5 hours in London on my own - what would you do?

[TR888]

I'm meeting people later and will have quite a busy couple of days there. What would you do with those five hours though? It'll be tomorrow so a hot day.

I'd rather not say about my likes and dislikes. I'm interested in hearing what others would do as that might spark ideas about stuff I wouldn't normally do.

Thanks!

I'd go and see the last Caravaggio at the National Galleries. And then a mooch/ coffee and cake at the Portrait Gallery.

This. From Hammersmith I would recommend South Ken for museums and/or Harrods + Harvey Nicks (which personally I hate, but you need to go if you've never been). Or Kew Gdns.

If the tubes are playing silly buggers, walk down to the Thames and along, and find yourself an overpriced but wonderful pub to have a lovely lunch.

Oooo or https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/

I'd go to this as that is what I am going to do next time I have a free few hours in town.

https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2024/six-lives

Then find a good roof top bar or mooch along the Southbank.

I'd go see the David Hockney Bigger & Closer exhibition at Lightroom and have a wander around Coal Drops Yard. No idea if that is logistically possible or enough to fill 5 hours.

I would probably go for a look around a museum (either British museum or v&a) and then hit a big primark (I’m from a rural area so it’s a rare thing for me but I appreciate it’s not everyone’s cup of tea!)
wander around Covent Garden, people watch whilst eating something yummy (maybe a bens cookie)

Emery Walkers house is in Hammersmith if you like The Arts & Crafts movement

I'd also go for a swim at Parliament Hill/Hampetead Ponds, or Brockwell/Tooting Bec Lidos.

It depends on what u like. I can easily spend 4 hours in John Lewis 😄

I'd have a meal at Iznik Turkish restaurant in Highbury.

Find a walking route to explore.

Find a museum I hadn’t been to before.

Head towards a park with a good book, if good weather.

Uber boat is brilliant way of seeing London from the Thames catch from westminister pier down to Canary Wharf. The docklands museum is a short stroll and free- absolutely fascinating
You can then get the DLR next to it back into central

Oh I would love a few hours to myself in London! Used to live there years ago. I’d get my nails done or a facial, go to the national museum, get a nice book in a good bookshop in take it to green park/hyde park with a mini picnic. Probably a bit of a squeeze to do all that in 5 hours!

Btw just wanted to say for tourists in general the uber boat is great but I honestly think the tourist boats are better - they have a commentary which is really informative and they cost the same as the uber boat.