BJJ London | Where to Train: The Complete Guide

Finding the right gym for a drop-in, however, isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds. London has hundreds of martial arts clubs spread across a huge geographical area, and not every academy makes its drop-in policy, prices or timetable easy to find. Even once you’ve found somewhere you want to train, you’ll need to work out which classes you can attend, how much they cost and whether you need to contact the gym beforehand. So, to save you the headache, here’s what you need to know about where and how to train BJJ in London.

The BJJ scene in London

London has a particularly strong Jiu-Jitsu scene, with everything from internationally recognised academies and established competition teams to smaller, independent gyms offering a more personal training environment. You’ll find plenty of options whether you prefer training in the gi, no-gi or a combination of both.

The city has also played an important role in the growth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Europe. Some of the sport’s most recognisable names have established academies here, and London’s international population has helped create a diverse grappling community with practitioners from all over the world.

One thing worth considering is London’s size. A gym that looks relatively close on a map can still involve a lengthy journey on the Underground, particularly during rush hour. If you’re visiting, it’s worth choosing somewhere that fits around where you’re staying or the areas you plan to explore.

For visiting grapplers, Stoa Grappling, Putney Jiu Jitsu, GrappleZone and Roger Gracie Euston are among the top BJJ gyms in London available on DOJOTAP, giving you several options across the city.

Stoa Grappling

Stoa Grappling is based in Moorgate, right in the heart of the City of London. It’s a particularly convenient option if you’re staying around Liverpool Street, Barbican or the Square Mile, or if you’re visiting London for work and want to squeeze in some training before or after a busy day.

The academy was founded by Igor Terreco, who also serves as head coach. Stoa takes a broader approach to grappling, combining Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with wrestling and judo to help develop well-rounded athletes. There’s also a strong emphasis on physical performance and recovery, with a dedicated strength and conditioning facility alongside the training space.

There’s plenty of flexibility for visiting grapplers. Stoa offers both gi and no-gi classes, with beginner, mixed-level and advanced sessions throughout the week. Its timetable includes early morning training, lunchtime classes, evening sessions and open mats, making it one of the more convenient options for anyone trying to fit Jiu-Jitsu around work or sightseeing.

The facilities are another highlight. Stoa has been designed as a dedicated grappling and performance space, with access to strength and conditioning equipment alongside the mats. It’s a great option if you’re looking for somewhere to train that combines technical Jiu-Jitsu with a more complete approach to athletic development.

You can find everything you need to know about Stoa Grappling and book a drop-in through DOJOTAP.

Putney Jiu Jitsu

Putney Jiu Jitsu is based in Putney, making it a great option if you’re staying in West London. The academy has built a strong reputation for its personalised coaching approach, with smaller class sizes and an emphasis on helping individual students progress.

The academy is led by head professor Paul Hartley, a third-degree BJJ black belt with over 20 years of experience in the sport, alongside co-founder and black belt Tim Grant. Paul has an extensive martial arts background and has coached competitors as well as recreational practitioners, with a particular emphasis on technical development and building strong fundamentals.

Putney offers both traditional gi Jiu-Jitsu and no-gi submission grappling, with classes catering to different experience levels. There are fundamentals sessions for newer practitioners, all-level classes and more advanced training for experienced grapplers. The academy also has an established competition team, so it’s a good option whether you’re looking for technical instruction or some challenging rounds.

One of Putney’s biggest attractions is its facilities. Alongside a premium Fuji mat system, the gym has a dedicated recovery space with a sauna and cold plunge. If you’re travelling and training regularly, having somewhere to recover after a session is a particularly nice bonus.

The academy’s focus on smaller classes and individual attention also makes it a good choice if you prefer a more personal training environment rather than a large, high-volume gym.

You can find everything you need to know about Putney Jiu Jitsu and book a drop-in through DOJOTAP.

GrappleZone

GrappleZone is located in Waterloo, just across the road from Lambeth North Underground station and within walking distance of Waterloo station. It’s one of the more conveniently located academies for visitors staying in central London, particularly around Waterloo, Westminster and the South Bank.

The academy offers a combination of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, freestyle wrestling and Muay Thai, with a strong emphasis on creating a welcoming training environment for practitioners of all experience levels. Whether you’re relatively new to Jiu-Jitsu or have been training for years, there are classes designed to help you develop your skills.

GrappleZone is a CHECKMAT-affiliated academy led by co-founder and head coach Courtney Anderson, a BJJ black belt with over a decade of experience in the sport. The gym has developed a strong competition team, with a coaching roster that includes Faris Benlamkadem, the first British male IBJJF No-Gi World Champion. Faris teaches on Monday and Wednesday evenings, making those sessions particularly worth checking out if you’re looking to train with a world-class competitor.

There are also dedicated freestyle wrestling classes, making it an interesting option if you’re looking to work on your takedowns and stand-up grappling alongside your ground game.

The timetable includes morning, lunchtime and evening sessions, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to fit training around their plans. There are also women-only BJJ classes, alongside the academy’s wider adult and junior programmes.

Its central location is another major advantage. If you’re spending the day exploring London’s South Bank, visiting Westminster or staying near Waterloo, it’s relatively easy to incorporate a drop-in without travelling across the city.

You can find everything you need to know about GrappleZone and book a drop-in through DOJOTAP.

Roger Gracie Euston

Roger Gracie Euston is based just a short walk from Euston station, making it a particularly convenient option for anyone staying in central or North London. The academy is part of the wider Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu network, which follows the teaching philosophy of one of the most accomplished competitors in the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Roger Gracie is widely regarded as one of the greatest gi competitors of all time, known for his exceptional command of fundamental techniques and his ability to apply seemingly simple positions and submissions against the very best competitors in the world.

The Euston academy is led by instructor Junior, who brings that technical approach to his coaching. There’s a strong emphasis on developing solid fundamentals, understanding positional control and building effective Jiu-Jitsu that works against resisting opponents.

The academy offers classes for different experience levels, including introductory sessions, fundamentals, no-gi and advanced training. Its advanced classes cater to blue belts and above, making it a good option for more experienced grapplers looking to develop their skills within the Roger Gracie system.

The location is particularly useful for visitors arriving in London by train. Euston, King’s Cross and St Pancras are all nearby, so it’s an accessible option whether you’re staying in London or travelling into the city for the day.

You can find everything you need to know about Roger Gracie Euston and book a drop-in through DOJOTAP.

Can visitors drop into BJJ gyms in London?

Yes. There are plenty of BJJ gyms across London that welcome visiting grapplers, whether you’re in the city for a weekend, travelling for work or staying for a longer period.

The main thing to consider is location. London is a huge city, and travelling between different areas can take longer than you might expect. If you’re staying in central London, Stoa Grappling in Moorgate, GrappleZone in Waterloo and Roger Gracie Euston are all worth considering. If you’re based in South West London, Putney Jiu Jitsu is another excellent option.

It’s also worth checking the type of training available before booking. Some academies have a stronger emphasis on traditional gi Jiu-Jitsu, while others offer a wider range of no-gi, wrestling and submission grappling classes. Depending on what you’re looking for, you might want to choose a gym based on its coaching style, timetable or the opportunity to train with a different group of grapplers.

London also has plenty of early morning and lunchtime BJJ classes, particularly at gyms located near major business districts. If you’re visiting for work, these can be a great way to get some training in without sacrificing your evenings.

How to book a BJJ drop-in in London

Check to see if the gym you want to visit is on DOJOTAP. All gyms listed on DOJOTAP welcome drop-ins, and you can book and pay for your session directly through the platform.

Search London and enter your dates to see the available gyms and sessions, along with the timetable, drop-in price, location, facilities, uniform policy and other information you need before training.

There’s no need to message the gym beforehand or wait for confirmation that visitors are welcome. If a session is available to book, the gym has made it available for drop-ins.

Stoa Grappling, Putney Jiu Jitsu, GrappleZone and Roger Gracie Euston are the London gyms featured in this guide. Check DOJOTAP for their current booking availability.