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.

And Chelsea Physic Garden is open - with loos! Bus stops right outside the door if you're not keen on walking.

Is the Thames clipper running? That’s a nice way to see some sights whilst sitting down and under cover. And it has a bar. You could catch it down to Greenwich and back, or cable car over the river and DLR/tube back.

Borough Market regularly has police checking where people have come from by the way so if you take that option make sure you have a copy of your daughter's appointment letter.

@DinoRhino

Borough Market regularly has police checking where people have come from by the way so if you take that option make sure you have a copy of your daughter's appointment letter.

Really? What do they ask?

Thames Clipper closed till 29 March.

I should have asked my boss for more time to wander after the meeting yesterday.

I would dress warm with an umbrella just in case and sit in Hyde park and watch the ducks. I spend all day outside with toddlers and it's not that cold at the moment. There are cafes and toilets. Please don't drive into london 😞

There wasn’t much ready food on offer last time I went to Borough Market the other week, unless you wanted a £18 Lobster roll or a takeaway from Leon. There’s nowhere to sit either. If you’re in Mayfair Selfridges food hall is open, so is the large Superdrug at Marble Arch. The food department is open at the Marble Arch branch of M&S.
you may be able to sit here if the weather is ok.
www.atlasobscura.com/places/brown-hart-gardens
Or you could have a walk in Hyde park, the Italian gardens are lovely.
www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens/things-to-see-and-do/gardens-and-landscapes/italian-gardens

Actually I’d just drive and do a food shop at M&S. you can pull up outside Wagamama’s. ON Wigmore street, order some lunch and sit for a while. I love driving down Regent st, then Piccadilly and down to the Embankment, cross a few bridges. You’ll never see London like this again , hopefully.

Am I missing something? I've been into Central London a few times for work recently and whilst most stuff is closed the traffic is pretty heavy again now - add in the permanent congestion charge and I wouldn't reccomend driving around at all.

If you drive, dont forget the congestion charge. It's really expensive espeically if you forget to pay it on the day

There's bugger all open though.

this bus co is still doing tours if you're desperate (and loaded).

if you are in mayfair, i'd sit in green park for a bit and maybe walk / taxi to westminster abbey if it is open.

@Puppylucky

Am I missing something? I've been into Central London a few times for work recently and whilst most stuff is closed the traffic is pretty heavy again now - add in the permanent congestion charge and I wouldn't reccomend driving around at all.

Yes, traffic is heavy but better to have a car to sit in.

Thank you everyone - some great ideas!

I think I will park at Hyde Park - I can have a gentle stroll if it’s nice and the loos will be handy! I might do a Marks food shop and browse Selfridge’s food hall as well to kill some time!

Ooh nice idea to drive and then park up outside a nice restaurant and order takeout to eat in the car, great shout. I’d go with a car picnic with fancy pizza and a podcast binge

Hyde Park conveniently outside the congestion zone, with loos, views and hot drinks is a winner in my book.

Oops , pressed post too soon

Actual point of my post was to say enjoy.

I've only been 'up town' once during this strange year, it make quite the impression on me.

Get on a bus.

I lived in Finchley and rather than the tube and changing lines I'd sometimes take the 82 bus and just look out the window to see life go by.

It's somewhere to sit, it's dry if it's raining and you can get off if you see anything you fancy a closer look at.

Temple fortune has an M and S that is just food and a Waitrose and some independent shops.

Obviously there are lots of other bus routes.

@ComfortablyGlum if you go to Kensington you park by Wholefoods, and it's an easy walk to KP Gardens

Don't forget to pay the congestion charge OP. Late payment charges mount up.