Unexpected day on own in London

[thesafetydancer]

Posted here for traffic- and advice please?
DH is going to London on business and we thought it'd be a quick meeting however it's now going to take all day, so I'm going to be on my own and have no idea what to do? Ive only been to London a couple times but always with others who sort of took the lead iykwim, and always had plans pre booked.
Would love to go shopping but only know Oxford Street. Thought of a spa day but zero idea on where to start. It's overwhelming looking online/trip advisor.
Am not confident doing anything on my own recently (due to pregnancy loss) and have relied on DH for everything so am really hoping to embrace this experience and not panic like I am now!
So please any suggestions on what to do and also on how to be brave? I really want to do this and not cancel last minute which is what I'm worried I'll do and then regret.

Download citymapper app - it shows you the best ways to get from one point to another in London, including giving you bus only options, how long your transport will be and what platform for trains. The timings are usually pretty accurate. It makes using tfl very simple.

Agree.

And you can use any contactless card on all public transport. Just remember to use the same card as it will cap your fare at a maximum.

I agree with others, that unless you want something specific from a large store, I hate Oxford st. Too crowded and people getting in my way! . If you do want to wander, go early and its not as bad.

Another option is Westfield west london. Depending where you normally live, the majority of shops are just regular high street ones, only larger, and again, go early! Richmond iteself does have shops and might be nicer to walker around.

I recently went to the V&A museum (30mins from richmond to Sth Kensington) and it was fantastic. It was huge, clean and free! Some exhibits charge a fee, and best to book beforehand, but the vast majority was free. Across the road is the natural history museum too.

15min walk or tube away is the Saachi gallery and the King tut exhibition which is only here for a limited time

I was going to recommend citymapper too, it’s invaluable.
I kniw plenty of people who live in London why use it too!

If it’s a fine day, you could go shopping in the Kings Road, have lunch and wander round Kew Gardens - very peaceful.

Or treat yourself and go to Liberty’s and the V&A.

Yes to getting the city mapper app! You can get around so easy then!

Why not go to a west end show??

V&A or any of the museums along there are fab... The natural history, science museum are also a few mins walk... But V&A is huge... It has loads of nice cafes inside/outsode...

So many good suggestions here I'm now thinking of doing this myself

I would also avoid Oxford Street... It doesn't live up to its hype... Overcrowded /overpriced loads of pickpockets and aimed at tourists!

Would also try a matinee..
Tkts booth on Leicester Square... You can often get seats for less!

I'd go to the Tate Modern. Theres lots to see, restaurant is lovely, amazing views, all the staff are friendly and kind, and the other visitors are always well mannered.

Oxford street is just like any other shopping centre but more stressful.

P.S. For charity shops, there are quite a few in Camden. I was disappointed though as they are much pricier than provincial charity shops!

Museums and galleries!

The V&A is fabulous, and the Natural History museum is one of my favourite buildings in the whole city. The Courtauld (Somerset House, at the top of the Strand), has a fantastic Impressionist collection.

Then you could stroll down to Trafalgar Square and go to the National. A small detour would enable you to take in Covent Garden en route.

Thank You Thank You! (Scribbling down a list...!)
I live in a tiny seaside Devon village with just a Tesco's so anything will be exciting but also overwhelming like so many have said.
I love shows so a matinee would be fab to use up a few hours! Haven't seen all the classics, any suggestions?
I am terrified about the underground but guess it's the best way to get about? Will remember to use my card-brill tip!

Underground or walking - London is pretty compact. I use Google maps. If you don't already use your phone to navigate try it now (going somewhere you know so you are worried about getting lost). Take a wrong turn and it will recalculate so it's not a problem. Sometimes the signal is a bit rubbish with high buildings all around but it picks up again before long.

Don't go to the Courtauld, it is currently closed for renovation.The Tate Britain is my favourite gallery. Not too big and a lot quieter than the ones in the centre of the city.

I agree Citymapper is wonderful for getting around. I have been with my DH while he works and find it easy using the app to find my way around.

Oxford Street is grim but Richmond has good shops and I’d imagine the charity shops have good stuff - it’s a naice area. Richmond Park is lovely on a nice day. And there’s a direct bus - the R68 - from Richmond to Hampton Court, which is worth seeing. Alternatively the District Line goes to South Kensington for the museums. Or go to Sloane Square for Peter Jones and all the designer shops, and Kings Road - again,some good charity shops amongst the designer boutiques!

But Richmond isn’t London. The OP wants to see London.

Museums in South Kensington I would suggest given where you start from. If it is really sunny then an alternative would be Richmond Park.

Download the app Today Tix for matinee shows, they always have a great deal on (it's the same as the TKTS booth in Leicester Square but it's online).
Agree with other players, avoid oxford street it's so busy and overwhelming.
Covent Gardens and Seven Dials are nice to walk around and have shops so you can have a mooch. There is a cheese bar in Seven Dials market which is amazing! You can try out lots of different types of cheese in a sushi belt type of way!
Natural History Museum is wonderful and it's free!
I would recommend downloading city mapper app as well as the TFL tube map app, this will help you navigate where you're going, tell you which direction you need to go, number of stops etc.

There are some great charity shops in Sheen, a short bus ride from Richmond. I've never failed to come away with an amazing piece (upmarket neighbourhood = lots of good quality cast offs!). Last time got a silk J Crew blouse for £8 unworn! Would second tube to South Ken for V and A. Mary Quant Exhibition is fun.

Hop on the bus to Kingston and there is bentalls and John Lewis there. Normal amount of high street shops. Market place with street food. All saints church and gift shop.

Sheen. Kingston. Not. London

Richmond is lovely, you can walk along by the river and have lunch at Petersham nurseries.

Or if you want to go in to London then catch the train to Waterloo. Walk along south bank. There are endless museums you can visit. Tate modern is on the river, or walk up to Trafalgar Square. The british museum can take all day to look around as it’s huge. Covent Garden is also nice to look around although busy. Honestly there’s endless stuff you can do.

You could easily spend an entire day at some of the big museums and galleries. For something smaller and quieter You could try the Wallace collection, an oasis of calm just off Oxford Street - some gorgeous art including the famous Fragonard, ’The Swing’. Also a lovely place for lunch is their cafe.
https://www. www.wallacecollection.org/collection/.org/collection//
You could combine this with a potter round Oxford Street/Regent Street area, Selfridges, Liberty, maybe Fenwicks (where I would be tempted to book a make up session with Trinny London!).
Another favourite small exhibition space is https://twotempleplace.org// a wonderful gothic revival building (used as the location for Rose’s wedding in Downton) currently showing a ‘women in textiles’ exhibition. It's just over Waterloo Bridge could be combined with a trip to Covent Garden or the Southbank.
Whatever you decide have a wonderful day!