# Bett: what to do between sessions in London

Source: https://eventweekends.com/trade-show/bett/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## 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 and what to pack

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.
- A warm coat, hat and gloves: nights can drop close to freezing.
- A light rain jacket, just in case.
- Comfortable shoes: a day on the show floor easily means 15,000 steps.

## Airport to venue

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 to stay

- **budget:** King's Cross and Paddington. Big stations with many lines and cheaper chain hotels.
- **mid:** South Bank and Bloomsbury. Walk to the museums, theatres and the river.
- **luxury:** Mayfair and Covent Garden. Grand hotels near the West End.
- Hotels we would book: Premier Inn London King's Cross (budget), Hub by Premier Inn London Covent Garden (mid), The Savoy (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Evening one (Wednesday 20 January)

After the show floor closes: dinner and a short evening outing.
- Evening: Jack the Ripper walking tour. East End evening walk.
- Eat: Padella, Fresh pasta at Borough

### Evening two (Thursday 21 January)

Team dinner night. Book early: every group in town wants the same tables.
- Eat: Flat Iron, Cheap good steak
- After dark: Soho and Shoreditch bars.

### Companion day (Thursday 21 January)

For partners who came along and do not have a badge.
- Full day: Oxford and the Cotswolds day trip. Colleges and honey-stone villages.

### 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-day: London Eye. Thirty minutes over the river.
- Eat: Mercato Metropolitano, Big food hall in Elephant and Castle
- Free: British 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.
- Eat: Rules, London's oldest restaurant, game and pies
- Evening: West End show. Musicals and plays most nights.

## Tours worth booking

- [Tower of London and Crown Jewels](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Tower%20of%20London%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-bett): Beefeater tours and the jewels.
- [Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Harry%20Potter%20studio%20tour%20London&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-bett): Sets and props north of London; book weeks ahead.
- [Thames river cruise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Thames%20river%20cruise&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-bett): Westminster to Greenwich.
- [Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Stonehenge%20Windsor%20Bath%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-bett): Three classics in one long day.
- [West End show](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=London%20West%20End%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-bett): Musicals and plays most nights.
- [London Eye](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=London%20Eye%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-bett): Thirty minutes over the river.
- [Borough Market food tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=London%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-bett): Tastings at London's oldest food market.
- [Jack the Ripper walking tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Jack%20the%20Ripper%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-bett): East End evening walk.
- [Oxford and the Cotswolds day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Oxford%20Cotswolds%20day%20trip&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-bett): Colleges and honey-stone villages.
- [Thames afternoon tea cruise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=London%20afternoon%20tea%20cruise&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-bett): Tea, scones and the skyline.

## Where to eat

- Borough Market: Food stalls under the railway
- Dishoom: Bombay café; queues at peak times
- Padella: Fresh pasta at Borough
- Flat Iron: Cheap good steak
- Mercato Metropolitano: Big food hall in Elephant and Castle
- Rules: London's oldest restaurant, game and pies
- Brick Lane: Bagels and curry houses
- Dishoom King's Cross: Breakfast bacon naan

## With kids

- Natural History Museum dinosaurs.
- Science Museum.
- Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens.
- London Zoo.

## Rainy-day backups

- British Museum.
- V&A.
- Churchill War Rooms.

## Getting around

- The Tube, Overground and Elizabeth line run on contactless with a daily cap. Some lines run all night on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Twickenham: trains from Waterloo; Wembley: Jubilee and Metropolitan lines or Chiltern trains; Wimbledon: District line to Southfields.
- Tap in with a contactless card on buses, trams and most urban trains.
- Book long-distance trains early on the operator app or Trainline: walk-up fares are expensive.
- Uber works in most UK cities; local black cabs are metered.

## 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.

More in London: https://eventweekends.com/city/london/