Good place to rest in middle of day in London?

[Russooooo]

Hello wise ones,
I’m in London for the weekend. There’s a busy day planned and we’ll be out of the hotel from now-ish until 11pm-ish. I’m really looking forward to it, but I’m also absolutely knackered. Logistically, it won’t be possible to come back to the hotel during the day. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good place to chill out for a chunk of the day? (Hotel foyer with squishy sofas? Bookshop that lets you sit and read? Not too busy coffee places?) We’ll be central - south bank / Covent Garden etc.
Thank you!

There are places to sit down in the national gallery. Last time I looked there was a big bookshop on Trafalgar Square

Southbank centre, Foyles cafe on Tottenham Court Road or the massive Wetherspoons on TCR if you prefer.

I’ve heard that the Masonic lodge in Covent Garden has a cafe which is usually quieter than other places as people don’t realise it’s there.Freemasons Hall

Sorry I mean Charing Cross road near TCR for both of the last two

Festival hall on southbank

The big Waterstones on Piccadilly. You could spend hours there, sitting and reading.

Yes - royal festival hall on south bank is a haven of calm amongst the bustle and crowds outside. Plenty of tables cafe style but I’m not sure if there are any comfy sofas there.

Waterstones or most of the other big bookshops have cafe areas.

National theatre on southbank is lovely and peaceful

The Wellcome Collection Reading Room sofas, beanbags. Maybe a bit out of your way. Tate Modern has sofas on the upper levels.

National Theatre on South Bank is great. Couple of floors, places to sit and outside cafe/bar

If the weather is good go to the courtyard in Somerset House. In fact go anyway. Lovely fountains and spectacular buildings.

Someone on here mentioned the Garden Museum at Lambeth Palace the other day. That might be a quiet spot.

The 5th floor at Waterstones on Piccadilly. You can have a comfy seat, cup of tea or glass of wine and something to eat.

Or the Royal Festival Hall but won’t be comfy seats.

I sometimes meet DH in the foyer at the Waldorf on Aldwych. Comfy sofas, you can get a drink if you want one, or just sit and relax. Actually you can probably do this at most mid-range hotels.

This is wonderful. Thank you!!

Festival Hall. Go upstairs and aim for the poetry library sort of area. Crowds really thin out.

I was just coming to recommend the poetry library and most of the South Bank!

If you fancy an outdoor resting place to escape from Covent Garden, this place is great: https://www.thephoenixgarden.org/

Also the Actors' Church has outdoor space.

And this place is good:

Might be too late, but just in case!

I was just going to recommend the Actor’s Church

Foyer in the royal opera house is chill and open to everyone with a cafe

St Martin’s in the Fields crypt is nice.

which doesn’t have a single seat in it! Not even the basement or the third floor. I have tried to use it for similar reasons myself!

You could go to the cinema?

BFI library bar, although check opening times.

This looked really interesting
https://eonariumexperiences.com/london/genesis/?utm_source=secretldn&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=130632_lon&utm_content=genesis-light-show-review&utm_term=cta1

Royal Opera house. Nice toilets, bar/cafe area on second floor. You don’t even need to buy a drink - people just sit there and chill

Andaz and The Ned hotels are pretty central (Liverpool St and near Moorgate respectively) and they've got foyers with sofas you can sit on or bars/coffee shops open to non residents.