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What's London like now compared to pre-Covid?
I've been seeing so many people on social media, Twitter, TikTok, Reddit, YouTube comments etc, talking about how amazing London was before 2020. It's like there's this collective nosta… Hey everyone,
I've been seeing so many people on social media, Twitter, TikTok, Reddit, YouTube comments etc, talking about how amazing London was before 2020. It's like there's this collective nostalgia for how things used to be, and honestly, I can't help but wonder what made it so special back then.
I didn't get to experience London or the UK until after the pandemic, so I feel like I missed out on this "golden era" people keep mentioning. Was it the energy? The events? The people? I'd love to know what it was about pre-Covid London that made it stand out to you.
Especially now, as we're about to enter 2025, I've been reflecting a lot on how things have changed and what makes London, even today, such a unique place to live. What do you think has shifted the most in the past few years?
If you've got any memories or stories about what life in London was like before 2020, I'd genuinely love to hear them. Looking forward to reading your replies!
i think the biggest difference is how much harder it is to just stumble into something cool. pre-covid you'd be wandering through hackney wick on a sunday and find a warehouse party or a free gallery opening just by following the noise. now everything's ticketed and booked weeks in advance, feels like you need a spreadsheet to have a spontaneous day out
honestly the biggest difference i notice is the rhythm of the city. pre-covid london had this relentless 24/7 hum, especially in zones 1-2. you could walk into a random pub in soho at 11pm on a tuesday and it'd still be buzzing with people who just "ended up there" after work. that spontaneity feels rarer now, partly cause hospitality hours got cut back and partly cause people's social batteries just changed
the other thing is how empty the tube used to feel outside rush hour. sounds mad but pre-2020 you could actually get a seat on the northern line at 6pm if you timed it right. now it's packed at all hours, feels like everyone's shifted their commute or just never really left the city centre. the energy's still there, just different, more concentrated somehow
also, and this is niche, but the food scene was wilder in terms of pop-ups and short term stuff. so many random supper clubs in dalston basements or rooftop grills in peckham that just appeared and vanished. that's still happening but the cost of rent and licensing has made it harder for the real scrappy stuff to survive. you used to find an incredible nepali momo stall in a car park in camden and it'd be gone three weeks later, that was part of the fun
yeah the nightlife thing is real but i think the bigger shift is how the office thing changed everything. pre-covid you'd have these random thursday nights where your whole team would just go to a pub near liverpool street and it'd turn into 2am karaoke somewhere. now everyone's hybrid so that "lets grab a drink after work" energy just died. people plan stuff weeks in advance instead of it happening organically
the other thing nobody mentions is how quiet the weekends got in zone 1. saturdays used to be mayhem around covent garden and
3 Days in London: Itinerary 2026
This itinerary groups attractions by neighborhood to minimize transit time. You'll cover central London highlights in three efficient days, with realistic walking and Tube times factor… 🗓️ Overview
This itinerary groups attractions by neighborhood to minimize transit time. You'll cover central London highlights in three efficient days, with realistic walking and Tube times factored in. Start each day by 9:00 AM to make the most of your visit.
🏛️ Day 1: Westminster & South Bank
Begin at Westminster Tube station (Jubilee, District, Circle lines). Visit the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben at 9:30 AM, then cross Westminster Bridge for a 10-minute walk to the London Eye (open 10:00 AM, tickets from £30). Continue along the South Bank to Tate Modern (free entry, opens 10:00 AM) and Shakespeare's Globe (tours from £17). End at Borough Market for lunch (opens 10:00 AM, closed Sundays).
👑 Day 1 Afternoon: The City
From London Bridge station, take a 15-minute walk to the Tower of London (open 9:00 AM, tickets £34.80). Spend two hours exploring, then cross Tower Bridge (free to walk across). Head to St. Paul's Cathedral (open 8:30 AM, £21 for adults) via a 20-minute walk along the Thames. Finish at Leadenhall Market for a drink or dinner.
🎭 Day 2: West End & Covent Garden
Start at Leicester Square Tube (Northern, Piccadilly lines) at 9:30 AM. Walk to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square (free, opens 10:00 AM) for a one-hour visit. Then stroll through Covent Garden Market (opens 10:00 AM) and catch a street performance. For lunch, try Dishoom Covent Garden (no reservations, expect a queue).
🛍️ Day 2 Afternoon: Shopping & Museums
Walk 10 minutes north to Oxford Street for shopping at Selfridges (opens 10:00 AM). Alternatively, visit the British Museum (free, opens 10:00 AM) via a 15-minute Tube ride from Oxford Circus to Holborn. Spend two hours there, then explore Soho's narrow streets for dinner. Book a West End show in advance (tickets from £25).
🌳 Day 3: Kensington & Hyde Park
Start at South Kensington Tube (District, Circle, Piccadilly lines) at 9:30 AM. Visit the Natural History Museum (free, opens 10:00 AM) or the Victoria and Albert Museum next door. Walk through Hyde Park (10 minutes) to Kensington Palace (open 10:00 AM, tickets £20). For lunch, head to the nearby Notting Hill for Portobello Road Market (open 9:00 AM, best on Saturdays).
🚇 Getting Around
Use an Oyster card or contactless payment for Tube and bus fares (capped at £8.50 per day for zones 1-2). Walking between central attractions often takes 10-20 minutes. Avoid the Tube during peak hours (8:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM) to save time. Download Citymapper for real-time transit directions.
💷 Budget Tips
Many major museums are free, but special exhibitions cost extra. Pre-book popular attractions like the London Eye and Tower of London online to skip queues. For meals, look for set lunch menus in Soho (around £15-20). Avoid eating in Leicester Square, where prices are inflated. A 3-day Travelcard for zones 1-2 costs £25.20.
that's a really good plan, you've got the routing down. few things from living here though. for day 1, the walk from tower bridge to st pauls along the thames is nice but if you cut through the churchyard of all hallows by the tower instead you'll see a bit of roman wall and a tiny museum that's free, takes 5 minutes tops. also borough market's mushroom risotto stand is legit but the grilled cheese place called toast at the back does a better lunch for less, no queue usually
on day 2, the national gallery is free but don't miss the room with van gogh's sunflowers on the ground floor, everyone runs upstairs and misses it. also dishoom is great but if the queue is mad, go to the basement of seven dials market and get the udon at koya, it's faster and the broth is incredible. for the west end show, tkts booth is good but if you're under 25 the national theatre has £10 tickets for some shows, you just have to queue on the day
for day 3, i'd swap kensington palace for a walk through the v&a's cast courts, they're genuinely breathtaking and free. portobello road on a saturday is a nightmare, go on a friday afternoon instead if you can, the antique stalls are still out and it's half the crowd. your budget tip about set lunch menus is spot on
solid plan, covers the big stuff well. if you're near covent garden on day 2 and the dishoom queue is a no-go, head to the basement of the seven dials market instead, there's a japanese place called koya that does udon and it's usually a seat within 10 minutes. also worth knowing the national portrait gallery next to the national gallery just reopened after a long closure, it's free and has a good rooftop cafe if you need a break from the crowds
for day 3, skip kensington palace unless you're really into royal history. the deer park in richmond is a 30 minute tube ride from south kensington but you'll see actual deer roaming around and the view of the city from richmond hill is better than anything you'll get from the eye. pack a sandwich from a sainsbury's local and you've got a proper picnic spot that most tourists miss
the kings cross area is totally worth a quick detour if youve got an extra hour, the british library is free and has a copy of the magna carta and original beatles lyrics just sitting there. also platform 9 3/4 is right next door obviously, but the gift shop there does a decent butterbeer if youre into that
for day 1, borough market is great but it gets absolutely mental by noon. if youre there before 11 youll actually be able to move, and the mushroom risotto from the wild mushroom stand is the best thing there imo. also the gold guy on the walk from the globe to tate modern is a street performer who does proper funny bits, worth stopping for a minute