Your cultural life in London

Everything is so expensive. Everything that is not expensive is packed.  Also, there has been a recent drop in quality. Everything focuses more on ticking boxes than quality. 

If you're going to give me an activity, make it good, not just box checking. 

I've been to quite a couple of arts/cultural events in Germany and a lot of them are free to go which felt very inclusive as you can see a good mix of everybody there. Most events in London cost quite a bit which I think played a hand in deterring people from going

I would like to take my grandchildren more often. They loved going to Hampton Court last Sunday. However, the easiest way from their home is by train and I do not feel comfortable using trains with my grandchildren. The gaps between the trains and the platforms are often very high. There have been a number of accidents reported recently, especially on the Elizabeth line.

Wife & I love stuff that's left-field and stretches your mind! Culture in all its guises is one of the main reasons we're still in London after 40 years. The thought of moving out to the provinces to survive on a diet of Les Mis, Lord of the Dance and pantomine fills me with horror :) Hoorah for the Tricycle/Kiln, Bush, Hampstead, National theatres et al!

A key reason that Londoners don't take advantage of the cultural activities in the city is that they can't afford it.  Ticket prices have risen hugely, as has the cost of eating out, or even getting a cup of coffee.   Essential costs of living swallow up earnings for too many of us.     Less well off people used to get properly subsidised tickets, which would be e.g. 25% or even less of the full price.   These days, a 'concession' ticket will be just a few pounds less than the very expensive full price ticket, so the 'concession' is meaningless.   Also, the poorer areas of London - e.g. Newham - have nothing going on in the local area.  

Although London does have plenty of things that are free to enjoy, it would be nice if for those that aren't, London residents at least got a discount if not free entry like many other cities around the world do. I'm unable to go as much as I used to with the rise in cost of living

I think it is so sad that Londonders do not take advantage of the wonderful opportunities in London often right on the doorstep or a stones throw away and are often free. It is very important and beneficial to health and well being. Spread the word and share the cost in a group setting. London offers so much and is steeped in culture.

I am lucky enough to have an active interest and career experience in the arts. I understand the benefit and value of it and pass that down to my child too. I do however have an extended family who do not engage much in the arts and this is for very typical reasons such as:

Cost of attending cultural events - theatre and music events are prohibitively expensive especially for families with more than one child. The discounts available such as group discounts for example are either time consuming to find or at inconvenient times such as only Mon-Thurs at 19.30 which is a school night. 

Lack of representation within the artistic activities - people don’t see other people like them on stage or engaging in these activities so don’t consider them as an option. 

The lack of available activities in Greater London and the lack of marketing to relevant communities. Much of the time my family don’t even know these things are going on. More could be done by marketing to schools, kids clubs etc  

Regular access to the arts should be compulsory in schools from the start in order to provoke curiosity and develop their experience in the arts. That way over the years you have people interested in working in the arts which in time creates better diversity and representation and thus builds wider audiences.