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Original poster

How would you spend a solo day/afternoon in London?

83 replies

ErinAndTonic · 19/10/2023 21:20

Need some ideas, keep having the odd solo day/afternoon/evening to spend and want to find other things to do that don't involve shopping and getting more tat I don't need 😅

Quite like the coffee and book idea that I've never done.. but any recommendations food exploring or otherwise, basically just need inspo!

(Just to clarify I sometimes go for work and only really work 9-1 but get later trains back as it's miles cheaper, and I enjoy it, hence lots of afternoons there)

OP posts:
Antst · 19/10/2023 21:26

Have you ever been to the V&A museum? I love spending time there when have a few hours. There are always interesting exhibitions going on. You can pay to see special exhibitions but most of the collection is free to see. There are other interesting museums very close by.

Oh, bet you could see a cheap daytime theatre show or musical performance as well. The Royal Albert Hall is just a short walk from the V&A and it's often possible to get tickets for standing room for £20 or so.

user1494050295 · 19/10/2023 21:29

Silver vaults, borough market. Leaden hall market. There are free afternoon concerts at st james Piccadilly

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 19/10/2023 21:29

BBC earth in earls court
London aquarium on south bank

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Holidays
Champagneforeveryone · 19/10/2023 21:30

I would go and have a poke around on the shores of the Thames. Strictly speaking you are supposed to have a licence but I don't use magnets, metal detectors or spades and I only go probably twice a year (visiting DS at uni)

I can then have a nice meal and a pint in a pub and meet with DS later on.

In bad weather I would mooch around Borough Market or the Natural History Museum, but (as above) I am something of a tourist 😉

babbi · 19/10/2023 21:31

I love walking around all the parks no matter the weather but I’m a bit “ different “ !

Edwardandtubbs · 19/10/2023 21:31

Old operating theatre. Fascinating!

Original poster
ErinAndTonic · 19/10/2023 21:35

Love all these ideas so far!

Just to add some things I do often (in case anyone else can benefit!)

I like to explore Chinatown, wander around Holland Park with the peacocks, hit one of the big Primark or Tkmaxx stores, sit in a nice bakery savouring a cake, eat at one of the high end food markets/halls, walk along south bank, in summer have a little picnic in one of the parks..

But any new ideas would be fantastic, some of these sound great 😊

OP posts:
LoganCaleSeries5 · 19/10/2023 21:36

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LoganCaleSeries5 · 19/10/2023 21:37

have a great time in London

PegasusReturns · 19/10/2023 21:38

V&A always

Antst · 19/10/2023 21:39

Another museum I like to poke around in when I have spare time is the Garden Museum on the bank of the Thames. There's an excellent cafe there that uses high-quality produce. It's simple but very good vegetable-oriented food.

Also, if you're into crafts, there are some amazing fabric and other stores like nowhere else in the world. I'm not good at sewing, but I love poking around even when I know the fabric is way too expensive and high-quality for my skill level.

Longingforthesummer · 19/10/2023 21:39

I want to do a day like this. My plan is to go for a nice lunch somewhere splash out as on my own, then want to go see Sunset Boulevard or another show at 2pm then early evening train home with a Pret sarnie. Sounds stupidly boring to some of you but I just fancy it

Longingforthesummer · 19/10/2023 21:39

Harrods foodhall for lunch with a glass of fizz

LosingPatents · 19/10/2023 21:40

There are these special guided walks that are about secret London. I’ll see if I can find a link

yoshiblue · 19/10/2023 21:40

V&A
Daunt Books and coffee in Marylebone
Probably ending up shopping elsewhere too!

LosingPatents · 19/10/2023 21:40

https://www.walks.com/

Original poster
ErinAndTonic · 19/10/2023 21:41

If anyone travels from London Waterloo and likes Asian food, I'd really recommend Warugame Udon or however it's spelled.

They have lots of Japanese dishes, a tempura bar, desserts and refillable soft drinks not to mention fancy Japanese toilets that have Japanese audio lessons playing 😅 I quite often go there for food/snacks/a refillable drink while waiting for my train to pull in.

OP posts:
NinaGeiger · 19/10/2023 21:41

I've got a book called 'Tired of London, Tired Of Life' and it has something in London to do for every day of year. I find it useful when I have a day or half a day to kill, to look up that week in the book and see good suggestions of things to do, often that match the weather for that time of year.

Original poster
ErinAndTonic · 19/10/2023 21:41

LosingPatents · 19/10/2023 21:40

There are these special guided walks that are about secret London. I’ll see if I can find a link

This sounds right up my street!

OP posts:
cathyandclaire · 19/10/2023 21:42

Following for inspiration - but I like Borough market for lunch then walk along South Bank and a coffee and a browse at the National Theatre bookshop.

Original poster
ErinAndTonic · 19/10/2023 21:43

NinaGeiger · 19/10/2023 21:41

I've got a book called 'Tired of London, Tired Of Life' and it has something in London to do for every day of year. I find it useful when I have a day or half a day to kill, to look up that week in the book and see good suggestions of things to do, often that match the weather for that time of year.

I've seen this in the bookstore before -
May need to check it out

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 19/10/2023 21:43

Champagneforeveryone · 19/10/2023 21:30

I would go and have a poke around on the shores of the Thames. Strictly speaking you are supposed to have a licence but I don't use magnets, metal detectors or spades and I only go probably twice a year (visiting DS at uni)

I can then have a nice meal and a pint in a pub and meet with DS later on.

In bad weather I would mooch around Borough Market or the Natural History Museum, but (as above) I am something of a tourist 😉

You're breaking the law by doing this. The PLA have actually suspended issuing new licences due to the damage being done to the Thames foreshore by the volume of people 'poking around' like this poster.

https://www.pla.co.uk/Environment/Thames-foreshore-permits

Thames Foreshore Permits | Port of London Authority

Anyone searching the tidal Thames foreshore from Teddington to the Thames Barrier - in any way for any reason - must hold a current and relevant foreshore permit from the Port of London Authority. This includes all searching, metal detecting, ‘beachcom...

https://www.pla.co.uk/Environment/Thames-foreshore-permits

HazelDean · 19/10/2023 21:44

Primrose Hill is nice to see views of London. It has lots of nice cafes and shops to browse.

cathyandclaire · 19/10/2023 21:49

Oh also the Museum of the Home ( was the Geffrye Museum) is a really quirky and interesting place in the Hackney/Shoreditch area ( I think) cool cafes around too

ReignOfError · 19/10/2023 21:50

Seconding the Garden Museum.

The Wellcome Collection f ten has fascinating exhibitions, and is free https://wellcomecollection.org/

The cafe at Friends House is lovely.

Crossbones Cemetery http://crossbones.org.uk/ (limited opening hours) and Southwark Cathedral.

Highgate cemetery - the tours are really good https://highgatecemetery.org/

Visit our free museum and library in central London connecting science, medicine, life and art. Explore our exhibitions, live events, gallery tours and café. Fully accessible.

https://wellcomecollection.org/