Your cultural life in London

More accessible and affordable options would encourage me to experience arts and culture more frequently. Special offers, discounts, or free events could significantly lower the barrier for engagement. Additionally, events that cater to a broader range of interests and communities would also be appealing. Improved public transportation and better communication about events could also help.

I would love to see more community-based cultural festivals, outdoor performances, and interactive workshops. Additionally, pop-up art installations, local history tours, and multicultural events showcasing the diverse heritage of London's communities would be welcome.

I usually find out about cultural experiences through social media, local community boards, and dedicated cultural websites like Time Out and Londonist. Occasionally, I also discover events through word of mouth from friends and family.

What has been your best experience with arts and culture in London, and why? One of my best experiences was attending the annual Notting Hill Carnival. The vibrant atmosphere, diverse performances, and sense of community made it unforgettable. It was a wonderful celebration of culture and inclusivity, showcasing the rich tapestry of London's multicultural heritage.

There can’t be art without artists. And it won’t reflect the places we live if they don’t live here.  We need affordable living and rents that reflect what artists earn, and property guardian spaces are not the answer. Artists need long term housing and security like the rest of us. 

You can buy a theatre ticket on buy now, pay later. 

Schemes you have used in the past - I’ve previously purchased the National Art Pass (run by Art Fund). If you’re a student it’s only £10 (I think I paid £5 but I’m no longer a student). You can go by yourself or with your mates. It gives members free entry to lots of museum’s and galleries. In June (like now) you can buy trial membership for £15 for three months, followed by annual membership for half the usual price.

I live in London primarily because of its diversity and rich cultural scene. London offers a great array of free arts and culture option, but things that cost usually cost a lot. While I prioritise this expense category and spend a lot on it, I can see how others may not be able to. Arts and culture are becoming a luxury some cannot afford.

All that said, London is absolutely world class in this space with international demand to match.

Discounted family / group travel options would be beneficial. To travel into London for two adults from Croydon is about £30, then add tickets to the theatre ( cheapest £25 each) and a drink  - that’s £100. I try to go to London once a month but sometimes it isn’t financially viable.

Improving accessibility at tube stations would make the biggest difference for me. If I want to go into central, say Covent Garden, I need to walk from either Tottenham Court Road or Westminster as they’re the closest stations with step-free access. Given that I can only walk for a few minutes at a time, and that I need to rest for a while in between bouts, this can easily add an hour or more onto every journey which means I very often just don’t bother.

• the cost of entry to some museum shows is really prohibitive and i'd welcome more institutions offering tickets that are unique to locals. For example a ticket allowing more than one visit at off-peak times etc. i like to pop in and make visiting museums and galleries (in particular) part of my everyday life, but paying £22 to see an exhibition may be expected for tourists who are here to do that one thing, but less so for local people who may more positively engage in the longer term. 
• most of my recommendations come from friends.

• Cheaper tickets for those of us that live in a London Borough. I would love to go and see shows but the prices for accessible seats are expensive, or the facilities aren't disabled accessible 
• What arts and cultural experiences do you wish were more readily available in your area? We have a really good venue in Harrow but its hardly booked by touring companies, performers which is a shame 
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I've written to the mayor's office about this and got an absolute standard boiler plate response, so I'll try again here. I've been a London resident for 11 years, and I've worked in the arts this whole time. Weeks ago I received another email from a brilliant arts organisation in London that has gone under after 12 years in operation - VAULT Festival. I worked for five years in arts programming for Mothership Group - a group of bars in East London. In my time there we hosted the first ever events for Gal-Dem, the Vagina Museum, Bloody Good Period, the Book of Man and many other brilliant organisations which thrived, in part due to the base they built with us and the money they raised in ticket sales.

These smaller bars and venues which used to host cheap, fun events Sun-Wed every week for new ventures and community projects are now shutting their doors with reduced hours, and won't take on any event that isn't a corporate private hire. Small gig venues are also closing (the rate was 2 a week last year) and theatres are making massive redundancies and cannot afford staff on to allow people to rehearse in their spaces for free. This all means that at this point the only place to make new work or have it seen is the Ed Fringe, which costs around 18k to take part in and a month off work. I personally have seen dozens of creatives move to Glasgow last year with many more planning to leave this year - Scotland's gain is truly our loss, when we can't keep the capital alive at night with the creativity that it depends on. What is the point in extending hours of the tube, or making it cheaper to travel on a Friday, if there is nothing affordable to do or see? The lifeblood of this city runs through smaller bars, venues and festivals where new artists can build their base and hone their talent.

Having a cinema in Deptford would be great! (after Curzon & Deptford Community Cinema closed down)

I find having to book in advance is off putting as transport, weather or health not predictable and I don’t like to have many commitments. Having grown up in London I was used to just turning up for many things.

Things like theatres, some exhibitions and cinemas are just too expensive and I find there is the danger of poor or inconsiderate behaviour from other people off putting.

Apart from the cost of attending there is little to no information regarding events put out by City Hall / The Mayors office (Unless it involves Eid etc) There needs to be more advertising on local TV news, more advertising on buses / tubes / taxis etc and more leafleting about events being held throughout the summer. Not everyone can use a computer or has online access. For example, the recent Brockwell Park Show, Knew absolutely zero about it and yet I'd have attended had I known. 

The thought of going to central London puts me off, mainly because of the thousands of people, the noise and all the 'demonstrations'. It's not a pleasant place to visit any more. I love where I live and hope that it does not begin to be a 24 hour community. We need some peace in this world.

It’s worth exploring the theatre ticket clubs that offer big discounts on London theatre ticket prices. And you get much more diverse audiences when the plays  have diverse casts ..we are so lucky to have so many choices and good public transport to get us there.

Try getting an elderly relative around London it’s a joke road closed at the wim of some moron in county hall plus marches every week no wonder no one wants to come to London