Help me plan a weekend by myself

[Nobbynobbsknob]

Next weekend Exh will be taking the kids away to his parents. It's the first time I've ever had a weekend all to myself and want to do something instead of getting a takeaway and watching TV. I'll be free from Friday am until Sunday pm so a proper weekend.

My fear is that if I stay at home (London) then I'll come up with plans but not do them because it's easier to flop at home.

All my friends are busy /away so I'm going to go out of my comfort zone and go away by myself - just don't know where. Also there's a train strike and I don't want to drive for more than 2 hours each way. Did have a crazy idea about Paris but not sure my budget goes that far (£500)

Please help me think of something lovely to look forward to. I want to be excited about this!

How about a drive down to Brighton for one of the days? Sit on the beach, explore the shops etc.

Whatever you end up doing, have a fabulous time and enjoy yourself child free for the weekend.

How about an Airbnb somewhere by the sea? I went to Hastings recently with a friend - we found a lovely little house with sea views. We walked on the sea front and poked around the lovely independent shops. It was heaven!

Could you be a tourist in your own city?
Eat out, go see a show by yourself, etc

Do you want to go away? If your worry is cancelling plans if you stay in London then make some plans you can't cancel - book a ticket to a show, a facial, whatever floats your boat.
My dream weekend on my own (I live in London) would be a glass of wine in the park (Battersea Park cafe is good for that) on Friday evening; then I'd go out for brunch on Saturday and go to the V&A and the big Waterstones, then the cinema in the evening. Sunday I'd get the train out to Richmond or somewhere similar for a walk along the river and some shopping.
But if you want to go away, how about Oxford? Beautiful in summer and lots to do. Or Bath?

If I had a weekend to myself it would go:
Friday night- crisps and dips in front of a film on the sofa
Nice early night
Saturday morning lie in til 11am
Whatever I want for lunch. In silence.
Saturday afternoon nice nap
Whatever I want for tea. In silence.
Nice early night
Sunday- same 🤣

Before I had kids it would’ve been the Paris in a weekend idea, and it may come round to that again in the future but at the moment I think the above is equally valid for a rare child-free weekend, and not a waste.

Sounds lovely OP. I'm in the process of planning the same though hadn't considered anything as ambitious as Paris and mine is a solo weekend away from a new puppy rather than DC.

I'm planning a solo weekend stay in one of our nearer cities. I do it a few times a year and always really enjoy it, it's much easier if you book a central hotel and something comfortable with good amenities though I am partially disabled so for me the hotel being close by is essential in case i need a rest. I generally go for the more historical cities so I know there will be plenty that suits my interests and the aesthetic I enjoy. I like to check in late on a Friday, get myself a takeaway, watch youtube or TV in peace, long bath and then an early night ready to make the most of it the next day.

Usually I go to a gallery or museum in the morning before they get busy, get myself lunch and then treat myself to some shopping in the afternoon or some reading and a pastry somewhere (preferably with a new book I've just bought) a lovely park, the beach, the river; whatever is nice locally. Find somewhere for dinner and then I quite like taking an evening stroll to see how things look in the evening light. The next day I have a bit of a lie in, go out for breakfast and then visit something else I fancy locally before leaving, usually something I spotted the previous day.

Sounds incredibly boring and unambitious to others I'm quite sure but I find it very restorative and I think it's good to indulge exploring alone.

Portobello Road market. It's been many years since I last went there and I used to find some amazing random things there.

Theatre - haven't been since before covid.

Dim sum (kids don't like it - wierdos)

West End Live is on that weekend. So is the Head of River Race

Omgomgomg. Maybe even a comedy club! That would be so cool. And clothes buying. And a great restaurant for dinner that doesn't sell nuggets.

Please keep inspiring me!