Would you go to London for a night away?

[Helenj1977]

We usually go a lot and I'm tempted to book a Sunday to Monday break for dp and I.

Would you? We'd have to go on the train and then aim to walk everywhere.

In a weird way, London has never been nicer. Much easier to get round, things are opening but they're not too busy. And the infection rate is way down, so you're no more likely to get the virus than most other places. Come!

It's like this in Bath also (not far from London) of you want an alternative!
Quiet and no hoards of tourists, Roman baths 30% capacity but need to book online. Hotels are open but still quiet. It's lovely here (and very low rates too)

Also still not many planes so much more peaceful as well!

Would I ? No

The "attraction" of walking around a city's streets isn't enough of a draw for me to tempt me on to an unnecessary trip on public transport, and then the (very slight, but still there) risks of all the pinch points - ticket barriers, wherever you are going to eat, and to go to the toilet, and so forth.
I feel I don't want to inflict more people passing through (places like ticket barriers, or even corners and narrow bits of pavement) upon the people who have to be there.
For me it's part of the 'thinking of others' thing - weighing up what the benefit of any decision I make has to me, against how it increases risks for others.

However, I think we all need to make our own decisions. I'm fairly sure I am comfortable doing things that other people wouldn't choose to do yet. It's all about balance.

Well it seems Boris says crack on with travel on public transport so that dilemma solved. I’d still hope that people travelling for leisure would avoid peak times so those that absolutely have to work and travel by public transport (key workers) can keep as distanced as possible.

“Thinking of others” includes thinking of those businesses who are struggling and are desperate for people to come into the city, instead of continuing to stay at home. They are dying on their feet for lack of custom.

I was in London last week. We went to the Tower of London (we booked a time slot). There weren’t many people around, in fact it seemed quite strange, and the vibe was fantastic. It is such a young, vibrant city, I love being there. Places are opening all the time, it just takes a little planning so you book timeslots.

Sanitation units are everywhere. Take hand sanitiser with you and use it after touching pinch points. Wear masks. If there is a spike in the autumn/winter, we may have to stay indoors again. Make the most of the time now, when it is at its safest and emptiest. The galleries and museums and shops really need our custom. Be vigilant with safety measures, travel off-peak and enjoy getting out and about. Support the museums and art galleries (book first), everything is so well-organised and safe.

Next, I will be going to Hampton Palace, and will look forward to going to the beautiful Kensington Palace and gardens and feeding the green parakeets!

I came home on an absolute high. So will you, OP, and they will be very glad of your custom
( though London never did say “Stay Away”. 😉)

Lots of things are closed...I checked. Natural History Museum is closed until 5th August; National Portrait Gallery is closed til next year; Also Science Museum too for now. HMS Belfast also closed. I visited the V&A in October so won't visit there.

I totally agree with Abracadabra above. This isn't just a London thing but as businesses have started to open up I'm talking to more people who had their worlds ripped away from them in March. Despite the media hype furlow and govt support didn't fill the gap for everyone and a lot of people are really struggling. It's really sad and anything I can do to help them I will do.

We're going next weekend 😀

The Tower of London is a great idea. I've never actually been inside. I'll have a look at that now.

Thank you everyone for helping me do this. I think now more then ever some people need someone to say 'yes, do it its fine' 😘

We go this weekend.

Wwyd? Go or cancel? We live in the south west so technically our r rate is higher then London.

Probably going to be there over next couple of weeks and it sounds lovely. I've done most of the touristy things but just love everything about London.
Might pull Bath in too @Orangeblossom78, been years since I went there and DD has never been.

Go ! It will be quiet but nice. I'm going tomorrow though go most weekends

Yes, going to stay with family next weekend.

Yes I would. It's probably very nice at the moment without all the overseas tourists. I'm not a theatre-goer anyway so I would be very happy with a day out enjoying the sights without queues and slow walkers blocking up all the pavements.

I went last week. Quiet on tubes etc. Walked a lot. I am going again this week with a friend as we should have been in Madrid.

Go! I live here - walked round Covent Garden this morning - really quiet, but lots open.

It's really lovely without the crowded pavements.
Although not sustainable long-term, I know.

Trains are supposed to only be used by those who absolutely need to travel and leisure travel is being discouraged

Not any more. Infact we need to be using it to an extent so that it survives.

I'm just back this evening after a night in London (following a fortnight in France.)

It's very quiet compared to normal. Even convent garden on Friday evening wasn't crowded. People are there and out and about but not in the numbers they normally are. Social distancing is easy and mask wearing is pretty common place, compliance seems fairly high on the underground, trains and shops. The underground stations and many shops/hotels etc have sanitisers stations dotted around.

The hotel we stayed out was spotless with SDing and other precautions in place. Everywhere was welcoming.

Thinking of others also includes thinking of those people who need us to be using services and visiting attractions and shops in order for them to stay in employment. If we all stay home than businesses will fail and people will lose jobs.

Quite a lot of places are now open or opening this week. For example the London Eye opened today and Natural History museum opens this week.

Don't forget to pre book attractions - and ideally restaurants if there is somewhere you definitely want to go.

Go and enjoy yourself, if you love walking as you say its the best time to visit London so many nice areas to walk around and enjoy without the madness of having to dodge people