To ask for your not overly touristy London recommendations?

[Emily3325]

I've managed to snag Bayeux Tapestry tickets for myself and my husband for February. We only visit London maybe once a year and have done most of the tourist hotspots (London Eye, the Tower, etc.). We aren't big drinkers and love history. I'm looking online, and all I'm seeing are escape rooms and similar things. What are some underrated bits to get up to? We're in London for 3 days and will be going to watch a show on the West End on one of the evenings

Okay, next question, sorry! Valentine's recommendations for dinner? We're staying close to the London Eye but happy to travel a reasonable distance

Oh and you'll be around for when Two Temple Place holds it's annual art exhibition. Even if you don't fancy the art (the exhibition is free) the building is interesting and you can download a free guide to the building. Alternatively you can book on a paid tour.

From there you can visit Temple Church (paid entry).

https://twotempleplace.org/

www.templechurch.com/

Hampton Court Palace is quite interesting and awesome pub across the road

Museum of the Home - not huge but it shows the history of immigration to London's East End. Very interesting

Otto's is wonderful food and great service.

https://share.google/ePbOWCGuErscYCjns

I always recommend these three:

The Chelsea Pensioners | Royal Hospital Chelsea

Chelsea Physic Garden | Historic Botanical Garden in London

What's on at the National Army Museum | National Army Museum

All on the same road and almost next door to each other. A short walk from Sloane Square Tube

Have you considered walks around London that take in history. A quick google has come with these sites. They often take in hidden gems, plus the history behind them.

https://mylondonwalks.com

secure.londongardenstrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/all-borough-walking-routes.pdf

https://www.aladyinlondon.com/2025/05/circular-walks-in-london.html

This looks good, a Medieval walk around London

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/Things-to-do/medieval-city-self-guided-walk.pdf

Both amazing! Make sure you don’t go in school hols or half term though…

They're next door to each other so you can give both a try. The other side of the road is the V&A which is my favourite - and hardly any schoolchildren!

Out of all the small museums, I think the Foundling is the best. The other one, if you have a strong stomach is the Hunterian Museum with surgical exhibits. The Handel/Hendrix is another random one if you are near Oxf St. The Wallace Collection is a nice small art gallery. Enjoy the Bayeux; we loved it.
Which show are you seeing?

What’s your budget and favourite cuisine? So many restaurants around!

Must admit, I think the Natural history museum is the more interesting of the two.

The nearby V and A museum is good .

Fabulous and also greenwich is lovely.

I really liked the tower bridge museum, relatively cheap, it's busy but nowhere near the realms of natural history or science museums both of which are very much overly touristy!

I've been told the post office museum is worth a visit too

I think you can sometimes get toura of Buckingham Palace on certain days of the year

Highly recommend 2 Temple Place as suggested above, it's small but beautiful - probably not worth travelling for but excellent if you are nearby. I'd avoid the National History Museum or Science Museum. The V&A is fab.

I prefer the Wallace Collection (lovely restaurant), the Sir JOhn Soane's and Greenwich as above.

The fashion and textile museum is good, albeit small. It’s in Bermondsey which is pleasant to walk around

My must visit is always The British Library 💕 depending on the weather, a trip down the river to Battersea is great- power station and the park.

Sutton House, National Trust property in East London. Dates from 1535. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/london/sutton-house-and-breakers-yard

Darwin's home, Down House in Kent, just south of Bromley.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/home-of-charles-darwin-down-house/

In both cases check they're open before you go as they're somewhat out of the way.

https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/sambourne-house Sambourne House in Holland Park, home of Victorian illustrator Linley Sambourne, largely unchanged. You can buy a joint ticket for this and Leighton House which is a short walk away and also strongly recommended. Lovely area. You could go to the park as well. (Open Mondays and Wednesday to Sunday, i.e. closed on Tuesdays.)

Another vote for the Hendrix Handel Museum. Really loved this.

I was also going to recommend the old operating theatre museum! Afterwards you can have dinner or lunch at one of the amazing restaurants on Bermondsey Street, a 10 minute walk away. Casse Croute is great if you like French, or the Garrison for gastro pub, or Jose/Lolos for Spanish. Nice historical pedestrianised street.

Agree with other posters - The Wallace Collection in Manchester Square is fabulous (and free). It has a wonderful looking restaurant at the back, although I haven’t eaten there.
The Army museum next door to The Royal Hospital (Chelsea) is really good. We went recently and didn’t have enough time to do it justice. It’s free, and in a lovely part of London.
Leighton House in Holland Park is brilliant, and you can buy a joint ticket to also see Sambourne House. Both were very interesting and Leighton House also has a nice cafe.
Sir John Soane’s museum is another interesting one, and we liked visiting Dr Johnson’s house in Gough Square recently. Also in The City of London, is The Guildhall Art Gallery. The main gallery is free, and they often have paid exhibitions in the lower level. There are significant Roman amphitheatre remains in the basement.

You might be able to get tickets to see The late Queen’s dresses at The King’s Gallery (next door to Buckingham Palace). It’s a wonderful exhibition of her clothes throughout her life.

Haven't read the full thread but Osterley House, on the Piccadilly line, is National Trust (check it's open when you want to go) and also Fenton House in Hampstead and you can combine that with a ramble on Hampstead Heath and a visit to Kenwood House. Chelsea Physic Garden is lovely and peaceful.

As you will be in the West End...
Laksa at C&R Cafe, Rupert Court
Roast duck at Four Seasons, Gerrard Street.

Rules, Maiden Lane.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is definitely worth seeing at the Natural History Museum.