Thursday, it’s nearly the weekend but not quite. However, if you have a spare Thursday to explore London then it will certainly feel like a weekend except you don’t have to deal with those busy weekend crowds so it’s a win-win. If you’re looking for things to do on a Thursday in London then we’ve put together the ideal list of suggestions.
Thursdays in London can be known for the after-work drinks night since not many come into the office on Friday anymore so it’s the day for more livelier nightlife compared to other weekdays. The daytimes are definitely more chilled than a Saturday or Sunday so you will likely be able to gain entry into more places without having to book ahead or wait in classic British queues.
Here are 9 things to do in London on Thursday that will get you ready for the weekend.
1. Morning coffee at Borough Market
Start your day with a sensory explosion and get your caffeine high at Borough Market. This is one of the best spots in London for a foodie to roam. On Thursdays, the market comes alive with stalls offering everything from artisan cheeses to freshly baked pastries so there are plenty of good breakfast options here. Get your lips around a good brew then walk through the market stalls. Remember, it’s closed on a Monday so avoid it then.
2. Stroll along the Thames River
Take a leisurely walk along the Thames River at this point you would be near the Southbank area. But for the best sights try to get down to the Westminster area as you will see so many sights in a short distance such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, and the winding Thames River itself with good skyline views.
There’s so much to see here, the bridge itself is often really busy so avoid walking across here if you want to steer clear of crowds as this is probably the busiest area in London. Otherwise, It’s a perfect way to see the best of London in one small area.
3. Explore the Natural History Museum
The Kensington area has a good number of museums but the Natural History Museum is one of the best in London. Come face to face with huge dinosaurs in this gorgeous museum Be aware that it is currently London’s most visited attraction. The entrance hall is dominated by the suspended skeleton of Hope the Whale. It’s dedicated to the variety of planet earth, with exhibits on dinosaurs, earthquakes, venomous insects and other crazy parts of nature.
4. Take a trip up The Sky Garden or The Shard
Elevate your Thursday with a stunning observation deck view of London. With the Sky Garden you need to hope a slot is available so you can go in. That’s not always the case. Thursday offers a better chance than a weekend to get in. You can try a walk-in but there’s a chance you may not get access. The best thing about the Sky Garden though, is it’s free!
If you don’t secure a spot at the Sky Garden then you should pay for The Shard to see a high observation point in London. This is smaller up top but is the highest viewpoint. It has a bar and 2 floors of observation deck so it is impressive but you can read more when we compare both London viewing points.
5. Ballie Ballerson playground
Go back to your childhood and visit the ultimate playground for big kids looking to do something a little different on a Thursday. This East London gem offers an afternoon of frolicking in their giant ball pit, not to mention their retro sweet cocktails, bottomless pizza and pop anthems.
6. Catch a West End Show
Turn Thursday into a weekend feeling by catching a matinee or evening show in London’s West End. From famous musicals to classic plays, there’s always something happening in London theatres on a Thursday as a lot of the theatres are closed on a Sunday.
7. Thursday late-Night Shopping
You can’t deny that London is one of the best cities in the world for shopping. And Thursday is the day when the big shops stay open a few extra hours to allow some post-work, and post-dinner, shopping. Oxford Street stays open late as well as others such as Harrods and Hamley’s so you can go shopping right through until 10 pm.
8. Comedy on a Thursday in London
If you’re up for a laugh then there’s some good comedy options going on a Thursday.
- Trapeze bar in Shoreditch has a good comedy night on Thursday’s, which are pretty cheap at around £7
- The king of comedy venues is Soho Theatre and is also a busy bar so there’s always an act here to see.
- Soho Theatre is a great shout for comedy on a Thursday and most nights really.
- Big Belly Club in Vauxhall always has reliably good comedy nights on this day
- Camden Comedy Club puts on some good acts on Thursday’s located at the Camden Head pub in Camden Town.
9. Live music on a Thursday in London
There are plenty of live music options on a Thursday in London here’s a few gems to be found;
- Soho jazz joint Ronnie Scott’s usually has shows on each floor of its venue in and around the weekend.
- The Dublin Castle in Camden is a good spot for some rock and Britpop on a Thursday
- There’s more jazz to be had at Plaquemine Lock.
- The Social in Fitzrovia offers some good live nights and is a bit more underground
- Nightjar in Shoreditch has some cool Jazz vibes on a Thursday
- The Troubadour is a long-standing bar in Earl’s Court that’s seen Jimi Hendrix, Elton John and Bob Dylan grace its stage.
- Jack Solomon’s Club in Soho has a more eclectic mix from Weds to Sundays
There you have it, that is plenty of ideas for things to do in London on a Thursday. Start off a long weekend with some chilled sightseeing, top notch culture or some of good old live entertainment in one of the world’s liveliest cities.