London’s Best Hidden Spots for Arcadia Abroad Students
When you get the chance to travel abroad to another country, you may find yourself a little overwhelmed. How could anyone possibly see all of the UK—or even all of London—in just a few short months?
With all of these options, some people revert to sticking to the classics like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, or the London Eye. Well, I’m here to encourage you to branch out and see more parts of the city than what meets your eye.
London has so much to offer and you should see the most you can. Here is a short list of the must-see spots in the “swinging city.”
Camden Market
One of the more lively areas of London is Camden Town. With an active nightlife scene and a large population of young adults, it’s the perfect place for students studying abroad to visit.
Camden Town hosts the Camden Market, which is essentially a large outdoor mall of small shops and restaurants—think something akin to Reading Terminal or the Philadelphia Outlets.
This area has fun shops to visit with friends and holds a lot of London history. Many of the locations in Camden Market reminisce on the different decades in London, with shops centered on Mod culture of the 1960’s, Punk fashion from the 1970’s, and much more.
With all of its variety, there certainly is something for everyone here.
Leake Street Arches
If you’re interested in street art, the Leake Street Arches are a must-see site. The tunnel underneath the arches houses London’s largest legal graffiti wall.
Nearly every inch of this tunnel is covered in vibrant street art, making it a truly magical walkthrough. I would bet that you could spend hours here and still have more to discover.
Along with its large assortment of art to admire, there is also an assortment of restaurants to visit. From a board game cafe, to Polish and Pan-Asian cuisine, and even a Philly-themed dive bar, Leake Street offers a wide array of options.
Museums
Something that I think a lot of American tourists and study abroad students would overlook in London is how accessible public art is. Most of the museums in London are free to enter and house some of the most historically rich exhibits in the world.
The British Museum is located just a few blocks away from the London Center and houses amazing artifacts, such as the Rosetta Stone. If you’re looking for a good art museum, the Tate Modern hosts seven (SEVEN!) gallery floors and is located in a beautiful bankside area that you can explore as well.
UCL Student Union Spaces
Lastly, and probably the most underrated of the bunch, you cannot forget to check out the Student Union spaces that are provided by University College London (UCL). When Arcadia students study abroad, they are given a UCL student ID card, which allows them access to the campus’ library, events, and Student Union-owned bars.
My favorite spot on a Saturday night is Richard Mully’s Basement Bar, which is just a short walk away from Warren Street station. Every Saturday night, Mully’s hosts a karaoke night.
I love this location because it is always lively and provides students with a safe (and cheap) location to have fun on the weekends. Mully’s has great security and only allows UCL ID holders in during these busy nights.
During the week, the ground floor of this building also houses a lovely cafe open to the public. This is always a great change of scenery if you need a quiet place to hang out with friends or study.
