What would you do with 36 hours alone in London?

[AmIReallyTheGrownup]

I’ve got 36 hours by myself in London this weekend and need some help planning what to do. If you had this time to yourself, what would you do?

After a very rough start to 2026 with health, a demanding FT job and rubbish toddler sleep my lovely husband has suggested I go stay in a hotel for 2 nights, but I’m so bloody tired I can’t remember what’s fun. I don’t want to do museums but I’m open to the idea of a matinee musical. Any solo dining recommendations would be great as well. Thank you so much for any suggestions.

What do you love doing? There is so much variety. Are you a shopper, a sightseer, a pamper lover? If you can give us a bit of a steer on what you love to do and your rough budget then suggestions will be a lot more focused.

I’d go for a themed afternoon tea at the shard

I've not been to London for years so this might be out of date.

For dining I would pick somewhere I can look out the window and watch the world, this can be easier if you are higher up.

A matinee is a great idea, also think about a cinema trip.

Personally I would go to museums, do some mudlarking and look around historical buildings in the city. That's a very personal taste, though!

In which general area is your accommodation @AmIReallyTheGrownup?

Would you prefer to walk/tube to areas of interest?

Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre is wonderful.

Tracy Emin retrospective at Tate Modern (more harrowing than fun so maybe not what you want, but it is brilliant).

Oma in Borough Market for dinner.

Ooh loads of things! I would prioritise stuff that would be hard to do with small children. Are you interested in history? Architecture, street art? Foodie? There are walking tours on 100s of topics across different areas.

I would eat somewhere pokey/small plates with a view or somewhere I could do people-watching.

Shopping - personal shopping appointment? Or a mooch in Liberty/Selfridges/down Marylebone high st/Covent Garden? Fortnum + Mason?

Have you seen Hamilton? Six? Do you like opera or ballet?

There’s a protest against the far right March on Saturday if that’s of interest

Get on an open top bus. I’m a Londoner and I have done this, it’s a great couple of hours seeing the sights (which I’ve seen so many times but love them) Then head to a busy place to have a coffee and people watch. Go shopping (window maybe) Have lunch at the Covent Garden opera house bar or a drink at the Tate modern bar (great views). Solo dining is so easy in London you are spoilt for choice. Soho is a great area for this. Obviously much depends on the weather hopefully it’ll be dry at least🤞So much to do and only 36 hours to cram it all in..enjoy OP

Thanks. I’m not a massive shopper but I do want to get myself a new pair of jeans.

I don’t really have a budget - reasonable but not extravagant. Basically, unlikely to be picking up a designer bag & sitting down for 3 star meal but enough for good quality restaurants and a bit of fun. I’d like a massage and to get my toes done. I LOVE people watching.

My hobbies (tenuous term right now) revolve around fitness & good food & wine, and whilst I’m cultural philistine I love books, politics, environmental matters etc.

I love to read so I would most likely do a bookshop crawl. Ideally with an unlimited budget.

If the weather is good, go down to Greenwich and have a nose of around the town, spend some time in Greenwich Park. The museums are free so you can just pop in if you want.

Eating out depends a lot what you like to eat, there's basically something for everyone. I never had an issue eating all alone.

Look up if there were any special exhibitions which may have interest for you, there's no so much going on you should find something

I like the walks by London Walks, they have plenty of subjects and the guides are very knowledgeable.
https://www.walks.com/

Thanks! Staying in Shoreditch. I know the geography of London well as lived there for 10 years - either walking or tube is great.

Go for a lovely lunch or dinner somewhere, visit Kew Gardens, visit the V&A or Tate Modern - check out exhibitions that are currently running (Time Out magazine) or watch a theatre show, go to a spa or get a massage somewhere.

If you like politics, do a tour of Westminster Palace. I checked there’s availability! I thought it was much more interesting than I expected it to be, so recommend.

I would visit the Wallace collection in Marylebone and eat in their tearoom as it is beautiful.

If you like wine and people watching Bedales borough market has an upstairs terrace which overlooks the market perfect for people watching with good wine, and some nibbles. Plus plenty of other food options there too, some shops and combine a walk along the Thames to take in scenes.

It's a favourite of mine to do, and I only stay in London Fields.

Followed by a matinee would be fab too.

Regents canal towpath Haggerston has several nice places for a bite to eat. I love a mooch near Angel tube station, up and down Upper St. Ottolenghi has a very casual dining place there. Almost next door is very old school French bistro with a window on the world and very friendly service. Solo lunch as main dining if the day is pretty good in this area.

If you are near Regents St at any point they have a lovely Easter display in Liberty at the mo. China town good for solo casual dining.

When you say Shoreditch, are you near Old St station?

Yes, just south of Old St station near the edge of the City. I took the view that there would be fewer tourists around there this weekend. I used to live in Islington so know the area really well.

All those suggestions are really good, that sounds like a nice day. Thank you

The photography exhibition at the natural history museum is great. I went last week and spent 2 hours there

if It is fine the rose garden at Hyde park. Walk around st James park. Fancy coffee afterwards at the Wolsey

Following on from the excellent suggestions from @reluctantbrit , if you do decide to go to Greenwich take the River Bus. They do specific site-seeing tours you need to book for but the standard River Bus service is really good and you can just tap in and out like the tube.

I would walk down the canal for a bumble around Coal Drops Yard

I always think a matinee is a waste of good time in London but I live 400 miles away so any daytime in London is precious. I always take in a show at night though.

Only a 5 minute suggestion but you're staying right by Bunhill Fields which is well worth a visit- Bunyan, Defoe, William Blake, the Wesleys are all buried there are some of the other graves are fascinating as well (poor Mary Page).

This is my biggest treat!
Book into the best hotel you can afford.
If the weather is nice, have a walk along the river on the South Bank, stopping for coffee or a drink.
Or walk around Hyde Park, stopping off at Serpentine North gallery to see the fab new, free David Hockney show.
Definitely book a matinee.... I recommend The Producers or Hamilton.