Exploring King's Cross, Pub Crawls, ABBA Voyage, and Hampstead Heath - Your Ultimate London Day

Welcome to “Things to Do in London” for Thursday, July 31, 2025! Whether you’re a seasoned Londoner or a first-time visitor, I’m thrilled to help you make the most of this vibrant summer day in one of the world’s greatest cities.

This morning, the city wakes with a gentle summer breeze and mild temperatures in the low 20s Celsius—perfect for exploring without the heaviness of the July heatwave. London’s air quality is generally good today, with only minor pollen warnings, making it comfortable for outdoor adventures and family activities. The city’s energy is high thanks to the ongoing summer school holidays and a calendar packed with diverse events[7].

Let’s dive into today’s highlights:
- Take a midday **guided walk through King’s Cross**, tracing its transformation from industrial hub to cultural hotspot (11am-1pm). Perfect for history buffs and urban explorers alike[1].
- Prefer a tipple? This afternoon’s **Covent Garden Pub Walk** (2:30pm-4:45pm) offers a quirky journey through historic watering holes, tales of notorious locals, and a pint in a classic pub setting[1].
- Cinema lovers can head to **Leicester Square’s Prince Charles Cinema** for a special 25th-anniversary screening of “Charlie’s Angels,” with BAFTA-winning writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns as your host (6pm)[1].
- For creative spirits, Stratford’s Roof East hosts **Drink and Draw** this evening—enjoy life drawing and a cocktail or two in a lively, colourful setting (6:30pm-8:30pm)[1].
- Round out the night with the spectacular **ABBA Voyage at ABBA Arena** (7:45pm), a state-of-the-art digital concert experience that’s become a London must-see[4].
- After dark, rooftop cinema fans can catch “The Breakfast Club” at Roof East, headphones included for an immersive movie experience under the stars (9:15pm)[1].
- Not to forget, today sees the launch of a new upbeat community party at Jumbi in Peckham—expect live DJs, games, and a genuine slice of Jamaican London from 6pm[10].

On to local news: Eateries are staying fresh this summer, with new cafes and secret garden spots opening, such as a hidden café minutes from the British Museum—ideal for a tranquil escape amid the city’s hustle[5]. Public transit is reliable today, though expect some added travelers due to the BBC Proms and summer festival attendees converging on key stations[7]. London’s famed Buckingham Palace remains open for exclusive summer tours through September[7].

Looking for iconic and hidden gems? Besides Buckingham Palace and the British Museum, consider a peaceful ramble on **Hampstead Heath**, where panoramic views from Parliament Hill showcase the city at its best (plus nearby charming cafés in Hampstead and Highgate)[2]. Or, if you crave the offbeat, Wilton’s Music Hall and Covent Garden’s little-known secrets offer a more intimate adventure[3].

Local Tip: London’s best views often come free—climb Primrose Hill for a sweeping cityscape, especially spectacular at sunset. And did you know? London’s public water fountains, visible across major parks, let you refill your bottle for free—a favorite eco-friendly hack among locals.

Before you go, mark your calendar for tomorrow’s must-sees: the BBC Proms continue their world-class run at Royal Albert Hall, and the annual Buckingham Palace summer tour remains open for a deeper dive into royal life[7]. Tune in tomorrow for more handpicked adventures, city news, and insider tips to power your perfect day in London!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is your Things to Do in London podcast. Welcome
to Things to Do in London for Thursday, July thirty first,
twenty twenty five. Whether you're a season Londoner or a
first time visitor, I'm thrilled to help you make the
most of this vibrant summer day in one of the
world's greatest cities. This morning, the city wakes with a
gentle summer breeze and mild temperatures in the low twenty celsius,

(00:23):
perfect for exploring without the heaviness of the July heat wave.
London's air quality is generally good today, with only minor
pollen warnings, making it comfortable for outdoor adventures and family activities.
The city's energy is high thanks to the ongoing summer
school holidays and a calendar packed with diverse events. Let's
dive into today's highlights. Take a midday guided walk through

(00:44):
King's Cross, tracing its transformation from industrial hub to cultural
hotspot eleven a m to one pm, perfect for history
buffs and urban explorers alike. One This afternoon's Covent Garden
Pub Walk two thirty pm to four forty five pm
offers a quirky journey through historic watering holes, tales of
notorious locals and a pinton a classic pub setting. Cinema

(01:07):
lovers can head to Leicester Square's Prince Charles Cinema for
a special twenty fifth anniversary screening of Charlie's Angels with
BAFTA winning writer Christy Wilson Karns as your host. Six
pm one For Creative Spirits, Stratford's Roof East hosts Drink
and Draw this evening enjoy life, drawing and a cocktail
or two in a lively, colorful setting six thirty pm

(01:27):
to eight thirty pm. One round out the night with
the spectacular Abba Voyage at Abba Arena seven forty five pm,
a state of the art digital concert experience that's become
a London must see. Four after dark, Rooftop Cinema fans
can catch the Breakfast Club at Roof East headphones included
for an immersive movie experience under the stars nine to

(01:49):
fifteen pm. One Not to Forget Today sees the launch
of a new upbeat community party at Jumbie and Peckham.
Expect live djys, games and a genuine slice of Jamaican
London from six pm to ten Onto Local news eateries
are staying fresh this summer, with new cafes and secret
garden spots opening, such as a hidden cafe minutes from

(02:11):
the British Museum ideal for a tranquil escape amid the
city's hustle. Public transit is reliable today, though expect some
added travelers due to the BBC Proms and summer festival
attendees converging on key stations. London's famed Buckingham Palace remains
open for exclusive summer tours through September. Looking for iconic

(02:32):
and hidden gems Besides Buckingham Palace and the British Museum,
consider a peaceful ramble on Hampstead Heath, where panoramic views
from Parliament Hill showcase the city at its best. Plas
nearby charming cafes in Hampstead and Highgate two. Or if
you crave the offbeat, Walton's Music Hall and Covent Garden's
little known secrets offer a more intimate adventure. Three local

(02:55):
tip London's best views often come free. Climb Primrose Hill
for a sweep cityscape, especially spectacular at sunset. And did
you know London's public water fountains visible across major parks
let you refill your bottle for free, a favorite eco
friendly hack among locals. Before you go, mark your calendar
for tomorrow's musties. The BBC Prompts continue their world class

(03:18):
run at Royal Albert Hall, and the annual Buckingham Palace
Summer Tour remains open for a deeper dive into Royal life.
Seven tuning tomorrow for more hand picked adventures, city news
and insider tips to power your perfect day in London.