things to do in london for birthday

Things to do in London for your Birthday

Celebrating the big day in the city? Here are some of the best things to do in London for your birthday!
By Dom Bewley

Our guide to celebrating your birthday in the capital!

Do you remember the day you were born? Probably not, and that's for the best. Gruesome. However, you probably do know when you were born. And, chances are you even celebrate that day every year in the form of a birthday. We humans are strange creatures, celebrating a day when we did absolutely nothing. Really, our birthday celebrations should be enjoyed by our mothers, who put all the work into that fateful day. But who cares about mothers? Let's celebrate birthdays like they're our achievements! Are you spending your birthday in London and wondering what fun things to do? Well, wonder no more. Leave your mother at home and try out one of these things to do in London for your birthday!

Including:

  • Boozy beer tour
  • Escape rooms
  • Embarrassing karaoke
  • Rooftop drinks
  • Swing for the nine's
  • and more!

Brewery tour with a tipple

Things to do in London for your Birthday

Brewery tour with a tipple

If you have a penchant for the amber nectar, why not kick your birthday off with a trip to where it all began. In a manner of speaking. Fuller's is one of Britain's best-known ale makers, with their brews a mainstay of pubs across the country. So, why not take a tour of Griffin Brewery, Fuller's official home? You'll get a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process, learn about the brewery's 350-year history, and learn about the different ales they create and what inspires each new flavour. And, perhaps best of all, you'll join a tasting session at the end so that you can celebrate in style.

Escape Rooms

Things to do in London for your Birthday

Escape Rooms

In celebration of your big day, why not get your heart pumping and your mind racing? We're talking escape rooms, those cunning challenges that pit you and your friends against the clock, and some fiendish puzzles. Lucky for you, London is full of the crafty activities! If you're a winter baby and the weather is looking a little glum, try an indoor escape room like AIM Escape in East? This atmospheric escapade will have you watching video messages, solving riddles, and escaping a themed room of your choosing before the time runs out and you're trapped forever. Or, at least until they unlock the doors and you exit, tail firmly between your legs.

Want to combine your escape experience with a little tipple? Check out The Grid near Blackfriars Bridge. This clandestine challenge pits you and your friends against Neosight, an evil company that's keeping a nefarious AI under wraps. Go undercover as new employees, mix your own cocktails, and beat the evil AI at its own game. Then, take a breather in the underground bunker, where you'll have another cocktail too. Or, if the sun is shining, why not try something more outdoorsy like Urban Missions? This thriller takes place entirely through WhatsApp, as you and your team must solve clues throughout London and stop an unknown threat to the city.

Karaoke

Things to do in London for your Birthday

Karaoke

Need to flex your vocal cords to ring in the birthday celebrations? Why not try your hand at some karaoke, and show your friends how truly awful you are at singing? Thankfully, there are plenty of places to go and embarrass yourself in London! You'll find a number of Lucky Voice venues dotted about the capital, where you can book a private room for you and your friends, pick your tunes, eat some pizza, and drape yourself in accessories as you sing the night away. Or, head to the bar and mix it up with some more public karaoke in front of the inebriated patrons. Or, if you want something more off the beaten path, try Brazen Monkey Karaoke in Central. Twice nominated for Bar of the Year at the London Lifestyle Awards, this funky joint has private booths, 60,000 songs to choose from, and Spanish tapas to tuck into if you're feeling peckish.

Rooftop Bars

Things to do in London for your Birthday

Rooftop Bars

Feel like soaking up some rays and sipping on some drinks to make your birthday feel extra special? Why not hit one of London's many rooftop bars? Want to add a little action to your rooftop experience? Check out Skylight. They have a load of drinks options and tables to sit and lounge, plus there are croquet and bouls fields available if you want to throw or put a ball or two. Or, if you're looking for a more party-first vibe, head over to Brixton Beach. This beach-themed rooftop bar has blasted tunes with makeshift dancefloors, pop-up bars and restaurants, and plenty of space to sit, stand, and party. Combine all of that with the bed of sand beneath your feet, and you'll quickly forget you're in the city. That is, until you have to go home.

A round of mini-golf

Things to do in London for your Birthday

A round of mini-golf

Fancy working on your swing this birthday? Why not head to the green and put up a storm in the comfort of the inside. Again, as with many of these picks, there are a lot of places you can go and swing that club in London. Swingers mixes a roaring '20s aesthetic with nine holes of delightful mini-golf action, where you'll put them balls under well-known landmarks like the London Eye. Then, when your scoresheets are filled and your debts settled, you'll find delicious food and drinks from the likes of Patty & Bun and Breddos. Easily one of the best things to do in London for your birthday. Alternatively, check out the neon-drenched Junkyard Golf Club. Or, if the sun's out and you want to make the most of it, Plonk in Hackney.

Game night

Things to do in London for your Birthday

Game night

And finally, let's end this cavalcade of comedy with a little game. A game of bingo, to be exact. That's right, your gran's favourite past-time has now been given a modern, gentrified reimagining. Nothing is safe! We came for their golf. We came for their darts. It was only a matter of time before bingo got the big city makeover. And none are more awe-inspiring than the neon-soaked, Tokyo-inspired Hijingo. A technological extravaganza of LED lights, floor-to-ceiling graphics, and a thumping soundtrack, it's like bingo on drugs. To accompany your retro future experience, you'll find eastern-inspired bits, cocktails aplenty, and one of the best things to do in London for your birthday!

And that's our list of the best things to do in London for your birthday! Make the most of your time in the capital by grabbing a London attraction pass and saving while you sightsee!

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adventurous things to do in london
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Adventurous Things to do in London

Calling all daredevils among you! Are you tired of boring, normal activities? Are you sitting at home right now, staring at walls? Are you on your slog of a commute hoping a ninja will jump out and start doing ninja stuff? You sound like the sort that yearns for that sweet adrenaline. Well, never fear, because London has plenty of white knuckle adventures to sate your hunger. But where are they? Well, here. In this handy list, we made just for you. The stars have aligned, and adventure is nigh! These are the best adventurous things to do in London! Featuring: ArcelorMittal Orbit Sherlock Holmes: The Game The Crystal Maze Live Experience Helicopter Tours Thames Rockets and more! ArcelorMittal Orbit Instead of sliding into some unsuspecting person's DMs, put down the phone and try a real slide. Built during the 2012 Olympic Games, ArcelorMittal Orbit is a towering structure. Looming over the Olympic Park, it stands at a whopping 114.5m tall, it's quite the sight. If you have the stomach to climb the hundreds of stairs it takes to reach one of the viewing platforms, you'll be able to see the whole city. But why not take it one step further - step inside the world's tallest slide, and ride it all the way down to the bottom? Its twists and turns are sure to delight all the daredevils out there. Just, maybe leave lunch until after you're done. No one wants to clean up that. Sherlock: The Official Live Game Dare you tangle with the maniacal mastermind Moriarty himself? Well, you can now, at Sherlock: The Official Live Game! Part escape room, part immersive Sherlock experience, and part bar, this thrill ride will pit your team's wits against Sherlock's nemesis. Featuring real props and recreated environments from the BBC TV show, as well as exclusive clips from the cast, use key detective work and problem-solving to crack the case. Sherlock's busy, doing Sherlock things like being unnecessarily arrogant, so you're on your own this time! But don't dally; you only have 100 minutes to complete the tasks. If you don't, you die! Okay, probably not. But you will bring great shame to your house. Crystal Maze Experience Take a trip back to the bizarre but unique Nineties, replete with leopard print jackets, at the Crystal Maze Experience! Bring some friends and take on challenges in four unique zones. Use every ounce of mental and physical strength to complete challenges and get the crystals! Take too long, and you'll be locked inside forever! Or until your team gets you out. Whichever happens first. Then, you'll enter the crystal dome and flail about pathetically as you attempt to grab as many notes as possible. The winner, well, you'll have to find out what the victors win when you try it for yourself! Go Ape Do you ever wonder what life was like before, when our ancestors lived in the trees? Yes, evolution is real. Probably. And yes, you can relive your ancestral heritage at Go Ape! Suspended in safety, thanks to a key harness, you'll be free to tight-rope walk across a daring assault course in the sky. Then, when you've assaulted the course completely, ride down to terra firma in style on an exhilarating zip line! Feel the primal roar inside you grow. Know what it was like to live in trees. Maybe move into a treehouse with central heating. All this and more is waiting for you at the three Go Ape centres across London. Definitely one of the best things to do in London for the adventurous of you! Helicopter Tour Yes, there are even more adventurous things to do in London! If trees aren't high enough, how about you try a few hundred metres higher? Hop on a helicopter and take a tour of the city! See all the city's sights from a new angle. Get a bird's eye view of legendary London landmarks like Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye, and many more! Just like a bird! It might just be the best way to see the city you love. Or, at least, the city you tolerate. Bungee Jump at the O2 Have you ever jumped off a building and lived? Probably not. But what if I told you you could jump off an entire arena and survive. Well, that's exactly what you can do at the O2 Arena! Climb to the top, suit up, and plunge nearly 50m down! Feel the wind rush past your face. See the city rush towards you. But don't worry, you'll be safe. And you will love it. London Bridge Experience Feeling spooky? Do you thrive on horror movies? Are you the sort to look for the monster under your bed instead of cowering beneath the quilt? Well, have we got an experience for you. A London Bridge Experience! Dwelling beneath the eponymous bridge, you'll find spooky spectacle and daring delights alike. Revisit the city's ghoulish past, all 2000 years of it. The experience itself is an interactive theatre of pain and misery. Hear tales from London's residents throughout time. No, they're not paid actors; they're real historical people! Listen as they transport you back to some of London's most haunted historical moments. Revisit the horrors of the Great Fire, relive Jack the Ripper's reign of terror, and also the Romans were bad! Or, if you dare, delve into the tombs beneath the bridge. Supposedly, real ghosts and demons prowl the lower levels. Not paid actors. Will you live to tell the tale? Or will you be scared to death! Alternatively, if you have little ones with you, there's the kid-friendly Guardian Angel Tour. Expect the same stories with less spook and makeup. Thames Rockets And finally, if you prefer your adrenaline sun and sea-soaked, where better to get your fix than on a speedboat? Head to the Thames, put on your best life jacket, and prepare for a wave-crashing thrill ride of thrillingness! All thrills, no spills. Take a day trip around the city's shoreline, or try an evening ride with a complimentary drink at the end. Kick your weekend of thrills off with a boat ride you won't soon forget. And that's our list of the most adventurous things to do in London!
Dom Bewley
A canal boat and bridge in London's Little Venice
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Things to do in Angel London

The north London neighborhood of Angel manages to do something most city areas aren’t able to – successfully combine the stylish with the down to earth. This is what has made pretension-free Angel a magnet for creatives from British television stars to chart topping acts. Named after a now-lost pub – The Angel Inn – this part of London may lack the big ticket attractions like St Paul’s Cathedral and The View from the Shard but you miss out on Angel at your peril. Why? Just take a look at these top things to do in Angel London and the surrounding area! Regent’s Canal Reappearing in Angel after disappearing under the streets of north London for around half a kilometer, Regent’s Canal slips silently through the neighborhood close to several small community parks and gardens. Footpaths and sidewalks follow it all the way to its eastern end at Limehouse but even the shortest walk gets you under the skin of this well-to-do yet still quirky part of London. What’s more, with plenty of pubs on the route there are various options for enjoying views of the tranquil canal side and some conversation over a pint. Upper Street Vying against Caledonian Road to be Angel’s most desirable address, Upper Street is more than a main thoroughfare. Stretching north from Angel Underground station, it’s often the first road in the neighborhood visitors see, and doesn’t disappoint. If you’re hungry there’s a world of options to choose between, with Mexican, Vietnamese, modern British and European cuisine just some of the choices. But if shopping is more your bag, there’s also plenty you won’t find anywhere else thanks to the independent boutiques of what Charles Dickens once called the ‘devil’s mile’. Emirates Arsenal Stadium Soccer fans can get their fill of the action with an Emirates Arsenal Stadium Tour. Having been one of north London’s top teams for more than a century, there’s certainly a lot to take in at The Arsenal’s new 60,000 seater stadium. As well as standing pitch side you’ll have a chance to take in the exhibits and nostalgia of yesteryear at the club museum. Renovated in 2016 and updated with the latest achievements and important signings, the only way better to get a sense of what the club means to the area is to return on the day of a big match. Little Angel Theatre Performance spaces aren’t hard to come by in Angel, with even the local library doubling up as a live music venue. However, few are able to charm its audiences quite as well as the Little Angel Theatre. One of the top things to do in Angel London with children, this puppet theater is aimed primarily at under 12s. Basing many of its productions on children’s books old and new, it also hosts various fun days and clubs to get kids away from their screens and thinking creatively. Postal Museum ‘Going postal’ may be slang for having an angry outburst, but its origins surely have nothing to do with the Postal Museum, covering everything from the world’s first pre-paid postage stamp – the penny black – to how a modern letter can get from A to B in under 24 hours. The highlight of any visit has to be a ride of the mail train. A network of underground tracks entirely independent of the Tube, this miniature railway was once a vital cog in the postage chain. Today it provides visitors with 20 minute rides beneath the streets of Angel. Union Chapel If you’ve been brought up with the sober singing of the Church of England it can initially feel a little strange heading to a functioning church to see a band. Hear the notes bubble around the vaulted ceilings and you’ll soon understand why this has become a leading live music venue despite its relatively small size. Elton John, Patti Smith and Beck have all performed here in the past, with ticket sales going to the structures upkeep and charitable foundations. Sadler’s Wells Another performance space with an incredible pedigree, Sadler’s Wells has existed in various forms since 1683 – the current 1500 seater auditorium is the sixth to bear the name. Although predominantly known for ballet, the company welcomes in many of the world’s top dance troupes as well as performing its own productions, meaning its possible to enjoy a night of everything from Andalusian flamenco to local break dancers. Camden Passage Turn off of Upper Street and into Camden Passage and you’ll go back a couple of centuries to Georgian London in a pedestrianized road that has managed to survive the ravages of redevelopment and the Blitz to become an area so well known for its antiques dealers it rivals Portobello Road. Whilst some of the former antiques stores have been turned into galleries, cafés and clothing boutiques this only increases the reasons to make this one of the things to do in Angel London. Plus, there are still more than enough antiques available at the covered Pierrepoint Arcade Market on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays to complement the Thursday and Friday bookstalls. Victoria Miro Gallery Situated in a former warehouse space beside Wenlock Basin – a dead end in Regent’s Canal – the Victoria Miro Gallery is one of London’s small private galleries. No less impressive because of that, its focus is on contemporary art. Representing both established and new faces from around the world, it’s a place where you can see works by the likes of Chris Ofili and Grayson Perry – both Turner Prize winners – even if you have no intention of buying. Discover London’s Angel with Go City With its independent spirit and pubs lining Regent’s Canal, London’s Angel neighborhood has a very different vibe to Greenwich or the areas around the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. From antiquing to stadium tours the things to do in Angel London are many and varied as we’ve hopefully shown. Travel with Go City and you can take advantage of all this diversity and make huge savings on entry to many of London’s top attractions! Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest.
Ian Packham

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