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.

Moulin Rouge - it's great!

Home - Moulin Rouge! The Musical

and depending on whether you do evening/matinee lunch or dinner at nearby

<a class="break-all" href="https://dirty-bones.com/book/sohowww.brasseriezedel.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brasserie Zédel | Restaurant - Bar - Cabaret - Café

or

Dirty Bones Soho - Central London Restaurant & Bar | Dirty Bones

The Saatchi Gallery and a mooch along the King's Road

About » Saatchi Gallery

If you’re going to the Southbank, then you might as well pop along to the Borough market by London Bridge and have a look at the food there.

I would like to point out, though, that because the Southbank is, well, on the south side, its faces north and therefore doesn’t get the sun and is very cold. You might want to bear that in mind when you’re making your plans. Personally, except in the summer, I don’t like walking in the cold in the shade, and it’s really quite cold at the moment.

I would go to a hotel with an outstanding spa and swimming pool and read my books, swim, have treatments, a nice glass of wine then a 12hr sleep.

I can't think how you will go back rejuvenated after walking around all weekend!

Dd2 and I had an epic day in London recently. Marie Antoinette exhibition at V&A brunch by the museum then vintage shopping on Brick Lane coffee and cake in trendy cafe then oxford street quick dinner at Kricket then we got last min tickets to a show. Not cheap but fantastic

A market, bookshops, afternoon tea, something at the Globe?

Harold Fry the musical is fab . I’d do an evening show rather than use up day time

Much better than The Book of Mormon IMO.

Marylebone High St and a long stop off in Daunt Books?

National Gallery. Always the National Gallery!!!!

I was going to suggest a matinee. Loads of great shows on. Some very good value for a matinee.

If you like shopping, you could mooch around Covent Garden Market and up into the West End - the arcades, New Bond Street, Libertys and Fortnums for upmarket shopping or Camden Market if you prefer grunge and vintage (especially the horses stables bit at the far end).

For dinner - Chinatown in Soho if you like Chinese (also have some Japanese noodle places and Korean BBQs nearby) or Brick Lane if you like cheap curry.

Evenings - loads of rooftop bars or quirky cocktail places - in the City, Waterloo - just look for what's near where you are staying. Comedy Store or that tent at Waterloo for stand up; loads of gigs and concerts everywhere at all prices. Just look up what you like and see what is on that weekend.

I always love an Uber boat along the Thames from Westminster to Greenwich and a stroll around Greenwich market, park and gorgeous buildings.

The parks are lovely if the weather is good and you want a wander and an outdoor coffee - St James & Regents Park are prettiest centrally, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens have nice cafes and a lake, further out Victoria Park and Battersea Park are both nice.

I really want to see Harold Fry. Loved the book.

As you’re in Shoreditch might as well start with one of the free tall buildings, horizon or 8 Bishopsgate are easier to get tickets for than sky garden (not as fun as empty rooms but the views are fab). Then head into town, I like getting the bus in to have a nice passive sightsee on the way.

I love walking from Islington to Broadway Market. Tiella on Columbia Road has fab Italian food.

ROI at Hampstead Theatre just got a good review (if you want to go off the beaten path a bit).

Words on the Water is a fun bookstore on a canal barge

The very top end of Portobello Road is loaded with vintage shops, if you're into that. A wander down Golborne is always fun. Walk Westbourne Grove from Notting Hill to Queensway.

If you're staying in Shoreditch on Sunday morning walk into the City and towards St Pauls - the City when everything is shut is a wonderful walk and you can really take in the buildings.
Whilst you're there go to Horizon 22 - the views are amazing and it's free.

I love seeing a.show. Get the today tix app to be able to buy something on the same day for reduced price. You might not get the most popular shows, but I've just paid £30 to see 'the unlikely pilgrimage of Harold fry' which i would really recommend.

Do you like ABBA? Abba Voyage is great as is the Mamma Mia show.

A walk along the South Bank is always good for people watching and taking photos. The Swan restaurant at the Globe theatre has a great view and
delicious food - quite pricey though.

For somewhere more intimate but with similar food to the above, try Andrew Edmund’s:

https://www.andrewedmunds.com/

Probably the dullest place in London!

So many great places to visit and you’re recommending a boring art gallery?

The National Gallery is great, but it does get very busy at the weekends.

Bit random but Highgate Cemetery do a tour that is absolutely fascinating and atmospheric. You are guided round so would not feel strange on your own. Then I would absolutely go shopping !no distractions go wherever you fancy Stop for a glass of wine somewhere fabulous. Take pics. Go to buy makeup without any time limits book a personal shopper or make up trial. Moulin Rouge is amazing if you fancy a show. I’m so jealous I would love that

Posh cinema and a glass of wine?

Counter at Bocca Di Lupo is a real treat and perfect for solo dining. Or Padella if you want something closer to Shoreditch.

If you can afford it I would go to one with a lovely spa and have a massage, swim etc. Maybe a little bit of shopping and afternoon tea then back for an early night again.

I am SO JEALOUS and think you deserve it and your husband sounds lovely.

The Garden Cinema in Covent Garden is lovely with nice bars, have a look in both bar spaces

Get an uber boat along the river then go check out new Battersea power station mall and restaurants it’s really cool

sky Garden is nice to wander around and see views /have a drink you wouldn’t feel weird on your own there

Moro at Exmouth Market is Moroccan style small plates and great people watching. Sitting at the bar is fun. Ironmonger Row or York Hall Baths for a council run spa. OR Haymarket Hotel have launched a swim and lunch for £40. Zedwell in picadilly circus is a brilliantly located hotel- but mroe just for sleeping in, no windows but very clean and comfy beds. It is near Zedel which is great for solo dining or equally Chinatown for dim sum.
Premier Inn in Canary Wharf is cheap. Easy to stroll down Isle of Dogs via docks/ parks/city farm. Walk through the Greenwich tunnel or catch the DLR to reach the museums and parks of Greenwich. Or catch the Thames clipper taxi boat to London Bridge for the market and lovely bars and restaurants. I would always go to the natural history museum because it’s such a lovely place. I think it’s a brilliant idea and shows you picked a good fellow parent!

It's not boring. The paintings are phenomenal. You do you.

For solo dining I'd see if I could get a seat at Berenjak, as its fully booked for ages.