The first 7 things to do in London as an International Student
Beyond providing students with luxury serviced apartments in the city, our front of house team regularly gets asked for recommendations of what to do in and around London.
With this in mind, the team at Student Luxe have cherry-picked the 7 best things to do in London for international students during downtime away from their studies.
Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio | Tours
Located on the outskirts of London in Watford, this tour is an absolute must for Harry Potter fans and cinephiles alike. Students studying in London can easily travel up on a weekend or day off from studying without hampering their schedule - find out how to get there here.
The studio itself is packed with wizarding props, interactive games and preserved film sets to explore. Visitors will be rewarded with lots of insights into how many of the iconic film scenes were brought to life! Follow them on Instagram here.
Exploring Covent Garden | Shopping
Covent Garden is one of London’s trendiest neighbourhoods, and naturally attracts hordes of visitors year-round. Flanked by Leicester Square and Holborn, the area is home to top class restaurants, bars, shopping, museums, theatres and cultural experiences.
We recommend starting at Neal's Yard (pictured above) and exploring Seven Dials market, before grabbing a coffee at the Monmouth Coffee Company. After, venture towards the old Apple Market and grab a bite to eat at Bancone - the go-to place for authentic Italian pasta in Central London.
Other notable things to see and do in Covent Garden include: The Royal Opera House, London Transport Museum, and Secret Comedy Club.
12th Knot at Sea Containers | Nightlife
In our opinion there’s no better way to see London than with a cocktail in one’s hand. One of the city’s newest additions to the rooftop bar scene, 12th Knot has amazing views overlooking the River Thames and St Pauls Cathedral.
Expect stylish seating, cocktails celebrating seasonal ingredients, DJs and live music – all set against an unrivalled backdrop of panoramic views. Got a good score on your last exam or celebrating a friend’s birthday? Head to 12th Knot.
Borough Market | Dining
Visiting Borough Market is a right of passage for most Londoners, serving as a consistently excellent mecca for foodies. Located near London Bridge and South Bank, the market has been the centre of the city’s food trade for over 1000 years.
Give yourself enough time to browse! You’ll find a whole host of food options from international cuisines, including black truffle oil, goat burgers, world class veggie alternatives and top-grade English cheeses. Go hungry, leave stuffed - find more information here.
The London Eye | Sightseeing
Although it’s one of the more touristy things to do in London, Student Luxe believe the London Eye is still not to be missed. Prices are more competitive in comparison to viewing the city from the Shard, and the champagne experience makes for a great Saturday endeavour.
Once aboard, you’ll have a great view of the River Thames, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The London Eye pods move slow enough that you can spend a good amount of time taking pictures and still have plenty of time to just sit back and enjoy the view - preferably with a glass of bubbly!
Natural History Museum | Tours
The Natural History Museum is the crown jewel of London’s museum offerings, and is best known for its presentation of dinosaur skeletons, its wide array of specimens and its elegantly decorated architecture.
With over 80 million specimens of zoology, palaeontology, botany and geology on offer, the museum is a world-renowned centre of naturalism and conservation. To this day, the museum still contains exhibits collected by Charles Darwin himself.
If you have a few hours to spare while living in London then a trip to the museum is not to be missed - and remember, entry is completely free. More information here.
Camden Town | Sightseeing
At Student Luxe, we love Camden! One of the great things about shopping here is the endless variety of stalls, shops and pop-ups that are dotted all across the neighbourhood. If you’re a fan of antiques or comic books then coming here is an definite must in between lectures or on a day away from your laptop screen.
Camden has a unique feeling of community, acceptance and integration of all people from all walks of life. In so many ways, Camden is a great way to see a true reflection of London and how welcoming the city it is. The food court here consistently churns out delightful Indonesian, Peruvian, Malaysian, Korean, French, Venezuelan, and Turkish options - absolutely not to be missed!