My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

AIBU?

Where's your 'happy place' in London?

76 replies

Walnutwhipaddict · 08/07/2017 17:36

Hey everyone,

So I'm new to London and have a few hours to kill. Just on Oxford street (so hot!!!) and looking for somewhere relaxing (and a bit cooler) where I can chill for a bit.

I would love to go somewhere like the National Gallery, but apparently it's closing at 6 :(

Any suggestions on a nice little place (niche, unusual, off the beaten track, all suggestions welcome!) in central London that I could chill in for a bit please?

Thanks!

OP posts:
Report
PepeLePew · 08/07/2017 17:37

The churchyard at the bottom of Wardour St by Shaftesbury Avenue. Not sure what time it shuts. Foyles on Charing Cross Rd good too. Go to Hyde Park?

Report
Caprianna · 08/07/2017 17:38

The Southbank. Its by the river and lovely to people watch and have a coctail. Perfect place to chill.

Report
rubybleu · 08/07/2017 17:42

Regents Park or Holland Park. Grab a book/paper, a drink, and sprawl on the grass. There's a great ice cream place on Holland Park Ave.

Report
KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 08/07/2017 17:43

Camden Lock or The Natural History Museum.

Report
Gamesetandmatch1 · 08/07/2017 17:45

Churches around east London

Report
EssentialHummus · 08/07/2017 17:47

Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank. Go up to the 5th/6th floor terrace with a drink.

Report
tissuesosoft · 08/07/2017 17:47

My favourites are Ruby Blues (Leicester Square) for a cocktail on the balcony, St James Park, Southbank and Covent Garden for a wander

Report
LassWiTheDelicateAir · 08/07/2017 17:49

Fortnum & Mason.

Any of the restaurants. Today the ice- cream parlour. The food hall is always busy but the upper floors hardly ever are and are wonderful to browse in.

Report
SwearyG0dmother · 08/07/2017 17:49

Mercato Metropolitano at Elephant and Castle - it's a food/drink market with indoor and outdoor spaces of varying noisiness. Sitting with a drink, some churros and book would be my idea of heaven right now.

Report
LassWiTheDelicateAir · 08/07/2017 17:53

If you are on Oxford Street Fortnums is one stop on the Victoria line to Green Park. Open until 10.

Report
SwearyG0dmother · 08/07/2017 17:54

Ooh, or Waterstones on Piccadilly. Four floors of heavenly bookshop with a bar/restaurant on the top floor.

Report
Lndnmummy · 08/07/2017 17:56

John Lewis roof top terrace.

Report
Lndnmummy · 08/07/2017 17:56

It is gorgeous

Report
MargoChanning · 08/07/2017 17:56

The Wallace Collection is very closev to oxford street.

Report
LassWiTheDelicateAir · 08/07/2017 17:58

Or Hatchards to browse. Or the Wolsely(although probably busy) There is Patisserie Valerie, the other patisserie like Valerie on the same side of Picadilly and another patisserie on the other side.

Report
Boredwithmyname · 08/07/2017 17:59

John Lewis and Selfridges both have roof terraces. The Selfridges one you have to book but they have space tonight according to the website. Depends how far you want to go and for how long - those two are very close for you.

Report
LassWiTheDelicateAir · 08/07/2017 18:01

OP if you are new to London and go to Covent Garden don't , whatever you do , decide not to wait for the lifts at Covent Garden underground station and use the stairs.

Everyone does it once and never again!

Report
OstentatiousWanking · 08/07/2017 18:07

I came on to say I've just had a lovely stroll round Hampstead Heath but it's a bit far I think.

Report
GinIsIn · 08/07/2017 18:10

Liberty

Report
GeekyWombat · 08/07/2017 18:13

The Cork and Bottle subterranean wine bar off Leicester Square. Convenient place to start / end an evening in central London but off the tourist track (it doesn't look much from outside).

I've been going there more than 20 years now and I love it.

God I feel old.

Report
Kintan · 08/07/2017 18:15

The cafe at the top of Foyles on Charing Cross road is nice :)

Report
Cinnamoncookie · 08/07/2017 18:16

Go and sit under a tree in Green Park, Regents Park or Hyde Park. Hyde Park is past Marble Arch, at the western end of Oxf Str

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Fiddlestikks · 08/07/2017 18:18

Postmans Park. Near St Paul's. Gorgeous.

Report
MostIneptThatEverStepped · 08/07/2017 18:21

I was going to say that Fiddkestikks!

Would also second Royal Festival Hall where you can mooch about with a whole picnic and no one cares.

Regents Park is tranquil and beautiful too.

Report
Charley50 · 08/07/2017 18:23

Soho square is a nice bit of greenery near Oxford street.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.