Do you have your first trip to London booked for the New Year? Here are the exhibitions, coffee shops and beauty counters that we recommend visiting
Suit, designed by Freddie Burretti for David Bowie in the ‘Life on Mars?’ music video, 1972, Britain
1 VISIT the David Bowie archive at V&A East (free but ticketed – we recommend subscribing to their newsletter for ticket updates.) There’s also an online course to enjoy from anywhere. Meanwhile, you can still catch the Marie Antoinette Style exhibition at the South Kensington V&A, until March 2026.
2 STOCK UP on excellent coffee beans at Monmouth Coffee Company. The little street café is also one of the best people-watching spots. @monmouthcoffee
3 TRY AND BAG A TICKET (or queue for a return) for Arthur Miller’s All My Sons at Wyndhams Theatre – Bryan Cranston, Paapa Essiedu and cast are getting rave reviews. The legendary fish restaurant J Sheekey is round the corner for a late-night stop at the bar … @jsheekeyldn
4 SPLASH OUT on a stay at NoMad hotel – it’s right opposite the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, a brilliant location. It’s friendly and comfy with fragrant Christmas decorations and a cosy library bar. Turandot is on across the street at the ROH until February 4, or catch the Nutcracker if you’re lucky enough. You can also book a behind the scenes tour.
5 EAT AT Bancone – a buzzy, casual Italian where you sit at the counter and order vast bowls of bucatini cacio e pepe, plus their signature “silk handkerchief” pasta dish with walnut butter and confit egg yolk. Don’t miss the insanely good crispy fried artichoke dish. @bancone.pasta
6 BUY BOOKS at Waterstones Piccadilly, including signed copies of Ocean Vuong and Zadie Smith’s latest. Also great are the legendary Daunt Books (flagship in Marylebone – tote bag compulsory), Hatchards and fancy Assouline in Piccadilly.
Cupid as Victor, 1601/02, Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi). Photo credits: Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.
7 SEE Caravaggio’s dazzling, life-size ‘Victorious Cupid’ at the Wallace Collection in Marylebone (free, until April 12), on loan from Berlin.
8 DON’T MISS other blockbuster shows: Lee Miller (until February 15) and Turner & Constable (until April 12), both at Tate Britain. See the latter on screen in the Light House Cinema Dublin in March 2026.
9 BROWSE the newest Labour & Wait store in Covent Garden – a great place to buy quirky, well-made gifts, from old-fashioned staplers and pens to gardening tools and knitwear. Also don’t miss Choosing Keeping, the most photogenic and lovely stationery store, nearby.
10 BEAUTY COUNTERS At Liberty, check out Violette and Jones Road in the peerless beauty department, and don’t miss Uniqlo for great cashmere, jeans, JW Anderson-designed shirts and winter basics.
SEE MORE: 5 Great Restaurants To Dine In London
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