If you were moving out of London, what would you see and do before you go?

[LeavingLondon123]

I've lived here quite a few years but feel I've only scratched the surface of all London has in a way!

What should I definitely do before I go? And places to eat? Everything really, all suggestions welcome!

The London Silver Vaults.

I've actually never lived in London, but I have lived in several other major cities (in the U.S. and Asia) and now live in a very rural part of the UK. What I miss the most not living in a big city is just being able to wander to random neighbourhoods, visiting little out of the way places, meals out in places that aren't Wetherspoons or Pizza Express, just the culture and sense of life in a big city. I appreciate the quiet and the peace living amongst the sheep, but I miss the people and interesting things to see and do on every street in a city.

I had 'see Shakespeare at the globe' on my list. And a few other things but that was the only one I ended up doing and the only one I remember.

Where are you going? Can you never return?

I was born and raised a Londoner and roamed central London as a teen every single weekend. Know it and all it's sights like the back of my hand. Then in my late 20s i moved 100 miles away to the countryside with my 3 young DDs.

I moved in mid July and on the day before the house move i took the girls (and the dog) to Richmond park for the afternoon. Blanket on the grass and a pic nic. Years later i remember our last time there. quite strange that although where we moved to is lovely and very rural, Richmond park is the place i really miss to be honest.

Dennis Severs house (I think only open Monday lunchtimes and occasional evenings) - 17th C family house as if they just got up and left

Charles Dickens house in Bloomsbury - same deal - as if the family still lived there

The above houses are really atmospheric (and best seen candlelit/or in gloomy winter)

I feel the same way about Greenwich park as you do about Richmond. I love it so much, I miss it when I go on holiday

If you haven't walked around the 02 recently and up the river for ten minutes to see the Thames barrier then do so - area is changing dramatically

Moving to a different continent, so if all goes to plan, will be back in London for visits in the future but not for a while. Very excited and happy to go but also suddenly feeling wobbly about this being the last few weeks here

Great ideas though. The Silver Vaults sounds interesting and definitely will go to my favourite park for a good long walk before I leave!

I would do stuff that you can only do during the week/early morning/late night to take advantage of your proximity. Eg Smithfield Market/Billingsgate. Watch a bit of a trial at the Old Bailey or Central Criminal Court. Have a tour of the H of P while they're sitting.

Also, as I last left in 2006 so bombings fresh in mind I made sure I went to major landmarks that might not be around when I got back.

Is there a show you've been meaning to see, but never QUITE got around to?

Something I recently did, which turned out to be an unexpected delight, was the tour of Highgate cemetery!

Boggling at the idea that away from big cities you can't have meals out in places that aren't Wetherspoons or Pizza Express,

Good takeaways.

Second Highgate Cemetery.
I really, really miss Hampstead Heath.

It’s hard to get on them, but one of those tours when they open up the abandoned tube stations.

A cocktail at the nightjar

A curry on brick lane (and a rainbow beigel)

I thought that Mere! I live rurally and I’d have to drive for 45mins to get to either Wetherspoons or Pizza Express. I can, on the other hand, eat in a variety of small independent restaurants and street food outlets within 15mins of my house...

When I left London I took myself up to Highgate. I had a pint in The Flask and mooch about.

I went for a final dinner in the old Joe Allens' venue.

I spent an afternoon in the Portrait Gallery, popped in to St Martin's in the Fields then had a drink in Soho.

Other places and things I love are Primrose Hill, a lunch in Clerkenwell. A cocktail in the Savoy. A stroll on the South Bank and Tate Modern and I always look through the book stalls.

A walk around Bond Street to look at the clothes. A quiet week day afternoon in Liberty.

I also like going to some of the parks in East London for the afternoon.

All of it always done on foot and a black cab / Uber home for a treat.

Highgate cemetery
Afternoon tea at fortnum & Mason
Picnic at Greenwich
Sit in court at the Old Bailey- viewing not on trial

@zingally I love Highgate cemetery. The tours are fascinating and the newer side is so beautiful and peaceful.

When I was leaving London I did a bit of a tour of all my favourite bits.

The only things I really miss are Hampstead Heath for dog walking (used to be a daily haunt for me), and the excellent public transport. I'm in another big city now and everything else is here really.