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?

London has some of the world's greatest museums and art galleries. It's also great for exploring on foot. It's full of endless surprises.

London's classical music scene is world-leading, even though it badly needs a decent hall for orchestral concerts.

I can recommend the Foundling Museum. It’s only small but really interesting and moving.

The Regent’s Canal is surprisingly nice for a walk - you can start at Little Venice and follow it all the way to Limehouse.

Frameless at Marble Arch - interactive art gallery.

Afternoon Tea at Browns is very good, or the National Theatre do one which has a drama base. I have not tried it myself, but the NPG also does an afternoon tea.

Walking the Southbank from Waterloo Bridge to London Bridge. Lots of lovely pubs with views along the way!

You could wander around Covent Garden, there's always street entertainers and musicians about, and loads of stalls selling tat nice quality trinkets.

The bars and restaurants in the Royal Opera House are open to the general public, not just those going to a performance. The gift shop in the foyer is quite something.

I go to lots of shows ( I save up for them) and honestly Abba Voyage is really . really something special.
I've been twice, the dance floor area is such fun.
I love threads like these, excellent info.
I really want to go to Hampstead heath and also do the Highgate cemetery tour and do loads more of the museums.
I love London.

Leave. I loathe London.

I loved ABBA Voyage too. Glad we were on the dance floor!

That’s helpful.

I don't understand people who say they hate London. There are so many different aspects to it. Parks, shopping, cathedrals, restaurants, markets, theatres, museums, nightclubs, river walks, galleries, so many cuisines and cultures and different historical venues. Do you really not enjoy any of those?

Another vote for Dennis Severs House - I stumbled across this place last time I was in London and I was mesmerised by it.
I enjoyed the mudlarking exhibition at the docklands museum and sky garden was worth a visit for the views over London.
I also went to Brick Lane and had a salmon and cream cheese bagel from one of the original bagel shops and it was mouthwateringly good! Still warm, packed with salmon and really cheap.

🙄🙄🙄

Viktor Wynd's museum. Bonkers. And has an absinthe bar

Hating London is easy - there's lots of things to hate about it (even when you love it), it doesn't take too much enthusiasm to uncover things to really love about London. My sister hated London, she'd only spent a day there - I wasn't surprised when she told me what she did - shopping on Oxford Street - my idea of hell - if you really need to go to Oxford St, go early and leave by lunch. Better still don't go.

I’ve been to Cosmic House. I’d recommend it (not to OP but others on thread). It’s fascinating being able to wander around in a unique home, I love the design of it.

I love borough market and Covent Garden.

if you like cheese, the cheese barge is Paddington is great as is pick and cheese at Covent Garden.

the afternoon tea at the Sanderson is lovely, as is the Dorchester.

the V&A is fascinating, and the design museum is great, as is the IWM.

Borough market is godawful. Rammed. Over priced. Awful.

Unfortunately I think it’s a victim of its own success. And that has become an issue for some of the traders there too. A trader I know quite well told me that Saturdays are actually the least profitable day of the week for him as the market is so crowded with tourists / photography students that actual customers wanting to buy (rather than ‘experience’) stay away and the few that do go struggle to get near his actual stall due to the crowds. Makes sense. As a Londoner who lives nearby, I definitely avoid going there at the weekend unless I go very early or very late.

Unfortunately I think Spitalfields market is going the same way. On Sundays at least.

Prize for most stupid comment on a thread in a very long time!

It's such a shame about Borough Market. My best friend lives nearby and I have been going there with her for about 20 years. It is pretty awful now. I can't bear to think of all the rubbish created by the tons of packaging on the street food. And just trying to walk in a straight line anywhere near it is nigh on impossible.

Have lived here (well zone 6) for 20 years and my favourite thing to do it’s just walk!

I love the area around faringdon/Clerkenwell to just walk around and look at the gorgeous architecture. Also Bloomsbury (around the British museum).

Personally I dislike Borough Market / London Bridge area. V tacky and touristy imo.

Instead if it’s a weekend go to broadway market at London fields - ideally combined with a visit to Columbia Road - the lower market on Sunday am does get V busy - but the cute little shops are open all week.

Hampstead is another lovely area for a walk around. Especially on a nice day.

I bloody love London - you’ll have a great time.

Sorry too late to edit. Meant to say Flower market. Not Lower.

Updated list:

Day 1:

Sir John Soane’s Museum
British Museum
Show

Day 2:

The National Gallery, London
Liberty London
Claridges for Afternoon Tea (booked)
Painted Hall

Thank you for the suggestions. I expect we might be able to squeeze in a few more activities. I like the idea of the boat ride and the South Bank walk!

London Eye for me. Always go on it whenever I visit London. They do a good London Eye/Thames boat cruise combo deal actually which seems to be a good way of seeing the main sights.