Best Comedy Club in Temple Bar Area

"A quick scan of Covent Garden‘s Top Secret Comedy Club line-up will leave you asking: who hasn’t performed at the venue?. Comedians like Eddie Izzard, Jack Whitehall and Michael McIntyre are among the famous faces to have taken to its stage over the years to practice new material before heading off on tour. Not much of a secret anymore, this comedy club is recognised as one of London’s favourites, with tickets for its intimate shows sold on a first-come, first-served basis."

"Contrary to what the name might suggest, this isn’t top secret anymore. Situated in the heart of Covent Garden on Drury Lane, acts perform every night of the week in one of two venues. John Bishop, Eddie Izzard, Jack Whitehall, Russell Howard, Dara O’Briain, Seann Walsh and Jason Manford are among the big-name comedians you might see trialing new material, as well as plenty of upcoming stars."

"Thursdays and Saturdays are laughter days at the Comedy Tree. If you happen to be a student, you'll get in for the bargain price of £6 on Thursday too — not bad when you might end up watching the likes of Scott Capurro or Patrick Monahan. One thing we'd like to see more of from these guys though — female comics!"

"A multiple winner of the Best London Comedy Club award, you’ll get a top class evening of entertainment with the likes of Russell Howard, Lee Mack, Stephen K. Amos, Andy Parsons, Jason Manford, Rich Hall, Lenny Henry among those to have performed. You’re more likely to see some of the world’s up-and-coming comedians do their stuff at the venue in the heart of Leicester Square or at additional venues in Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus the 99 Club has expanded to."

"There's top notch comedy at the 99 Club every day of the week. Even when they're big news, comedians continue to play here — of late the great James Acaster has been putting on something of a residency. Always good to sign up to their mailing list to get the last minute heads-up on their sooper-seekrit special guests too."

"Kae Kurd, Chris McCausland, Simon Brodkin, Sara Barron, Marlon Davis, Micky Overman, Darrien Harriott, Jo Caulfield and more. Tickets: 99clubcomedy.com"

"Rich Mix allows creativity in all its magnificent forms – live music, theatre, poetry, film, art, design and drawing, so it’s a little distinct from the other places on the list, but the charity behind the cross-media arts centre, The Rich Mix Cultural Foundation, has a pretty inspiring goal. And that’s to offer the public space to discover more about the creative offerings of people from various migrant populations. Since taking over the former clothing factory on Bethnal Green Road, Rich Mix has put on many free exhibitions, screenings and concerts."

"This fantastic creative space in the East End, on the site of what used to be in a leather factory, has regular exhibitions featuring emerging and established artists. 39-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA Free entryrichmix.org.uk"

"A unique evening awaits at The Boat Show Comedy Club because it’s not often you’ll spend time watching comedians on the Thames. Located inside a refurbished paddle steamer, the 300-capacity club is located at The Tattershall Castle on Victoria Embankment and sees acts perform every Friday and Saturday night as well as on Tuesdays. Four comedians feature on each bill but you’re unlikely to see the same thing with comics performing no more than around three times a year."

"London's finest floating comedy club has been running for about 12 years now. The venue is a beautifully refurbished paddle steamer, moored permanently opposite the London Eye, on the Embankment near Westminster. The Tattershall Castle is its name, and each show boasts four top comics plus special guests."

"Camden Comedy Club helped London earn its reputation for being a city that never sleeps: every night of the week, you can hedge your bets that something will be going on at this venue above the Camden Head. Whether it’s stand-up, improv or sketch comedy with world-class talent like Alan Carr, Russell Howard and Harry Hill, bringing the good vibes is this venue’s modus operandi."

"While there are no themes or activities to be found at Din Tai Fung, there is a whole lot of happiness to be had in its little parcels of delicious dim sum. Originally from Taiwan, and with a Michelin star accolade to the brand name, kids will love the top notch food in this Covent Garden based restaurant. And if they’re anything like our children, once they’re done stuffing themselves with delectable pork dumplings, they’ll want to watch the chefs at work making all that dim sum: there’s a window through to where all the magic is happening!"

"With over 160 restaurants in 14 territories, Din Tai Fung is somewhat legendary. While celebrating the Year of the Ox can’t currently happen at its Covent Garden branch, you can order their Prosperity Set Menu online. It features honey and vinegar short ribs, prawn and pork shao mai, tianjin cabbage and chicken gyoza, crispy fried chicken with spices, broccoli with garlic, XO sauce prawn fried rice, and salted egg yolk custard lava buns (in case you weren’t tempted already)."

"Supreme when it comes to the art of the xiao long bao, Din Tai Fung are globally notorious for the soupy dumpling, with their London restaurant boasting queues in excitement to try their authentic Chinese options."

"For the most authentic (yes, really) Chinese food in London, a visit to Teddington (albeit the less fashionable side) is a must. While the exterior is in need of a little TLC, don’t let that put you off from experiencing the best dim sum in west London. The preparation that goes into each dish is more than a match for more celebrated joints dotted around the capital’s more visually appealing areas."

"Visit one of the largest Chinatown London restaurants for Cantonese dishes and a wide choice of dim sum, with a focus on seafood. Housed over three floors and featuring karaoke rooms and even its own carp pond, Imperial China London knows how to impress. During the weekend, you're also able to delve into a roast meat platter featuring roast duck and barbecued pork."

"This Stoke Newington spot has held a Green Flag award since 2006, and is deservedly popular. It's very child friendly, with a decent play area and even a small zoo (and, like Richmond park, boasts deer also). In a pre-lockdown world, the park often hosted events, from twilight walks in search of bats to football festivals to sessions discovering the edible fruit and flowers which grow in the grounds."

"It’s got tennis courts and bowling green for when you’re feeling particularly energetic, but the park itself is big enough to get a good stroll in. You can see the whole thing by walking the perimeter, looping in the Grade-II listed Clissold House and the lakes on the way. If that doesn’t earn you a picnic after, nothing does."

"Clissold Park is a great park to come and enjoy some nature in London. Easy to get to from Stoke Newington you can enjoy peaceful waters and cute, inquisitive deer within minutes of leaving central London."

"This farm is little further out of London, but a whole day of adventure and fun can be enjoyed here, thanks to a huge array of facilities, besides the friendly animals. There’s indoor soft play at the Bundle Barn, an alpine toboggan run, Dino Dig and Splash play area and an adventure playground. Unlike most of the other city farms in London listed, there is a small entry price for this one (£10) but this includes entry to all indoor and outdoor play areas, activities, animals, bird shows and a tractor ride to the dairy farm."

"A post shared by Georgiebd (@georgie.bd) on May 26, 2018 at 10:23am PDT. Cycle along the paths or take a stroll at Lee Valley Regional Park. Stretching 42km (26 miles) along the river Lee, past Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and up to Ware in Hertfordshire, there is plenty of opportunity to spot wildlife, relax or play."

"One of Europe’s largest inland wetland projects, this 42-hectare centre run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust was transformed from four Victorian reservoirs in 2000 and attracts some 140 species of bird, as well as frogs, butterflies, dragonflies and lizards, plus a thriving colony of watervoles. The glass-fronted observatory affords panoramic views over the lakes, while meandering paths and boardwalks lead visitors through the watery habitats of black swans, Bewick's swans, geese, red-crested pochards, sand martins, coots, bitterns, herons and kingfishers."

"Voted in 2012 as Britain’s Favourite Natural Reserve, WWT London Wetland Centre is an oasis of natural wildlife placed right in the heart of London. Managed by Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, this idyllic wetland reserve is located in a loop of the Thames and occupies more than 100 acres of land. Home for a significant number of unique species of birds, insects, amphibians and other wildlife representatives, the Wetland Centre represents a real natural wonder."

"Just ten minutes from Hammersmith, you'll get lost in the London Wetland Centre and its lakes, ponds and gardens. Aside from the daily guided tours, you can meet the otters, feed the birds, or take part in a host of family activities such as pond dipping and nature walks."

"While Richmond Park is by far the most famous park in the area, Old Deer Park is an open space dedicated to sports facilities and community events. It has play areas, tennis courts, an outdoor gym and sports pitches. You can also access Pools on the Park, a sports, fitness and pool complex."