To ask you what to do with a day in London tomorrow

adayinlondon · 2024-12-02T18:25:50+00:00

Hello all, I'm a foreigner and during to unexpected work scheduling issues I'm going to be in London all day tomorrow and free. I've taken off the day last minute as leave as I'd rather explore than work from my hotel room. I'm staying in Chelsea. What could I do tomorrow ? Thank you for all and any ideas !

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 03/12/2024 18:15

adayinlondon · 03/12/2024 17:42

22800 steps and one delicious scotch egg later im off for supper with old school friends from 25 years ago!

Will update tomorrow on what I did!

I'm genuinely delighted that of all the tips on this thread you got the Scotch egg! 😂

Original poster

adayinlondon · 03/12/2024 17:42

22800 steps and one delicious scotch egg later im off for supper with old school friends from 25 years ago!

Will update tomorrow on what I did!

OP posts:

Caroparo52 · 03/12/2024 10:13

To get a Christmas vibe visit a big Department Store and see the lights in Bond St. after dark

Original poster

adayinlondon · 03/12/2024 10:08

Thanks all! I'm finally off to Fortnum's after sorting more emails than I would have liked this morning and will make a "panaché" of all your ideas.

OP posts:

lostoldname · 03/12/2024 07:34

Traveling down the river by Uber Boat (previously Thames Clippers) from Canary Wharf into central London after dark is lovely as all of the bridges are lit up.

More local to Chelsea are Leyton House Museum and Design Museum

Antiopa12 · 03/12/2024 05:58

Be Very careful of taking your phone out in public or having it in your back pocket. So many phone thefts happening .
Despite this warning, Enjoy your day in London , it is a fantastic city to walk around .

HotCrossBunplease · 03/12/2024 02:43

Go to Borough market for good street food, or Market Halls behind Oxford Street.

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 02/12/2024 20:14

Doh

Apologies all - should have RTFT

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 02/12/2024 20:13

Whodatdare · 02/12/2024 18:43

I always recommend getting on a river taxi. Get the underground to Canary Wharf and then jump on a river taxi back along to the London eye.. It is not expensive and it gives you a nice feel for the city and once back on dry land pop over to Covent Garden and soak up the vibe. Enjoy!

Oooh we're off to London after Christmas and I fancy this ... when you say not expensive how much are we talking?! And is there a water taxi rank we go to at CW or is it an uber thing?!!

HotCrossBunplease · 02/12/2024 20:09

JurassicPark4Eva · 02/12/2024 18:51

I'd go looking for a last minute ticket for a show!

https://www.todaytix.com/london/category/all-shows?date=2024-12-03&listId=13lhPM81uRYLnZ5T7EozSZ

Guys and Dolls, Bridge Theatre. Unmissable.

Jasnah · 02/12/2024 20:08

Museums depend on when you last did them; I went back to one the other day after 20 years and wouldn't have recognised the place as the same one I visited before.

I'd recommend the street performers in Covent Garden - always worth a trip - anything on Exhibition Road and surrounding areas, Speakers Corner if you're into bizarre politics and Westminster Abbey if you can get in to see a service. Use contactless card to travel on the Tube, much cheaper than buying a ticket (something I only learned the other day).

Avoid any of the shopping areas at this time of year if you can - I hated Piccadilly and Oxford Street, took one look at F&M's and Harrods to go "Nope" and turn the other way, unless you are into getting squashed from all sides and being unable to move.

BasiliskStare · 02/12/2024 19:53

@adayinlondon - if you are staying in Chelsea - South Ken is near so you can vist V&A a etc Saatchi Gallery on Kings Road - River taxies go from Cadogan pier and the new Battersea Power station has shopping and the tall chimney to look out from . My advice would be look up locations - London is big - not doable in one day .

All best to you 😀

Perfectpartyfood · 02/12/2024 19:47

Just hopping in to ask if there's much Christmassy in Notting Hill? I've got an appointment there tomorrow and wonder if it's worth a wander esp for independent shops and twinkly lights? Sorry for intruding!

Potatoewithawonkyeye · 02/12/2024 19:45

Skuna hot tub boats look like fun also!

Potatoewithawonkyeye · 02/12/2024 19:44

Lift 109 in battersea power station looks amazing!

Original poster

adayinlondon · 02/12/2024 19:42

Thank you everyone! Reading through everything and trying to make a plan.

I'm a museums and good food person!

I have been before but I've never actually visited if that makes sense ...I've been to the science museum and most on museums road, ive been to the time line and cutty sark. I went to the Tate modern as a child so the best part of 30 years ago.

I'm going to read through and plan myself an epic day tomorrow!

OP posts:

BIossomtoes · 02/12/2024 19:37

WillowTit · 02/12/2024 18:48

i really liked the national portrait gallery
and st martin's crypt cafe opposite.

One of my favourite ways to spend a few hours. A warning though, the queues in the Crypt can be long and slow thanks to the shocking service.

Ladybugger · 02/12/2024 19:35

Similar to other suggestions - choose a destination, then walk to it, London is fab to walk around, you'll come across all sorts of unexpected things. From Chelsea I'd probably head east along the river, Tate Britain is worth popping into. Just follow your nose and you'll pass plenty of cafes to stop at / shops / little parks / galleries etc. You can always get public transport home if your feet start aching! Enjoy!

partygarden · 02/12/2024 19:31

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 02/12/2024 19:20

Visit Fortnum and Mason's. Buy a Scotch egg from their downstairs deli and eat it in Green Park. Then go for a wander, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Whitehall, up The Strand, maybe around the Temple area where the barristers' chambers are, or along the riverside.

That's a great suggestion! I actually want to go and do that too!!

If you're going to go to Fortnum and Mason (I'm sold on it tbh😂) I'd also wonder over to see the gorg Christmas decorations on Bond Street. Then walk or get a tube back to Saatchi gallery- not sure what's on atm but always a good one to check out.

Or you could head somewhere totally different- Camden, around the canals to Hampstead Heath.

greenblueredyellowviolet · 02/12/2024 19:30

Have you been before?

At this time of year I'd hang out at the Southbank or in Covent Garden, or check out Battersea Power Station - there's a Christmas market there too. The V&A Museum has a beautiful, beautiful cafe inside. Or check out one of the food markets, Camden Lock Market, Borough Market, Broadway Market.

ZedelFan · 02/12/2024 19:29

This thread highlights how massive London is. So many great places to visit!

ZedelFan · 02/12/2024 19:28

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 02/12/2024 19:20

Visit Fortnum and Mason's. Buy a Scotch egg from their downstairs deli and eat it in Green Park. Then go for a wander, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Whitehall, up The Strand, maybe around the Temple area where the barristers' chambers are, or along the riverside.

Fortnums is rammed with Christmas shoppers at the moment. I popped in yesterday and I could not believe it! Hopefully better on a weekday.

ZedelFan · 02/12/2024 19:27

Maybe St Paul’s, the Millennium bridge and the Tate Modern. Have tea and cake in the Tate cafe. Or there are lots of places for lunch nearby. And then a walk down the South Bank, pass the London Eye, cross Westminster Bridge and end up at Big Ben.

alwaysworthatry · 02/12/2024 19:21

at midnight tonight log on to tkts website and buy a discounted ticket to a west end show. highly recommend moulin rouge for some fun music.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 02/12/2024 19:20

Visit Fortnum and Mason's. Buy a Scotch egg from their downstairs deli and eat it in Green Park. Then go for a wander, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Whitehall, up The Strand, maybe around the Temple area where the barristers' chambers are, or along the riverside.