Beyond Big Ben: London’s Hidden Treasures for the Traveler

The Big London Bake is a fun, hands-on baking challenge where guests step into a marquee kitchen, follow a surprise recipe brief, and compete against the clock. With guidance from hosts and plenty of laughs along the way, it’s a lighthearted experience that ends with the sweetest reward—enjoying your own creation.

Elvis Evolution is a new immersive show at ExCel London that takes you on a multi-sensory journey through Elvis Presley’s life and music. Blending live performance, atmospheric sets, and cutting-edge visuals, it culminates in his legendary 1968 Comeback Special before ending with an after-party bar and live music.

Tucked beneath the vaulted arches of Westminster Abbey, Cellarium Café offers a uniquely historic setting for a classic afternoon tea. Guests are served a tiered stand of delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and an array of handcrafted cakes and pastries, all accompanied by fine teas or a glass of sparkling wine. With its blend of medieval architecture and modern comfort, it’s a tranquil retreat that combines timeless English tradition with a sense of place found nowhere else in London.

London’s West End is a world stage where classic dramas, bold new plays, and family favorites share the spotlight. This season brings everything from the magical Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and the atmospheric Stranger Things: The First Shadow to powerful revivals like All My Sons and Othello. Come December, the theatres sparkle with festive spirit: pantomimes like Sleeping Beauty at the Palladium, Mischief Theatre’s A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong, and seasonal delights such as Elf! The Musical and The Snowman make the West End the perfect holiday destination.

The River Café in Hammersmith pairs minimalist riverside elegance with some of London’s finest seasonal Italian cooking. Expect handmade pastas, wood-fired seafood, and the legendary Chocolate Nemesis dessert. A Michelin-starred institution since 1997, it’s as beloved for its sun-dappled terrace as for its flawless simplicity.

A hidden gem beneath Trinity Square, The Wine Library blends a charming wine shop and cellar-bar where you can select bottles sold at shop prices and enjoy them on-site—for a modest corkage. Set among atmospheric 19th-century vaults, it serves up simple yet satisfying fare—think charcuterie, pâtés, and French cheeses—guided by friendly, knowledgeable staff. Whether you’re browsing bottles or lingering over a platter, it’s the perfect cozy retreat for wine lovers in the City.

Flesh & Buns brings a playful izakaya vibe to London, serving fluffy DIY bao buns stuffed with pork belly, crispy duck, or miso aubergine. The atmosphere is loud, lively, and perfect for groups, with sake and cocktails flowing freely. Fun, hands-on dining makes it as much an experience as a meal.

Descend into Soho's secret 1940s speakeasy, Cahoots—a vintage-themed cocktail bar set in a “forgotten” Underground station, complete with cobbled-together Tube carriage, wartime trinkets, and a live-swing soundtrack. Expect cheeky, creatively named cocktails served in quirky vessels—from hip flasks to ration tins—and immersive theatrics that make you feel like you’ve stepped into the Blitz era. A playful and atmospheric experience perfect for nostalgia lovers and adventurous drinkers alike.