Guide to the Bakerloo line

At one end of the Bakerloo line, you'll find Byron Recreation Ground, a modest green space beside Wealdstone Cemetery in Harrow. There's a range of facilities here, including courts for basketball and tennis, a football pitch, an outdoor gym, and a skate area. There's also a dedicated playground for children.

HarroWall Climbing Centre is a modern venue dedicated to bouldering, open to both first-timers and seasoned climbers. Newcomers can book inductions or guided sessions to get started, while private coaching is on offer for anyone looking to refine their technique. The centre also organises social events, making it a great place to meet fellow climbing enthusiasts.

Wembley Stadium is one of the world's most famous sporting and entertainment venues, recognised for its soaring 134-metre arch and 90,000-seat capacity, the largest in the UK. Opened in 2007 to replace the original 1923 stadium, it serves as the home of England's men's national football team and regularly stages major events like the FA Cup Final, UEFA matches, concerts by major pop and rock acts, and more.

Get off the Bakerloo line at Stonebridge Park to visit BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, a stunning Hindu place of worship. Built entirely from stone between 1992 and 1995 without using steel, the intricate temple and its grounds are open to visitors of all backgrounds, offering daily worship services, guided tours, and a permanent exhibition on Hinduism. Alongside its cultural centre, the site also features a restaurant serving authentic vegetarian Indian food and a shop selling ingredients and other goods.

Beit El Zaytoun, named Best Lebanese Restaurant in the UK at the 2023 British Kebab Awards, sits by the canal in Harlesden with a leafy, covered outdoor terrace. The restaurant offers a warm and welcoming setting that reflects its greenery-filled surroundings. Its all-day menu features everything from classic mezze and grilled specialities to hearty stews, alongside breakfast dishes like Lebanese eggs and mana'eesh flatbreads.

Bimber Distiller crafts award-winning single malt whiskies using traditional, hands-on methods and barley sourced from their own farm. Visitors to the distillery near Willesden Junction can tour the facilities, explore the whisky-making process, and pick up bottles of their limited-edition releases. Fun fact for those arriving with the Bakerloo line: Bimber has partnered with Transport for London on a special collection inspired by iconic Tube stations.

Kensal Green Cemetery, the oldest of London's Magnificent Seven cemeteries, was modelled on Paris's famed Père Lachaise and holds Grade I-listed status. Its grounds include the burial sites of various royals, film icons like Ingrid Bergman, music legend Freddie Mercury, computing pioneer Charles Babbage, and actor Alan Rickman.

Stylish Queen's Park restaurant Pyrá is led by a seasoned chef who brings a live-fire twist to Mediterranean-inspired cooking. The menu focuses on shareable plates blending Spanish and Greek influences, all served in a pared-back space with warm accents. Upstairs, a dedicated bar offers cocktails and fine wines accompanied by vinyl tunes for a more laidback vibe.

Just outside the Bakerloo line station in Kilburn Park you'll find a branch of Lemon Pickleball, a London-based sports club dedicated to this rapidly growing game. Catering to all ages and abilities, the club offers a mix of casual meet-ups and skill-building sessions. Expert coaches are available for guidance, with private lessons offered for those looking to refine their game further.

Abbey Road Studios is one of the world's most iconic recording studios, best known as the place where The Beatles recorded most of their hits in the 1960s. Visitors flock to snap photos on the famous zebra crossing featured on the Abbey Road album cover and explore the studio's surroundings. You can leave a message on the graffiti wall, browse the official shop, and even book a session to record your own music.

This plant nursery and garden shop in the heart of Maida Vale is one of the city's oldest and most beautiful garden centres. It's been a big inspiration for gardeners around the world since the 1800s and houses a pretty glasshouse filled with exotic flora, plants, foliage and trees. When you've got your fill of flowers, browse all the garden accessories in the shop.

There are two reasons to go to Darcie & May Green in Paddington: firstly, it's located on an excellent restored barge painted by pop artist Sir Peter Blake, and secondly, for their award-winning banana bread. It also makes an excellent bottomless brunch spot, with the option to add 90 minutes of limited edition Daisy Fizz or a selection of bottomless kombucha teas for a surcharge.

Floating Pocket Park is a peaceful urban retreat set on pontoons in Paddington Basin, designed by Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist Tony Woods. In summer, deckchairs, beanbags, and a canopy create a cosy spot to relax by the water. Surrounded by greenery, birds, and wildlife, the park is partly built from recycled materials, adding to its eco-friendly charm.

As part of the prestigious Landmark London hotel in Marylebone, the Great Central Pub delivers a refined gastropub experience with an upscale twist. While guests can enjoy British pub favourites like fish and chips, ploughman's lunch, and steak & ale pie, as well as live sports and a great selection of beer, this venue is anything but an ordinary pub. With its inviting, warm atmosphere, polished wood panelling, tasteful artwork, and elegant details, the Great Central Pub brings sophistication to classic British dining.

221B Baker Street is famous for being the address of the world's greatest (fictional) detective, and today you can visit a museum dedicated to him there. Open since 1990, it recreates Holmes's iconic residence and showcases a wealth of exhibits exploring his character and cases. The on-site gift shop also houses the world's largest collection of Sherlock Holmes memorabilia.

Among other things, The Regent's Park is home to a boating lake, landscaped gardens, playgrounds, cafés, and an open-air theatre. Wide, tree-lined avenues make it perfect for leisurely strolls and scenic walks. At the park's northern edge, you'll find ZSL London Zoo, where you might even spot giraffes or other exotic animals from outside the enclosures.

This is the country's first-ever art gallery dedicated entirely to photography and photographic works. Over the years, they've built an international community of photographers and now showcase photography in all its forms. They host regular exhibitions, tours, special events, and a range of workshops and courses for those who want to hone their photography skills. There's also a shop to purchase prints and related items.

Piccadilly Circus is one of London's most iconic squares, surrounded by shops, restaurants, bars, and attractions. Known for its buzzing energy, it's a central hub for leisure and entertainment in the city. By night, the area comes alive with vibrant neon lights and giant illuminated screens.

Sitting between The Mall and Trafalgar Square, this landmark structure has played a critical part in many of London's most significant ceremonies, ranging from royal weddings and funerals to coronations and more. King Edward VII commissioned it in memory of his mother, Queen Victoria, and it was later designed by Sir Aston Webb in 1910 – a renowned figure who also worked on Buckingham Palace. 

Explore a little slice of Roman history in Embankment at Strand Lane Roman Baths, one of the area's best-kept secrets. There's an ongoing debate about whether the baths are Roman or whether they're in fact from the Tudor period, since the bricks used are generally larger than those used throughout the Roman times. Either way, they're impressive enough that Dickens wrote about them in his novel “David Copperfield”.

BFI Southbank showcases a range of films on its four screens, spanning cult favourites and the latest releases to all-time classics. But it's more than just a cinema; it also houses a riverfront bar and restaurant with epic views of the Thames. There are also exhibitions, talks and other events taking place throughout the week, and an on-site shop for stocking up on film merchandise.

The Imperial War Museum explores the major conflicts of the 20th century through immersive recreations like World War I trenches and the Blitz bombing campaign. Its vast collection includes tanks, fighter jets, and an array of military equipment. Visitors can also join talks and tours for deeper insights into the personal stories behind the exhibits.

Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Castle is the flagship Mercato market, focusing on sustainability and social responsibility. It's home to more than 40 independent vendors serving tasty cuisine from all around the world. It's located inside a disused paper factory and hosts various community events, like live music and theatrical performances. There's even a microbrewery, so you can sink a few pints post-travel.