Finsbury Square area of London for a day?

[BiddyPop]

Hi all,

DH and I have been to London (including with DD - now 14) a few times before, but not for a few years now. So we've done the Eye, HMS Belfast, Natural History and V&A Museums, galleries, walked outside Buck Palace, done a bus tour etc. - the regular tourist stuff.

We are going for 3 days next week, and I will have one of those totally to myself (early morning til late afternoon I am guessing). That will include a spa treatment in my hotel (hot stone massage probably), I am certain (or somewhere else that is great and I can get to).

But does anyone have any recommendations for places I can go to myself, or with DH and DD on the other 2 days?

Both of them groaned when I mentioned a musical - so I think that's out. And if I want to do crafty stuff, or V&A again, that's on my day.

I'm mostly happy to do anything. A slower paced day to myself on Friday would be good, so if there are hiding spots to bury myself in a book or wander around nice gardens (if weather permits), I'm happy to do that. We are all happy to walk lots, and to use underground etc to get around.

Any insider tips or ideas?

[SurpriseSparDay]

You’ll be less than ten minutes walk from the Barbican - perfect for wandering, lakeside, or hunkering down with a book in one of the cafes or the foyer. (Cinema, plays, concerts optional.)

[Ricekrispie22]

Check out Spitalfields market
Visit Cereal Killer cafe in Brick Lane with your Dd
Dennis Severs’ house is excellent and definitely worth going to but your Dd might not be very interested.
Have you been to the Tower of London? And the whispering gallery at St Paul’s?

[BiddyPop]

Thank you both, I shall do some exploring on my maps of those!!

[Countmeout]

Yes to Spitalfields market we loved it. Lots of nice shops round it too. Dennis Severs house is not everyone’s cup of tea. Columbia Road forthe flower market and quirky shops .
Shakespeare’s Globe I also enjoyed.
I also enjoyed a wander round Notting Hill.
We went to Kew, not hard to get to.

[squeaver]

So, you're basically in The City - mad busy during the week, dead at the weekend.

A nice place to go for a drink and good views is the bar of Citizen M by Tower Hill station.

Agree with Spitalfields and the Barbican. St Katherine's Dock also good and Borough Market etc.

Look up the Sky Garden too although I think you have to book well in advance. Or what about the Shard? Or one of those speedboat trips on the Thames? And there's always either of the Westfields.

Visiting teens here all seem to love Carnaby St for the trainer shops, Brandy Melville etc plus you're near the big Top Shop.

Have you ever been to the Design Museum?

[squeaver]

I know they groaned at a musical, but check out Six. It's not long and teens love.