London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Apr 03, 2026

7 ways you can meet up with friends despite London’s Tier 2 lockdown

7 ways you can meet up with friends despite London’s Tier 2 lockdown

With the city now being classed as a Tier 2 high risk area, Londoners are adjusting to a new range of lockdown measures.

One of the biggest changes to our day-to-day lives is the fact that we can no longer meet up indoors with people from another household.

This means no meeting up at cosy pubs or restaurants with friends and family, a real mainstay of Autumn in the capital.

However, it's still important to remember that the rule of 6 still applies - so even outdoors you can't meet up in a group of more than six people.

Despite the strict measures your social life doesn't have to disappear.

Here a seven ways to see your loved ones without breaking the rules.

1. Meet up in pub gardens


The rules about meeting up with other households only applies indoors.

Luckily many pubs have beer gardens or terraces so you can still see your friends.

This is London and you're never going to be far from a boozer so do your research, book a table to be safe and head down there for a drink.

2. Get more warm clothes


As they say: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad equipment".

It sounds like an obvious one but it will mean those outdoor pursuits go all the easier.

Sitting in the cold for a long period of time is doable when you've got that extra woollen jumper and two pairs of long-johns on.



3. Hang out in your or a friend's garden


The party doesn't have to stop if you've got some outdoor space at home.

If you haven't got a garden, head round a friend's who does.

4. Restaurants with outdoor seating

Seating outside bars and restaurants in Soho


With social distancing measures almost impossible in the capitals smaller restaurants, many have spilled out into the streets to keep business up.

If you head down to Soho you'll see it looking like a Italian piazza, albeit with more rain and cold.

Still there are umbrellas to keep you dry, heaters to keep you warm and the delicious food to make it a great night out.

5. Setup a gazebo outside


As the weather turns, meeting up outside might seem less and less appealing but you can still protect yourself against the elements.

Cheap gazebos are available online and if you keep the sides open it won't break lockdown rules.

Then you can meet up to five other people from different households in shelter.

6. Long autumnal walks


We live in an amazingly green city and autumn is a great time to see it.

Catch the trees turn on one of the many long walks you can take through the city.


There is plenty of lovely walks through nature in this city

7. Get yourself a fire pit


While many parks will have by-laws that prevent fires being lit, this doesn't apply on private property.

In the comfort of your (or a friend's) garden you are allowed to have a small fire as long as it doesn't disturb the neighbours.

It will keep you warm and is an all round great thing to sit around.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump’s Strategic Pressure on UK Seen as Push for Stronger Alignment and Fairer Terms
UK Focuses on Trade Finance to Secure Critical Materials for Defence and Energy Sectors
Majority of UK Businesses Hit by Middle East Conflict While Confidence Holds Firm
UK Royal Navy Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Debate Intensifies Over Capability and Readiness
Reform UK Faces Mounting Distractions as Policy Agenda Struggles to Gain Traction
Investigation Launched Into Northern Cyprus IVF Clinics After UK Families Receive Incorrect Sperm
International Meeting Issues Unified Call to Safeguard Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Potential Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Concerns Over UK Food and Medicine Supply Chains
UK Leads Coalition of Over Forty Nations Urging Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access for Medicines in Landmark US Pharma Trade Agreement
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
Bank of England Signals Caution as Bailey Advises Markets Against Expecting Rate Hikes
UK to Convene Global Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Signals Possible NATO Reassessment, Emphasizes Stronger U.S. Strategic Autonomy
Australia Joins British-Led Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Nigel Farage Declines Invitation to UK Conservative Conference Led by Liz Truss
Trump Warns Allies to Take Responsibility as Rift Deepens with UK and France Over Iran Conflict
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Trump Urges Allies to Secure Their Own Oil Supplies as Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy
Russia Expels British Diplomat as UK Pushes Back Against Pressure
White House App Faces Scrutiny After Claims of Continuous User Location Tracking
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
UK-France Coastal Patrol Agreement Nears Breakdown Amid Migration Pressures
UK Police Detain Pro-Palestine Activist Again Weeks After Bail Release
FTSE 100 Advances as Energy and Mining Shares Gain Amid Middle East Tensions
Eli Lilly Seeks UK Pricing Deal to Unlock Renewed Pharmaceutical Investment
Three Arrested in UK After Massive Cocaine Haul Discovered Hidden in Banana Shipment
UK Fuel Prices Poised for Further Surge Amid Global Energy Pressures
Apple Subsidiary Penalized by UK Authorities for Breach of Moscow Sanctions
Western Allies Intensify Coordinated Sanctions Strategy Against Russia
UK Lawmakers Face Criticism Over Renewed Push for Social Media Restrictions
Starmer Signals UK Crackdown on Addictive Social Media Features
Rising Costs Push One in Five UK Hospitality Businesses to the Brink of Closure
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Murder After Car Strikes Pedestrians in UK, Injuring Seven
Escalating Conflict Involving Iran Tightens Fiscal Pressures and Highlights UK Economic Vulnerabilities
UK Moves to Confront Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Operating in Its Waters
×