A day in London to myself .. what to do?

[BluebellBlueballs]

I will have a day ( apx 9 am to 3pm) in Central London in 2 weeks time, on a Friday and want to make the most of it.
I can allow myself around £80 to spend on touristy stuff.

I'm thinking something down by the river as I love the water, then maybe something cultural/ historic.

Hit me up with any suggestions please.

Will probably be arriving from the south eg Waterloo and leaving to the west eg Paddington as travelling to Bristol later on.

Someone asked almost the same thing earlier in the week. You should find it with a search.

Maybe Greenwich? You could catch the clipper ship down the river. Visit the naval college, the maritime museum and/or the royal observatory. Then grab some food at Greenwich market.

Oh this sounds like an absolute dream! I'd probably start along the south bank and find somewhere nice for breakfast with a view. Then walk along the river and cross the bridge for Parliament, possibly entry to Westminster Palace. Then I would meander up to Buckingham Palace and Green Park, where it'd be time for a nice lunch stop, either there or a hop over to Borough Market, and from there a look round the Golden Hind and Southwark Cathedral. I just love having a vague plan then seeing what I discover along the way. You'll have a great time OP!

Oh I’ve seen you don’t have much time. Maybe stick to something more central then-like a quick visit to the Wallace collection then grab a bite to eat in Selfridges?

Or I may prefer to ask the question myself and interact with other MNers?

There some canal walks on this site that look great, I've not done any of them yet but planning to www.londonxlondon.com/canal-walks-london/

Buck pal visit? I didn't even realise you could do this until recently but even as a non royalist I find the idea of seeing some state rooms quite interesting.

You can do both. ;)

Just trying to help. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I'm so used to MN being quite snarky these days I assumed you were being so also. Apols.

I like the idea of that. Not a royalist but still interested in the monarchy!

It doesn't open until mid July.

We were there yesterday. I went to the Rossetti exhibition at Tate Britain and it was absolutely stunning - and not far from Waterloo. you do have to prebook tickets.

or Tate Modern, then walk over the footbridge to St Paul’s?

it was very warm! I wish I’d worn shorts not jeans! I saw lots of people mudlarking on the banks - I didn’t realise you could just go and do that if the tide is low. We also commented that we’d like to have gone into tower bridge which is also now open to limited prebooked numbers.

The tate modern has a section with bits found mudlarking. Some fascinating stuff in there.

V&A museum
Book shopping

Yes! I didn’t see it this time (DD was getting impatient) but years ago I saw a fantastic exhibit which was a cupboard full of little drawers and you could open them and see the mudlarking finds - mobile phones, clay pipes, and LOADS of wedding rings - thrown off bridges in a rage maybe? Wonder if that is still there?

That’s it!

I'd go for a swim at Kenwood Ponds and a potter around Hampstead.

You can't mudlark
You need an annual licence and they have stopped issuing them to protect the shoreline
They regularly stop people and caution/arrest them

I’ve lived in London for decades but only recently visited Westminster Abbey. Good value for money and would recommend the audio tour. This was an interesting take before going https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v44/n19/miranda-carter/dudes-in-drapes

Google secret London walking tour. It's a v efficient sightseeing tour. The boat is a nice way to get around and see a lot.

I'd book a fun afternoon tea or something.

Ohh or bank of England museum - it's free and you get to hold a gold bar! Plus great selfies!

I’d book a matinee in the West End, although I am not sure if they do them on Fridays; and have lunch beforehand in Chinatown.

Or, I’d go to the Tate Britain and eat somewhere round there.

A river cruise with lunch or afternoon tea would be nice. Greenwich is a great place!

Primrose Hill, Hampstead, the Heath through to Highgate.

If your coming into Waterloo I would wander all the river , plenty of stuff to do along there. However having recently been to battersea power station that is worth a visit, take a tour in the cat and dog home too if you fancy something different

Highgate cemetery is fascinating. I asked a similar question on here, and someone recommended London walks. I went on an excellent waking tour.