Looking for suggestions for trip to London this weekend

[Poppinjay]

I'm visiting central London with two friends this weekend and we have Saturday evening and Sunday morning free to do as we please.

We are late 30s to late 50s and work together in a rural school. None of us has been to London much, (other than that I used to go from Euston to Westminster and back quite often 30 years ago) so we haven't done many of the tourist attractions and we're a little nervous. We're all quite easy-going and just want to make the most of our time in good company without any responsibilities.

It looks likely to rain quite a lot while we're there so indoors is probably best.

We don't like very busy or noisy places much. We're happy to walk or use the tube.

We think we'd like a nice Chinese meal about 5.00pm on the Saturday which will be followed by an evening at a small concert (already arranged). We quite fancy a nice breakfast on the Sunday morning but could be tempted by something different.

Can you lovely Mumsnetters come up with any brilliant suggestions for how we should use this time or where we should go?

Thank you in advance

Where are you staying? And where is the concert?

there’s loads to do but a lot depends on where else you need to travel to.

without knowing much else, I’d recommend Covent Garden, Tate modern, maybe the Wallace collection if you like art and history as it’s a bit quieter (but research it first- not to everyone’s taste!), Chinatown for Chinese dinner perhaps (look for restaurants with Chinese people in, not just western tourists).

the other big museums tend to have queues these days (national gallery, British museum, natural history museum etc) but maybe you can book (free) timed tickets

it will be busy if you’re used to rural living. So just give yourself plenty of breaks. Go to cafes, people watch a bit to recharge. That’s what I do (lifelong Londoner!)

Where are you staying and where is the concert are probably the key bits of info needed to help…

Thanks.

We're staying in Paddington and the concert is in Walthamstow.

I didn't know about the timed tickets. Thank you.

If you're staying in Paddington I'd probably consider the V&A for your cultural fix - it's so big that you can just keep walking around until you find a quieter bit! I particularly love the jewellery section, and the massive double-height room with all the pillars/monuments in. And the religious artefacts. Oh and the furniture on the top floor! That's often very quiet.

I also love the Sir John Soane museum (Holborn) but that can get busy and it's relatively small. Absolutely fascinating though.

I just got lost in the V&A website. It looks fantastic!

Chinatown for Chinese dinner perhaps (look for restaurants with Chinese people in, not just western tourists).

Is it best just to go there and pick somewhere that looks nice (with Chinese patrons), rather than trying to book?

The jewellery displays are jaw-dropping! I also like the costume/theatre section. They have a nice cafe too, although it does get busy. You're also over the road from a little pedestrianised bit outside South Ken station with lots of cafes too.

What's your budget? I'd see if I can get into Yauatcha for dim sum if you're in central London during the day before going to Walthamstow to your gig.
I like Ottolenghi for breakfast/brunch -- Islington, Marylebone, Notting Hill, possible other branches. If you're staying in Paddington, Beany Green? Or Caravan in Kings' Cross.

Good that you are in Paddington as you are easily connected via the Elizabeth line to central and east London.

What sort of Chinese food do you like - traditional Cantonese, dim sum, Szechuan?

Bit of a left field one - but as you are on the Elizabeth line - how about the Royal China in Canary wharf?

For breakfast the Wolsey has some wow factor.

For culture I would also recommend the Tate Modern. It has a lot of places to sit and take a rest as well as a very decent cafe/bar. It open at 10am on Sundays and is likely to be quieter than Saturday.

If you’re eating early I recommend checking out the FirstTable app.
I’ve just used it for the first time today. Perfect if you’re eating in one of the first seatings of lunch/dinner. You pay a small fee per person - between £2 and £4 then you get 50% off your food bill for up to 4 people.

Thank yo for these suggestions.

I think we would prefer the traditional Cantonese food but that feels a bit closed minded. Should we be adventurous and try some dim sum?

The Royal China looks amazing. If we don't go there this time I will make it happen one day.

It's a good job I don't live in London. There are so many places to get amazing food!