Page 3 | What would you do if you had a day to yourself in London?

ratatouilleandrice · 2026-06-12T22:43:20+00:00

As the title says really. It’s going to be sunny. Can’t wait but clueless as to what I actually want to do!

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 13/06/2026 21:24

DailyMaui · 13/06/2026 21:14

I lived in London for many years and still work there all the time but a day OFF in London is a special thing.

I like to walk along the river from Wapping to Canary Wharf and then round the Isle of Dogs to Island Gardens. I used to live in Wapping with a baby who had dreadful colic - we'd have to walk him in the bloody babybjorn for too many hours so we spent a lot of time wandering the river. I still love that walk and recently took that baby, now 23, back along the very route I once did to stop him screaming his head off. Some great pubs along the way too. I love going along Narrow street and wishing I'd bought a river facing Georgian townhouse when Ian McKellen did...

Or I'd go the other way - over Tower bridge and then along the river (as much as you can between TB and LB) to the Southbank ending up with a mooch around the Southbank centre/Hayward. On the way I'd weep for the loss of the London Studios, spend ages in Tate Modern, have a drink at one of several riverside pubs, eat lunch at Padella in London Bridge, do a bit of mud larking around the Oxo Tower then wander around the shops there.

OR I'd spend the morning in the V&A, buy a supermarket lunch and tiny bottle of fizz to consume in Regent's Park admiring the planting, then swan around Liberty's trying lots of perfume and sampling makeup followed by a really special cocktail in a wonderful hotel, like NoMad London or the Mandrake.

Narrow Street is very picturesque, forgot about it.

Jenje · 13/06/2026 21:54

I would start at Victoria & Albert then go to the food hall at Harrods then onto Hyde Park

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 13/06/2026 22:13

ExOptimist · 12/06/2026 23:55

Morning at National Portrait Gallery and have lunch there. Then go to V&A for the afternoon.

I lobe the NPG too! And lunch there, esp. in the basement courtyard in summer.

Joolay · 14/06/2026 12:56

exhibitions like Tracy Eminwill be booked out already
plus £)

placemats · 14/06/2026 14:41

Going at the beginning of July, for Jesus Christ Superstar, but I'm going to the Serpentine North Gallery to see the David Hockney exhibition and spend time for a picnic if the weather is kind.

DailyMaui · 18/06/2026 21:04

placemats · 14/06/2026 14:41

Going at the beginning of July, for Jesus Christ Superstar, but I'm going to the Serpentine North Gallery to see the David Hockney exhibition and spend time for a picnic if the weather is kind.

Oh that sounds really, really fabulous. I saw that production on press night at the Open Air theatre with Tyrone Huntley as Judas back in 2016 - it was incredible, absolutely blew me away. I'd never seen the musical before and I was totally unaware of how great this revived version was. In the interval I spoke to several critics who were all "this is exceptional, it's not been as good as this for years."

I see Tyrone is back in this one with Sam Ryder. What a combo. And Julian Clary as King Herod! I will have to get tickets. Thank you for posting that this is on.

placemats · 18/06/2026 21:32

For me the main character in the musical is Judas and Tyrone Huntley is perfect for the role. Love Sam Ryder as well. Desdemona Cathabel as Mary Magdalene x. Herod will be Jesse Tyler Ferguson x. So excited ☺️

Joolay · 18/06/2026 22:56

I'm off to see it on Tuesday

Ilovemyshed · 18/06/2026 23:08

Tate Modern and a wander on Southbank and a street food lunch at Borough Market.

Tonissister · 18/06/2026 23:08

DailyMaui · 13/06/2026 21:14

I lived in London for many years and still work there all the time but a day OFF in London is a special thing.

I like to walk along the river from Wapping to Canary Wharf and then round the Isle of Dogs to Island Gardens. I used to live in Wapping with a baby who had dreadful colic - we'd have to walk him in the bloody babybjorn for too many hours so we spent a lot of time wandering the river. I still love that walk and recently took that baby, now 23, back along the very route I once did to stop him screaming his head off. Some great pubs along the way too. I love going along Narrow street and wishing I'd bought a river facing Georgian townhouse when Ian McKellen did...

Or I'd go the other way - over Tower bridge and then along the river (as much as you can between TB and LB) to the Southbank ending up with a mooch around the Southbank centre/Hayward. On the way I'd weep for the loss of the London Studios, spend ages in Tate Modern, have a drink at one of several riverside pubs, eat lunch at Padella in London Bridge, do a bit of mud larking around the Oxo Tower then wander around the shops there.

OR I'd spend the morning in the V&A, buy a supermarket lunch and tiny bottle of fizz to consume in Regent's Park admiring the planting, then swan around Liberty's trying lots of perfume and sampling makeup followed by a really special cocktail in a wonderful hotel, like NoMad London or the Mandrake.

DS2 is also 23 and had chronic colic. I used to walk him along the canal down to Canary Wharf and around Mudchute Park City Farm all the time to ease his screaming. I wonder if we passed each other...

OhamIreally · 18/06/2026 23:15

I would go to London Fields Lido then have a picnic in the field afterwards. But I do live here, love everything London has to offer but wish I had more time to enjoy it.