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.

Flowers are starting to come out in the parks. I go through Regent’s Park regularly on my way to work and on a nice day it is looking lovely for a stroll.

If it were me in your position, I’d book a matinee of something lighthearted and funny like Book of Mormon, followed by either massage at hotel spa then dinner, or massage at hotel spa and relaxing in nice hotel room with perhaps a drink at the hotel bar to watch the world go by. I’d do a nice lunch out the following day

Thames clipper uber boat to Greenwich. Browse the markets. Paul Rhodes bakery for delicious sandwiches, pastries and coffee ☕️.

Jeans wise you could pop to Covent Garden or carnaby street.

Operation Mincemeat sensibly priced show and very funny. A good way to spend an evening solo (or as a matinee).

I am also exhausted and with a toddler; and booking a treatment somewhere nice could be a good option? Either a fancy hotel or one of the posher department stores (which can be good for a potter).

A walk around historical sites or along the river is a nice way to spend some time in the sun. Theres lots of suggestions online based on whatever area you are interested in eg through Mayfair and st James down into the park is quite nice.

There are just so many restaurants to choose from! What kind of food do you like? In Covent Garden / soho I think bancone is good value and has counter seating so solo you’ll probably get in.

If you're staying in Shoreditch then a Sunday morning stroll down to Columbia Road Flower Market would be top of my list.

I would lunch at Ottolenghi on Upper St (you might have to queue a short while but plenty of solo diners there) - delicious and healthy. See what’s on at Sadlers Wells nearby and mooch around Exmouth Market.

The Hoxton Hotel is cool for a drink/cocktails.
Head into town for a show - Hadestown is good (look at Today Tix).
There are lots of spa’s/pamper places - try a hotel one maybe. The Mandarin Oriental one is fantastic but ££ but I’m sure there are lots of other packages.

Oh this sounds amazing. I have a toddler and baby at home and would love this. I'd pick a hotel with a spa so I could do massage and toes on site.

If you're into fitness could you do a long run or bike share one morning? I used to love running along the river and over tower bridge, or through the parks. Tube somewhere and run back.

Marylebone high street for lunch and shopping and the Wallace collection is a nice excursion.

Coal Drops Yard for food and people watching, not straying too far from your starting point, but there’s not much else there imho.
I usually do the National Gallery on my London trips, and the Globe. But also I do love a dream window-shop up Burlington arcade to Bond Street and beyond before walking back through one of the parks, depending on where I’m staying.

Oh, and I can highly recommend Cabaret if that’s your thing (and if there are tickets) https://kitkat.club/cabaret-london/

Lovely spa that’s open later so won’t take up time during the day https://beaire.com/en/aire-ancient-baths-london/experiencias?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_campaign=S-Branded&&utm_content=ao&utm_term=brand&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=13368737501&gbraid=0AAAAABOPViDNZiXR_Jz0JyDaF6tu0G93b&gclid=CjwKCAjwspPOBhB9EiwATFbi5Kd2bKfNdD1JfI5QIK_RW9Oipenp2vyMJZIzSOSgmd_jtCvc7PCyjhoC6n8QAvD_BwE

If you are in Shoreditch then Delamina’s for lunch or dinner. Divine food.

www.delaminakitchen.co.uk/delamina-east/

I’m going in the summer, can’t wait

I'm going again in the summer too: it is a wonderful experience.

This sounds so fun. I would say Aire Baths and then a lovely lunch somewhere around Covent Garden followed by a wander round the National Gallery.

For me, personally, I'd be heading to:

Frameless
The British Museum
St Dunstan in the East church gardens
St James' Park

Have a wonderful time whatever you choose to do.

I’ve not been to this one, but there’s a Spa in Shoreditch: closed on Sundays. The Whitechapel gallery is open every day

https://www.theshoreditchspa.com

Galvin La Chapelle in Spitafields is a Michelin starred restaurant but has a very reasonable lunch menu. 2 courses £49 and 3 courses £55. Spitafields itself is worth looking around too.

If you like seafood, The Angler in Moorgate is very good too.

And to add, there are loads of new shops at the back of Liverpool Street station where you may be able to find your jeans.

I've seen the Stranger Things show recently, it was fantastic.

Cabaret is the best musical show I've ever seen in stage though. Go early, dress up if you want and slowly go through the pre-show performances in the basement with a drink. It's wonderful.

No idea about matinees, but I'd look for the show you want first and times second.

I'd head to the south bank for most of it and walk around some parks and find little independent book shops, maybe hire a bicycle also.

Fitness class in Barrys/Soulcycle/Peloton studio?