8 of the Best Entertainment and Arts Experiences to Have in London
You’ll Never Get Bored in England’s Capital City
One of the greatest city’s on Earth, London is home to some of the finest museums and art galleries, while also offering a host of live music and theater that can be enjoyed year-round. This guide will take you on an exploration of the best of London entertainment and arts.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
This theater is an identical reconstruction of the building that originally served as Shakespeare’s theater, which sat in the heart of the city’s seedy entertainment district. The complex features an open-air playhouse located along the banks of the Thames River, as well as an exhibition space dedicated to the poet, playwright and actor.
Performances are engineered to duplicate the atmosphere during Shakespeare’s time, meaning there are no microphones, speakers or spotlights. The plays are staged during daylight, and in the evening, it’s lit with the aid of interior floodlights.
The British Museum
One of London’s top attractions, the British Museum is a world-renowned institution of history and culture. As a bonus, it’s also one of the many free museums in London.
Considered both a treasure trove of some of the world’s most notable antiques and an architectural gem, it boasts everything from an internationally renowned Egyptian collection, to artifacts from the Roman Empire and the legendary Rosetta Stone, with works from prehistoric to modern times.
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Live Music
When it comes to live music, there is something to be found for all tastes practically every night of the week. The city has been the heart of British music for decades. Wembley Stadium and the O2 play host to big name rock and pop artists from around the world, while the Roundhouse is popular for intimate live performances.
You’ll find plenty of great tunes in London’s traditional pubs as well as an eclectic mix of trendy, high-priced clubs and jazz that can be enjoyed in romantic settings, like Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. The Camden neighborhood is the place to go for alternative, and if you’re looking for the best of the city’s punk scene, head to the Old Blue Last.
The Mayor’s Thames Festival
September is one of the best times of the year to be in London. The Mayor’s Thames Festival takes place annually throughout September on the banks of the Thames River between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge.
The diverse program includes screenings of 125 short films, a nighttime river opera, choir performances, boat races and fireworks. For a truly unique experience, take a European river cruise down the Thames while the festival is happening!
National Gallery and Other Art Venues
The National Gallery is free to visit and showcases hundreds of the world’s most famous and most beautiful paintings. The vast space features Western European paintings from the 13th to 19th centuries, which includes works by masters like Picasso, da Vinci, Van Gogh, Michelangelo and more.
Art lovers will find contemporary art at Tate Modern, one of the world’s best museums of its kind, while the Royal Academy is known for its record-breaking art shows.
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Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey offers a fascinating look at history in what’s considered to be the greatest church in the English-speaking world. This is the place where the nation’s kings and queens have been crowned and buried, dating all the way back to the 11th century. It was also the modern setting for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s fairy tale wedding.
It’s a living pageant of British history, with the remains of 29 kings and queens, some 3,000 tombs and countless memorials that lie within its walls and underneath its stone slabs. Visitors of any religious domination are also welcome to attend the church services.
Albert Museum
The world’s largest museum of decorative and applied arts is also free to explore. The Victoria and Albert Museum was named in honor of the 19th-century royal couple and displays a range of genres, disciplines and time periods.
It hosts the national photography archive, notable furniture from medieval times through today, a remarkably diverse display of historic musical instruments and the most extensive collection of fashionable dress from the 17th century to modern times. Visitors can enjoy free guided tours of both the permanent and temporary exhibitions.
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Tower of London
The Tower of London offers yet another fascinating look at the role England has played throughout history. It served as a castle during wartime as well as a monarch’s residence in times of peace. It’s been a prison and was the site of a number of rather horrific events, which is why it also has a notorious haunted history.
Visitors can choose from a range of tours for the chance to see the crown jewels, the world’s largest flawless cut diamond, and the very executioner’s block that beheaded a number of of Henry VIII’s wives and multiple problematic heirs to the throne.
