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).

Feeding the beautiful ducks and looking at the pelicans in St James’ park

I like the Wallace Collection near Euston for a more quirky museum: don’t think it’s been mentioned yet

Are you thinking of the Wellcome Collection, Shoxfordian? It is good, but they’ve now closed the big permanent exhibition, 'Medicine Man', amid some controversy. So it’s not quite what it was any more.

The Wallace Collection in Manchester Square is also great to visit - and free, like the Wellcome.

(Top tip: if you’re travelling to/from Euston, don’t use the truly vile loos there, which are an absolute disgrace and a scandal for a mainline station in a great capital city. Nip over the road to the Wellcome, wander round the wonderful reading room, browse the shop, maybe have a coffee, and then use their loos. Immeasurably nicer.)

@Shoxfordian I have a great memory of DD and I spending about 2 hours in the jewellery room at the V&A when she was younger.

@Halsall ; yes I definitely muddled them up! Didn’t know about the medicine man exhibition or controversy; Wallace Collection also very good

@aibutohavethisusername Yeah I love the shiny room there; I could spend ages looking at the diamonds

(Top tip: if you’re travelling to/from Euston, don’t use the truly vile loos there, which are an absolute disgrace and a scandal for a mainline station in a great capital city. Nip over the road to the Wellcome....)

Or alternatively, pop along to the British Library, browse the shop, see the free exhibition, and use their loos.

On a similar note, if you're in the City, the Guildhall Art Gallery has very nice loos.

Really recommend the London Walks - Tudor London, Beatles London, old villages like Mayfair and Chelsea, Brunel's works...every one I've done has been amazing.
Not sure if Carlyle's house has been mentioned, but also worth a trip.
And the Rodin and Cast Court galleries at the V&A.

Thanks to the rail strike on Friday, I am having an unanticipated empty day in London tomorrow.

Having visited the National Trust's place at 475 Wandsworth Rd (which is really eccentric, but rather special), I've managed to get a ticket to Willow Road. I've not been up to Hampstead for about 25 years but I rather fancy a walk across to look at Ladies pond* and Parliament Hill. Are there any other gems in the area?

I managed to snap up a cheap seat at the Royal Opera House for the Friday night too so I am super-excited.

*I have promised DD a post GCSE swimming pool tour of London - she is a keen indoor and outdoor swimmer (and I am happy with a blanket and book)

The Thames Path (all of it) from the Thames Flood Barrier to the Source. Start at one end, if you're the systematic type, or dip into it randomly.

Keats’ House is also in Hampstead