What’s London like to visit now? Posting for traffic!

[Freakeconomics]

So I live in Ireland and am travelling to London for IVF treatment in mid November. I’ll be quarantining 2 weeks before I go and then again for 2 weeks when I get home so I was wondering if it’s worth booking an extra day or two while over there to enjoy a bit of a break.

Are restaurants/ cafe’s open to sit in? Could you still go around sightseeing - maybe not inside but the main sites outside? What is the atmosphere like re shopping?

She will have to quarantine prior to going into hospital for the treatment.

Ah I see. That would need to be in the UK then presumably?

Anyhoo - yes, London is still worth a visit!

It's marvellous right now. We went up today and had lunch at the Ivy.

I live in London. I have enjoyed visiting museums but you have to book a time in advance. Royal Academy summer exhibition will still be on when you visit, OP.

We live day trip distance from London and have been considering a trip, thinking things will be a bit quieter but isn't it only essential use of public transport under the High Alert status there?

@RunBackwards

We live day trip distance from London and have been considering a trip, thinking things will be a bit quieter but isn't it only essential use of public transport under the High Alert status there?

No, that’s for Very High (tier 3)

I just just looked it up ComefromAway. It says you should aim to reduce the number of journeys, which amounts to the same thing?

I went to the Kimono exhibition at the V&A last weekend .
We walked from Euston to Knightsbridge as lovely and quiet .
Had a 2 course lunch at a passing hotel for £10 ...advertised on boards outside as it's so quiet .
Went to a bar in kings cross for cocktails , also 2 cocktails for £12 as so quiet .
Tubes really quiet .
It's great ... unbelievably different to what I'm used to .

If you are worried about tubes then there are loads of taxis driving around very happy to have business. They have plastic screens up and wear your mask. Lots of things very walkable too of course.

If your clinic’s in Harley st, then the Wallace Collection would be lovely and close, it’s so nice and a perfect size. Also Marylebone high street which is pretty and sweet for shopping. If you want a department store then selfridges is walkable from there.

If you’re not in Harley at then this all may be useless!

Quick reminder to everyone that London is currently in Tier 2 and I'd rather we didn't stay that way for too much longer, so please don't come here for a jolly.

Wow, PolPotNoodle, that's out of order. There's definitely room for visitors to visit safely at the moment and I'm sure restaurants and attractions are desperate for the business.
I went to the Tower of London the other week & agree it's great to see the crown jewels as the only people in there - we went round on the moving walkway several times! No beefeater tours though you can chat to them. Also a river trip afterwards is lovely on a sunny day - there were only half a dozen people on the top deck.

Clinic is in Chelsea @Searchesforhipbones but that museum sounds great thanks.

@TheYearOfSmallThings i quarantine here for x2 weeks then fly over, get covid test and isolate until the results then all going well I’m allowed out and about after the procedure! So I shouldn’t be a danger to anyone being around London.

Thanks all for your ideas and tips - all sounds great and plenty to look into.

Ah sorry OP, I wasn't meaning to sound unwelcoming (I'm sure we have more Covid here anyway!). I was just wondering if you were putting yourself through 2 weeks unnecessary quarantine thinking it was needed to come to the UK.

No problem @TheYearOfSmallThings I got what you meant I was just explaining how it is going to work!

I went in September for 2 days and had a lovely time with my DH and DD.
Stayed in a lovely hotel, room got upgraded as quiet. We ate out twice, went to the Tate, walked along the Southbank, met an old friend for coffee, went in a few shops - all in all, it felt pretty 'normal'. Nice atmosphere but was definitely quieter everywhere ...which is a bonus!

How about Greenwich?
Great museums (book ahead) - the Cutty Sark is brilliant, nice park, plenty of places to eat.