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Original poster

If you are in London...

109 replies

Frequentflier · 16/12/2020 10:28

what are you doing to stay sane and happy? I am in London and new to the UK anyway.I wasn't doing restaurants, but I was keeping myself sane by going to museums and galleries, which are now closed. I don't do malls. I don't have family or friends here; been trying to make friends but it's tough in these times. Work is slow at the moment too.

Am in a v small flat with DH working( loudly) from home and DS isolating. I definitely need to get out for my sanity, and have been walking in the parks, but it is getting chillier. Are there nice places in London I can go to which are open-ish, but not parks? I am in South East London.

Tbh, am not even sure I should be talking the tube, because DH is vulnerable.

OP posts:
grapewine · 16/12/2020 12:06

@Stationfork

Maybe the same as the majority of the rest of the country are doing.

Yes poor Londoners. Or not. Sorry OP but people seem to have forgotten that there are whole cities that have NEVER come out of lockdown since March 20th. Yes we want to see our friends.

Be grateful you had your galleries etc open for that short time as we've already been restricted to just parks for 9 whole months.

How spiteful. OP is new to the city and simply asked a question.
RB68 · 16/12/2020 12:12

Look for some guided walks - sometimes just podcasts - for the more interesting parts of the city - if you are SE London Greenwich is good, the docks etc. Also the tiny Gardens at Canary Wharf are good for a walk through just after Dark - only worth it if you are passing as they are tiny! If you are brave try local facebook pages and ask for a walking buddy - Even in T3 you can walk with a buddy maintaining your 2m but no mask required.

I understand other peoples comments about how London managed to avoid T3 or any sort of other restrictions but their city didn't and it was nothing to do with the figures - but its not like its your baggage to carry so just ignore for now, its not a hard done to competition

puptent · 16/12/2020 12:12

Could you take the Thames Clipper from Greenwich to Battersea Power Station? (I haven't checked the timetable so not sure if this is a goer but it usually is in 'normal' times). The power station complex is very pleasant with a cool grocery store and takeaway cafes and at the moment a small Christmas market (only open evenings and weekends I think though). You can walk along the river though Battersea park also.

I am in Westminster which is quiet but it is very busy closer to the centre (esp Covent Garden) so I would avoid, although St James Park is OK.

Also, shops are still open so if you felt able to brave inside, bookshops are always nice to spend a bit of time in. (Daunt books for e.g. but not sure if there is one near you!)

Lumene · 16/12/2020 12:19

A lot of the wetland centre has been shut at times - otters, access to see various birds, so check before you go.

Original poster
Frequentflier · 16/12/2020 12:20

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions. These are great. Have always found MN so welcoming and helpful. I am definitely buying the London Walks book and doing some of the walks. I do not have a bike or car- not v confident of either, but I am a good walker.

I also swim- wasn't v sure if it is a good thing to do now-but prob better than taking the tube. Will check out the pools. The markets also sound promising. Had completely forgotten abt Greenwich market.

My DS is 16, btw, so I do not need to keep him entertained, but he has been in isolation, so wd like to do some stuff with him over xmas hols.

@SelfIcellation I am from India, but am fairly international so don't need to only talk to other Indians, if you know what I mean! I get along fine with everyone. I am in lots of Zoom clubs-some with only British people-but just get fed up of staring at a screen, esp as my work is also about staring at a screen.

@Stationfork I do hear you. Just seen the other thread and appreciate the north has been under lockdown for ages. I only mentioned London in the title, as I am in London:) I don't do Xmas- not Christian- and I also understand how hard it must be to not see relatives over Xmas.

I may sound a bit whiny in the original post, but frankly v happy to be here. It has always been my favourite city in the world. Just have to change certain things I had planned to do.

OP posts:
AcornAutumn · 16/12/2020 12:27

One poster said to walk outside the Tower of London

Are the Tower grounds actually open?

Original poster
Frequentflier · 16/12/2020 12:28

I did the Tower of London during the last lockdown and the grounds by the Tower were not open. Still enjoyed the walk by the river though.

OP posts:
Rosehip10 · 16/12/2020 12:29

@Stationfork Oh sod off with your competitive misery...why comment on a thread if you have nothing to add?

FizzyPink · 16/12/2020 12:31

Hi fellow SE Londoner! DP and I were supposed to be going away for a few days between Christmas and New Year but obviously can’t now.
I’ll go mad if I watch any more television so I’m watching for ideas.
I’m not sure if there are any tickets left but Christmas at Kew is magical and all outdoor

AcornAutumn · 16/12/2020 12:31

@Frequentflier

I did the Tower of London during the last lockdown and the grounds by the Tower were not open. Still enjoyed the walk by the river though.
Thanks I thought it was a bit odd!
bunwell · 16/12/2020 12:46

Yes sorry, misread tower. Hampton court is open though with cart rides and Tudor cookery displays.

The London outdoor ice rinks are still open. My teen likes crazy golf and driving range although not sure in your area.

Hellandcoldwater · 16/12/2020 12:53

I quite like walking along the 'beach' by Wapping as well, looking for treasures on the shore- check for low tide. We usually couple it with a pub visit too but there are some good takeaway coffee and food places around there.

Marimaur · 16/12/2020 12:54

Parks! I go to one everyday with my two year old, we're in North London. Just wrap up warm. Do you have a car?

Stationfork · 16/12/2020 12:59

OP I want to apologise for how I came across it's all just getting too much for me this week.

To the others that pointed out it sounded spiteful, you're right it did and that is not how I like to conduct myself.

It seems that so many places just get fully and completely forgotten about and it only becomes news or noticed when London/the South is affected. Whereas in reality things have been incredibly restricted for what feels a very long time.

I'm not in a Northern location though.

ScribblingPixie · 16/12/2020 13:02

I'm walking the streets basically - reading up on the history of local areas first, checking out blue plaques, architecture, statues, street names etc, really looking at gargoyles & stone carvings. Some artists are organising trails with their work in their windows. Looking at front gardens to plan a redesign of ours. I feel like I know my part of London much better now and it's genuinely fascinating to spot things I have walked by 100 times and not noticed previously. I found a plaque to the inventor of the supermarket trolley the other day!

reprehensibleme · 16/12/2020 13:07

We're in Scotland and I usually have a day in Edinburgh in December (not this year, we're in a different tier) mooching about the New Town looking at people's door wreaths and Cristmas trees - can you do similar in Bloomsbury/Chelsea?

WorraLiberty · 16/12/2020 13:08

@Stationfork

OP I want to apologise for how I came across it's all just getting too much for me this week.

To the others that pointed out it sounded spiteful, you're right it did and that is not how I like to conduct myself.

It seems that so many places just get fully and completely forgotten about and it only becomes news or noticed when London/the South is affected. Whereas in reality things have been incredibly restricted for what feels a very long time.

I'm not in a Northern location though.

Ahh good on you for apologising. It's a stressful situation after all Thanks
katy1213 · 16/12/2020 13:22

Walk around Spitalfields and peep through windows at Dennis Severs' house. Brick Lane for street art.
Lots of royal parks.
Tube to Richmond and bus/walk along river to Ham House, where you can also peep through kitchen/dining room windows. Stop off at Petersham Nurseries for browse in shop/takeaway coffee and cake.
Christmas lights in West End. Mask on browse in Fortnum's and Liberty.
Chelsea Physic Garden and stroll around posh people's Christmas wreathes!
Like you, I'm gutted that our perfectly safe museums/theatres are closed while bloody Primark is open - but there's still more to do in London even when it's closed than anywhere else!
Public transport is fine!

Rosehip10 · 16/12/2020 13:28

@katy1213 Petersham nurseries food and drink is very overpriced for what it is...

Original poster
Frequentflier · 16/12/2020 13:28

@Stationfork v nice of you to apologise. I really hope things get better for you. I am in a far more fortunate position than most in the UK, and it might do me good to remember that.

OP posts:
MariahCarey · 16/12/2020 13:31

Ah OP I'm close by you but north of the river. I have a baby and feel exactly the same! Where I live in Newham we are locked in by busy roads and fumes so not a pleasant or healthy walk into the city sadly. We don't have a car and are not using public transport since March either. I've got a cab over to Greenwich and Blackheath to go for walks - love it there. I really miss the Thames Path so if you can get on it then go for it! Also the Clipper is a great idea as you can sit outside.

HmmSureJan · 16/12/2020 13:37

Just got back from Hamleys with DS. The tubes were empty as was Hamleys. Very quiet all over. A good time to go into town or look at sights IMO.

AcornAutumn · 16/12/2020 13:38

Katy - really, you can look in windows at Ham House?

OP I don’t know of you like art but you could google paintings if your local area, visit the spot, see what you think.

Be aware Postman’s Park is tiny, people seem to talk about it as if it’s much bigger!

RedToothBrush · 16/12/2020 13:57

@Frequentflier

what are you doing to stay sane and happy? I am in London and new to the UK anyway.I wasn't doing restaurants, but I was keeping myself sane by going to museums and galleries, which are now closed. I don't do malls. I don't have family or friends here; been trying to make friends but it's tough in these times. Work is slow at the moment too.

Am in a v small flat with DH working( loudly) from home and DS isolating. I definitely need to get out for my sanity, and have been walking in the parks, but it is getting chillier. Are there nice places in London I can go to which are open-ish, but not parks? I am in South East London.

Tbh, am not even sure I should be talking the tube, because DH is vulnerable.

Maybe you should be asking T3 vets rather than people who have been in T3 for oooooo a whole 10 and a half hours.

Posts like this are just asking to upset and annoy people.

AcornAutumn · 16/12/2020 14:02

Red you don’t think that’s harsh on someone new to the country?

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