I have over 3 hours to kill in central London next week...

[ComfortablyGlum]

I’m taking DD to an appointment in Mayfair next Friday. It’s a 3 hour + session and I will be escorting her to the premises although not allowed in due to Covid. With everything shut, what can I do with myself for over 3 hours??!!

Normally it would be easy! Shopping, cinema, gallery, spot of lunch, maybe a cocktail or two!

We are commuting distance so used to going up to town a lot and love nothing more than some free time to mooch about - but not so much when everything is shut!!

Won’t be so bad if it’s a bright, dry day but it probably won’t be - so what can I do?

I’ve thought maybe I should drive instead and sit in my car with a book. Any other ideas?

Just to add, I suffer from bad asthma so just aimlessly walking around for hours is not an option unfortunately.

How far from home will you be? I’d be tempted to drive back home and pick her up later.

I would drive if you can. I was in the City yesterday and one lady stopped to ask me where the nearest sandwich bar that was open could be found.

I walked around for ten minutes after my meeting - to me it's my usual turf and I just wanted to see it and hold it in my heart

Honestly, there is literally nowhere you can go unless you are happy outside for 3 hours. Have you checked you can use the loo? I have taken mum to an nhs hospital and they did let me but some places are run by power hungry lunatics.

Just on the subject of loos...London parks and train stations have them!

Otherwise I agree, if it's not nice weather you will get cold and fed up very quickly if strolling around from Pret to Pret is not for you.

Boots is open, I'm sure you could kill 30 minutes or so in the big one on Oxford Street.

if strolling around from Pret to Pret is not for you

Not even all the prets are open!.

@macaronirabbit

if strolling around from Pret to Pret is not for you

Not even all the prets are open!.

Very much not open, hence the lady's question yesterday. To be fair she was not far from a little scattering of food places that were open but it's hard to predict.

Last time I was there, the only thing open was Tesco Express and the staff wanted to have a long chat, they had barely seen a soul all day.

It's better than that time though, or seemed better yesterday.

Borough Market is open and that's an interesting place to go and visit if you're interested in finding some different foods (also Neils Yard Dairy is right next door and open if you like cheese)

The nearest tube station is London Bridge

There's lots to see round there if you fancy a long 3 hour walk? Buckingham Palace is right round the corner, could walk up the mall, see Downing Street and Westminster abbey. Along the river to St Paul's cathedral. Back round through Covent Garden. Stop for a few coffees and loo breaks on the way! But that's only if you won't mind a good walk

@londongirl12

There's lots to see round there if you fancy a long 3 hour walk? Buckingham Palace is right round the corner, could walk up the mall, see Downing Street and Westminster abbey. Along the river to St Paul's cathedral. Back round through Covent Garden. Stop for a few coffees and loo breaks on the way! But that's only if you won't mind a good walk

OP said walking isn't an option.

Sod all to do. Watch a few muggings, read the graffiti 😂

If you can't walk around too much, I'd take the car and drive round some places you don't normally go. Take advantage of the lighter traffic, then park up with your flask and a book.

Check if one of the local churches is open for private prayer. You could sit in there, even if you are not religious.

As previous poster said, boots is open. This includes the brilliant one in Covent Garden that has loads of interesting beauty brands (if you are into that sort of thing). If you are up for a quick journey north, the food market in Camden is open and there’s lovely stuff there.

If the weather is nice you could have a nice day walking around without the crowds. I would have a bit of a plan as walking around aimlessly could get boring quickly.
You could just get on the tube and explore any part of London really. Kings cross is lovely but not sure if any shops open at the moment...Food places maybe.

Head to brick lane and pick up some bagels!

I’d go to borough market as it’s open and there will be delicious things there

Or spitalfields market as there will be delicious things there

Or I’d go to coal drops yard because it’s just cool to see and wander around it

I am imagining a smart woman in a mac carrying a hidden weapon op...

Borough market is open and great to wander round

I can’t wait to have an excuse to go again. I want to eat all the crumble at humble crumble (attached photo)

@Onedropbeat

I’d go to borough market as it’s open and there will be delicious things there

Or spitalfields market as there will be delicious things there

Or I’d go to coal drops yard because it’s just cool to see and wander around it

Coal Drops Yard is just closed, depressing and probably still full of insane one way signs.

Fortnum and Mason food Hall is open. If the weather is dry, you could buy yourself a decadent picnic to eat in Green Park while you wait.

Loads of Prets are open! I may have visited a few the other day. Plus there are plenty of Caffè Nero's etc

If you can't walk, then bringing the car might be wise. Not much is open, and 3 hours is a lot of time to kill if you can't walk along the river or sit down in a cafe.

@MostIneptThatEverStepped

Loads of Prets are open! I may have visited a few the other day. Plus there are plenty of Caffè Nero's etc

I pointed her to one that was, but it seems hit and miss.

Anyway, OP can't hang around anywhere, that's the issue.

Taking the car is a good idea. The traffic is quite light at the moment, you could park in eg Hyde Park (convenient loos at the north end). Lots of takeaway available, lovely views there too.

I was also going to say Fortnums for a browse and a nice picnic lunch in Green Park. Or Borough Market and a stroll along the river - it doesn't have to be a three-hour hike.