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.

Hamilton!
and probably another theatre trip. And food

It’s boring if you don’t like paintings. There are so many more interesting things to do and see than look at pictures.

You could say that about anything. YOU maybe are unable to appreciate great art but other people do.
What are your recommendations?

If you’re going in west end, Gordon’s wine bar (they do cheese and bread too) is nice, especially if you get an outside table.

Tate modern if you fancy modern art.

They’d mainly be museums, which OP has said she doesn’t want, or suggestions for first time visitors, which OP isn’t.

MN is obsessed with art galleries, it’s suggested every time. “Always” the National Gallery? Really? Expand your horizons!

I think I could just people watch for 36 hours (my fave pastime) thinking of them as characters in a book. Imagining what their lives look like. I must get out more😳🤦🏻‍♀️🤭

I had a wonderful 24 hours alone in London. Started at V&A which was busy but easy to navigate solo, then did a pre-booked tour of Buckingham Palace, had lunch on the terrace at BP, then headed over to Covent Garden, bought a handbag from the lovely Strathberry store there, stopped for a coffee, picked up some macarons at Lauduree, then popped into Charlotte Tilbury store and bought some entirely frivolous lipstick, then went into Monica Vinader and treated myself to a pair of earrings, walked around Covent Garden, had an early dinner at Bill’s, walked back to the Savoy for a glass of champagne and to use the posh toilet 😂 Then watched the evening show of Back to Future on The Strand (bargain centre stalls ticket from Today Tix app).

This sounds amazing but impossible. The V&A doesn’t open until 10am but you had time to do that then travel to BP for a tour - all before lunch? Then shopping, coffee, dinner and champagne before the show. Are you a time traveller?

Sounds expensive but do-able!

🤣Very odd. Still no recommendations but you want to shoot my recommendation down because YOU can't appreciate wonderful art.🤣

Thanks random stranger for accusing me of lying about my day out 😂 If you’re not familiar with London, perhaps do some research before you go!

10-11:30 V&A
25 mins to Buckingham Palace for 12pm booking
12-13:30 audio tour of BP
13:30-14:15 sandwich lunch on terrrace
15 mins to exit BP gardens via gift shop
20 mins to Covent Garden
14:50-16:50 shop at Covent Garden Piazza (where all the shops I mention are 2 mins apart)
5 min walk to Bill’s
16:55-17:45 quick dinner at Bill’s (inc 5 mins waiting for a table)
10 mins walk to The Savoy
17:55-19:15 Champagne at The American Bar (and bathroom break)
5 min walk to Adelphi Theatre
19:30 watch Back to the Future musical

My research shows that you can’t do an audio tour of BP until July.

Definitely take in a matinee.. anything you fancy

@8books That day sounds wonderful / I’m feeling very inspired! Just wondered if you got cabs or tube? And do you have to be dressed very smartly to go to the American bar?

I would wander around the V&A or one of the galleries, I’d definitely go to cheese shops and for ice cream.

BP only opens for a short period each summer I think. I went end of August last year. It books up quickly.

I took the bus from V&A to Hyde Park Corner and walked through Wellington Arch and down alongside Green Park to BP.

Then I took Piccadilly Line 3 stops from Green Park to Covent Garden.

Dress code is smart casual, so I’d stay away from jeans and trainers. I wore ballet flats, tailored black capri pants, thin knitted T-shirt, knee-length Burberry trench, pearl hoops. Mainly for my posh sandwich lunch at BP 😂

I was on my own so didn’t wait long, but I’d book for The Savoy if I go again. Have fun!

P.s. be careful of pick pockets around Covent Garden, keep your bags close at all times!

What is wrong with people trying to rip this poster apart?

They never said they went bloody yesterday so it doesn’t take a genius to work out that when they went to BP for a tour it was open. MN at its finest eh.

As a Londoner this is definitely doable, although I do have to question the Bill's decision, given the other restaurants at your disposal in the area 😂

I had a day on my own in Amsterdam recently and was absolutely amazed by how many things I managed to pack in with no one else to consider.

How can anyone think an art gallery is boring?! You can't see the whole of the National in one visit, but even just a couple of rooms (eg Dutch Golden Age) will be enough to refresh the soul and make you feel 100 times better.

Echo this, V and A has had a beautiful looking Marie Antoinette exhibition if that appeals (and it's still on?)

Hamilton is brilliant if that's on anywhere.

Enjoy!