Talking of a change of scenery, why not head to a new location? A new bar, cafe, bookstore, museum – or even just a street you’ve never seen before. In central London, the possibilities are endless, and you’ll find yourself having new experiences at every turn. If you’re feeling particularly creative, maybe take a camera or keep your phone handy to capture your adventures. You could even try a guided tour to help discover a new area, just so you don’t miss out on all the exciting parts. Some of these are free – and include a graffiti and street art tour or even check out some of the locations from Harry Potter.
Whatever you feel like experiencing in London, you’re not too far away from being able to try it. And even after work, there are plenty of activities to get your cultural juices flowing. From evening art classes to the British Museum, to contemporary exhibitions, London is teaming with culture. You’ll also find that the museums and art galleries will be far less busy after work, than during the weekend. You can avoid tourists and crowds, and immerse yourself in the art. Some late-night openings include the Science Museum, Tate Modern, and the Victoria and Albert.
We don’t want to knacker you out too much before work the next morning, but what’s more thrilling than attending a midweek gig? Take a change of clothes to the office, invite your work colleagues, and hit a central London pub. Midweek gigs are the norm for these types of establishments and they usually have some pretty decent up-and-coming bands. Camden is a hub for live music, and the best part is that we have a Virtual Office in Camden. Why not make use of the bookable meeting room and then unwind after at a live performance? You never know who you might discover. However, if you want to be more prepared, you can see what’s on and buy tickets here.
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Look, when work is finished, we’re on the hunt for something tasty and filling, so why not use your time wisely and explore what London has to offer? Chain restaurants are out – and street food is in. Explore The Real Food Market at the Southbank Centre, or even head to Camden Markets (when most of the tourists will have headed back to their hotels). Or you can check out some of our food blogs to get some inspiration for some great restaurants to try! Try new flavours and cuisines and give your tastebuds a thrill. They’ll be grateful for the break from leftovers and after-work pasta.
Okay, so this might not be everyone’s cup of tea (or flask of water), but sometimes the perfect release for after work is to get sweaty and active – but we don’t just mean at the gym. London is home to a plethora of parks and outdoor spaces that are just screaming to be utilised. From a gentle jog to drop-in yoga sessions, you can get the most out of them – without breaking the bank. Whatever kind of exercise tickles your fancy, there are classes to join and park benches to collapse onto. Try something new – you might just surprise yourself. If jogging and yoga seem too much like hard work after a long day, why not check out our guide to the prettiest walks in London? If you’re looking to reduce stress after a busy work day and encourage restful sleep, getting moving is a great way to do this. We feel tired just looking at this list, to be honest with you.
Take in the views and unwind with a beverage.
Get cultured at the Tate Modern!
A night out in London isn't complete without seeing a West End show.
Not feeling that active? We’ve got you. The parks and outdoor spaces aren’t just there for fitness fanatics either. Take a snack, maybe even a flask of coffee (or a cheeky bottle of wine), find a bench, and sit back and relax. People watching is one of our favourite pastimes – and central London has a whole host of views to take in. There are also lots of indoor places to take in the views, why not head up the the Sky Garden, or walk around The Barbican for a change of scenery?
Look, we know we said we were going to give you some unique activities, but nothing quite beats heading for after-work drinks, on a warm summer’s afternoon, arm-in-arm with your friends and colleagues. Upgrade your after-work drinks by picking a different bar to your local, or trying one of the best pubs in London. You might be lucky enough to catch a gig too. Check out the 100 best bars and pubs in London – giving you plenty of choice for the year. London has also seen a recent rise in the popularity of themed bars, why not become a detective for the night at Evans & Peel, or sneak in to Alcotraz? Whichever haunt you choose, you won’t be disappointed!
And we don’t just mean on Netflix. London is home to some seriously cultured theatres, giving you a range of genres to choose from. To continue the theme of this article, why not try something out of your comfort zone? If cost is an issue, local cinemas tend to have midweek deals, as do theatres, which won’t break the bank. You might also get to see some up-and-coming stars before their huge tours – an added bonus. Or why not try your luck with the West End lottery and win yourself tickets to some of the biggest productions for just £10?
It’s not just your work colleagues you can hang out with. If you feel like exploring the city, why not visit a friend on the other side of London? Not only does this give you a chance to reconnect with a mate, but it also means you’re discovering a new side to the city you might not have seen before. Take pictures, capture the moment, and remember to revisit when you’re looking for something to do after work in London. If you’ve recently moved to London and are looking to make new friends, apps such as Bumble Friends and Meetup are a great way to expand your circle.
London is large, which means it can be overwhelming – and you might forget to look up every now and then. Don’t overcomplicate things – one of the easiest after-work activities in London is to simply take a walk. Whether that’s somewhere you already know, or maybe you feel like exploring somewhere new, grab a comfy pair of trainers and hit the pavements. Your mind and body will thank you.
Even if you work from home, getting out and about after the working day is over is so important – for both your physical and mental health. It can be easy to slip into the same routine, so why not mix things up a bit with the ideas on our list? Not everything needs to be planned either – keep things easy by treating yourself to a fun activity on a whim. If you work remotely and want a presence in London, why not check out our London Virtual Offices, book a meeting room, and then unwind with some of these fantastic activities after?
