Your weekend in London: Fri 20 Feb to Sun 22 Feb 2026

February 17, 2026
6 min read

Your London Weekend Guide: 20-22 February 2026

By Emma Brown, Local London Expert

Hello, lovely people! Emma here with your essential guide to making the most of this late February weekend in our brilliant city. Whether you’re looking to meet new faces, get philosophical, or escape to the Surrey countryside, I’ve got you covered.

What’s the Weather Looking Like?

February in London is doing its classic thing this weekend - expect chilly temperatures hovering around 6-9°C with a mix of cloudy skies and the occasional burst of winter sunshine. Saturday looks like our best bet for outdoor activities, while Sunday might bring a few showers. My advice? Layer up, keep a compact umbrella in your bag, and don’t let a bit of British drizzle stop you from exploring. A warm scarf and waterproof jacket will be your best friends.

Top Picks for the Weekend

Friday 20th February

🥂 Friday Drinks for Young Professionals Liverpool Street Station

Kick off your weekend with what I think is one of the best ways to meet people in London - a good old-fashioned drinks gathering. This young professionals meetup is perfect if you’ve just moved to the city or simply want to expand your social circle beyond work colleagues. The organisers are brilliant at making everyone feel welcome, and Liverpool Street has some fantastic bars nearby.

Insider tip: Arrive a bit early (around 6:30pm) to get a good spot and beat the after-work rush. The pubs around Liverpool Street fill up fast on Fridays!

More info: https://www.meetup.com/okgather/events/312406143/

🎬 THE SECRET AGENT! + Drinks at The Queens in Crouch End The Queens, Crouch End

For my fellow film buffs, the North London Film Club is screening this thriller followed by drinks and discussion. The Queens in Crouch End is an absolute gem of a pub - proper cosy with great atmosphere and even better beer selection. Crouch End itself is one of those lovely North London villages that feels like you’ve escaped the city entirely.

Local tip: Get there early enough to grab dinner at one of Crouch End Broadway’s fantastic restaurants before the screening. Banners is a local institution for Caribbean-inspired comfort food.

More info: https://www.meetup.com/north-london-film-club/events/312989404/

💕 Speed Dating in Paddington (Ages 40-55) Smith’s Bar & Grill, Paddington

Looking for love this weekend? This speed dating event at Smith’s Bar & Grill is well-organised and attracts a friendly crowd. The venue is stylish without being pretentious, and the Paddington location means excellent transport links for getting home afterwards (or perhaps continuing the evening elsewhere if you hit it off with someone!).

Practical info: These events typically run from 7:30pm onwards. Arrive 15 minutes early to settle your nerves and grab a drink.

More info: https://www.meetup.com/its-a-date-singles-events/events/312489096/

Saturday 21st February

🌳 Stunning River Wey Walk: Guildford to Godalming Meet at Waterloo Station (under the clock)

This is my top pick for Saturday! Escape the city for a gorgeous countryside ramble along the River Wey in Surrey. The walk from Guildford to Godalming is absolutely beautiful - think peaceful towpaths, historic locks, and proper English countryside. The group finishes at the wonderfully named Stag on the River pub, which is exactly the kind of cosy, riverside local you dream about.

Getting there: Meet under the famous clock at Waterloo Station concourse. The group will travel together to Guildford by train.

What to bring: Sturdy walking shoes (it might be muddy!), waterproof layers, a packed lunch or money for the pub, and a fully charged phone for photos.

Emma’s tip: The trains to Guildford run regularly from Waterloo. Grab a coffee for the journey from one of the station cafes, and sit on the right side of the train for the best views once you’re out of London.

More info: https://www.meetup.com/walks-by-water/events/312004723/

🤔 Philosophy in the Park 133 at The Barbican The Barbican Centre

Now this is something special. The London Philosophy Collective meets for thought-provoking discussions in one of London’s most iconic brutalist buildings. Don’t worry if you haven’t picked up a philosophy book since university (or ever!) - these sessions are welcoming to newcomers and designed to get everyone thinking and chatting.

Why I love it: The Barbican is worth visiting for the architecture alone. After the discussion, wander through the conservatory (it’s free and absolutely stunning), grab a coffee at the cafe, or explore the latest exhibitions.

Pro tip: The Barbican can be notoriously tricky to navigate. Give yourself an extra 10 minutes to find the meeting point, and don’t be shy about asking the staff for directions.

More info: https://www.meetup.com/london-philosophy-collective/events/312843498/

💃 Singles Party in Kings Cross (Ages 30-45) Drake & Morgan at King’s Cross

Saturday night calls for socialising, and this singles party at Drake & Morgan is in one of London’s most transformed neighbourhoods. King’s Cross has gone from dodgy to delightful over the past decade, and Drake & Morgan is a gorgeous venue with fantastic cocktails.

Area tip: Arrive early and explore Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square beforehand. The fountains, restaurants, and shops make it a destination in its own right.

More info: https://www.meetup.com/its-a-date-singles-events/events/312489108/

Sunday 22nd February

💟 Offline Women Hangout at the Reading Room Wellcome Collection Building, 2nd Floor

Ladies, this is a lovely way to spend a Sunday - a relaxed hangout for women at the beautiful Wellcome Collection. The Reading Room is a calm, inspiring space perfect for meaningful conversation and meeting like-minded women. It’s screen-free socialising at its finest.

Bonus: The Wellcome Collection itself is free to visit and always has fascinating exhibitions about health, medicine, and what it means to be human. Make a morning of it!

More info: https://www.meetup.com/offline-women/events/313241201/

🎸 Gig & Drinks All-Dayer at The Old Blue Last The Old Blue Last, Shoreditch

End your weekend with live music in one of Shoreditch’s legendary venues. The Old Blue Last has hosted everyone from Arctic Monkeys to Florence and the Machine before they were famous, and its all-dayer gigs are always a brilliant mix of emerging talent. Plus, it’s free entry!

Insider knowledge: This place gets packed. Arrive earlier in the afternoon to secure a good spot and soak up the atmosphere. The pub grub is surprisingly decent too.

More info: https://www.meetup.com/london-music-showcase-gigs-drinks/events/313078761/

Quick Practical Tips

Transport: Get an Oyster card or use contactless payment. Tube and buses run slightly reduced services on Sunday.
Budget: Many of these Meetup events are free or low-cost, just factor in drinks and food.
Safety: London is very safe, but keep your belongings close in busy areas.
Getting around: Download the Citymapper app - it’s a Londoner’s best friend.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Drop me a line if you spot me at any of these events.

Emma x