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

Try the Guildhall art gallery and the Roman ruins underneath. All free and quite amazing. You can then have a look at the remains of the London Wall. Lots of nice pubs for lunch/drinks.

Mystery guides are excellent and great fun.

I also love the V&A and the National Portrait Gallery.

We absolutely loved HMS Belfast, you can spend ages there. Try and grab tickets for Horizon 22 (they are free but released in limited tranches). Frameless is really good as well, I was very skeptical but worth going to see.

I had a very disappointing meal there recently, not sure I'd recommend it after decades of it being my favourite restaurant.

Give yourself plenty of time to see the tapestry, the queuing can be horrendous. Definitely don't book any thing for afterwards.

The Museum of Brands near Notting Hill is a bit different. If the weather is bright after walking around a lot a nice trip on an Uber boat on the Thames is good . It's nice seeing all the sights from the river..

Richmond plus Kew Gardens. I know it's Feb, but the weather can be very mild. I'm a member at Kew and there is always something to enjoy whatever the weather. There are several indoor spaces like the Princess of Wales Conservatory

https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/princess-of-wales-conservatory-secrets-facts

Then go to Richmond and eat at Ottolenghi or the Petersham Hotel.

Huntarian Museum is ace.

Yes one of my favourite days out especially if you get a boat from London Eye pier.

Denis Severs house is officially on the list, as are a couple of the food recommendations

Great thread thank you.

Yes but…

if you go during the school holidays, it’s sheer hell.

came on to recommend same. (i.e. Old Operating Theatre, SE1 and Leighton House, W8).
If you're going to Greenwich, take the tunnel under the Thames from Island Gardens, comes up just by The Cutty Sark.
At the V&A if you visit the upstairs galleries, you'll find them largely deserted.
Tate Britain has recently rearranged it's permanent collection, very well worth a visit.

If it's a Thursday, look up to see if there's a (cheap) lunch time recital at St John's Smith Square, SW1. In fact, look up lunchtime concerts in churches, they're often free or if not very inexpensive (e.g. St Alphege Church, Greenwich, if you happen to be there at lunchtime on Thursday or Saturday).

This but I’d swap out the Tate Modern for Britain if you want somewhere less full on. If you go round Lincoln’s Inn then it’s not too hectic and you can visit John Soanes. It’s been recommended a lot on here and is great. The automaton exhibit is quirky and fun https://novelty-automation.com/ and just round the corner. http://ciaobellarestaurant.co.uk/ Family run Italian- great food. Avoid South Kensington if you don’t want to get caught up with tourists

The National Gallery (open late Fridays), Tate Modern and the V & A. If you fancy a trip out then Windsor Castle is stunning and about 45 mins from Paddington.
Also, if you email your MP they will organise you in a small group guide led tour of the Houses of Parliament (I did it last week). They book up to 3 months ahead so for Feb visits email at the beginning of November.

Courtauld Gallery for art.

Clink Prison museum

We enjoyed the Roman Ampitheatre in the city https://onecitylondon.com/directory/londons-roman-amphitheatre/. Also my husband and son did Race around London which they said was good fun.

If you still can get tickets to the Skygarden. Lovely views and it is free. A walk down the Southbank. The Barbican is always nice. Tate Modern.

Imperial War Museum - and for a more reflective space outside it, the Peace Gardens are lovely. Sky Garden at the top of the walkie talkie building is good. I think you can get timed tickets in advance without needing to eat up there.

City of London has some good walking route maps. Round the markets is a good one, the old roman ruins, or https://onecitylondon.com/article/the-great-fire-of-london-walking-trail/

Sunday evensong at St Pauls is also lovely - while you can't walk the galleries, joining a service is free, as it is in any church across the country...

If you do the boat trip down to Greenwich for Observatory/Nat Maritime Museum/Cutty Sark, it's well worth taking the walking tunnel under the Thames to Island Gardens. A couple of stops up the DLR I think there's still a decent chinese on a boat on one of the docks somewhere.

And not destination dining by any stretch, but the cafe at the Wellcome Collection near Euston is very good, decent salad bar, sensible prices. The collection itself is worth a look - ideal for anyone with just under an hour to kill before a train north...

I loved The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret. It’s very near Borough Market so you could combine the two.

Canal trip from Paddington Basin to Camden Market - it goes through London Zoo.

Ask AI. I find Chat mot helpful.

Another vote for the Mithraeum. Absolutely beautifully presented and really atmospheric. And free!