Dry Jan destinations: Six sober London activities that won’t break the bank

Especially now that everyone is back at uni and deadline free, the last two weeks of Dry January may prove the most difficult for those taking part.

In a month that goes on seemingly forever, only the strongest soldiers amongst us can make it to the 31st with nothing but a zero percent Old Mout Berries & Cherries in hand at the pub.

Even if you aren’t participating in a sober start to the year, this list is perfect for anyone wanting to cut back a bit on the booze, or even just gather some inspiration for flatmate bonding that doesn’t involve a ten pound pint and a banging headache the morning after.

However, if you are indeed army-crawling to the Dry Jan finish line, the activities below will get you there.

Take advantage of London’s parks for a winter walk

London may not be the first city that comes to mind when one steps out to reconnect with nature. Do not despair, though. The capital has its fair share of beautiful parks to saunter through. 

My personal favourite is Richmond Park. Accessible via tube on the District Line, this park is famous for its gorgeous scenery and resident deer herds.

Pair this hot girl walk with hot friends to gossip with, and a hot chocolate to drink from one of the park’s cafes or kiosks, and you’re good to go!

Kickstart your New Year’s goals with Class Pass

Most Read

It’s finally here: Watch the full video of Bonnie Blue’s 1,000 guys in 12 hours challenge

All the strict rules the 1,057 men had to abide by if they wanted to sleep with Bonnie Blue

In the ultimate statement to Bonnie Blue, Lily Phillips reveals *another* foul stunt she’s doing

Good news for anyone who put “get fit” on their list of New Year’s Resolutions – Class Pass have the most perfect offers.

The fitness app is currently offering one month for just one pound. This deal is too good to miss, giving you access to fitness classes all across London. From spin, to yoga, and beyond, it’s time to live your pink-pilates-princess dreams. 

Don’t forget to cancel the trial, however, or your bank account will not thank you. 

Gather inspo from Pinterest and paint yourself some new pottery

Feeling creative? Is your student kitchen in desperate need of some new crockery? This is the perfect day out for you.

There are a whole host of pottery painting options on websites like Groupon and Wowcher, so grab your girls and head to a local venue to paint yourself a nice new mug for a very reasonable price.

There are also a range of BYOB or Prosecco-fuelled sessions, so you will just have to stay strong and resist those ones until February.

Don’t forget to take a picture-perfect, Pinterest-worthy snap of your hard work, and if you’re too proud of your creation to eat or drink from it, it could always make a nice jewellery dish. 

Take a trip to the theatre

Though theatre can feel worlds away from the student budget, the West End is not as far out of reach as you might think. 

Websites like TodayTix offer theatre tickets at far lower prices – currently, you can find tickets under £25 for musicals like Hamilton, Hadestown, and The Book of Mormon.

Plenty of venues also offer schemes aimed at getting young people in to see their plays. For example, Theatre Royal Drury Lane offers reduced advance tickets for under 30s, and you can sign up to receive email alerts when these cheaper seats go on sale for your favourite shows.

Visit a museum for a more cultured day out

London students are spoilt for choice when it comes to museums and galleries. 

Even if you don’t fancy an educational day out at the Natural History Museum, or feel you can’t grasp the true meaning of the art in the National Gallery, you can still grab a coffee and play a good old-fashioned game of Smash or Pass with the people in the paintings.

Book a night at The Comedy Club

There is many a comedy club to choose from in London, and although the quality of some of the sets at some of the venues run the risk of (counterproductively) driving you to drink, it is well worth the risk for moments of comedy gold.

 Leicester Square’s, The 99 Comedy Club, is a pretty safe bet, with tickets for as little as £9. You may also see a few familiar faces in the line-up from shows such as Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, and 8 Out of 10 Cats. 

Dress up cute, grab your friends, and get comfortable for an evening of laughs with a lemonade in hand (because that’s all you’re allowed, remember?)