Bett 2027: what to do in London after hours

20 to 22 January 2027 · ExpectedLondon, United Kingdom

Bett keeps attendees on the show floor all day and leaves the evenings, the day after and partners' days free. This guide covers dinners that need booking, evening outings, a companion day and the day after in London.

Bett in short

When
20 to 22 January 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
Where
ExCeL London, London, United Kingdom, about 11 km from the centre
Free time
The show floor takes the day, so the evenings, a companion day and the day after are free.
Best base
South Bank and Bloomsbury: Walk to the museums, theatres and the river.
Getting there
Heathrow (LHR) has the Elizabeth line to central London in 35 to 45 minutes and the Heathrow Express to Paddington in 15 minutes.
Weather
In January, London averages highs of about 7°C and lows of 1°C, with roughly 65 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 8 h 31 min of daylight.
Top things to do
Tower of London and Crown Jewels; Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter; Thames river cruise

Weather during Bett

In January, London averages highs of about 7°C and lows of 1°C, with roughly 65 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 8 h 31 min of daylight.

MonthAverage highAverage lowRain
January7°C (45°F)1°C (34°F)65 mm

What to pack

Monthly averages for 2001 to 2025 from NASA POWER. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.

Airport to ExCeL London

Heathrow (LHR) has the Elizabeth line to central London in 35 to 45 minutes and the Heathrow Express to Paddington in 15 minutes. Gatwick (LGW) has the Gatwick Express to Victoria in 30 minutes. Stansted and Luton have trains to Liverpool Street and St Pancras.

Elizabeth line to Custom House.

Public transport directions to ExCeL London · Everything on at ExCeL London

Where to stay by budget

BudgetWhereWhy
BudgetKing's Cross and PaddingtonBig stations with many lines and cheaper chain hotels.
Mid-rangeSouth Bank and BloomsburyWalk to the museums, theatres and the river.
SplurgeMayfair and Covent GardenGrand hotels near the West End.

Three hotels we would book

Links search the nights from 19 January to 23 January. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual show week schedule for 20 to 22 January 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Evening one

Wednesday 20 January

After the show floor closes: dinner and a short evening outing.

Evening two

Thursday 21 January

Team dinner night. Book early: every group in town wants the same tables.

  • EatFlat Iron Cheap good steak
  • After darkSoho and Shoreditch bars.

Companion day

Thursday 21 January

For partners who came along and do not have a badge.

The day after the show

Saturday 23 January

Push the flight back a day. A full free day costs little and the city empties out.

  • Half-dayLondon Eye Half day · Family · Low walking
    Thirty minutes over the river.
  • EatMercato Metropolitano Big food hall in Elephant and Castle
  • FreeBritish Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Natural History and Science museums are free.

Team outing

For corporate groups of 10 to 40: private tours and tastings book out first.

  • EatRules London's oldest restaurant, game and pies
  • EveningWest End show Evening · Nightlife · Indoor
    Musicals and plays most nights.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family · Low walking

London Eye

Thirty minutes over the river.

Half day · Family · Indoor

Wembley Stadium tour

Dressing rooms and the tunnel.

Half day · Family · Indoor

Tower of London and Crown Jewels

Beefeater tours and the jewels.

Half day · Family · Indoor

Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter

Sets and props north of London; book weeks ahead.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Nightlife

Jack the Ripper walking tour

East End evening walk.

Evening · Nightlife · Indoor

West End show

Musicals and plays most nights.

Full day

Oxford and the Cotswolds day trip

Colleges and honey-stone villages.

Full day

Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath day trip

Three classics in one long day.

After dark

Ten tours worth booking for Bett

TourLengthGood for
London EyeHalf dayFamilies, Tired legs
Borough Market food tourHalf dayFood lovers
Oxford and the Cotswolds day tripFull dayEveryone
Thames afternoon tea cruiseHalf dayTired legs, Food lovers
Wembley Stadium tourHalf dayFamilies, Bad weather
Tower of London and Crown JewelsHalf dayFamilies, Bad weather
Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry PotterHalf dayFamilies, Bad weather
Thames river cruiseHalf dayTired legs, Families
Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath day tripFull dayEveryone
Jack the Ripper walking tourEveningNight owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Family · Indoor

Wembley Stadium tour

Dressing rooms and the tunnel.

Half day · Family · Indoor

Tower of London and Crown Jewels

Beefeater tours and the jewels.

Half day · Family · Indoor

Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter

Sets and props north of London; book weeks ahead.

Getting around on event days

Day trips from London

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Bett.

Plan a group trip

Organiser of Bett? Add this guide to your website.

Questions people ask

When is Bett 2027?

The next edition is 20 to 22 January 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

What is the weather like during Bett?

In January, London averages highs of about 7°C and lows of 1°C, with roughly 65 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 8 h 31 min of daylight.

How do I get from the airport to ExCeL London?

Heathrow (LHR) has the Elizabeth line to central London in 35 to 45 minutes and the Heathrow Express to Paddington in 15 minutes. Gatwick (LGW) has the Gatwick Express to Victoria in 30 minutes. Stansted and Luton have trains to Liverpool Street and St Pancras. Elizabeth line to Custom House.

Where should I stay for Bett?

For most visitors the best base is South Bank and Bloomsbury: Walk to the museums, theatres and the river.

What can we do between sessions at Bett?

Good short outings in London include Tower of London and Crown Jewels, Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter, Thames river cruise. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Bett?

Family-friendly picks: Tower of London and Crown Jewels, Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter, Thames river cruise. Natural History Museum dinosaurs.

How far is ExCeL London from London centre?

About 11 km in a straight line. Elizabeth line to Custom House.

How we put this guide together: dates come from the organiser's published calendar or, when not yet announced, from the event's usual pattern; weather from NASA POWER monthly averages 2001 to 2025; venue access and city tips from our own research. Last checked 2 November 2026. How we research.

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