Where to go to be warm in London for a few hours

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Weird title but I’ll explain! Going to London to meet family members for lunch. One is elderly and feels the cold. We don’t want to have lunch and then just go home, but strolling about outside isn’t ideal as it will be cold. Where would you go to spend an extra couple of hours? Art gallery? Museum (I fear the latter will be heaving on a Saturday)? Family members are aged 18, 20, 80 and then a couple of middle agers.

If you are travelling to Paddington, I second the Wallace Collection, it has a beautiful Winter Garden with a tea room. Nearby Marylebone High Street/Marylebone Lane has lots of good restaurants and nice shops, especially Daunts. The Grazing Goat pub has an open fire and great mulled wine.

The Victoria pub near Paddington also has an open fire and cosy library. Paddington Basin, the canalside development behind the station has cafes and pubs too.

The Southbank is convenient for Waterloo and often has free music or events at weekends. Skylon or OXO Tower are both great spots for lunch.

Great thread!

personally I wouldn’t recommend the OXO tower - I’ve been a couple of times in the last few months and it’s a pain to get to and confusing. Very expensive lunch.

I also would suggest the Wallace collection. It is small so not overwhelming, never busy and has a lovely tea room. You could get the Elizabeth line to bond Street so easy to get to from Paddington. Loads of places to eat around there as well. Those coming to Euston can get a bus down the Euston road pretty easily as well.

I find the Wellcome and V&A cafes very clattery and not v comfortable. The Wallace, Royal Academy or Courtauld are more manageable. Wallace is very near lots of great restaurants too.

Covent Garden Hotel is also cosy! Think open fires and comfy chairs!

It’s not cheap, for sure, but it’s not difficult to get to it! 🤷‍♀️ It’s very convenient for the Southbank Centre. It’s less than 10 minutes walk along the river boardwalk. Tate Modern is 10 minutes walk from it in the opposite direction along the river. There are some interesting independent shops at OXO Tower and Gabriel’s Whatf, and some Christmas market stalls en route. It’s a quick cab ride from Waterloo if walking is an issue.

It’s not cheap, for sure, but it’s not difficult to get to it! 🤷‍♀️ It’s very convenient for the Southbank Centre. It’s less than 10 minutes walk along the river boardwalk. Tate Modern is 10 minutes walk from it in the opposite direction along the river. There are some interesting independent shops at OXO Tower and Gabriel’s Whatf, and some Christmas market stalls en route. It’s a quick cab ride from Waterloo if walking is an issue.

John lewis cafe 😃

For the V&A, South Kensington station would be easy to reach from Paddington on the Circle Line, Be warned though, there are no lifts in the station so only suitable if your relative can manage a couple of flights of stairs.

I can highly recommend Rocca, a local Italian restaurant, for lunch - on Okd Brompton Road so close to station. I work in the area and have been there often. Never disappoints.

As others have said, the V&A is vast and doesn’t get as rammed as the British Museum. Never has queues to enter. Lots of seating in the many galleries with lovely things to look at! Lots of lifts so good access for the less fit. Also the lovely cafe/ tearooms for if you need refreshments.

WOW I’ve come back and found loads of new replies!!! Loving all the Londoners inside tips and info - THANK YOU!!! I’ll let you know what we decide!

Omg I did not know this!!!!!

The Museum of Brands in Notting Hill. Not far from Paddington and a lovely trip down memory lane that older folk usually enjoy:

https://museumofbrands.com/

It’s very easy to get to from Paddington - Lizzie line to Moorgate then a 5 minute walk or to Farringdon then slightly longer walk but in a straight line. I’ve never found it cold, especially in the basement level, and it’s well signposted.

The signposting is rubbish. Also, let’s face it, it’s not the most cheery place in London.

Paddington then Lizzie Line to Bond Street. Eat around St Christipher’s Place, walk along Oxford Street lights and Selfridges windows, the short walk to the Wallace Collection.

Tube will be a nightmare - I would suggest travelling by cab once you arrive.

Either take a black cab - signposted out of the station or Uber from the Hilton hotel. You can access the Hilton directly by lift from inside the station.

You can also book passenger assistance in advance for the elderly, as it can be a lot of walking and very hectic at Paddington.

What are their interests? I think those and not venturing to the other side of London.

Any nice, moderately upmarket hotel which has a bar. Go in, sit down and order a drink (not necessarily alcoholic). Or if there's a tea-room have a cup of tea or coffee. They are open to the public, after all. It will not be cheap but there will be posh crisps and nuts to accompany your drink.
And they are generally very pleasant places to just relax and people watch. Also very useful if you're busting for a pee, the toilets can be lovely.
You don't have to be staying there. (Although I think there are one or two super-snobby places which are residents only. But I have had just a drink/met friends in both the Savoy River Room and the Ritz Bar.)

Work out your best location then I'd go for either a nearby museum/gallery or London shopping (Selfridges, Liberties, Harrods, Hamleys) and then a cup of tea in nice hotel near to whatever is your train station.