A warm welcome from London & Partners

London is so much more than you might expect – for instance, more than 30% of London is green space. UCL is close to Bloomsbury’s garden squares, beautiful leafy oases in the vibrant city.

If you want to stretch your legs a bit more, Regent’s Park is within walking distance and has 410 acres (170 hectares) for you to explore, including an open-air theatre, ZSL London Zoo and a boating lake.

In fact, London is an incredibly walkable city, and there’s no better way to get to know your new home than walking or cycling. Citymapper and Google Maps will give you suggested routes for wherever you want to go.

While architecture fans will love the City of London for its mediaeval churches and soaring skyscrapers, would-be legal eagles will enjoy wandering round the Inns of Court – all within easy reach of UCL.

If you love to shop, Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street are close by; or try quirky Lambs Conduit Street for independent boutiques and restaurants.

London’s museums and attractions are busy opening up, with social distancing measures in place to keep visitors safe. The British Museum is a short walk away from UCL and offers a treasure trove of objects from thousands of years of history.

You could spend days there, but don’t miss other local activities like the Charles Dickens Museum or the Barbican Centre. 

Walking in London is safe, healthy and sustainable, but London wouldn’t be London without the buses and tubes. Visit the TfL site for a journey planner and all the latest travel info, or download their new TfL Go app.

Make sure to bring a face covering with you, as it is mandatory to wear a mask on all public transport services. Top tip: ride the front seat upstairs on a double-decker bus!

If you’re starting your UCL experience online, you can still be part of London life. Many London venues are streaming live events and performances and there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the capital from your home.

Check out Visit London’s Virtually London page for inspiration. And start planning for when you’re here in person – London’s looking forward to welcoming you soon.

Lalage Clay - Director, Education & Talent - London & Partners