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Original poster

What can I do in London for 2 to 3 hours on a Sunday?

47 replies

00100001 · 27/09/2022 18:17

So the husband is running a marathon in London on Sunday I'm dropping off home I'm dropping him off at 9:30 having to pick him up around 1 or so. What can I do for the two 3 hours that I have spare?

Would be good to do something interesting make use of the time we're not in London very often maybe 3 or 4 times a year

OP posts:
everythingcrossed · 27/09/2022 21:05

If the start is still in Greenwich, you can cut through the park which is gorgeous and then onto the O2 (I'd normally recommend catching a bus but they won't be running through Greenwich because of the marathon) from where you can catch the Emirates cable car over the Thames. You can then catch the DLR to Shadwell and change to the East London line to arrive at Shoreditch for Brick Lane/Columbia Road Market.

I love doing these treasure trails - they cost about a tenner each and you always see interesting things that you wouldn't notice otherwise. The Shoreditch one is one of my favourites - although might be a bit crowded on a Sunday.

Banana2079 · 27/09/2022 21:08

Go to North Greenwich and get on the cable car you won’t Regret it
Then have a walk round Royal Victoria docks, the Cutty Sark ect

HundredMilesAnHour · 27/09/2022 21:08

PermanentTemporary · 27/09/2022 18:20

Spitalfields Market! If you like that kind of thing.

Where will the drop-off be? And where can you park? Budgeting for car parking will be major. Best to minimise travel time and do something near to the drop off?

Bit early for Spitalfields on a Sun. It doesn't really start until noon-ish. Better to go to Columbia Road market instead and grab some brunch at Lily Vanilli and have a wander round the shops/stalls.

MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 27/09/2022 21:11

Wallace Collection?

LaddieCthulu · 27/09/2022 21:22

Royal academy of arts. It's right near green park.

SuperCamp · 27/09/2022 21:48

I’d do Colombia Rd Flower market.

Or a gallery.

SuperCamp · 27/09/2022 21:49

Check the RA. I think their permanent collection is closed down atm.

ARoyalSubject · 27/09/2022 21:52

MarmiteCoriander · 27/09/2022 20:23

I'd get to liverpool st station, spitalfields markets, Keep walking along bricklane where are more markets (upmarkets and one opposite), grab a salt beef beigal as you continue, cross Bethnal Green Rd and walk to Columbia flower markets.
Depending where you are returning to- either walk along Bethnal Green rd to Bethnal Green tube, or walk back to Shoreditch overground, and have a look at Boxpark shops too.

This is pretty much exactly what I was going to suggest.

MarmiteCoriander · 27/09/2022 22:06

MarmiteCoriander · 27/09/2022 20:23

I'd get to liverpool st station, spitalfields markets, Keep walking along bricklane where are more markets (upmarkets and one opposite), grab a salt beef beigal as you continue, cross Bethnal Green Rd and walk to Columbia flower markets.
Depending where you are returning to- either walk along Bethnal Green rd to Bethnal Green tube, or walk back to Shoreditch overground, and have a look at Boxpark shops too.

On 2nd thoughts, if you were going to go, I'd do this the other way around. Get to the flower market (Bethnal Green tube or Shoreditch high st) as early as possible- as it gets really busy! Then walk down bricklane, see the stalls etc.

Some sections are 2nd hand and as as you walk farther along to the upmarkets, its then gets more bespoke/hand made. Then finish at spitalfields and get the train back from Liverpool st.

BloodAndFire · 27/09/2022 22:19

Does this mean you'll have luggage with you? And you're going to wave him off where? Where's the start?

Abra1t · 27/09/2022 22:22

I’d go to the V&A.

horseymum · 27/09/2022 22:25

A cathedral and hear some beautiful singing, even if you are not religious it's some peaceful time to contemplate and not rush around.

ReviewingTheSituation · 27/09/2022 22:27

Don't bother going to the start - it's runners only. Go for brunch, and then go and watch - it's supposed to be an amazing day, with a brilliant atmosphere. Like no other marathon, apparently.
That's what I'm banking on to get me round. So if you don't want to cheer him on, come and cheer me on instead!!

It would be madness to be in London on marathon day and not watch the marathon.

travailtotravel · 27/09/2022 22:27

Well,I'll be at Mile 24 screaming my lungs out - wouldn't miss it for the world, brilliant atmosphere, v much not just any marathon!

ReviewingTheSituation · 27/09/2022 22:29

Banana2079 · 27/09/2022 21:08

Go to North Greenwich and get on the cable car you won’t Regret it
Then have a walk round Royal Victoria docks, the Cutty Sark ect

You've got not a hope in hell of getting close to Cutty Sark until all the runners have past!

ReviewingTheSituation · 27/09/2022 22:30

travailtotravel · 27/09/2022 22:27

Well,I'll be at Mile 24 screaming my lungs out - wouldn't miss it for the world, brilliant atmosphere, v much not just any marathon!

Keep an eye out for me! Black tshirt, blue headband. Easy to spot out from the other 45000 runners 🤣🤣

VioletTopaz · 27/09/2022 23:02

Good luck @ReviewingTheSituation !!

BlackForestCake · 27/09/2022 23:44

Go to the pub?

BloodAndFire · 27/09/2022 23:48

ReviewingTheSituation · 27/09/2022 22:27

Don't bother going to the start - it's runners only. Go for brunch, and then go and watch - it's supposed to be an amazing day, with a brilliant atmosphere. Like no other marathon, apparently.
That's what I'm banking on to get me round. So if you don't want to cheer him on, come and cheer me on instead!!

It would be madness to be in London on marathon day and not watch the marathon.

I've seen it (accidentally) a few times. It's not very interesting.

HundredMilesAnHour · 28/09/2022 00:04

It would be madness to be in London on marathon day and not watch the marathon.

The vast majority of Londoners avoid the marathon like the plague. In fact it can be a massive inconvenience due to road closures etc (although in most of London, you won't even know it's going on). I have to cancel my voluntary work each time as the marathon prevents me from getting to the charity where I volunteer in time for my shift. Same with the Prudential sodding Bike Ride, London Triathlon etc. Spare a thought for those of us just trying to get on with our normal lives. It's interesting to experience once but the novelty rapidly wears off.

Princessglittery · 28/09/2022 00:20

If you go to the start I agree you can do O2 plus cable car or the observatory.

Rather than getting the tube consider the Thames Clipper for a different view of London
www.thamesclippers.com

TeaFagsand · 05/03/2023 21:32

You can do oodles!

There are galleries, the Tower of London, museums abd The Cutty Sark at Greenwich. Not to mention shopping.

What do you want to do?

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