Welcome, listeners, to Things to Do in London with Oly Bennet—the only podcast that brings more energy than a Wimbledon thunderstorm and dives into weirder sports than cheese rolling in Gloucestershire! It's Friday, October 3rd, 2025, and London is buzzing like a wasp at a summer picnic. The air’s brisk, skies are teasing us with that classic ‘will it, won’t it?’ drizzle, but nothing can dampen the city’s mood because the weekend is knocking louder than a double-decker on cobblestones.

Today, London is showing off its wild side with events for every style of sports enthusiast, culture chaser, and family fun-seeker out there. According to Time Out London, the city is about to burst with free events—my favorite price tag! Kick things off by cutting a rug at the Blackhorse Beer Mile Harvest Festival barn dance on Saturday, surrounded by craft brews, stomping boots, and a crowd that puts a rugby scrum to shame. If history and transformation are your jam, the Royal Docks Originals is throwing open the doors on Compressor House, a newly minted community space hosting epic art installations, craft sessions, and film screenings—all weekend long.

Calling all rockers and groove-hunters! Saturday night, the O2 Academy Islington is electrified by AC/DC UK and Dizzy Lizzy, two of the UK’s loudest tribute bands ready to shake London’s foundations. Meanwhile, Catch A Groove, throwing its legendary birthday bash in Ladbroke Grove, promises wall-to-wall R&B and singalong antics—bring your best dance moves, or invent a few! If you’re craving something outdoors, how about swinging at the annual Hampstead Heath Conker Battle this Sunday? Legend has it this event is fiercer than a Premier League derby—and just as satisfyingly nutty. Don’t forget to check out the epic Photomonth festival in East London, celebrating the power of photography with over fifty exhibitions and enough creative inspiration to fill the Thames.

And for my fellow culture vultures, the city is seriously upping its exhibition game this October. Swing by the Tate Modern, especially during their newly-extended Friday and Saturday hours, for late night art, jazz, and natural wines—the only place you’re encouraged to swirl both paint and pinot at the same time. Make sure to check out Lee Miller’s powerful photography at Tate Britain or catch the mind-bending installations at Hayward Gallery, as reported by Londonist.

But wait, Oly’s spidey senses detect some tasty local news! Fresh on the scene, the historic Compressor House has reopened after a £1.7 million makeover, promising an innovative new space for creatives and community events—perfect for both quirky newcomers and total London lifers. Transit tip: TfL says there’s extra Jubilee Line service running this weekend—so zip around those attractions without losing your umbrella to the wind.

Now, let’s talk must-do activities for maximum London vibes. Take in iconic sights like the British Museum and Natural History Museum—still free, always fabulous according to Visit London. Nab those scenic city views at a rooftop bar, or discover ten hidden gems scattered through the City of London itself, from sculpture walks to secret green spaces. If you’ve got the kids, drag them off their screens and into the science-tastic world of the Science Museum, or get creative at a hands-on crafts event popping up this weekend all over town.

A cheeky Oly tip: Want to blend in like a true Londoner? Always stand on the right of the escalator, and pretend you’re emotionally attached to your local bakery—it’ll get you invited to the best neighborhood secrets.

Keep your trainers laced, listeners, because tomorrow brings Moon Fest 2025 to Chinatown, a wild Mid-Autumn Festival street party bursting with lanterns, mooncakes, and a vibe so festive it could make a sumo wrestler do the cha-cha. More surprises—and possibly a sporting oddity involving ferrets and tiny boats—are...

Welcome to Things to Do in London—I’m Oly Bennet, your globe-trotting guide to the wackiest, wildest happenings around the capital, and today is Thursday, October 2, 2025! The city’s got that crisp autumn snap: blue skies peeking through swirling golden leaves and just a hint of legitimate scarf weather. The Royal Parks are a patchwork of vibrant oranges and reds, and with Londoners in fine spirits, the city is practically buzzing. Whether you’re a film buff, an art aficionado, or just fancy padding around with a cocktail, today’s London lineup is an absolute cracker.

First up, culture vultures rejoice—the 69th BFI London Film Festival is gearing up for its twelve-day run, starting in just a few days, but tonight the city’s getting the cinematic pre-party jitters as film fans descend on local indie theatres and riverside pop-ups. Meanwhile, Tate Britain is the place for art lovers today, launching the UK’s largest-ever retrospective of Lee Miller, featuring around 230 captivating works that’ll have you snapping your fingers in awe—photography buffs, you’ve hit the jackpot. According to Flo London, you can expect brand-new exhibitions to open up at Hayward Gallery and Whitechapel too, with trailblazing artists Gilbert & George and Joy Gregory shaking up the art scene.

If you’re hankering for something lively, warm up those dancing shoes—London’s prepping to host Peggy Gou’s headline session at Drumsheds this weekend. Expect top DJs, wild grooves, and a crowd full of energy. But save room for soul, too, because London Cocktail Week is nearly here, offering wristband holders ultra-creative £9 cocktails at over 200 bars across the city. Not a drinker? No problem—sample £6 Tiny Cocktails or go for the posh £12 Champagne concoctions, with plenty of non-alcoholic swirls on offer too, all according to Flo London.

There’s no shortage of daytime and family fun, either. Kew Gardens has just launched its autumn “Material World” exhibition—think dazzling natural displays and after-hours light trails coming up later in the month if you need that perfect Instagram backdrop. For the sports-mad—hey, you’re listening to Oly, so of course you are!—don’t miss the London Sports Festival’s padel tennis bonanza happening right now at Hay’s Galleria and Tower Hill: sports shoes on, wrist ready for wild rallies, and the iconic London skyline as your backdrop, as documented by City AM.

Onto fresh news: two brand-spankin’-new eateries just opened in Soho, serving up a fusion of West African and British comfort food—I dare you to find a better mashup for a rainy afternoon. Transport for London is also trialling new express buses between Waterloo and Shoreditch until Sunday, so hop on if you want to zip across the city extra quick. According to City AM, public events this evening include heated debates at the Emmanuel Centre—get your seat for “London: Opportunities and Obstacles for Growth,” a free event for anyone who fancies shaping the city’s future. And trust me, the locals do!

If you’re angling to squeeze every drop out of today, stroll the sculpture-filled paths of Regent’s Park and pop into Frieze Sculpture for arty, open-air inspiration—it’s totally free, running alongside the Frieze London art fair, which kicks off later this month. Treat yourself to an after-work cocktail at one of Soho’s hidden speakeasies, then take a ghost walk through the alleyways of the City for a touch of Halloween in October.

Here’s a local fact you’ll love: the original rules of table tennis—a.k.a. "Wiff-Waff"—were officially written just a stone’s throw from the British Museum in 1901. So when you lace up for padel or ping-pong today, remember, you’re not just playing a game, you’re keeping London’s proud tradition of sports innovation alive!

Don’t drift off yet—tomorrow promises even more, with the Battle of Ideas Festival kicking off and the East London Art Prize Late transforming the...

Welcome, listeners, to Things to do in London with Oly Bennet—your globe-trotting, sports-loving mischief-maker on a mission to uncover the quirkiest gems the capital has to offer. It’s Sunday, September 28, 2025, and as London shakes off that classic early autumn drizzle, the city’s buzzing with promise—umbrellas out, wellies ready, and a calendar packed tighter than a double-decker at rush hour.

London this morning is a riot of color—fiery leaves carpeting the Royal Parks and a fresh, playful breeze that practically dares you to step outside. Today’s weather is classic London: a mix of mist, sun peeking through in fits and starts, and the kind of drizzly magic that turns a stroll along the Thames into a cinematic adventure. That autumn snap in the air sets the tone—ideal for cozying up in museums, getting weird in pop-up events, or unleashing your inner quiz champion.

If you’re a fan of oddball fandom, don’t miss the Summer I Turned Pretty Quiz at Big Chill King’s Cross today at noon. This one’s for Cousins Beach die-hards—think beachy vibes, fierce trivia rivalry, and TSITP-themed prizes that even Susannah would covet. Get in early, grab a seat, and unleash your inner rom-com expert.

Culture vultures: put your hands together for Topless The Musical at Underbelly Boulevard Soho—a one-woman immersive romp that sees you become part of the show, all through the eyes of Sandie, the cheekiest London tour guide you’ll ever meet. Running through October, but catch the tube there now for an experience as spontaneous as London itself.

If you’re rolling with little ones, today’s family paradise is at the Garden Museum in central London, featuring hands-on workshops and lush outdoor adventures. Or, if you’re feeling magical, Bubble Planet in west London will immerse you in a bouncy, surreal world of color that’ll make your inner child do cartwheels. For families craving laughs and a touch of history, don’t skip Dr. Matthew Green’s anti-influencer food walk—a snack-and-fact-fest through the old East End that takes you to secret spots Instagram forgot.

Craving heart-thumping action? It’s a battle of the bats at The Oval, with Surrey cricket fixtures lighting up the pitch. Or, if rhythm is your fuel, yesterday’s RESISTANCE techno festival may have wound down, but the nightlife still pulses with after-parties across iconic clubs like Ministry of Sound, where dance-eager revelers keep the city’s heart thumping into the wee hours. For a taste of nostalgia, O2 Forum Kentish Town serves up indie rock with Sons of the East and Matthew Mole tonight.

On the fresh and tasty side: Covent Garden’s new ADOH restaurant is slinging Sri Lankan kothu—chopped roti, eggs, veggies, and mouthwatering curry sauce. For cocktail hunters, Kamara in Soho opens this week, promising smoked, foraged, and downright delicious concoctions in a setting inspired by Cretan caves.

As for the city’s pulse, Londonist reveals an October full of must-see shows and wild exhibitions. New public art is springing up along the South Bank, and the Jubilee line is running smoother after last week’s upgrades—no excuse now for missing that brunch in Canary Wharf.

Here’s a pro tip from this globetrotting Londoner: Want to feel utterly local? Nab a Boris Bike and cycle the canals from Camden to Little Venice—it’s a secret passage through the heart of the city, and you’ll spot things you’d never see above ground.

Keep your London list bubbling because tomorrow brings the Black British Folk Takeover festival at Cecil Sharp House, a feast of music and culture that’ll shake your Monday blues into oblivion. And we’ve got fresh theatre, wild walks, and even weirder competitions to spill next time. Stay curious, stay cheeky, and I’ll see you bright and early for your next round of capital adventures.

Thanks for listening, please subscribe, and remember—this episode was brought to...

Welcome to Things to Do in London! It’s Saturday, 27th September 2025—Oly Bennet here, your globetrotting guide to all the quirky charm, world-class spectacle, and hidden surprises London is serving up today. Whether you're a devoted local or a curious wanderer eager for adventure, stick with me because this city never has a quiet Saturday.

First off, let’s just say the London vibe is positively buzzing. The autumn air’s got that perfect crispness; think light jacket, but no brolly required—so far, the rain’s been given the day off, and that means it’s a green light for urban exploring. Coffee in hand, the city’s riverside walks, lively markets, and brilliant parks are all calling your name.

Now, what’s on today that’s sure to set your spirit racing? For the artsy listeners, the Royal Docks Originals Festival is in full swing, with more than 50 events spotlighting London’s diverse communities and stories—think open studios, giant puppets, and pop-up performances to keep your Instagram story sizzling, as reported by Londonist. Craving something historic? Take a rare tour of the St Pancras Waterpoint Tower, where you can channel your inner Sherlock Holmes with panoramic views over the city’s ever-changing urban jungle, as noted by IanVisits.

If you’ve got little ones in tow, the sprawling Bubble Planet exhibition in west London is a sensory playground where adults are absolutely “allowed” to have just as much fun as kids, according to ToddlerLDN. And for your culture fix, the Southwark Playhouse is bringing Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream to life in a riotous new production, while Totally Thames Festival lavishes the riverbanks with music, installations, and riverside walks all day and night, highlighted by Primary Times.

Prefer your adrenaline in pint-sized doses or bewitchingly odd formats? The immersive Mind of Moriarty escape room throws you right into Sherlock’s most fiendish case—a proper mental workout. Meanwhile, proper sports fans can catch some classic England cricket this weekend, with both Surrey and Middlesex in action at their home grounds. As you can imagine, I’ll be the one in the stands yelling encouragement like I’m personally responsible for every wicket.

Hot off the press, the Grand Ole Opry made country music history with a showstopping gig at the Royal Albert Hall last night, complete with surprise cameos that had the crowd roaring for more—PressReleaseHub called it a night “to make Nashville jealous.”

London’s food scene never sleeps, and rumor has it a new Japanese izakaya, Blossom & Sake, just opened near Soho, so if you’re feeling peckish, get in there before the lines start curling around the block. On the practical front, the Northern Line is running with only minimal delays this morning—truly, an urban miracle.

My must-do tips? Ride the IFS Cloud Cable Car for dazzling Thames views, or snag a spot at the quirky Murder by Buckingham Palace interactive game—it’s London Clue, live and in color! For a hidden gem, don’t skip Choral Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral. Not only is it free, but the echoes in that hallowed dome will stay with you long after you step outside.

A little street-wise London tip—it’s perfectly normal here to stand on the right and walk on the left on escalators. Trust me, nothing marks you out as a London newbie quicker than blocking the speed lane—if you know, you know.

Getting pumped for tomorrow? Word is there’s an immersive Wild West cocktail night at the Moonshine Saloon and the final days of the King’s Tour Artists exhibition at Buckingham Palace—both guaranteed to leave you a story to tell.

Thanks for listening, please subscribe, and remember—this episode was brought to you by Quiet Please podcast networks. For more content like this, please go to Quiet Please dot Ai.

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