London Stag Guide

There’s something for every stag party in England’s well-loved capital, with hundreds of attractions and and stag activities, thousands of restaurants and a pub practically on every corner. All this makes it one of the world’s top stag destinations, with nearly 20 million visitors each year all wanting to experience the notorious buzz of the city. London is an all year round stag destination, although it's especially popular during the summer months when temperatures reach around 23 degrees.

The city is a vibrant metropolis, bustling with culture and oozing style. If you and your stag party are looking to party till morning then there’s something going on 24/7 in London - so you’ll never get bored. In this lively capital, you’ll find everything you need to create an unforgettable stag weekend from microbrewery tours, escape rooms, bottomless brunches, whisky tasting, and every form of adrenaline and fun fueled team activity you can think of. Whatever you’re looking for, it’s here.

To find out more about booking your stag do in London visit our London stag page and get in touch with one of our stag experts who will book everything for you and your friends so spend your time focusing on your best man's speech or stag outfits!

Autumn (September to November) comes as welcome relief to many Londoners, as the heat calms down and the knitwear comes on. Crisp walks in Bethnal Green are a delight, while crowds grasp hot cups of tea to watch the Guy Fawkes Night fireworks. London’s true creative side comes out to play on Halloween, with some of the world’s most elaborate costume parties.

Winter (December to February) signals a time of rest and resolution for many Londoners, as workers head home for Christmas and the Big Smoke becomes a blissful ghost town. Central areas are draped in fairy lights, while merriment and clinking glasses ring from punters at local pubs, tiding in good cheer for the year ahead.

Public transport

The London Underground (or ‘Tube’ as it’s more affectionately known) is a marvel of urban planning, connecting 270 stations in all directions of the city. You can get to most destinations using it, with some potential connections on the Overground and Trams. Different lines are helpfully laid out in specific colours, which you can check on this map.

The City of London operates all bus lines, making it easy to connect to parts of town far from a Tube station. The best part is you can use multiple buses for only £1.50 the whole journey, given that you hop off and on each within a one-hour time frame.

Please note that all of London’s public transport options are cashless. You can tap in and out with a payment card or phone, or purchase an Oyster card to top up as you go (these can be bought online or at each station, with a £5 minimum).

An incredibly useful app to have downloaded is Citymapper. This is one of the best ways to plan your route, sorting options according to duration, price and mode of transport. It will make navigating the Tube a breeze and keep you updated with live arrival times.

Taxis

London’s iconic black cabs have been getting passengers from A to B since 1958, and while the rise of Uber and other ride-sharing apps have caused some controversy, they still form a vital mode of transport in the city.

A lit sign means a cab is free. To wave it down, extend your hand towards the road (away from parked cars and bus stops). Fees are decided on a meter, at surprisingly competitive rates. Payment in cash or card. Here is a list of dedicated taxi ranks in London.

Fun fact: to qualify as a London cabbie you need to memorise the streets completely by heart - no Google Maps allowed!

How to stay safe In London

Compared with other cities of its size, London is a safe place for visitors - but it's worth taking a few precautions. Moped thieves love to swipe phones out of the hands of unsuspecting victims, so it’s advisable to keep it close and not waggle it about like free candy. Avoid walking alone at night, especially down dark alleyways in unfamiliar neighbourhoods - if a group of people demand your phone and wallet, hand them over, as it's not worth risking your life over. Only use registered black cabs or Ubers and keep the cash you hold to a minimum.

Going out, out in London is an eye-opening experience, as people switch off ‘work mode’ and let loose, cutting shapes and chatting up strangers like it’s their birthday. Each neighbourhood has its own distinct crowd and feel, from the effortless cool of Dalston to the subtle glam of Soho. This comes with a range of style choices, but most places don’t come with a strict dress code - in certain places, wearing old trainers may even get you brownie points.

Expect to splash the cash, as a night in London is not cheap. You’ll be lucky if you spend under £5 for a pint, while fancier bars can easily veer over £10 per spirit and mixer. Our London stag experts can also pimp your stag drinking experience by organising for you and your mates guest list entry to the capital's trendiest bars and clubs such as Popworld or even set up your drinking on a HoTug Jacuzzi boat. Afterwards, you’ll be glad to know that the London Underground runs a Night Tube service on selected lines on Fridays and Saturdays, meaning you can stumble into bed safely (and cheaply) after a heavy one. It should be noted that the Night Tube is a rare window where people drunkenly chat to strangers and are up for a laugh - embrace it!

Below are some of London’s best stag nightlife options, but we’ve also made a list of London’s best bars in the North, South, East and West of the capital, so you can be out enjoying the city’s nightlife in every part of the city.

London is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, and this is reflected in the capital’s incredibly diverse food scene - you can find dishes from almost every country in the world in this vibrant cosmopolitan city. With endless dining options, you’re sure to find something to your taste.

On a tight budget? It’s no secret that London is an expensive city so if you’re just looking for a cheap place to dump your bags, a dorm room in a hostel is your best bet. Or, if you want to splurge on somewhere a bit more impressive, you’ll find hundreds of affordable hotels spread across the city. Anyway, London has an excellent public transport system, so you’ll have no problem getting around wherever you choose to stay.

The best view of the city:

There are so many, but top of the list has to be The London Eye. The giant ferris wheel (at 135m high, the largest of its kind) is situated on the South Bank and offers spectacular views across the River Thames, The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. On a clear day, traveling at a stately 26cm per second, you can see Windsor Castle 25 miles away. Or check out the rooftop OXO Tower Restaurant, Brasserie and Bar looking out across the Thames to Charing Cross and the City of London, it serves modern British food with a global influence.

For something a little less spectacular (though clearly London), the Millennium footbridge sits between the Tate and St Paul’s Cathedral, while Westminster Bridge is close to the Houses Of Parliament, or nip over to Trafalgar Square for pics featuring Nelson’s Column (with lions), The National Gallery, pigeons and tourists.

For something a little more novel, try Dans le Noir in Clerkenwell Green, where your dining experience takes place in complete and utter darkness and served by blind waiters, or Circus in Covent Garden, where cabaret and circus acts entertain you while you dine.[

And not all the best views cost money. Head over to Primrose Hill in Camden for a great view of London’s skyline. Bring a picnic and people watch – you may even spot a few celebs. Another great option is Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath. A more rugged park with lots of greenery, you can unwind as you take in the panoramic views of the city.