London alone - ideas

[StreetSpirit3]

I’m off for one night away in London in May (solo) and I’m seeking ideas of things to do while there. I’m going to be staying in Hilton Islington (I had the hotel room for free on a respite for carers scheme). DP will stay home with the kids and I can’t bloody wait 😂

Getting there at 12pm and leaving at 2pm the next day.

That sounds lovely. I would do a boat trip. Some of the free museums/art gallery. Afternoon tea.
Have a browse in a book shop and buy a book to read a night when snuggled up in hotel bed.
Cinema.
Enjoy!

Free museum or gallery. I love the turbine hall at the Tate Modern. Borough Market if you're any kind of foodie.

A boat trip sounds lovely. I thought about browsing the V+A/science museum too. I am currently torn between booking a theatre show in the evening or just enjoying the hotel room/ordering room service and having a lovely bath 🛀

Lots to do and enjoy! I'd start with the British Museum, if weather OK walk around Hampstead Heath, if you like trendy markets Camden, Regents Park, Regents Park Zoo, trundle round the West End (chinatown, Picadilly Circus, Leicester Square), Covent Garden, theatre show.

Thank you, Borough Market sounds interesting 🤔 🍱

It's a good idea to pick a part of town and explore that since it can be quite knackering travelling around the city. I like to choose one area, and do a nice gallery or museum, nice cafe, couple of shops.

Matinee theatre performance, then have the hotel to yourself in the evening! Win-win!

Since you're in Islington I would walk along the canal to Kings Cross and gave a mooch round the new development/Coal Drops Yard (loads of places for food and drink) then carry on along the canal towards Camden. Stop in Camden if you wish (loads of interesting shops there too). Continue along the canal to Regents Park. Walk in the park if you wish! Carry along the canal to Little Venice.

This is all assuming you like a lot of walking!!!

You could do it in reverse and end up back in Islington of course. There are approximately a million and one different restaurants in Upper Street so you shouldn't have any difficulty finding something to eat!

Matinee performance, then order Deliveroo to your room for tea
I’d do national gallery briefly, then nosey at the food in Fortnums and Mason, then walk through St James, across the park, down to Westminster. If you wanted to carry on walking, cross the river and walk along the south bank to Tate modern

I’d definitely do a matinee then relax…coals drop yard is great.

Totally understand the desire to settle in for the night but don’t order room service - it’ll be overpriced and dull. Deliveroo will have tons of options to choose from and will happily deliver to your hotel!