What are your favourite things to do in London?

[Theda13]

My DP and I are booking a trip to London for a big birthday (mine). We’ll be staying for a few days.

I’d definitely like to go to the Ritz for afternoon tea and the National Portrait Gallery. Maybe a show too, but not sure which one.

Any other ideas?

Borough Market or any food market really and share many fine types of street food - I have my favourites. Walk along the Thames, find a good pub. Maybe see a show. The Tate, National portrait gallery, V&A museum. A graffiti art tour. Sunday on Brick lane, people watching and pick up a salt beef bagel.

I’ve been to London tons but always try and seek out something new. I was there this week and went to the postal museum and the novelty automation museum, both great fun. We also had drinks at Cahoots underground which was a better experience than some random pub.

I went to the Tate which only confirmed my suspicion that modern art is not my thing.

In the past I’ve enjoyed the Tower Bridge Experience and going to see the Pelicans in St. James Park.

Next time I’ll go to the Foundling Museum.

Brown's Hotel is the best for afternoon tea

Just coming on to say Brown’s was my favourite for afternoon tea too!

previously on a good day we’ve done a museum at south Ken then walked all the way through Hyde Park back to Westminster - it was a glorious Spring day.

@ChiaseedlingOh yes. Forgot the name change! Ham Yard is a Firmdale hotel. They are all good for tea. Fortnums isn’t in my view.

There’s also Tate Britain. The thing about Tate Modern is the building. Which is amazing. It’s a really good place to visit on the south bank. The art gets you talking, even if you don’t like it.

I love Cahoots underground bar, I’ve been there several times. Cahoots Postal Office is amazing too.

Food...Chinatown/Borough Market/Ally Pally food market/lower stables market.
Shops - Marylebone, Battersea powerstation, Angel.
Museums/galleries. Tate/natural history/science
Southbank/theatre.

Abba Voyage is BRILLIANT!

Personally I wouldn’t recommend Phantom. Hamilton is not my cup of tea either but my girls loved it!

Dennis Severs House

After many years of dealing its primarily the antiques markets which attract me. Only Paris is better. I also love the museums and galleries. My favourite is the V&A.

When the weather is fine just sitting outside a pub or cafe people watching can be fascinating and a great way to relax and spend an hour. I also quite like trundling around on the buses so long as I am not in a hurry.

The Crusted Pike...glass of wine, cheese platter listening to the opera singers

I like the V&A. I also just like to walk, particularly up and down Kings Rd as my first home was near Sloane Sq (back when it was affordable)!

Savoy theatre show with cocktail in the Savoy beforehand?
Corinthia Hotel spa
Clipper Boat Westminster to Greenwich, walk around Greenwich pub lunch and return
Kew Gardens
Theatre so many but I love a good musical
Afternoon tea. I think the Ritz probably is there best

Get the uber boat to Greenwich. Then head up to Canary Wharf. Go to Battersea power station. Walk along the south bank or keep walking along the Thames walk.

Abba Voyage

I agree!

@CharlieMM1 It absolutely is not! Nice building but a total conveyor belt!

Which afternoon teas are the best in London then?

The best afternoon tea is Claridges but it also gets very booked up very early.
The Ritz is a conveyor belt and a bit tacky.

All the big hotels will do something. Good ones are The Corinthia and Browns and, from what I've heard, Dukes - near Buckingham Palace.

Ritz is beautiful and staff v attentive but you're definitely on a conveyor belt

Which afternoon teas do you think are the best? I’m open to considering others. We haven’t booked yet, but will very soon.

We’re vetoing the Tower of London now as my DM wants to go there too, so we’ll go there next time (when we’re all be together.)

Usually, we stumble into restaurants when we’re out. We don’t usually plan these things!

Thank you, I’ll definitely look into Claridges too.

The Barbican, Southbank, Brick Lane, Borough Market, Design Museum ,Tate Modern & anywhere else showing any interesting exhibitions, Textile museum, V&A etc.

Cosmic house looks really interesting too but you have to pre-book.

Dulwich picture gallery has a wonderful exhibition atm - Anna Ancha - Painting Light - from Skagen in Denmark - best art exhibition I’ve seen in ages. Closes 8 March. Great to see a fabulous female artist who was just allowed to get on with it and her use of colour - blues and yellows especially - is just lovely. And the park is v nice too. Easy to get to on train from London Bridge.