Gay London: our complete travel guide for LGBTQ travelers

With the best DJs on the Soho scene, combined with the cutest bar staff in London, time spent in Circa Soho is the perfect intro to gay British nightlife. Whilst the bar is generally quiet during weekdays, which makes it a cozy and relaxed spot to nab a drink and enjoy a chinwag with locals, it transforms into a “party-crazed” pit on weekends.

Fridays are by far the most popular night. This is when the big chart hits get played, whilst Saturdays are house-only nights, featuring a mix of both underground and new age hits from the genre.

On Sundays, they host a much-needed brunch. For £20, you get delicious brunch food, 1-hour bottomless prosecco or mimosas, and are treated to a fantastic drag show. It may be an early-closer, but staff hand out wristbands for you to get into their sister club in Embankment, so you can keep dancing!

Ku Bar has been enjoying a steady incline in popularity over the last few years. The GAY bar better watch out, as Ku’s coming for its crown… This bar is all about celebrating the here and now, which is why it mostly plays current pop hits and floor-fillers. After all, a throwback tune is always fun, but the hits today are equally as bop worthy. It's part of a group of independent venues, which also includes the Ku Klub, The Light Lounge, Little Ku & She Soho.

During the week, there are drag shows and other events happening in the lounge. On Wednesdays, Vicki Vivacious hosts a cabaret show. Whilst in She Soho, drag artists Adam and Apple (aren’t they the most genius drag names ever?) host a karaoke night.

During the dark ages of the AIDs epidemic in the 80s/90s, Comptons gay bar served as a comforting refuge for gay men across London. It was a nonjudgmental place where queer people could gather, away from the crushingly discriminatory society that plagued Britain at the time.

Today, it still holds onto its welcoming charm, but it’s less of a hideaway. In fact, it’s impossible to miss. It’s famous for the groups of LGBTQ folk who congregate around the front of the venue, singing pop songs and drinking from beer cups.

It was built inside a 200-year-old, Swiss-style hotel, which makes it look way more regal than it is. It’s every bit as “naughty” as the other gay bars on this list. Drag queen DJs, drink deals, and feel-good pop hits, there’s simply nothing better.

The Village is one of the OGs spots on the SoHo scene. It’s both a gay bar and a club, depending on what time you go. In the early evening, there’s no better place to grab a drink and meet with friends. Every day, they have Happy Hour between 4 and 9pm, where selected drinks are 50% off.

On Wednesdays, they host karaoke nights, which we regularly partake in – you know we never turn down the chance to show off our *ahem* stunning vocals! As the night approaches, the bar slowly transforms into its party-centric self, with loud, pumping music, fizzy drinks, and hot exotic dancers.

It’s like watching Batman take his mask off, as friendly chatter gets tucked away, and people start getting turnt up on the dancefloor. And that’s not the only thing that gets tucked away, as this is when the drag artists come out to start their shows or DJ sets.

So chic, so glam, so fab! That’s the Rupert Street experience. Though it did give us more lounge bar than pub vibes, with its hanging disco balls, sleek wooden floors, and sparkling bar area. Staff were super friendly and offered great suggestions on the best cocktails.

The bar’s ethos of welcoming everyone regardless of age, shape, size, or background, creates an atmosphere where everyone can feel like their best and authentic self. They have drag nights on Thursdays, disco and house club nights on Fridays, and the iconic Tasty Tim DJ set on Saturdays. And between Thursday and Sunday, 12pm – 8pm, they whip up a fantastic deal of 2 cocktails for £12.

During the week, there is no better spot for a quiet drink with friends or a post-work gossip with colleagues than at the Welly. And on the weekend? Strap on those heels and get onto the dancefloor for a gay night of feelgood dance pop and crazy drag shenanigans. If you’re feeling lucky, stop by on Tuesday for bingo night with Busy Lady and on Wednesday, break out those thinking caps for a pub quiz with Lola Lasagna.

The bar is always super busy, but it never feels overcrowded. Staff are extremely welcoming and have a talent for remembering their patrons! Imagine our blushes when the handsome, Scottish barman knew us by name, despite us not having been in the bar in two months!

Fed up with tiny pub rooms and noisy crowds? Sometimes it’s nice to get out into the open-air, which is why we love The Yard Bar. Found in a hideaway spot along Rupert Street, this is a beautiful courtyard gay bar, where you can enjoy a nice drink away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

We know what you may be thinking… drinking outside… in rainy, cold London? We can assure you the garden is heated, so it is very comfortable to hang out in. There is also some indoor seating, which has a rustic, cabin-in-the-woods vibe.

The yard is decorated with cozy couches, trees lit up with fairy lights, Chinese lanterns, and marble statues, which give it a lovely ambiance. You can also book a table for larger groups and parties.

This is the oldest gay bar in SoHo (well, depending on who you ask…) It’s been serving its local queer community for over 40 years – and it is still going strong. It’s very popular with the local bear population – we felt like two otters dropped in the middle of a Canadian forest!

Its interior gives us typical, English countryside pub vibes. With its dark-paneled bar, older clientele, and dim lighting, it feels just like your hometown local except a lot gayer!

There is an upstairs and downstairs section, with the upper floor being much quieter, if you’re looking for a more chilled evening. Downstairs, there are always events including their midweek pub quiz, drag karaoke, or a DJ playing their set. There is never a dull night at the Kings Arms.

We love ARCH Bar. Unlike the other gay bars in this list, ARCH is not in Soho but in Clapham, an area of London that has a large LGBTQ population. During the day, ARCH is a cool place to get a bite to eat and catch up with friends over a few drinks. Pick the right season and you can also time this to coincide with Watch parties of the latest Ru Paul's Drag Race episode. By night, the bar transforms into a thumping party dance area that goes on into the early hours.

ARCH bar also hosts really cool events: if for example, a very famous drag queen is in town – Pangina Heels, Jimbo, Baga Chipz (to name a few previous ones), they will perform here and host a Meet-and-Greet afterward.

Nieko Strobel is the super cute manager/owner behind ARCH bar who we absolutely adore. After a decade of managing Ku Bar, he moved south to set up this uber-cool gay bar in London.

You haven’t lived until you’ve been to Heaven. Undoubtedly one of the most famous clubs in Britain and one of the biggest gay clubs in the world! There isn’t a British gay boy who hasn’t been to Heaven – though Bible-thumping, Conservative Christians may disagree. Officially part of the large GAY enterprise, Heaven is a massive club, consisting of two dance floors, three smaller rooms, and four bar areas.

It features a giant stage that has hosted insanely famous musical artists. Everyone from Kylie Minogue to Madonna, Lady Gaga to Cher, and Adele to Jessie J, they’ve all performed here. Plus, a rake of Drag Race queens.

The only drawback is that it gets extremely busy, especially on weekends, and there is always a ginormous queue to battle through. But once you’re in, you’re in (!!!) and guaranteed for an unforgettable experience. You can usually get in cheaply, especially if you collect a flyer from the GAY bar on Old Compton Street.

Welcome to the beefiest club night in London! That's Roast's claim to fame and they're not talking about a roast dinner…but the sexiest party night for all men on any part of the LGBTQ spectrum, particularly bears, cubs, chubs, chasers and muscle bears. Be warned though, these parties are super-popular and tickets are often snapped up so fast it will make your head spin. Get on the mailing list to ensure you don't miss out on the next epic Roast night.

Loud music. Hot bar staff. Epic lighting effects. It’s all to be expected on a night at Circa. As the youngest queer nightclub in Central London, Circa has already developed icon status in the city. They have several rotating DJs, some of whom are world-renowned, like Adam Turner who has remixed tracks of Robbie Williams, Olly Murs, and Years & Years.

There are often live performances from drag artists and rising R&B talent. House nights are by far the most popular, taking place every Saturday. Picture euphoric beats and pounding melodies playing until the wee hours, whilst you party alongside the London gay community. We could barely walk home after dancing so hard.

Merging club with theater, Two Brewers is one of the only places you will find performances seven nights a week, all-year round. Known for its drag nights, cabaret extravaganzas, bingo, and lip-sync competitions, we’ve always had a magical experience whilst visiting.

Drag artist legends such as Danny Beard, Mrs. Moore, Poppycock, and Mary Mac regularly perform there. Comedian Skyler Gentry puts on one of the filthiest performances we’ve ever watched (and we’ve seen what happens at the cruising clubs in gay Berlin…).

We also went for a Drag Race viewing party – which was one of the most fun nights we’ve ever had. Cheering on our favorite queens, laughing at every shady comment, booing at Michelle Visage’s critiques, is that how straight people feel watching a football match?

Beyond takes place inside a massive clubbing venue in Vauxhall called Fire. They host a different party/theme each weekend, so there is always something new and exciting happening. Whether it’s the Summer Sessions, Beyond Heat, or Beyond Mad Men, it’s always naughty, hot, and fun. They are famous for their late nights. In fact, all the gays go here once they finish up at a previous club/bar.

Crowds at Beyond always notice a huge surge of gay guys stampeding in after the other clubs close, all eager to keep the night alive. And who could blame them? Beyond is full of hot men with chiseled torsos and abs so hard you could grate cheese off them.

The club often welcomes international DJs, which combined with the quality sound system and lighting effects, makes for an other-worldly atmosphere.

BRÜT club is London’s most intense gay party. A male-only club night featuring heavy dance music, and strobe lighting that lasts until 6 am. Especially popular with the bear gay population of London, BRÜT is all about celebrating men of all shapes and sizes, from the muscle gays to the preppy guys to the leather daddies.

It’s all a go at BRÜT! Staff is always welcoming and unafraid to have fun with their patrons. And they whip up a stiff drink that helps gets you buzzed for the night. It takes place roughly once a month, with a different theme each time. Halloween time is when all clubgoers are encouraged to rock out their best costume.

Ahh Hampstead Heath… an idyllic park filled with rolling hills, wild plants, lush trees, and murky ponds. And if you look closely enough, you may spot a couple of men dipping in and out of the bushes… we wonder what they may be up to, hmmmm?

There are two main gay cruising areas. The first is by the male-only Highgate Bathing Ponds on the east section of the Heath, particularly in the summer months. The second, and the most famous (thanks to George Michael!) is on the west side of the Heath just behind the former Jack Straws Castle pub on North End Way (located just up the hill from Hampstead Tube station).

Clapham Common is a wonderful park, full of open green space for people to exercise, enjoy an evening stroll…. or grab a quickie in the bushes. Whatever your prerogative is, we won’t judge!

The gay cruising area of Clapham Common can be found amongst the dense bushes and woodland area on the west side of the Common near the South Circular Road.

Above the Stag is the only theater in the UK that exclusively showcases queer work. Its name comes from the days when it was found over The Stag pub in the Victoria borough of London. Today, it can be found in the thriving Vauxhall area and produces exceptional LGBTQ dramas all year round.

From theatrical debuts of up-and-coming playwrights, revivals of old faves, cabarets, or dramatic readings, their line-up is jampacked with massively entertaining events. The owners of the theater have talked about their desire to create a space that will always feel safe for everyone.

In the past, they’ve run Eurovision nights, where musical guests perform their favorite hits from the world’s campest song contest. As well as dramas that explore the nuances of gay relationships and gender identity.

As one of the oldest theaters in London, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern has quite the image to uphold. And it does so flawlessly! It’s where gay men and women would meet in secret before the legislation of homosexuality in the UK. It’s where Paul O’Grady kicked off his career, becoming the legendary drag artist Lily Savage.

And it’s even rumored that Freddie Mercury snuck in Princess Diana in drag during the 1990s. You can’t get any more iconic than that. Today, the Royal Vauxhall prides itself on being a place where queer people, trans folk, and people of color can feel celebrated.

And their frequent collaborations with the Cocoa Butter Club have helped to showcase and celebrate performers of color. Their event line-up always features an eclectic mix of panto, live music, musicals, stand-up comedy, and dance performances. Artists that have taken to the stage include Bucks Fizz, Belinda Carlisle, S Club 7, and Liberty X.

Part bar, part club, part performance venue. Is there anything The Glory can’t do? London-famous drag stars Jonny Woo and John Sizzle, and party-fanatic Colin Rothbart lead a staff made up of creative East London artists. They run shows most evenings, which could be anything from a drag show to a comedy stand-up to cabaret.

Sink The Pink, Mariah & Friends, and Little Gay Brother have all performed here. Then at weekends, once the show has wrapped up, the venue transforms into a disco. There is a bar area as well, which is a little more laidback. This is free to enter before 10pm. It’s the perfect spot for those who love theater and dancing. What could be better than seeing an incredible queer performance and then going for a boogie?

Having always dreamed of bringing back pub theater, like they had in Shakespearean times, Dan Crawford opened the doors of the King’s Head in 1970. The pub itself is charming, with an old-English countryside vibe, filled with rickety chairs and stools, and a Victorian-esque roaring fire.

You can book a dinner and drinks package alongside your show tickets. Several shows have made their debut here before going on to the West End. It’s where Hugh Grant was introduced to the world. Other stars like Joanna Lumley, Maureen Lipman, and Steven Berkoff have also starred in productions here. King’s Head regularly features and champions plays and musicals about the LGBTQ experience.

Recent performances have included Cabaret Tropicana, an exploration of queer and gender identity, but with a blend of comedy and 1980s music.

1 bar. 3 stages. Six shows a day. 2000 performances a year. Audiences arrived from all over the world. The Devil works hard, but the crew at the Soho Theatre works harder. The Soho Theatre Upstairs is an intimate space where avant-garde, experimental work gets displayed.

Catch some cabaret/draggy performances in the Soho Theatre Downstairs that echoes the underground theater scene in Berlin and New York. And then there is the main stage, where sensational new theater gets displayed. You can catch an opera, comedy special, or musical here.

We love visiting here as they are all about championing new works, giving upcoming writers and performers their debut, and are unafraid to try new things. Some of the wackiest stuff we’ve seen on stage was here, but also some of the most moving. Shows often have previews here before heading onto bigger venues or festivals, like the Edinburgh Fringe.

The unglamorous side of seeing the world is that we spend a LOT of time sitting on planes, trains, and buses. So, to prevent boredom, there is nothing better than delving into a good book. And if that book is GAY, even better.

Every time we come back to London, we make it our top priority to top up our LGBTQ book collection by visiting Gays' the Word. It is the UK’s oldest queer bookshop, having sold books since 1979. Their ginormous collection features fiction, non-fiction, short stories, graphic novels, poetry, dramas, and photography books.

You’ll find every subsection of queer representation here, from bisexuality to asexuality, stories on people who are intersex, biographies by LGBTQ celebrities, and queer favorites, like the Heartstopper books. We could spend hours upon hours here simply browsing. And on the outside leading up to the shop front, there is a crosswalk painted in the trans flag colors (blue and pink).

You’re going to want to do more than prowl after a visit to this shop… Prowler is the largest adult gay shop in the UK, so we had mega high expectations. Well, we were bowled over from the moment we walked in, both from the sight of so many toys and the smell of scented lube.

Shelves filled with cock rings, plugs, simulators, sprays, and lubricants… and we only just stepped over the threshold. Move further in and you’ll find harnesses, whips, masks (nope, we don’t mean the PVC kind!), and toys of the vibrating nature. Just about everything you could need for a party, right? F

or more in depth shopping, check out Prowler Red just down the road which specializes in restraint equipment, f3tish wear, toys, and stimulators.

It’s an old favorite on London’s gay scene for a reason. Having been around since 1982, Clone Zone has built up a strong and loyal customer base. Their mantra is that everyone deserves a happy and healthy love life.

They sell a mix of toys, rubber wear, and merchandise. Whether you are looking for a stock up on lube or rubbers, or in need of a total revamp of your sexy-time wardrobe, Clone Zone have your back (and your front).

There is nothing you won’t find at REGULATION. They provide a wide range of items for those who enjoy a little bit of pain when it comes down to getting dirty. Items like pins and needles, clamps, ball restraints, hot wax, and whips – it’s all here.

They also provide tons of special wear, with rubber outfits, headgear, and hot underwear. They say you shouldn’t go shopping when you’re hungry. Well, it’s the same for shopping when you’re…

Gretchen Wieners (from the movie Mean Girls) would be so thrilled to learn that her signature phrase has finally caught on. FETCH can be found in the ultra-gay area of Clapham, providing a wide selection of gear, toys, underwear, lube, and more.

It is a go-to place for f3tish fanatics in London. Not only do they ship worldwide, but they offer click and collect, which enables customers to purchase their items online and pick them up from the shop within 30 minutes. They also do same day delivery for those who live in London or next day delivery for anyone further out.

Only Boys Allowed – SweatBox is an all-male gym and sauna for guys to hang out, work-up a sweat, and get to know one another. It is open 24/7 and is one of the most popular gay hangout spots in all of London. There is a 30-man jacuzzi, three steam rooms that are connected through a maze, a Turkish-style hot room, and a massive café/bar.

Don’t be shy about getting undressed here. In the gym, guys often wear nothing but their shorts (and even they leave little to the imagination). And it all comes off in the steam room and sauna areas.

They also have an open shower room so you can frolic about with other guys under splashing hot water. On Sundays, they have nude workouts from 2-4pm, with a special host each week leading the class. As those at SweatBox like to say – “get buff in the buff!”

The key thing to note about the Pleasuredrome is that it is open 24/7 – so no matter when you feel like working up a sweat, you can come (read that as filthy as you like). Located around the corner from Waterloo Station, general admission is £20, and for those lucky enough to be under 30, entry is £12.

Guests can take full advantage of the sweltering sauna. They can book a private room for 2 hours for £4, should they take fancy to another guy and want some alone time. You can also book a 50-minute, full-body massage for £50. Sublime!

Looking for some hot fun? Or an exciting adventure? The Locker Room is a sauna with a steam room, playrooms, and private cabins. If you go here, you are guaranteed some action. They constantly have events on, so you’re almost always guaranteed a special experience whenever you visit.

On the 1^st Thursday, 3^rd Wednesday, and last Saturday of every month, there are 100% nude parties. Yep, “no clothes, no attitude” as they say. There’s nothing more liberating than going au naturel in a room full of other guys in the buff. Especially when everyone is super kind and judgment free.

No matter what you look like, you will be celebrated. Every Tuesday is Bears Night, for guys who have and appreciate men with tons of body hair. And looking for an older man? Once a month, they host a Lads for Dads meetup, for younger men who are into older guys.

For gay restaurants in London, Balans is THE place to go. There are two, a bigger one and a small-ish one. The bigger one can be found opposite the Comptons bar. It is known for its campy atmosphere, eclectic food and extensive drinks menu. No.60 opened in the mid-1990s, during the Recession, when no one else wanted to rent out the space.

Coming off the back of their ‘sandwich bar turned rave hall’ venue at No. 34, the owners wanted to up the ante by staying open even later and introducing wackier items onto the menu. Breakfast gets served until 5pm (our favorite being the French toast) and their dinner menu is available until they close! They even have an extensive vegan menu, full of scrumptious, veggie goodness.

Does size really matter when it comes to eating out? And by that we mean at restaurants… Balans No. 34 is smaller than No. 60, but it still has an abundance of charm and a marvelously delicious menu. The restaurant’s history is utterly fascinating. Having begun as a simple sandwich bar that was so basic it took them 6 months to afford an Espresso machine, Balans found its niche audience within the queer community.

When the café started staying open late, whipping up 55p coffees for when the surrounding clubs closed, it became busier than a Pride float giving out free poppers. No.34 all-day menu (and by that, we mean ALL DAY) features their iconic pancakes, French toast, delicious burgers, Thai curries, and chicken enchiladas. Hey, if it’s good enough for LADY freaking GAGA to stop by at 2am, then it is certainly good enough for us!

Whilst The Old Compton Brasserie isn’t officially gay, it is in the heart of London’s gay scene – so we think that counts. It is every bit as vibrant and as fabulous as the surrounding restaurants and bars with exceptional wait staff, who make visitors feel fully welcomed and like part of the family. Their menu is forever being updated to keep things feeling fresh, new, and exciting.

Open all day, you can go for brunch, a weekend lunch, or dinner. They also have a ton of veggie and vegan options. We enjoyed the exquisite beetroot cured salmon for starters, sirloin steak for mains, and Belgian chocolate truffle cake for dessert. Now that’s living! And whilst we came for the food, we stayed for the cocktails. Their extensive drinks menu is full of delicious drinks like Espresso martinis, Manhattans, cosmos, and more.

Not technically gay nor a restaurant, but as one of the best foodie spots in London, we simply couldn’t leave Borough Market off our list. The market is rumored to have existed since 1014 – but the present buildings were constructed in the mid-1800s.

There are over 100 stalls, featuring every type of cuisine you could imagine. Whether you are feeling peckish and in need of some finger food, wanting to indulge your sweet tooth at the confectionary stand, or wanting a full meal, you’ll find the perfect choice here. We visited on empty stomachs and were barely able to walk by the end. If you think you can simply wander around, you are sorely mistaken.

The sounds of sizzling meat, the chopping of vegetables, the frothing soups, the concoction of smells and flavors wafting through the air – it’s too tempting! And be sure to check out their website for upcoming events, such as cooking demonstrations and masterclasses by world-class chefs.

If you're looking for some good Italian food then you can't skip the proudly gay-owned Forty Dean Street restaurant in the heart of Soho! Inspired by traditional restaurants in Italy, this is a very affordable spot to dine on scrumptious classic and contemporary Italian dishes. While Forty Dean Street has been around for 15 years, owner Nima Safei has also recently opened a sibling restaurant around the corner at 64 Old Compton Street as well.

Forty Dean Street has always been very popular, and often so busy that they had to turn customers away, so this cool new restaurant offers the same affordable Italian cuisine in a very groovy space – that's designed to look like New York's famous nightclub Studio 54!

Whichever location you choose to eat at (and if one is full you can always walk around the corner to the other) you will be dining in a lovely queer friendly space and as a bonus, it's also welcoming to well-behaved dogs! So, you might also get to see cute pups with your meal (which we definitely call a win).

You can’t think of London without thinking of Big Ben. It isn’t just an iconic symbol of London, it is THE iconic symbol of London. Having recently undergone renovations, it is now more stunning than ever. And the hourly BING BANG BONGS that echo from the tower will keep you right on time for whatever activities you have planned around the city.

You should also pop into Westminster Palace, where the British Parliament meets. Visitors can visit for free during weekdays to watch Parliament in session from the viewing gallery above. And if you thought the Drag Race arguments were juicy, wait until you get a load of the politicians having a go at one another on a Wednesday at Prime Minister’s Questions. Debates often get feisty!

800 times a year, Tower Bridge famously opens to allow large ships to sail through. It forces traffic to come grinding to a halt (although that didn’t stop the Spice Girls Bus from flying over the gap when they were racing to perform at Albert Hall!).

There is an adjoining exhibition that explores what the bridge is used for, and the mechanics involved in operating it. Right next to Tower Bridge is the Tower of London. This is an historic building, home to the Crown Jewels, where you can meet the majestic (albeit a bit creepy) guardian ravens, who are trained to keep watch over the castle, and learn about the centuries of torture that took place at the Bridge.

The West End is London’s famous theatreland, comparable to Broadway in New York (but tickets are a fraction of the price!) It’s mainly based along Shaftesbury Avenue (the main road that runs along the southern edge of the Soho gay area) and around Leicester Square/Covent Garden.

We love catching a show and I always surprise Seby for his Christmas present by taking him to the latest gay musical in London. If musicals aren’t your thing, there are always plays on.

There’s the hilariously ridiculous The Play That Goes Wrong, full of slapstick humor and incredible physical comedy. Recently the gorgeous Jonathan Bailey and Taron Egerton stared in COCK, about a married gay couple struggling to keep their relationship afloat.

This is the area that starts at the southern end of Westminster Bridge and has some of the capital’s biggest theaters – The Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the National Theater. It’s our favorite part of London. You can’t help but get goosebumps as you take in the iconic city skyline. There’s always a vibe here whether it’s a festival, themed markets, outdoor events, or fun street artists sauntering about.

The walk along here by the riverside on a sunny day is probably the most glorious way to take in the capital – starting from Westminster bridge, passing the London Eye, and heading all the way to the Tate Modern Museum, Tower Bridge, and the Shard. If you’re looking for a chill or free way to spend an afternoon, this is the way to do it.

Trafalgar Square is a gorgeous plaza that has played a pivotal role in British history. It is the sight of several key moments from London’s past, such as Bloody Sunday in 1887 where a clash between police and protestors resulted in bloodshed. Today, it is home to a statue of Nelson’s Column, which stands proudly overlooking the square flanked by powerful lions.

There’s also a permanent quirky art installation on display at the northwestern side of the Square. Just south of Trafalgar Square is Whitehall – the road that leads to Parliament/Big Ben.

Along the road are several monuments commemorating royal family members, former government leaders, and military men. You’ll also find 10 Downing Street nearby where the sitting Prime Minister’s office is. Make sure you give Larry the Cat a pat on the head if you spot him.

London is a phenomenal place for museums. Whether you are a history nerd, a fashion fanatic, an animal lover, a radical queer/feminist, or interested in literature, military, or royalty, there is a museum for you. As well as being impressive buildings to admire, most of them are free.

The best ones we recommend checking out are the British Museum in Bloomsbury, the National Portrait Gallery just north of Trafalgar, Tate Britain in Pimlico, Tate Modern in Southwark, and then the famous trio in South Kensington – the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Other fascinating museums worth visiting include the Freud Museum in Hampstead, the museum of Branding and Advertisement in Notting Hill, the Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey, and the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth.

Who is Banksy? The question has been on the lips of every art fan since the 1990s. Who knows… maybe it’s yours truly, the Nomadic Boys! Wouldn’t that be a gag? They have become such a popular figure that a whole street has been named after them – despite no one knowing their true identity.

Leake Street, aka the Banksy Tunnel, is a 300m long street where graffiti art is not only allowed but encouraged! We grabbed a few spray cans and created our very own Nomadic Boys graffiti there! Can you spot it? (It's been a while so likely washed away by now…)

Located in King's Cross, Coal Drops Yard is a very trendy new part of the city that has arisen following the big refurbishment of King's Cross. It’s located right by the Canal and popular with designers. The train exit from St Pancras station has a pretty rainbow Light Tunnel worth looking out for to get the best Insta background pics.

Another significant spot to check out in Coal Drops Yard is the Queer Britain Museum. This museum was opened in 2022 by Joseph Galliano-Doig, a former editor of Gay Times, and Ian Mehrtens. Set across two floors, the museum is dedicated to the evolution of LGBTQ rights in the UK.

Exhibitions explore the multiple ways queer folk have impacted culture, shifting them from the “margins of the history books” and into the spotlight.