Indulge in a Mindful Weekend with Five Fun Activities in London

Explore the capital’s calmer side in 2024 with our range of fun things to do in London! The city might be known for its lively bars, buzzy creativity and bustling markets, but it also has a hidden soothing side just waiting to be uncovered – so if you’re in need of a little zen, you’ve come to the right place.

Whether you’ve been burning the candle at both ends or you’re just looking to unwind, we’ll soon have you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and fully restored. From calming candle making classes to jewellery making workshops that are perfect to get lost in, we’ve rounded up five fun activities in London that will add a touch of tranquillity to your weekend and leave you ready for anything!

Switch off and make candles with Art Play London

Who doesn’t love gentle, flickering candles? Whether you want to give bathtime a luxurious boost or add a little zen to your space, this candle making workshop from the team at Art Play London will tick all the boxes! 

You’ll spend a blissful hour-and-a-half surrounded by heavenly scented essential oils, learning how to blend, melt and pour your own handmade soy candle, before hand finishing with natural decorations such as dried flowers and foliage. With the option of adding on delicious pizza and tasty refreshments when you book, this is a great way to escape the busy city with your besties – the definition of London fun! 

Our ClassBento crafters tried it, and think you should too…

“Our teacher Lizzy was very knowledgeable, upbeat and down to earth, and taught us which scents go well together. The venue was busy, which was nice – people were engaging in different art forms, which made us interested in trying something different next time!” Leeroy Williams

After class why not…

Explore Spitalfields Market, where you can indulge in mouth watering street food, find cool vintage clothing, snag unique homewares and get stuck into some of the most fun activities in London!

Enjoy therapeutic Kintsugi with Brandon Le

If you’re keen to escape those daily stresses and lose yourself in craft, a kintsugi pottery class will whisk you away to serenity in no time! Hosted by professional craftsman Brandon Le and his talented team at a choice of two locations, you’ll spend a relaxing two hours learning everything you need to know about the art of Japanese pottery – from the history and philosophy of celebrating the imperfect, to a guided workshop on making your own piece of art, it’s all covered. 

With all materials provided and no experience necessary, this is the perfect way to dip your toe into a relaxing craft you might not have heard of before. Brandon and his team will stay on hand to guide you through the whole process; from safely breaking the pottery to methodically repairing it with a metal-and-resin mix, and you’ll finish the session with a beautiful piece of pottery that will deserve pride of place! 

Our ClassBento crafters tried it and think you should too…

“I booked this as a birthday present for a friend and we both LOVED IT. Brandon was a great teacher; he was super patient and made the space feel very comfortable. I’d recommend this workshop to everyone I know – it’s a great way to spend a couple of hours immersed in a mindful activity where you can focus, be creative and get a beautiful end result!” Lucy Fox

After class why not…

Head to a local gallery for more creative inspiration! Buckle Street studios is a few minutes walk from Whitechapel Gallery, the home of contemporary art, while Bermonds Locke is a stone’s throw from the Fashion and Textile Museum. And grab a coffee en-route, of course!

Create mindful accessories with jeweller Natasha Kutrovatz

If you’ve been searching for fun activities in London to lose yourself in completely, a ring making workshop hosted by talented jeweller Natasha is just what you need. Fuelled by soothing herbal tea, you and your fellow crafters will spend a happy couple of hours learning how to make a beautiful ring from completely your own design.

In this class you’ll have the opportunity to learn the entire jewellery making process, from start to finish. You’ll begin with a brainstorming session with guidance from Natasha on how to create a design for your piece, then she’ll take you through the wax carving techniques needed to bring your sketches to life. There’ll be add-on options for gemstone setting, engraving and gold plating, and finally your ring will be cast and posted to you a couple of weeks after the class. 

Our ClassBento crafters tried it and think you should too…

“This was an amazing workshop – really fun, relaxed and zen. Natasha was attentive, patient and helpful while also allowing us to be creative and experiment. Highly recommend!” Deyna Heathman 

After class why not…

Grab some well-earned refreshments at the Pavilion Cafe in Victoria Park and explore the surrounding 86 hectares of greenery, or enjoy a relaxing walk along Regents Canal. 

Explore paint-filled serenity with Sabina Silver

Exhausted the busy markets, buzzing bars and typical tourist traps? If you’re looking for a calmer type of London fun, artist Sabina Silver has got your back with her mindful sip and paint workshop. With a calming vibe, plenty of creativity and a sense of community, this is a transformative experience that will leave you feeling completely restored. 

With plenty of herbal tea on tap (or the opportunity to bring in your own tipple!) and relaxing music playing throughout the session, Sabina will help you explore mindfulness through art. Mug (or glass!) in hand, you’ll spend a couple of hours immersed in a warm and comforting atmosphere with plenty of friendly chat and gentle painting guidance. At the end of the workshop you’ll leave with a wall-worthy masterpiece, a host of fresh skills and some new friends!

Our ClassBento crafters tried it and they think you should too…

“I would definitely book this class again, and I'd highly recommend it to other people who are looking for chilled out activities and creative ways to unwind. There were so many great things about the workshop; the relaxing music, the chamomile tea, hearing other people's stories and painting a picture that was personally meaningful – I really enjoyed the whole experience.” Simone

After class why not…

Take a short walk to the Barbican Conservatory. A rainforest in a glass house in the heart of Central London, this soothing space is a haven packed with over 1500 species of plants and trees, and is the perfect place to continue your mindful afternoon. 

Dive into flower-filled fun activities in London with Roseur

It’s widely known that both nature and creativity are good for relaxation and wellness – and now you can indulge in both at the same time with this dried flower arranging and clay sculpture class from florist Sophie Kim of Roseur. What could be better?

You’ll begin the workshop plunging your hands into cool, soft clay and sculpting a base for your flowers – and don’t worry if you’ve got no pottery experience, because anything goes here! Then, Sophie will guide you step-by-step through adding your dried flowers until you finish with a beautiful floral arrangement – and a huge sense of accomplishment!

Our ClassBento crafters tried it and think you should too…

“Such a wonderful evening! A beautifully mindful experience creating something that you could take home with you at the end of the class. We were given some instruction but it didn’t take away from the creative aspect of the process. Highly recommend it if you're looking for something different to do!” Carmanah Mackenzie

After class why not…

Head to nearby Camden Market, where you’ll find independent shops, cool artists and makers, street food galore and The London Waterbus Company, who’ll whisk you off on a tour of Regents Canal!