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

Second John Soames house it’s amazing

Eltham Palace, Hornimans Museum, Garden Museum at Lambeth, a walking tour of the City of London (free maps on line), Museum of London, St Paul's, Dicken's sites from his novels in SE London

Would all say this - it was interesting and different.
OP - also suggest tovisit the amphitheater at the London Guildhall Art Gallery at the same time. Book a ticket to sky garden or horizon 22 - also in the city. Explore inside Tower Bridge. Walk over Tower Bridge, turn left at the end snd visit Shad Thames. Walk from London Bridge along the Southbank. Or take a boat to Greenwich and visit Queens House, Royal Observatory, Greenwich Museum, Greenwich Park. Take DLR to Docklands for Museum of Docklands. Visit Houses of Parliament (Saturdays only). Take the cable car across the Thames, walk across the O2. Visit newly pedestrianised Oxford Street.
Museum of London is reopening

I second Dennis Severs House then there are loads of restaurants to choose from in nearby Spitalfields Market. It's a really interesting part of London to wander round too.

Another place that's very much off the beaten track which would be good if you get decent weather: the Hill Garden and Pergola at the north end of Hampstead Heath. https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/where-to-go-at-hampstead-heath/hill-garden-and-pergola Free.

100% Denis Sever's House - you need to book in advance. Just wandering around Spitalfields is very atmospheric.

I was going to suggest this, it’s fab !
Very jealous of OP’s Bayeux tickets !

Happy to spend a bit more £100+, maybe italian, chinese, steak?

The company club in tower Hill looks good, you sit in an igloo overlooking the river,ready to get to on the river bus from London eye. The city is fascinating, British museum,

The London Mithraeum is quite fun and unusual.

Dinner near the London Eye? Skylon https://skylon-restaurant.co.uk/

Lincolns Inn, St Paul's, Tate Modern, Southbank

Congratulations on getting tickets! I had over 100,000 people ahead of me in the queue despite being on the page before it opened. Is there a secret hack to get them?

Leighton House is on my list of places I want to visit. My itinerary would be to do that, the Design Museum and Sambourne House with lunch or drinks at the Churchill Arms in Kensington Church Street. The Cosmic House is in the same vicinity but not open in February AFAIK.

I also want to see the Garden History Museum in Lambeth but probably not in February.

Also on my list is St Peter ad Vincula Chapel Royal, near the Tower. Does anyone know if you have to pay for Tower of London admission, or can you see it separately?

I second the Victoria Albert. I could spend a weekend there easily. I prefer gothic architecture and paintings and pretty jewels to natural history though.

If you're interested in the Natural History Museum then see if you can book their "Secrets of..." tour.

Yes! My dentist is round the corner and I love it. The moment you get past check-in and walk into the view of the atrium is properly stunning. Lots to see. (I like the art, personally.)

Their Peace Garden's lovely too.

I also agree with PP's on:

• Leighton House
• Boat trip on the Thames
• Garden Museum in Lambeth
• John Soane's house

Plus what about the Chelsea Physic Garden?

February. Gardens not at their best.

Another vote for the The Garden Museum at Lambeth.
You can climb the tower and get a fantastic view of the Houses of Parliament, Lambeth Palace and the river.

The cafe is good too.

You could probably do both in a day, i find the Science museum meh. I usually do NHM and the V&A instead.you need to book but it is free obviously.

I have a post hidden ive no idea why?

Congrats on securing tickets! I’m just back from London & we were lucky to get to see the tapestry too.

We also enjoyed a morning at the https://courtauld.ac.uk/gallery/ at Somerset house. Lovely compact gallery. The gift shop is the nicest one I’ve ever been to and the cafe is excellent.

Ooh, when I went I didn't do that. Sounds fab. Will try on my next dental expedition.Tradescant's tomb is just unmissable, though...

Posh Chinese is nice at Yauatcha and A.Wong.
Steak: Simpsons on the Strand has been done up. Otherwise there is the Hawksmoor chain.
Italian: many. Bocca di Lupa is always good.
My recommendation overall is Brasserie Zedel, love it. Amazing art deco place in Piccadilly. Great bar too.

if you go to the theatre, do look for pre-theatre meals on your theatre evening. There are some really good deals around. Cinnamon Bazaar does a good Indian one, and is well-suited for the west end.

@CafeYog

"Brasserie Zedel, love it. Amazing art deco place in Piccadilly"

Glad to hear it's still good. My friends and I've had a couple of great meals there, albeit a while ago.

^^ This poster just recommended all the best places. Listen to them.

As an alternate, my favorite for 'real London' is Tayyabs in Whitechapel. A London institution, best curry in town. Yes the service is pretty unfriendly. Yes the tables are formica / wipe clean. But the food is so delicious it will make your heart sing, you will be off the beaten track surrounded by actual Londoners and it's cheap as chips. I tend to sweeten the experience by bringing some super-nice wine along as it's BYO.

I know others have dismissed the Natural History Museum as filled with tourists (it is) but it's also one of London's most beautiful buildings and their Darwin tour is really wonderful. If you've never been I'd go once in a lifetime. Just don't eat lunch either inside or in any of the places immediately nearby. All overpriced chains where you'll have a rubbish meal.