London by myself- what should I do?

[User050105]

I'm going to London next week with dh, but he's working during the day. Usually we go with kids and meet up with family with kids and do kid friendly things. The highlight of our last trip was Airthrill in Catford and looking at the outside of Brentford football stadium.

But this time it's adult only, we're staying really centrally. So grown-up London is my oyster.

I like reading and knitting, so any great shop recommendations?

I'm interested in history, social history in particular. I might visit the foundling hospital, is that interesting? Is there anything to see around Woolwich Arsenal? I had ancestors there. But I can't work out if there is any sort of museum, I suspect not?

I like interesting buildings, I think I'll visit the Tate Modern, but I'm not madly interested in modern art so will mainly just look at the building.

Nice areas to wander round and drink coffee and read books? Covent Garden?

Should I take a day trip somewhere further afield, is Hampton Court Palace worth a visit?

I still have a notion to visit the dinosaurs in Crystal Palace. I realise they're probably not very interesting but I'd like to see them all the same.

Oh and maybe nice cocktail bars. I'm not that interested in shopping.

Any suggestions welcome. I've wanted kid-free time in London for so long and now I have it I don't know what I want to do with it.

I've only got 3 days as well.

A foodie walking tour - lots of options on Secret Food Tours website. We did one around London Bridge/Borough Market. It was brilliant and would def recommend

I had a brilliant few days recently.
My highlights were a fascinating tour of the Royal Courts of Justice, including sitting in on proceedings. Stunning buildings.
Tour of the Royal Albert Hall- absolutely brilliant and my favourite London building.
Seeing Witness for the Prosecution in County Hall. Fantastic play in such a unique setting. Get bargain tickets on the day.
A mooch around Liberty Of London. Breathtaking inside and out.

It used to be nice and very busy. But I went there recently and it was quiet and gone down hill. I think it's not helped by the fact that Waterstones Piccadilly closes at 9 pm now. Far too early to support a bar. A lot of places, even in the capital city, are still closing early after pandemic changes.

The Grant Museum of Zoology is quite fun and quirky as it's a bit less touristy and like going to a museum 100 years ago.

It's in the UCL/Bloomsbury area but has limited opening hours. It's free entry.

My favourite museum of all time is the Museum of Brands. It very much fits the bill for those interested in social history.

Also, if you’re in the area this is an interesting little museum in the lab where Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin. Mornings only, Mon - Thurs.

London Roman Wall walk is good and doesn't take long, 2 hours max though you may need a rest at the Barbican Centre. I'd start at Tower Bridge tube station and take a small diversion to St Olave's church in Hart Street. You end up close to St Paul's Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge.

The courts have fantastic toilets and it's free entry.

For social history The Museum of the Home is wonderful, just next to Hoxton station and has a lovely garden, shop and cafe too. And Columbia Road market is nearby if the times work. Lots of beautiful shops around there.

If you go up to Coal Drop Yard, visit the Lightroom for the utterly fabulous David Hockney immersive exhibition. Just an hour of pure bliss.... I didn't want to leave.

I'll definitely go there then 😀 can't beat a fabulous toilet.