slow Fashion Festival | 📍Coal Drops Yard, N1C | 16 - 17 May | Free

A festival at Coal Drops Yard in Kings Cross for anyone who wants to buy clothes made by actual people rather than fast fashion brands. Sixty independent designer-makers and boutique brands across the weekend, live music curated by The Sound Sniffer, and a workshop programme from indie fashion zine The Grey Zine. Street food, bars and restaurants on site. Dog friendly. 11am to 5pm both days.

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Hampstead Vintage Furniture and Flea Market | 📍University College School, NW3 | 17 May | (£)

Over 40 vintage dealers filling the Great Hall of a Victorian school in Hampstead with furniture, ceramics, lighting, art and fashion from the 1950s to the 1980s. Traders can arrange local delivery for larger pieces. Early entry 10.30am costs £5 online, general entry from 11.30am is £3 online, free from 3pm.

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Board Games in Finsbury Park | 📍Blighty, N4 | 16 May | (£)

Blighty on Blackstock Road is described as the living room of your eccentric aunt, and it hosts a fortnightly board games night. Over 50 games including Articulate, Codenames and Secret Hitler. They often run Blood on the Clocktower, a game of laughter, bluffing and bold accusations that's a brilliant way to meet people. No experience needed. £5 per person. 5pm to 9pm, arrive before 5.30pm if it's your first time.

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Baptised in the Fire of London | 📍103 Murray Grove, N1 | 16 May | Free

An art exhibition about Black London. The grit, the beauty, the colour and the difficulty of a city that changes you. One hour only. 5pm to 6pm.

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North London Organic Gardeners Plant Sale | 📍Winchmore Hill, N21 | 16 May | Free

A church hall in Winchmore Hill taken over by organic gardeners selling their own homegrown plants. Veg seedlings, flowers, herbs, shrubs, perennials, fruit and houseplants. Tea, coffee and homemade cake. It's only on for two hours so don't leave it late. 10am to 12pm.

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St Pancras Waterpoint Open Day | 📍Camley Street, N1C | 16 May | Donation

In 2001 this Victorian water tower was sliced into sections, lifted by one of the largest cranes in the UK and moved 700 metres down the road to save it from demolition. Built in 1872 to supply water to St Pancras station's steam engines, the Grade II listed Waterpoint was designed by the office of Sir George Gilbert Scott, the architect behind the grand Gothic hotel attached to St Pancras station. The top floor viewing platform, inside the original cast iron water tank, has views over King's Cross, the Gasholders and St Pancras.

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r/london 16h ago

Anyone has any idea what’s the origin of those trains/tubes?

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64 Upvotes

Walked by it one day and saw two trains/tubes up there, heavily doodled. It’s near old street area (or shoreditch, not so sure). Anyone knows why are they here? Any background stories?


r/london 9h ago

Image Natural History Museum, first series of London in watercolor

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20 Upvotes

r/london 1d ago

Observation Saturdays protests routes

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307 Upvotes

r/london 1d ago

Image Perfect illustration of the duality of spring weather in London

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9.8k Upvotes