4 hours in London

[Ilovenotebooks]

I'm visiting family in London next weekend. On one of the days they're all going somewhere that I'm not keen to go to so I've got about 4 hours to myself. I've done all the usual London stuff so looking for something a bit different to do. Grateful for any suggestions.
It'll just be me. 40+ year old woman. I'm not keen on museums or historic houses. Love animals, beautiful buildings, lovely scenery, photography opportunities, books, wandering. Happy to travel to any zone.

The pergola next to Hampstead Heath and then a wander round either the Heath or the little shops/cafes/pubs in Hampstead village.

Walk along the river at Hammersmith and the wetland centre, browsing the second hand book shops on Charing Cross Road, Highgate village and cemetery and Heath, Portobello Road market?

I know you say no museums but have you been to the Ritblat (treasures) gallery at the British Library? It’s one of my favourite places - I don’t really think of it as a museum, but I suppose technically it is. From there, stroll down to Russell Square and along Lamb’s Conduit Street via a nice coffee/glass of wine and a browse in Persephone Books.

To be honest I would go shopping on Oxford street.

Ooh a walk in regents park? Any park tbh. Scenery and photo ops. The heath as suggested above is also a good choice and has pub opportunities!

Find a cinema or even a show if timings are right?

Lovely ideas thank you.

London zoo?

Or a trip on the Thames clipper to Greenwich?

This is a beautiful building Leighton house.

id go to batteries power station and see what they’ve done to it.

The Design Museum in Kensington is a trip down nostalgic memory Lane.

Kenwood Ladies pond for a swim...
www.anyamountofbooks.com/
And other books shops nearby.. londonvisitors.wordpress.com/2019/03/17/london-shopping-streets-the-bookshops-of-charing-cross-road-and-cecil-court/

Oxford street has nothing left to offer.

Unless you fancy spending your day in Selfridges don't waste your time.

Holland Park or Battersea Park. Both are lovely. Battersea park has a small children's zoo.

If you opted for Regent's Park you could also have a walk up Primrose Hill nearby - lovely views of the London skyline.

Persephone books has moved to Bath!

I’d easily spend a few hours in Foyles.

Shopping on Oxford St is the worst suggestion ever. The shops are shit and the whole experience is depressing as hell.

Go to Liberty's for a mooch and lunch, or Borough Market for the same. Or the City is great at the weekend because it's so quiet.

Visiting the city is a good shout imo. It's kind of weird at the weekend, but interesting

If the timings fit, what about a guided walk eg www.walks.com/ I've done quite a few of them - always interesting and took me to places I wouldn't have otherwise known about.

Kensington Gardens (if u haven't been).
Maybe Richmond Park or Greenwich if in a right area.

Londoners Underground, Barbican Library (Free)
Soheila Sokhanvari Rebel Rebel Exhibition (Free)

This is what I am doing on Wednesday.

Battersea Power Station,only opened a couple of weeks ago.Looks fabulous.

If the weather is nice a walk along the canal around little Venice is beautiful this time of year.

Battersea Park and power station = brilliant suggestion

A wander in Regents Park and a trip to the wonderful Daunt Books

Sky Garden (book in advance) and taking pictures at St Dunstan in the East - could go up the Monument too and see the Roman temple.