Most magical places in London? Feeling so depressed to be back. Help me find some joy and wonder!

[Bionacan]

All that in the title really…

Hampstead Ladies’ Pond is my most magical London space.

Please give me some others and stop me from feeling gutted to be back (was living abroad in my favourite country but had to return for family reasons).

My favourite places in London are The Natural History Museum, The Isabella plantation in Richmond Park, The Horniman museum and Camden Market.

Have a wander around St Dunstans in the East gardens, near London Bridge. Beautiful. Opens at 8am tomorrow.

Came here to say this. I love it there, especially when it’s really quiet

You can sit, if you don't want to stand!
And I'm sorry to report that there were no madeleines on Thursday night 😢
But still more than worth the trip.

Great thread. I have lived in London for 20 years but still haven't done all these and there are so many I'm desperate to return to.

North London - mooch around Highgate shops and to Kenwood House then
stop for cream tea at High Tea of Highgate on the way back

South London - Nunhead Cemetery and Peckham pubs

I used to walk through that park several times a week and never really thought much of it, then I did a treasure trail (trail online designed for kids) around St Paul's last summer and despite working less than a mile away for the best part of 20 years, it was like discovering a whole new area including postman's park. (It also gets the kids to walk miles without really noticing!)

I'm glad you said this as I've tried to get tickets before and yesterday managed to book some for 2 weeks time

I love all the parks but regents and hyde park in particular. Also, I’ve lived here for 25 years, but I still get a buzz when I get train to Blackfriars and train stops on the platform and you have that amazing view of tower bridge, Tower of London, shard and Canary Wharf. I always think how lucky I am that I live here.

My Dad used to take us to Isabella plantation when we were kids - it was beautiful

The Wallace Collection
Van Gogh Immersive exhibition
Kew Gardens

I had a lovely day today attending an event at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Followed by dinner and dessert around the corner. The Museum and all surrounding buildings are a marvel of architecture and Greenwich regularly has events to suit both young and old. I've also just come back to London from abroad. I could never ever be bored in such a cosmopolitan city as this where you always have something to do and see if that's what you want. + Public Transport no problem.

Agree, I grew up in Greenwich, haven't lived there in over 15 years but still love a day in Greenwich park.

I’ve just read the replies now and another vote for primrose hilll (both the park and the little streets around it), southbank and Kew Gardens. I see lots of votes for temple. I’m lucky enough to work there - I tend to forget how lovely it is!

I came to say these cemeteries including west Norwood.
woolwich arsenal - and the new punch drink show there
highgate village
chelsea physic garden
trent park and the green route round london
kew, richmond, Putney, Barnes and Hammersmith for walking and dining
herne hill lido for a sunny day
tooting or southall or Wembley high road markets

Great thread! I have done some of these but there are loads I haven’t done.

I generally love walking along the river (or getting an Thames clipper).
Visit one of the museums / galleries (Tower of London, HMS Belfast, Tate Modern etc) and if the tide is out walking along the edge of the river and finding weird objects.

The two guys on the Southbank who type up a poem on any subject on old typewriters.
Stopping for a drink in the National Theatre bar.
Seeing some Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre and imagining what it was like all those years ago.
Walking over the Millennium bridge towards St Paul’s.

All the above, plus;

All the statues in Embankment Gardens
Watching all the wildlife in St James' Park
Go to WWT London and pretend you're in the fens
And my personal favourite... the (free) display galleries at the British Library

The building itself is the best thing ever. I would go and look at the building even if it had nothing in it.

What a fab thread, posting here so I don’t lose it, loads going on my list (I’ve lived here for 20 years and there’s lots for me still to discover clearly!)

In addition to all the brilliant things above, I'd say:

1. Get yourself tickets (they're free, but you have to book months ahead) for the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London - when the Tower is locked up for the night by the Beefeaters. Incredibly atmospheric and magical (and a way to see something of the Tower without paying!)
2. The Charterhouse is absolutely stunning - a medieval monastic foundation, turned into a Tudor mansion after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, now an almshouse and charity, and only very recently open to the public.
3. A good way to get access to a lot of places is to go to a church service. Evensong at Westminster Abbey or St Paul's: or I've been to Sunday services at both St James' Palace and Hampton Court.
4. If you like self-guided walks, take a look at Andrew Duncan, either books or online. His are great. Having worked in the City for years, I did one of his City walks, thinking "Oh, I'll know all the places" and it was an absolute revelation.

Besides all the great suggestions here, I echo Chelsea Physic garden and add the Thames Barrier Park.

Lovely thread. I’m adding:

Waterlow Park in Highgate,
Coombe Wood in Croydon,
Beddington Park in Wallington,
Nonsuch Park in Cheam.

Trinity Buoy Wharf (stop for some food in Fat Boy's), Cable car from Royal Victoria Dock and Thames Barrier Park.

Lovely thread.

Yes to Primrose Hill and Richmond Hill - a pint and lunch in the Roebuck if the latter. The staff are usually lovely there too.

Highgate Cemetery and Abney Road Cemetery.

Postman's Park

Fortnum and Mason at a quiet time

Daunt Books

Hatchards of Piccadilly

The little nature reserve at Kings Cross is very sweet

Lambs Conduit Street

Doing a tour of the Wren churches in the City is a lovely way to spend a day.

Yes. And not Wren, but the church of All Hallows by the Tower is also a good one to visit.

And poking into the little courts and alleys in the City. And the little cobbled streets off Eastcheap running down towards the river. And walk through Leadenhall Market.

if you're doing the Mithraeum, you should also visit the remains of the amphitheatre under the Guildhall Art Gallery (which has very good loos).

The City is often overlooked as a place to visit, imo.

Also love Fournier St - Gilbert and George live there but I didn't know until I'd been and looked it up as it felt so magical- their house is worth £12m, but imagined just the hugenot silk weaver in the attics.