Your weekend in London: Fri 30 Jan to Sun 01 Feb 2026
- 6 min read
London Weekend Guide: 30 January - 1 February 2026
Your insider’s guide to making the most of London this weekend
Hello, lovely Londoners and visitors alike! Emma here with your essential guide to what’s happening in our brilliant city this weekend. Whether you’re looking to shake off those January blues, meet new people, or simply get out and explore, I’ve got you covered.
What’s the Weather Looking Like?
Let’s be honest - it’s late January in London, so we’re firmly in “layers and waterproof jacket” territory. Expect typical winter conditions with temperatures hovering around 5-8°C during the day and dropping to near freezing at night. There’s a reasonable chance of grey skies and the odd shower, so pack an umbrella and wear sensible shoes if you’re planning any outdoor activities.
The good news? The days are slowly getting longer now, and there’s something rather magical about London in the winter light. Just dress warmly and you’ll be absolutely fine.
Top Events This Weekend
1. Baby Seals Day Trip: Hike the Dunes in Norfolk
Saturday 31 January | Meeting at Stratford Bus Station
This is hands-down the most exciting event of the weekend, and it’s no surprise it’s their most popular trip! Head out of London for a day to witness one of nature’s most adorable spectacles - baby grey seals on the Norfolk coast. The timing is perfect as January and February are peak pupping season at the Norfolk colonies.
You’ll be hiking through stunning coastal dunes, breathing in that fresh sea air, and getting up close (at a respectful distance, of course) to hundreds of fluffy white seal pups. It’s genuinely one of Britain’s best wildlife experiences, and it’s right on our doorstep.
Insider tip: Bring binoculars if you have them, pack plenty of snacks, and wear your most windproof gear - the Norfolk coast can be absolutely bitter in January. Also, arrive at Stratford bus station with time to spare; these group trips run smoother when everyone’s punctual.
More info: Check the Meetup page for timings and cost
2. Wraysbury to Windsor Walk: Lakes and Thames Path
Saturday 31 January | Meeting at Waterloo Station (under the clock)
If a full day trip to Norfolk feels like too much commitment, this gorgeous local walk is the perfect alternative. Starting from Wraysbury and winding your way along to Windsor via lakes and the Thames Path, you’ll experience some of Surrey and Berkshire’s most picturesque winter scenery.
The route takes you past tranquil waters, through charming villages, and finishes in Windsor where you can reward yourself with a hot drink and perhaps a wander around the castle grounds.
Practical info: Meet on the concourse at Waterloo Station under the famous clock - you can’t miss it. Wear sturdy walking boots as paths may be muddy after winter rain.
More info: Full details on Meetup
3. Free Sketch & Social at the V&A
Sunday 1 February | Victoria and Albert Museum
The V&A is one of my absolute favourite London museums, and this free sketch meetup is a lovely way to experience it differently. Whether you’re an accomplished artist or someone who hasn’t picked up a pencil since school, this welcoming group invites you to slow down, observe, and capture some of the museum’s incredible collections on paper.
Why I love this: It’s free, it’s creative, it’s social, and it gets you really looking at the art and objects rather than just walking past them. Plus, the V&A’s cafe does an excellent flat white for afterwards.
Insider tip: The Medieval and Renaissance galleries have some fantastic subjects for sketching, with intricate details that really challenge you to look closely.
More info: Join the Meetup
4. Friday Drinks for Young Professionals
Friday 30 January | Liverpool Street Station
Kicking off the weekend with a social gathering is a London tradition, and this young professionals meetup at Liverpool Street is a great way to meet new people in a relaxed setting. The City empties out around 6pm on Fridays, which means the pubs transform from packed lunch spots to actually quite pleasant places to have a proper conversation.
Local knowledge: Liverpool Street has some cracking pubs nearby. If the group heads somewhere too crowded for your liking, suggest Dirty Dicks (yes, that’s really its name) or the Hamilton Hall inside the station itself - it’s a converted ballroom with gorgeous ceilings.
More info: RSVP on Meetup
5. Electric Nights at Popworld
Friday 30 January | PopWorld
Fancy something more high-energy to start your weekend? This dance night at Popworld promises cheesy pop anthems, meeting new people, and letting loose after a long January. It’s unashamedly fun and perfect if you want to dance off those winter blues.
What to expect: Think singalong classics from the 90s and 2000s, sticky floors, and zero pretension. It’s not trying to be cool - it’s trying to be fun, and that’s exactly why it works.
More info: Get details here
6. Dry January? Never Heard of Her: £2.50 Drinks Night
Saturday 31 January | Meeting at Camden Town Tube Station
Right, so technically Dry January ends on the 31st anyway, but if you’ve been abstaining and fancy celebrating its completion (or if you never started), this Camden night out promises seriously cheap drinks and DJ sets on vinyl. Camden always delivers character, and at £2.50 a drink, your wallet will thank you.
Camden tip: Eat before you go - grab something from the market area or one of the many excellent restaurants nearby. Dancing on an empty stomach at those prices could end… enthusiastically.
More info: Join the party
7. Aroma Yoga + Social
Sunday 1 February | Blackwell House, Kings Square Community Centre
Balance out Saturday night with Sunday morning wellness! This aroma yoga session combines gentle movement with essential oils and a social element afterwards. It’s exactly what you need to start February feeling refreshed rather than running on fumes.
Perfect for: Anyone wanting to ease into their Sunday, meet mindful people, or simply try something new in a welcoming environment.
More info: Book your spot
Emma’s Weekend Survival Tips
Getting around: The Tube runs as normal all weekend. If you’re heading to Waterloo for Saturday’s walk or Stratford for the seal trip, give yourself plenty of buffer time - weekend engineering works are common in January.
Budget tip: Many of these events are free or very cheap. If you’re watching your pennies after Christmas, the V&A sketch session and Friday drinks (you control your own tab) are excellent value.
Stay warm: London’s coffee shop game is strong. Duck into any independent cafe if you need to defrost - my current favourites are Monmouth Coffee near Borough Market and Ozone in Shoreditch.
Be spontaneous: The beauty of Meetup events is that everyone’s there to be friendly. Don’t be shy - Londoners get a bad reputation for being standoffish, but at events like these, people genuinely want to chat.
Have a wonderful weekend, London. See you out there!
Emma x