Calling any London experts

[LittleEsme]

I'm staying in London (Acton) for the weekend and would love a list of places to go and eat.

Money isn't exactly flush so I'm not after anything expensive but I don't want to take me and my teenager to Burger King for instance. We should be getting into Acton late Friday afternoon and I imagined dropping off our stuff and heading on the tube for a few hours.

Does anyone have any suggestions for things to see (we love markets, bookshops, street food etc)? Is Portobello/Camden market and Brick Lane worth a visit?

We haven't booked anything for Saturday night but would any of you have any suggestions? DD is 15
So nothing like clubbing or bars, but a sneaky cocktail wouldn't go amiss.

I'd really like to hear your suggestions. This has come totally out of the blue and I've barely had time to plan!

All the markets you mention are great, plus Southbank Book Market might appeal if you like books? No good on cocktail bars now I’m afraid. Soho has lots though.

@Thatsmorethanhalf thank you!
I'll start planning to visit those!

Seven dials, in convent garden, has a great canteen style eating place - lots of cuisines to choose from with a couple of bars.

Also draughts is good fun if you like board games. There is one in waterloo and hackney, does food and has a bar

This place is super fun and affordable and has branches across Central London: https://marugame.co.uk/

I’d swerve the book fair and go to Foyles instead and from there you can head into Covent Garden, Soho or Trafalgar Square. If you want a bit of culture, the National Portrait Gallery has just reopened and the downstairs spaces may (or may not!) appeal to a 15 year old. Definitely head to Camden, lots of places to eat and it’s very lively. You can walk along the canal to King’s cross/Kings Place from there. Again, more eating options though it can be a bit pricey depending on where you go.

Thanks everyone. This is so useful!

For markets, street food, food/drink pop-ups (that might have Cocktails!) and book shops head to Spitalfields/Brick Lane. If you are around on Sunday that is probably the best day to visit but Saturday will work as well. Lots to see including great street art, clothes stalls, independent shops. You can then walk 10mins up the road to Shoreditch/Hoxton where there are lots of bars/restaurants.

If you want to go further afield, Broadway Market (London Fields) on a Saturday is jam packed with amazing food stalls, 3 fabulous independent bookshops and a cocktail bar called Off Broadway.

Borough Market also has some nice food. Riding House Cafe has these amazing deep dish berry pancakes for breakfast and brunch.

There’s a cute vintage cafe that used to be open late in Waterloo called Scooter I think. They serve cocktails and a great hot chocolate.

If you like shows some of the Dance at Sadler’s Wells is £15-20 and if you’re willing to go further out you can watch some of the off West End shows (Richmond, Wimbledon, Bush Theatre) for cheap. Theatre at the Tabard has an adaptation of Persuasion on atm.

You lot are amazing. Thanks so much. Brick Lane is very much on my list and yes, I'd love to try and grab some sort of show Saturday evening - that price would work for me. I'm really doing this on a shoe-string so every little helps!

I was wondering about visiting just one London site maybe Friday evening - any suggestions? Are the Dungeons worth it?

Also, a colleague told me to avoid the London Eye and head to the Sky Garden instead. Is this good advice?

I was thinking of making a reservation for somewhere to eat on Friday evening - any recommendations? DD and I eat anything!

Hopeful bump for more info!

There’s a lovely pizza place next door to East Acton station that also does good coffee.

Can I suggest Brixton. Vibrant and colourful. Great Market and food. Also greenwich via the dlr(driverless train) through canary wharf. Food market, museum nice shops . Take the uber boat back unto london.

On a Sunday morning go to Columbia Street flower market then walk to Brick lane ,visit market, the Broccoli man, eate bagles ,visit vintage shops.

Op please don't walk to Camden along the canal it's not pretty and there is nothing to see it would be a waste of time and also lots of really dogy people along there.

Camden is quite far out but if you want to do it, it is fun but a massive crush however you could combine it with beautiful primrose Hill just by it and walk up the little Hill to see beautiful views.

Sky Garden is great but you have to get ticket in advance. Cahoots bar in Soho is fun, in an old tube station, but do be aware some places wouldn’t let an under 18 in specially Saturday night.
seven dials market is fun, but you can’t book.
brick lane in the day is good, go to Beigal Bake. Definitely do not go to London dungeons.

Sky garden is nice yes it's a bit 80s inside but still good fun.
It's a little way out though whereas London Eye is cental.

I totally disagree, the walk from Paddington to Camden is gorgeous

Get the train to Paddington. There's lots of places there.

@PinkRoses1245 what's wrong with London dungeons.

Heddon street yochocho is beautiful and not expensive Japanese.

Don't go trailing too far out.

if you’re staying in Acton you’re really close to Chiswick which has loads of lovely shops and places to eat. Nearest Tube station is Turnham Green.

? I was referring to the suggestion to walk from kings cross to Camden which is not pleasant or pretty by any vast stretch of the imagination

London Eye is a waste of time and money. That whole area will be a nightmare at the weekend. Covent Garden, Soho and those areas would be best for shopping, food and cheeky cocktails.

I wouldn’t pay for the dungeons if you are on a tight budget. It’s fairly pricey and not really London specific. Sky Garden is a good place for a London view, the viewing gallery at the Tate Modern is a good alternative too (not as high as some but in a good spot to see the city).

The clipper river boats can be quite a nice way to combine travel with seeing some sights too.