What to do at your Summer London reunion
Samuel Johnson famously once said that ‘When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life’. So, if you’re holding an alumni reunion in London, it might be difficult to decide on what to do when there are so many options!
Whether you studied at our fantastic London campus, or moved to London after completing your studies, we hope you enjoy meeting up with other alumni. In this blog we cover both free and low cost meet ups, and some more expensive options if you’re looking for some of the glitz of the capital.
Free and low cost
Picnic in the park
London is home to numerous parks and green spaces, so there’s bound to be that suits you! Pack a picnic, or buy a tasty meal deal, and enjoy the sunshine. This is the perfect way to create a low cost reunion, without worrying about prebooking a table. In June, The Standard compiled a list of the best parks in London for a picnic, including lesser known spots like Horniman Museum park.
We’d recommend double checking the weather before setting out – no one wants a soggy sandwich!
Visit a museum or art gallery
If rain is forecast, exploring one of the Capital’s galleries or museums is a great way to spend your day. If you’re visiting London with friends or family who’ve never been before, visiting a gallery or museum is also a great way to tick off some of the ‘must see’ sights.
You can find a list of 33 free, or low cost museums to visit on the Secret London website. Their list includes more quirky museums like Dennis Severs’ House and the Postal Museum. Visit London has also compiled a handy list of their 17 best art galleries.
Enjoy an open top tour
London is known for its iconic red buses.But London’s tourist buses are also a great way to see the city. Open top tour buses usually run a specific loop and offer all day tickets so you can get off at different stops. Many also include an audio tour and give you great views of some of London’s landmarks. Depending on your budget, bus tours can include anything from a live guide and afternoon tea, to just the basics. Visit London has a full list of their recommended options on their website, including London by night and ghost tours.
Glitz and glam options
Like most big cities, London caters to every budget. If you’re looking to do something a little different during your reunion, and you’ve got a bigger budget, here are a few fancier options!
Dinner and a show
If you’re visiting London for more than one day, why not catch up over food before heading to go see a show together? If you’ve ever wanted to see a specific show, musical, play or performance, you’ll probably find it in London. Many theatres also offer matinee performances if you’d rather do something different with your evening.
We asked some of our Alumni team for their recommendations for what they’d go see in London, and they didn’t disappoint!
- Jess, our Alumni Communications Projects Officer, would recommend Les Miserables as a classic, must see musical performance
- Sally, our Fundraising Projects Officer, would suggest Hamilton for a mix of great music, good storytelling and a dash of American history
- Louise, our Fundraising and Alumni Relationships Manager would suggest Wicked after being wowed when she watched it earlier this year
You can see what’s on in London on the London box office website.
Indulge in an afternoon tea
If York is known for Betty’s, then London is known for afternoon tea at The Ritz. But just like anywhere else, afternoon tea comes in all shapes, sizes and price points. Although not an everyday treat, if you’re meeting up for a special reunion, an afternoon tea might be the perfect way to catch up, no matter the weather!
Time Out recently created a comprehensive list of the best afternoon tea options in London including those inspired by art, dinosaurs and more!
See the city from above
See London from above the skyline by taking a cable car, enjoying the London eye or even walking across the O2 arena roof!
- Find out more about the London Eye on their website
- Discover London’s Cloud Cable car, letting you enjoy London 90 metres above the river Thames
- Climb over the roof of the O2 arena for a unique view of the city, and the chance to see our London campus from a new perspective
No matter how you decide to reconnect with alumni, we’d love to hear all about it! If you’re still planning your reunion, make sure to check our useful guide to help you consider your day.
