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Whether you're new to the city or simply want to explore more of it, Discover London is designed to help you get to know the place you'll be calling home during your time at UCL.
Through our fun, affordable and easy-to-access Discover London events, you'll have the chance to explore different neighbourhoods, uncover local favourites and discover the stories, cultures and communities across the city all while making friends along the way. We're excited to share some of the places that make it such a special place to live and study.
Whether your interests lie in arts and culture, food, sports, history or the incredible people who call London home, we can't wait to help you make the city your own.
So, what does a Discover London event look like?
It's simple. Meet our friendly guides at a designated meeting point, where there will be a short speed-friending session with fellow students. From there, you will head off together to explore something new. Along the way, you'll discover fascinating places, learn about a different part of the city and get to know the people exploring alongside you. Once at the final location, you are free to explore with your new friends at your own pace.
Your London adventure starts here. Keep an eye on our Discover London events on the What's On Calendar to see what's coming up.
Tickets for events are currently being released one week before the event. Register your interest to get notified when tickets go on sale.
Want London recommendations? Our Sabbatical Officers have got you covered.
Fortitude Bakehouse - Christian (President)
Recommendation: Bananas Foster Latte
Fortitude Bakehouse is a craft bakery located near Russell Square Station, well-known for their slow fermented sourdough-based pastries and cakes. Signature dishes include their cream beignets, sourdough buns and sausage rolls. However with a menu that varies day to day, you can be sure to find new innovative and modern pastries to try at each visit. The cafe provides outdoor seating where you can enjoy your delicious pastry with a warm coffee!
Getting there from main campus: 15 min walk, or 12 mins by bus to Russell Square
Cotti Coffee - Vivian (Welfare and Community Officer)
Recommendation: Coconut Latte
Cotti Coffee is a Chinese multinational coffee house chain well known for their unique flavour fusions, such as orange americanos and strawberry lattes. With branches in Camden, Russell Square and Holborn, there are locations near campus ready for everyone to try!
Getting to the Russell Square branch from main campus: 15 min walk, or 13 min bus to Southampton Row (near Russell Square)
Badiani Gelato - Rawleka (Equity and Inclusion Officer)
Badiano Gelato is a multi chain Italian Gelateria originating from Florence. Founded in 1932, their artisanal creamy gelatos have spread throughout the UK, Spain and France. Their location in Covent Garden serves up their signature award-winning buontalenti gelato, along with crepes and sorbets.
Getting there from main campus: 21 min walk, 18 min bus to Cambridge Circus, or 18 min tube (northern line to Leicester Square)
Regents Park and Primrose Hill - Audrey (Activities and Engagement Officer)
Regents Park is one of London's largest green spaces, and is home to London Zoo and Queen Mary's Gardens. There are many scenic walks throughout the park, and is a popular destination for Londoners to go for a run, cycle or even for a long picnic with friends. Primrose Hill is located within Regent's Park and closer to Camden, and provides a panoramic view of London's iconic skyline. It is the perfect spot to watch the sun set with your friends in London!
Getting to Primrose Hill from main campus: 34 min walk, 31 min bus to Camden Town, or 24 min tube (northern line to Chalk Farm)
Camden Town - Sarah (Education Officer)
Camden Town is one of London's busiest and vibrant neighbourhoods, with a bustling food market along the canal and clothing market along the high street. It is home to many iconic music venues, such as the Jazz Cafe and Blues Kitchen, as well as historic and eccentric pubs. It is also the perfect place to get lunch, which you can enjoy by Regent's Canal.
Getting there from main campus: 27 min walk, 16 min bus to Camden Town, or 15 min tube (northern line to Camden Town)
South Bank - Anam (Postgraduate Officer)
South Bank is a riverside area located by the Thames near Waterloo, and is the perfect area to see London's key landmarks, such as the London Eye, the National Theatre, Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. The Southbank centre is also home to a busy food market, an ideal place to grab lunch while you are exploring the area.
Getting there from main campus: 22 mins by tube (northern line to Waterloo)
Our Top Tips for Exploring London
Travelling around London
London's public transport network makes it easy to explore every corner of the city. We recommend downloading apps such as Citymapper or TfL Go to help plan journeys, check live travel updates and find the quickest routes.
You can reduce travel costs with an 18+ Student Oyster photocard, while Railcards can provide additional discounts on eligible journeys. You can also use a contactless bank card or mobile payment device on buses, the Tube, Overground and most National Rail services across London.
Exploring London beyond public transport
While public transport is great, some of the best parts of London are discovered on foot or by bike. Walking allows you to explore neighbourhoods at your own pace, while Santander Cycles offer an affordable way to travel between different areas and uncover parts of the city you might otherwise miss.
Planning to use Santander cycles regularly? TFL offer 25% off on their monthly and annual passes for students. Find out more information here.
Using Photo ID
You may be asked for photo ID in a variety of situations, including collecting parcels and entering some venues. Rather than carrying your passport around every day, we recommend using a driving licence or another recognised form of photo ID where possible. This helps keep important documents safe while still ensuring you have identification when you need it. If your main form of ID is your passport, we would recommend getting a CitizenCard for day to day use, which is a widely recognised alternate form of ID.
FAQs
- The event has sold out and I don’t have a ticket, what can I do?
- You can register your interest for an event beforehand on the event page, which will then notify you when tickets become available.
- I am suddenly unable to attend an event, what should I do?
- To cancel your ticket, please go to the event page and click the 'Cancel ticket and order' button. This will allow the ticket to be released to other students who would like to attend the event. If you know you are unable to attend an event, please cancel your ticket to allow other students to book a ticket.
- Are non-UCL attendees allowed?
- Non-UCL students are not allowed to attend Discover London events.
- I am having trouble logging in/IT issues, what can I do to fix this?
- Please email [email protected] detailing the IT issue, and we can let you know what the best next steps are.
- Is it okay to come to an event alone?
- Yes it's absolutely okay! Our events are designed to give you the opportunity to get to know other attendees, particularly during the speed-friending session that happens at the beginning of our events.