Where's your 'happy place' in London?

[Walnutwhipaddict]

Hey everyone,

So I'm new to London and have a few hours to kill. Just on Oxford street (so hot!!!) and looking for somewhere relaxing (and a bit cooler) where I can chill for a bit.

I would love to go somewhere like the National Gallery, but apparently it's closing at 6 :(

Any suggestions on a nice little place (niche, unusual, off the beaten track, all suggestions welcome!) in central London that I could chill in for a bit please?

Thanks!

Roof top bar at Somerset house on the Strand. Glass of prosecco & magazine. Bliss

Royal Festival Hall, and the South Bank in general.

Just sit in green park. Or Hanover square. Wallace collection?
In terms of places to drink it will be rammed in soho tonight, but fun
Shampers is a fun little wine bar/restaurant off carnaby street.
If you head towards Bloomsbury you have Russel square or coram fields
St. George's gardens is lovely in that area

Glad you have found a good place OP. If you are here longer, you could always just jump on a Thames Clipper river boat, you don't even need to get off but could do a return trip and relax looking at the lights coming on as it gets dark. Nice if you can sit out on deck, and you can buy drinks.

Gordon's wine bar on the embankment
It's a classic
If you're female and alone in London it's one of the best cities for being able to have a drink on your own and not be hassled. So many people do!

Green Park, because it's where I used to have lunch every day when I had the best job in the world.

I also like Camden Lock.

Tate modern- pre DD's I had a subscription and could use the members bar which was luverly

If you are in Doyle's and want to eat
There is an amazing place just round the corner called the smoking goat. It has a bar you can eat at so if you're on your own it's fab. There is also a little garden round the back of the church that no one goes in and is utterly beautiful and private. One of my absolute fave places in London.
I only live round the corner so know that area well !!!
Have fun

Queen Mary's rose Gardens in Regent's Park at this time of year

Ugh I meant FOYLES

St Katharine Docks. Wander and sit. 😍

Gin loving lady, do you mean the church opposite where foyles used to be, in the little side road, near the Pillars of Hercules? I have worked in Soho for decades and never knew it had a garden! I also used to go to the little garden behind the Phoenix, in New Compton Street.

Lamb pub Lamb's Conduit Street. Lovely old pub and an outside drinking area.

Postmans Park. Near St Paul's. Gorgeous

Yes. That whole part of the city is great at the weekend, quiet and so much old history.

Also lambs conduit st and the park near Russell Square, next to the Brunswick.

molly that's Coram's Fields.

Greenwich, visit the park or my fave is walk through the foot tunnels and sit on the bench the watching everyone across the river

If you do head towards Postmans Park, pop over to the square at St Bartholomew's Hospital. Lovely, quiet square with fountain to dunk your feet in, so much history too.

I'd also pop into the two churches, St Bartholomew's the Less (inside hospital grounds) and St Bartholomew's the Great (just outside). Beautiful churches and the Great has been used for many films and Tv.

Battersea Park or Chelsea Physic Garden

Beautiful rose garden, a bar to get a glass of wine, plenty of lawn space to sit and relax away from other people, beautiful buildings

Battersea park has the added bonus of a Japanese Peace Pergoda and a sub tropical garden!

The Science Museum
Foyles Bookshop
Olympic Park

Agree with Amanduh, St Katherine Dock is ace. Having said that I moved from London 15 years ago so it's probably very different now!

Thanks bakewell I just found this bartshealth.nhs.uk/about-us/museums,-history-and-archives/st-bartholomews-museum/historic-tours/ not sure if it links as I'm on a phone. Looks good and I love discovering things like this. Dcs are going to hate the historical intinerary I create this summer

The Square near the Brunswick is Brunswick Square, and very lovely it is too, Coram's Fields is the next one along.
Can I suggest (late) Kings X?

Gordon's Wine bar and Stanfords (travel book shop) are my happy places :)

Harrods. Particularly the Terrace Bar (don't think it's called that now).

Stick me there and I'm golden. Even if I'm broke. Lovely memories.

Another vote for Gordon's Wine Bar

V&A is AWESOME. you can get lost in it and some galleries are often empty so perfect for a moment of reflection.
Lincoln Fields and John Soane Museum just off Holborn is gorgeous and for those in the know.
For a super treat: Dennis Severs House in Shoreditch. It's an extraordinary experience.
www.dennissevershouse.co.uk/