Central London couple of free hours - low cost what to do?

[madeinmanc]

I'm in London tomorrow near Bond Street and have three or four hours free from about 15:00. I don't fancy trekking out of the centre as I'll probably be a bit tired. Any ideas on something to do? I've lived in outer London before so it's not all new to me but I don't want to (or indeed can't) just go shopping as I might have done in the past.

I just thought "Design Museum" but it turns out it's closed on Wednesday for some insane reason 😭

The Wallace Collection is about a 15 min walk from Bond St.

Isn't tomorrow Thursday though?

Royal Academy of Arts or better the National Gallery or National Portrait Gallery. Doing this on phone so trying to find nearest galleries for you. Or British Museum.

Always my choice to go to a gallery or museum. Those all free for the regular stuff, extra for any special exhibitions but plenty to see outside of exhibitions- Royal Academy less so than the others.

Walk down to Piccadilly.
St James Church is beautiful and they have food stalls in the courtyard.
Part of Bridgerton was filmed there too.
Walk through the church and down the road next to Charles Tyrwhitt, there is a beautiful square park.
Enjoy!

Thanks, tbh it's actually today and I was trying to change some details in case someone recognised me 😬

RA, Wallace Collection, if you like churches St James in Spanish Place is nice

DD and I going to John Soames Museum which is a bit quirky - not sure where it is in relation to you tho

Thanks, I think I went round the Wallace Collection and the Sir John Soane's museum before but I could always go again.

I just saw there is a skateboard exhibition at the Design Museum, too ☹️

National Portrait Gallery is amazing. Worth visiting the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 2024.

Thanks, that's an interesting idea. I just don't want end up traipsing around Primark or something.

@madeinmanc

www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/young-artists-summer-show-2024

news.artnet.com/art-world/tavares-strachan-sculpture-at-the-royal-academy-2427219 in the Annenberg Courtyard of RA

www.culturecalling.com/london/arts-culture/features/mayfairs-hidden-gems

www.lifeinzoneone.co.uk/post/40-free-things-to-do-in-london

Carnaby Street

11 September 2001 Memorial Gardens Grosvenor Square

British Museum would be my pick. There are a couple of cinemas nearby too if it's more killing time (Leicester Sq, Tott. Court Rd).

Barbican? 2 stops on Elizabeth line from Bond Street. If you’re into design there’s a textile exhibition on currently: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2024/event/unravel-the-power-and-politics-of-textiles-in-art

Yes to the galleries - all within a 15 min walk.

Could also browse (not buy!) Fortnum and Mason food hall? Try some samples, get Xmas/birthday presents ideas. Then potter along to Waterstones on Piccadilly and again browse and then have a cup of tea and cake in one of the cafes.

I'd go and watch a film at the Curzon on Shaftesbury Ave.

There’s a Gerard Richter exhibition at the David Zwirner gallery at 24 Grafton exhibition. Not massive, and part of it is upstairs with no lift, but it’s great if you’re close by.

24 Grafton Street.

What did you end up doing?

I'd have said the Wallace Collection too in that area. They may well have rearranged stuff since your last visit and swapped things on display for things that were in storage.