7hrs in London this Saturday- what to do?

[MarjorieFrangipani]

We have been given last minute train tickets allowing us about 7hrs in central London this Saturday. It will be me and DD (12)
We will be coming in and out via Kings Cross from at 11am, leaving at about 7pm
What would you do in that time? We've done a fair bit of sight-seeing before now so don't need to do just the main obvious London sites, but happy to if there's something recommended.
I'm thinking along the lines of a little shopping, possibly a mooch at places like Harrods or liberty and some Christmas Lights towards the end, but what would you do if you had a lovely few hours (and the freedom to roam without the rest of the family) with your DD before she turns into a teenager in a few weeks

Liberty's changed, alas! It's full of concessions these days.

Have you been to the South Bank? You can cross the Thames on the Millennium Bridge and walk along to Westminster Bridge. The Christmas Fair is on at the Southbank Centre and there are lots of little shops on the way too; more if you start at Tower Bridge instead.

Cross Westminster Bridge to the north side and walk along the embankment to Embankment station, then head north into Covent Garden. There are couple of markets and some interesting shops and you get a very good class of busker there! If you end up there you can have an early dinner in one of the cafes or restaurants before taking the Piccadilly Line three stops to Kings Cross.

I forgot to mention: get the free Citymapper app. It's brilliant for getting around London. It'll go through a lot of data though, especially in the urban canyons.

Go to see the matinee of a show?

Winter Wonderland!!!

I would take DD2 (13) to Spitalfields and mooch around the market and then out the back and down brick lane to the beigel shop (orange sign not white). Buy some biegels to scoff for lunch whilst we wander down to the museum of childhood at Bethnal green and she can laugh at all the toys you point out as owning as a child.
Tube from Bethnal green to oxford circus and mooch along either regents street or oxford street, maybe through Soho to Covent Garden and then tube or bus back to KCX for the train home.

I’d book on to a free walking tour (loads of themed ones in London depending on your interests, art / history / wartime London / Jack the Ripper etc). Then lunch at Dishoom followed by mooching about a market somewhere. Love a rummage for vintage bits!

Thanks so much everyone- some great ideas here

I would do what ThatLibraryMiss suggests. Get some street food on the South Bank for lunch.

Definitely Winter Wonderland!

The Sky Garden is great and it's free. You do need to book. Amazing views of London.

I would go to winter wonderland in hyde park, and try and get tickets for either Six or &juliet at the theatre!

If you want to go shopping, go to Liberty and Harrods and see the lights, Winter Wonderland is probably the best combination if you have just 7 hours.

I would start at Liberty/Oxford Circus, heading west towards Marble Arch. The shops are pretty much doubled up if you go in the opposite direction (Tiger Tiger and Lush being the exception, they are only on the eastern half). The departments stores are all west of Oxford Circus. Lunch in St Christopher's Place/James St is always good for preteens, Marylebone High Street is also good and a bit less touristy/"chainy", this place is good if you fancy raclette/fondue for a wintery theme: www.levieuxcomptoir.co.uk/the-food/4577227250
There is new Hard Rock Cafe at the end of Oxford St by Hyde Park that might appeal to your DD too. Or go for street food at Winter Wonderland.

Then I would do the Christmas Markets and fairground at Winter Wonderland followed by ice skating in the park (book online).

Then take the bus or walk through the park to Harrods (maybe feed the parakeets if there is time). Finally I would get a bus back to Kings Cross along Oxford St to see the lights from the top deck.

How about Tutankhamun exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea tutankhamun-london.com/, shopping on the King’s Road, and a posh coffee & cake at the Bluebird www.bluebird-restaurant.co.uk/? Covers Christmas shopping vibe & London-only attraction, plus all in one place so easy & you don’t spend all your time on the tube. Have a lovely time!