Experiences
The 6 Best Experience Gifts in London
A vintage train lunch, a rug you tuft yourself and the best view in the City: London gifts to do, not unwrap.
In short: our top picks are Belmond British Pullman, Sky Garden and The View from The Shard. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
The best London gift is often an experience rather than an object, and the city does them at every price. At the top sits the Belmond British Pullman, golden-age rail with lunch; at the other, the free-to-book Sky Garden at sunset. In between are hands-on workshops, from tufting a rug to making cocktails, and tastings built for two. Pick for the person, not the price tag; the memorable ones are rarely the most expensive.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Belmond British Pullman | Victoria | |
| Sky Garden | The City | £££ |
| The View from The Shard | London Bridge | £££ |
| Cahoots Cocktail Masterclass | Soho | |
| Tufting London | Hackney Wick | |
| Champagne plus Fromage | Covent Garden |
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Editor’s choice
Belmond British Pullman
Why we pick itGolden-age rail with a multi-course British lunch aboard the vintage Pullman, the grandest gift on the list.
luxury train journey
-
Sky Garden
Why we pick itBook the free 35th-floor garden for sunset, a thoughtful no-cost gift with the best City view.
free skyline experience
-
The View from The Shard
Why we pick itTickets to the 800-foot viewing gallery, a reliable wow of a gift.
observation deck
-
Cahoots Cocktail Masterclass
Why we pick itA hands-on cocktail masterclass in the 1940s-themed Cahoots, fun for couples or a group.
cocktail class
-
Tufting London
Why we pick itDesign and tuft your own rug with a tufting gun, a hands-on creative gift in Hackney Wick.
craft workshop
-
Champagne plus Fromage
Why we pick itA guided champagne and cheese tasting in a cosy Covent Garden bar, a classic couple's gift.
tasting experience
Before you book
Book the big-ticket experiences, the Pullman and any show, well ahead, and reserve the free Sky Garden slots as soon as they open. The workshops and tastings suit couples and small groups and usually include everything you need. Many operators sell open-dated gift vouchers if you are buying ahead of an occasion.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Belmond British Pullman is our editor's choice: Golden-age rail with a multi-course British lunch aboard the vintage Pullman, the grandest gift on the list. Belmond British Pullman, Sky Garden and The View from The Shard lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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