If you are in London...

[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.

@RedToothBrush because she's asking about London specifically? Not other T3 areas?

The title of the post is 'if you are in London' so that's who it's aimed at.

It's perhaps best that if you aren't in London and are harbouring resentment towards London, you don't click on a thread that's titled If you are in London...

Sorry I don't have many local recommendations that haven't already been suggested, but I just wanted to say that you both sound like lovely people, @Frequentflier and @Stationfork

I may have missed someone already mentioning it, but if you like walking you can get all the way from central London out towards Richmond/Kingston along the river. Might be nice to do that one day, or do it in sections over a few days. You'd have to get the train back though (unless you REALLY like walking )

Perhaps London could think for three seconds.

Na not going to happen is it?

@RedToothBrush

Perhaps London could think for three seconds.

Na not going to happen is it?

Oh are people in London not allowed to be struggling too? Because their lives haven't been disrupted enough for your liking?

10 hours.

10 hours.

At least give it a couple of days.

Are the Thames Clippers running currently? You could maybe get one off peak and explore the embankment and city of London. The silver lining for me at the moment is that London is quieter than it would normally be which makes it a bit easier to explore.

In my Borough there are a few informal women's walking groups organised via social media. Might be worth investigating as a way to get to know new people at the moment.

For goodness sake Red this pathetic north south divide that you are trying to perpetuate is very silly. In the south we mere plebs do not actually make the rules and government guidance. We all get a vote at elections just like you do.

I actually thought from your continued and detailed posts on the Brexit board that you may be more level headed and intelligent than you are portraying yourself on this thread. Perhaps stick to that one with your little army of fans rather than insulting a new arrival to London asking for sensible advice during these difficult times.

Just nipping in to check that things are keeping civil.

OP i made this suggestion on another thread

Art through your smartphone at various points on London

acuteart.com/artist/unreal-city/

I’m not a tech person but if you are, you might like it too.

@RedToothBrush

Perhaps London could think for three seconds.

Na not going to happen is it?

But the OP is asking about things to do in London, because that's where she is.

Why would you think people should be posting about the rest of the country, that she shouldn't be travelling to?

@RedToothBrush

Are you having a particularly rotten day? Your posts on this thread are very out of character. I hope tomorrow is a better day for you.

@stationfork for you too.

Red really surprised, always thought a lot of you on the Brexit posts.

I don't live in London or the North but feel equally sorry for pretty much everyone right now.

OP, TfL have been swabbing surfaces, handrails and so on and sampling the air on the Tube. So far they haven't found any Covid.

Also, Tier 3 restrictions are a bit different from lockdown, so some things may be open now that weren't then. Non-essential shops, for example, so maybe some gardens/grounds.

I took the tube yesterday and today both times at 11ish in the morning and it was absolutely dead. I’ve never seen it so empty having lived in London my entire life.

I think if occasional usage keeps you sane, then go ahead.

Admittedly if you don’t like shopping, this might sound rather dull, but I’ve spent time walking round the west end. Discovering smaller shops I wouldn’t normally and seeing sights I’ve never really been familiarised with. DH has been watching films and going to visit some of the locations used around town. Yesterday he ran to Temple church having watched the Da Vinci code.

It’s quite a good time to get to learn central London if you’re new as not so many crowds to bewilder you. Bittersweet, but it’s the first time in a long time I’ve walked down a Regent Street without being irritated by the massive crowds. Many little cafes open to grab a coffee and walk while looking at the lights.

Eltham Palace Gardens are lovely- they’re still open. You can visit the amazing house when we’re out of tier 3

So many great ideas on here, I'm in SW London and getting very bored of the 3 local parks.

@RedToothBrush

10 hours.

10 hours.

At least give it a couple of days.

What a grumpy little grumplet you are.

It's not London's fault that COVID spread more wherever you are.

If you don't like living where you live, maybe move to London. It is rather fabulous here.

There’s loads still to do in London no matter whatever the weather( and it’s pissing down right now) or the tier!
Get the 274 from Baker Street tube and you can get off at Camden Market which I bet will be busy with takeaway market stalls, then walk along the canal which is always interesting. You can stop off at Primrose Hill and take in the views or keep going to Little Venice.
You could also Boris bike it from Westminster to Tower of London and clipper boat it back again or go on to Greenwich.
Covent Garden will probably have at least some of the Restuarant’s serving takeaway ( at least they have done so in November) and the lights are up and you can people watch.
Kew Gardens open too ( although not the glasshouses)

I don't understand why @RedToothBrush has commented so unkindly and thoughtlessly on this post from the OP. Especially as they are not from London so no idea why they've even contributed to a thread asking Londoners to suggest local areas in London.

And they like to say Londoners are unfriendly!

I think people like @RedToothBrush and @Stationfork are forgetting that London has some unique problems of its own. Even rich people live in really small homes, and gardens are pretty much an impossible dream unless you bought 30 years ago. We’re totally reliant on public spaces to save us from going stir crazy. We’re also much less likely to have a car so again reliant on public transport. There’s no pressure valve as you might have elsewhere.

I sympathise with the Northerners and with the OP, who’s an expat having to deal with this on her own without a family and friends network.

@OutedByHobby very good point. I always forget that not everyone lives in a flat with no outside space.