Guide to the Northern line

Experience a contemporary take on tea room traditions at Little Tea House in Whetstone. Much of the menu at this charming tea room has an Asian influence, with hot and cold drinks and sweet and savoury nibbles available. You can also indulge in a budget-friendly afternoon tea here in cute surroundings.

In North Finchley you'll find Artsdepot, a well-known arts centre and theatre that's been open since 2004. This award-winning venue is firmly rooted in the community. There's lots happening here including comedy and theatre productions, art exhibitions, community groups and events, and an on-site café-bar. Lots of family-friendly shows and activities are on too.

A short distance from Finchley Central station, Stephens House & Grounds is a Grade I listed house that can be hired for meetings and celebrations, surrounded by elegant gardens that the public are welcome to explore. These extensive grounds feature play areas for kids, ponds, and a resident bat colony. There's a café in the park for refreshments.

Soak up a much-needed dose of nature and wander through ancient woodland and grassland at Cherry Tree Wood in East Finchley. It's also home to a playground as well as being a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation.

Highgate Cemetery is one of the seven great cemeteries in London steeped In history, and it's easily accessible from either Highgate or Archway station. It opened in 1839 and is the burial site of 170,000 people, including the famous Karl Marx, who was laid to rest in the East Cemetery.

In Archway you can have a laugh in a safe and inclusive environment with The Queer Comedy Club. This venue is the first permanent LGBTQ+ comedy club in London, hosting big names as well as up-and-coming talent. Some events involve only queer comedians whilst other shows include friends and allies too. Regular nights take place as well as one-off specials.

Live music fans are in for a treat at O2 Kentish Town Forum. Formerly a cinema, bingo hall, and dance hall, the place is now one of the city's leading live music venues. A host of diverse acts have performed here ranging from Scooter to Oasis, and everything in-between. There's an impressive act on here virtually every night of the week.

You can not only catch a jazz show at The Jazz Cafe, but you can also enjoy soul, hip-hop, reggae and other performances, as well as a variety of different club nights. If you head to the top floor, you'll find a restaurant serving a menu of tasty bites and cocktails so you can wine and dine while the crowd continues dancing down below.

An understated eatery near Euston station, Roti King is quite the phenomenon, with waits for a table sometimes lasting up to 45 minutes. Once you finally get inside this humble venue you'll be rewarded with authentic Malaysian cuisine. Fluffy rotis are the star of the show here, served with a generous filling like cheese or chicken, or paired with your choice of kari.

Get lost in a world of books at the British Library, one of the most notable libraries that is also home to the most extensive library collection in the world. It houses some of the most important literature of our time, from religious texts and letters to photographs and manuscripts.

Alight at Angel to explore Camden Passage, a picturesque shopping street full of stores, markets, and eateries. This winding side street is set back from the main road and often gets busy. Lots of indie retailers are based here, as well as upscale restaurants and trendy brunch spots. You'll also find a number of antique and flea markets.

Banh Mi Keu Deli might serve the best Bahn Mi on this side of town. Expect sliced crusty baguette slathered with pâté and layered with stringy pork, zingy salad and mouthwatering sauce. They also serve other dishes, like noodle and rice bowls, and snacks like Vietnamese summer rolls.

You can sample an Aussie-style brunch at Barbie Green, located near Moorgate station. This breezy spot has a bright interior, big windows, and a terrace offering views of the ancient London Wall. Food is served all day, with brunch being a particular focus. Pizza, small plates, and cocktails are also all on the menu at this venue.

Modern tech meets mini golf at Puttshack in Bank. This contemporary gold court uses a fully automated system for scoring, an electronic leaderboard that is updated in real-time, and a ball that tracks your score so you don’t have to write anything down. There’s also an island bar serving a range of drinks and cocktails, as well as a variety of snacks.

Borough Market is more than just your average food market; it’s a place that celebrates the makers and producers of the products sold here. It’s located in a beautiful spot in the heart of London Bridge and is steeped in history dating back over 1,000 years, making it one of the oldest food markets in London.

Mercato Metropolitano is London’s first sustainable community market located inside a formerly abandoned paper factory site. Enjoy street food from one of the independent traders or have a brew or two in the on-site micro brewery.

Enjoy authentic Mexican fare at Frida’s, right next to the River Thames, boasting views of the Houses of Parliament and the Tate Gallery. Feast on tacos, burritos, quesadillas and frozen margaritas, with the option to make your food vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free.

Catch a game of cricket and watch as cricket legends take to the pitch at The Oval, one of the most prestigious cricketing pitches in the world. It’s no surprise that one of the most iconic cricket grounds has also hosted countless legendary cricket games, including moments such as Kevin Pietersen regaining the Ashes after 18 years.

Discover street art heritage at Stockwell Hall of Fame. Originally a Brutalist 1950s basketball court, it's evolved into a legendary legal spot for street art and graffiti, with artists travelling from around the world to leave their mark here. This unique space is bold, vibrant, and constantly developing with new pieces.

Film buffs will go crazy for this four-screen cinema on Venn Street. The cinema is the place to go for the best independent and blockbuster films in a comfortable and cosy setting. They’ve also got an outdoor pop-up cinema that tours the UK for al fresco films under the stars.

Well-located opposite Balham station, The Exhibit has long been a South London party destination. This vibrant and friendly venue serves food, including brunch, as well as a broad selection of drinks. It also has a garden, cinema, and events spaces. Plenty of diverse events go on here including life drawing classes, dating events, and poetry readings.

Tooting Bec Lido is the biggest freshwater pool in the UK and the widest in Europe. It's open for swimming from late May to September and is well-known for its pretty multicoloured changing rooms.

This cute little market nestled between Tooting Broadway and Tooting Bec is South London's award-winning indoor market. Eat your way around the stalls of international cuisine before stocking up on artisan goods to take back home with you. There's everything from Franco Mancas to Koi Ramen Bar and Brazillian fusion sushi.

Delve into the world of windmills at Wimbledon Windmill Museum, located in a Grade II listed windmill on Clapham Common. Inside, the world of windmills is brought to life via various mediums, From mini model windmills to photography and interactive activities. You'll have to hop on a bus from South Wimbledon station or you can just enjoy the scenic walk to the Windmill Museum which takes just under an hour.

Head to Battersea Power Station for upscale Portuguese dining with fabulous views at Joia. This bar and restaurant is modern and intimate with a distinctive colour scheme. Authentic Iberian produce and quality British ingredients come together to create tapas to share and original cocktails. Spanish and Portuguese wines are served too.

See the cutting-edge of contemporary art at Matt's Gallery. This gallery has been supporting artists in producing innovative new pieces since 1979. Regular exhibitions and events are on at the gallery space close to Nine Elms station, which also houses a library and archive. Events include book launches, walking tours, and artist talks.

Marvel at some of the most prestigious European paintings in the world at The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, where artworks date back to the 13th century to the early 20th century. The art on show here is by some of the most iconic painters, from Leonardo da Vinci to Van Gogh. Moreover, it’s open 361 days of the year and doesn't cost a penny to visit.

Stock up on Japanese food, alcohol and general lifestyle products at Japan Centre, the place to go for authentic Japanese food and culture. An on-site food court also serves dishes like ramen, gyoza and takoyaki and a dedicated mocha bar to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Modern Mexican food is abundant at DF Tacos, a Mexican chain with six restaurants around the city. But it’s not just tacos they serve here; you can also pick up burritos, rice or salad bowls or nachos, best washed down with a frozen margarita.

Courgette flowers, papayas bravos and pecorino with Manchego are just a few of the dishes you can expect to see on the menu at Salt Yard. This Italian and Spanish-inspired restaurant serves a menu inspired by the cuisine of both countries alongside a variety of cocktails and drinks.

Miel is a French-influenced boulangerie and patisserie in the heart of Fitzrovia that owner Shaheen Peerbhai, who trained professionally as a pastry chef for many years in France, opened to build a community around the passion and love she has for baking. They serve freshly-baked goods made in-house by a team of high-skilled bakers and pastry-lovers.

Next to Mornington Crescent station you'll see iconic music venue Koko with its distinctive dome. This historic venue relaunched in 2022 following an extensive renovation project. Now it hosts regular club nights in addition to the live gigs its best-known for.

Marvel at unparalleled views of London’s skyline from the very top of Primrose Hill, where the view is one of the six protected viewpoints in London. It’s the perfect place to picnic on a warm summer’s day.

The Holly Bush is well-known as a cosy Hampstead pub that's been around for centuries. The place has a real country village feel about it. A varied choice of drinks is served at the bar, and you can also indulge in comforting traditional cooking. Private dining and function rooms are available at this traditional pub.

Golders Green certainly isn’t short of incredible Turkish restaurants, and the award-winning Likya is one of them. Here you can enjoy succulent chicken and lamb kebabs and a variety of mezze and other authentic Turkish dishes.

Shop til you drop with some of the biggest high street names all under one roof at Brent Cross Shopping Centre. This large shopping centre covers a wide range of retailers for tech, fashion, footwear, books, and much more. On-site you'll also find a range of eateries varying from fast food outlets to full-service restaurants.

Get off the tube at Colindale and you can visit the RAF Museum. There are six buildings and hangars where you can see a variety of historical aircraft. You'll also discover more about the past, present, and future of the RAF. This museum is an enjoyable day out for all ages.