New York’s got one, Copenhagen’s got one – and now London has been added to the list of great cities around the world with a night tube! Well, on Friday and Saturday nights. And only on certain lines. Nonetheless, this is a great achievement for Londoners who no longer have to cut nights out short in order to make the last tube.
But the London Night Tube will benefit much more than clubbers and early-morning drinkers. In fact, it opens up a whole new window of opportunity for those who want to get the most out of city life and see a side to London that is so rarely seen throughout the day.
These are the 10 things I’m most excited about now that the London Night Tube is here. How about you?!
1/ Take a Dawn Photography Class
They say you have to suffer for your art, and I’m sure parting with almost £300 and being in Central London before 6am is one way of doing just that. But if you want to get those Instagram-worthy photos and top-notch photography tuition, an early-morning class with Cities at Dawn has been made *just* that little bit much easier thanks to the London Night Tube.
2/ Go Find Some Actual Bats
Did you know that London has bats? No, not Zubats (for the Pokemon Go addicts amongst you). There’s actually a London Bat Group which is all kinds of wonderful, and makes me feel like I’m living in a Marvel comic. Thanks to the London Night Tube, you can go in search of Batman the City’s bats without worrying about keeping an eye on the time.
3/ Be The First Person at an Early Morning Rave 
Not content with raves that go on into the early hours of the morning, the folks at Morning Gloryville have come up with a great solution – starting the rave in the early hours of the morning. Kicking off at 6:30am, the raves across London aim to invigorate dancers and start their day off with a bang. There’s music, dancing, yoga, hugs, massages, smoothies, coffee and a ‘motivational dance team’. Probably not one for those who hate mornings, mind…
4/ Catch The First Showing of a New Blockbuster Movie
Some cinemas (like Odeon) hold midnight screenings of big movies when they’re first released. Before now, when movies have finished at 2 or 3am, hardcore cinema-goers have had to check themselves into a nearby hotel or *shudder* rely on the night bus to get them home. All that is now a thing of the past!
5/ Actually Get a Treadmill All to Yourself
It’s a known fact that every treadmill in London is in-use between the hours of 8-9am, 1-2pm and 6-8pm. A.k.a. the times that every worker in the city is on lunch or commuting to and from work. With the London Night Tube, no more shall you have to wait your turn at the perimeter of the gym! Just turn up to one of the 24/7 gyms (like The Gym Group) at 3am and get to work on burning those calories and crafting those abs.
6/ Finally Secure a Table at Duck and Waffle
It took me years to finally book a table at the Duck and Waffle which suited everybody’s availability, even though it’s open 24/7. With the London Night Tube, you won’t have the same bother. Because, c’mon, what else are people going to be doing at 3am on a Sunday morning? Apart from sleeping.
7/ Be Pampered At a Time That’s Convenient For YOU
Neil Cornelius has well and truly got the memo that our lives don’t slot into the 9-5 routine anymore. The Bond Street salon offers hair appointments 24/7 but it ain’t cheap. Still, if you find yourself battling split ends and can’t sleep…
8/ Get a tourist-free shot of Buckingham Palace
“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”
In the same way, if no one is around to see the Buckingham Palace guards at 4:11am, do they still stay completely rooted to the spot? Not to put added pressure onto them…but now’s your chance to find out. At the very least, you’ll be able to grab an early-morning tourist-free shot of the Queen’s big house basking in the morning glow.
9/ Hop Your Way Around London’s Early Morning Markets
Experience a side to London that people rarely see. The city’s food market scene really comes to life after midnight, with the New Spitalfields Market opening at midnight, and Smithfield kicking into gear from 2am. The New Covent Garden Flower Market also opens at 4am, so you really do have a mixture of everything.
10/ Get to Heathrow for Early Morning Flights
Granted this one isn’t until the autumn, but when the Night Tube rolls out to the Piccadilly Line later this year, staying overnight at Heathrow airport will be a thing of the past! Flights as early as 6am are common at Heathrow, which requires a check-in time of at least 4am. Soon you’ll be able to save your pennies on those pricey airport hotels, and just make your own way there instead via the tube. Perfect.
I’d definitely go in search of bats and take the dawn photo class. Treadmill? Rave? My pelvic floor would never hold out!
I am very jealous of London having the night tube. In Glasgow our subway does not run past 6pm on a sunday!
I’m very excited about being able to secure a table at the Duck and Waffle – even if it does mean eating breakfast at 3am! 😉
I’m so bad at getting up early but I love the idea of having the city almost to myself and getting some tourist-free shots – though it does mean the next generation of London-dwellers will miss out on the joys of the crazy night bus!
That’s about the only time you can get a table at Duck and Waffle ;-). Cities at Dawn sounds like a fun experience
Duck and Waffle and Heathrow are definitely big advantages! Hadn’t thought of this!
Love this post Emily. I’ve not used the night tube yet but being able to get to Heathrow will be great!