Food & Drink

Things to do near Liverpool Street

By Swingers

Liverpool Street is one of London’s major train stations, with over 64 million passengers visiting the station per year. We’ve outlined some things to do near the station.

Things to do near Liverpool Street

Liverpool Street is one of London’s major train stations, with over 64 million passengers visiting the station per year. It’s a major connection to the rest of London, the rest of the UK, as well as international links to Stansted Airport.

With so many visitors to the area, we’ve outlined some things to do near the station.

1. Swingers

Woman laughs on crazy golf course

Just six minutes from Liverpool Street Station, our Swingers City venue is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a fun activity close to travel links.

Visit on a Friday or Saturday for the chance to indulge in bottomless brunch – a boozy menu full of cocktails (including frozen options!), spirits, beer, wine, and fizz. A step away from the same old traditional brunch offerings you might find elsewhere, you can choose from Patty & Bun, Pizza Pilgrims, Breddos, and Crosstown Doughnuts.

Make sure you bring your a-game – our mini golf courses are the prime location for amping up competitiveness between friends. 

2. Exchange Square

exchange square london

Exchange Square’s green space provides a breath of fresh air amongst the built-up surroundings in Liverpool Street. 

With 1.5 acres of greenery, a running stream, and flowers to surround yourself with, it’s the perfect place to decompress.

Located within easy reach of surrounding bars and restaurants, it’s a great spot for an outdoor picnic lunch.

3. Old Spitalfields Market

Old Spitalfields MarketOld Spitalfields Market is brimming with independent retailers, from bakers to jewellery makers to rare vinyl sellers, and beyond.

Browse the stalls, pick up a gift for a friend (or yourself!), and feel inspired by the creativity seen around the market.

If you’re a vintage fan, on a Thursday you’ll find the antiques market filled with fashion, jewellery, and furniture from years gone by, available at bargain prices. Get there early to avoid missing out to the numerous interior designers, film studios, and fashionistas who frequent the market looking for treasures.

4. Leadenhall Market

Leadenhall Market

There’s been a market on the site of Leadenhall Market since the 14th Century, and the historic spot boasts boutique retailers, restaurants and bars. 

A more premium option if you’re looking to do a spot of shopping, it’s a ten minute walk from Liverpool Street station and a six minute walk from Bank.

If you’re a film buff, you might recognise the surroundings as a filming location for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, among others.

5. Sky Garden in the Walkie Talkie

walkie talkie

Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden, situated in the Walkie Talkie building. From the top, you’ll have 360 degree views of London – ideal for snapping some photos of your day out.

There’s a lot to keep you occupied here, with landscaped gardens, observation decks, restaurants and bars. There’s a number of ticketed events on the schedule, so you can really spend a lot of time here – options range from yoga classes, to watching the sunrise, to live bands and DJs.

The public garden is open from 10am-6pm throughout the week, with varying opening hours through the weekend.

6. Brick Lane 

bagels brick lane

Visiting Brick Lane is well worth the 15 minute walk from Liverpool Street Station. Jam-packed with vintage shops, eclectic street art, and numerous independent food chains, you’ll find lots to do on this iconic street.

This spot is famous for its bagels as historically the area has been home to a large Jewish community. Now, people flock from miles around for the chance to taste a bagel (or beigel!) from the famous Brick Lane’s Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery. 

Until recently, there were two bagel shops side by side, competing to be Brick Lane’s ultimate bagel destination, but it seems like this spot has taken the top spot!

Another popular destination is Brick Lane’s Vintage Market, an underground haven for vintage clothing lovers. With articles ranging from across the decades, you’ll be spoilt for choice no matter your style. 

7. Tower of London

tower of london

Inject some history into your trip to Liverpool Street, and visit the Tower of London. Infamous prison, fortress, and royal palace over its 920+ years, it’s home to the Crown Jewels. 

Inside the walls of the Tower of London, you’ll see Yeoman Warders, or Beefeaters – often used as iconic symbolism of London – who are employed as guards of the tower. Many of them live onsite, and some act as tour guides for visitors to the tower. They have a wealth of information about the history of the tower, as well as how it’s used in the current day – we definitely recommend joining one of their tours to get a more entertaining and informative day out at the Tower of London.

8. Eataly

eataly gelato

If you’re a fan of Italian food, definitely check out Eataly. Based just outside Liverpool Street station, it’s a hub of Italian cuisine where you can check out Italian food shops and markets, dine, and learn more about the cuisine.

Within the market, you can find a variety of over 6000 Italian and local products to peruse and purchase. Walking around, you’ll feel inspired by the fresh mozzarella, homemade focaccia, Italian meats, and wines – you’ll want to take everything home and make Italian food for weeks!

If you’d rather leave the cooking to the experts, Eataly has three dining options to choose from. Terra specialises in artisanal grilled food, but also serves all the Italian classics to suit your cravings. At the bar, you can find a range of Italian leaning cocktails. Aperol Spritzeria Terrazza Eataly isn’t just about the Aperol Spritz (unless you want it to be!). Here, you can find traditional Italian pasta, pizza and antipasti, with vegan alternatives available, all selected to pair perfectly with an Aperol Spritz. Pasta e Pizza doesn’t leave much to the imagination in terms of its offering, but it is definitely an elevated spin on the classics. From pizza dough that’s been leavened for 50 hours, to the perfect al dente pasta, there’s lots to choose from.

9. Van Gogh Exhibition

van gogh exhibition

For the more artistically minded, perhaps you’d want to take a visit to the Van Gogh Exhibition. Here, you can literally step into a Van Gogh painting!

With art projected onto the floor, ceiling, and walls, the fully immersive experience is a feast for the senses. Incorporating Virtual Reality, 360 degree projections, and stories of Van Gogh’s life, you’ll be entertained and inspired throughout your visit.

10. Landmarks around Liverpool Street Station

liverpool street station

You don’t have to venture too far from the train to find things to do – the station itself is home to landmarks such as the Great Eastern Railway War Memorial and Kindertransport Arrival Memorial.

The Kindertransport Arrival Memorial is a bronze sculpture commemorating the 10,000 Jewish children who escaped Nazi persecution and travelled to the UK, arriving at the station between 1938-1930. 

The Great Eastern Railway War Memorial is a large marble memorial plaque in Liverpool Street Station, noting over 1,100 names of the Great Eastern Railway staff who were killed in the First World War.

Both landmarks are reminders of the history that surrounds you while you’re in London, and are worth taking a few minutes to find within the station.

Swingers ~ The crazy golf club

We believe that life is more fun when there is an element of competition, and that competition is best enjoyed with friends.

Swingers, the crazy golf club takes the holy trinity that is crazy golf, street food and amazing cocktails and combines them all into one incredible social experience