Slightly unusual things to do in London

[dweezle]

DH and I have a week in London in march, child free. We haven't been to London for years and years. Both like walking, love history, and the list so far includes Geffrye Museum, Borough market, Kew, Kensington museums. Would like recommendations for slightly off beat stuff (i.e. NOT London Eye, Tussauds etc), and any good cheap cafes.

Get the tube to London Bridge - you've got the Borough food market there on thurs, fri and sat (thurs or fri is quieter). The Old operating theatre museum is just over the road from the market. You can walk down the Thames path to Tower Bridge or up towards the Tate modern gallery Shakespeare's Globe and St.Pauls cathedral - both lovely walks. Used to live in this area and it's a really interesting place to just wander around in. Don't bother with the Clink museum - load of rubbish!

I would second the recommendation for the Sir John Soanes museum - my favourite in London (and free!), also the British Library is a great place to spend an hour or two and on the other side of Euston Road is the Wellcome institute which usually has an interesting art/medicine exhibition on as well as a permanent museum upstairs (again both free)

Forgot to add, if you are into history there are a lot of Dickens connections in the Borough area.
Also, the Imperial War museum is well worth a look (either Lambeth north tube or maybe twenty minutes walk from the borough market area)

There's a cafe nero opposite the Golden Hind ship (which is also interesting, especially if you time your visit to include the guided tour), which is five minutes walk from Borough market, upstairs has a lovely view to the river and is a great place to people watch.

The David Hockney exhibition at the Royal Academy on Piccadilly. Little bit touristy but fabulous.

And sold out.

Blu, no it's not. I booked tickets yesterday for April, lots of dates in March still available, through Goldentours.com

My friend has an exhibition of animal art on at the moment: Here

ooh, thanks fir that, Jasmine - they have launched the new allocation of tickets!

Go for dim sum at New World in Chinatown.

Free lunchtime concerts at St Martin in the Fields church near Trafalgar Sq.

I love London!

All these diverse and quirky things to do are why it's so fab in my opinion

I like this website Derelict London

Another vote for the Wellcombe Collection. It's free (and you'll be very glad you didn't bring DCs when you see some of the exhibits - "mummy, what's that thing?")

I shall have a good peruse of some of these suggestions myself - always on the lookout for interesting London ideas.

Have a wander inside the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand, a beautiful building. And do a tour inside the Houses of Parlaiment, really interesting.

And go to the theatre. Madness of George III is very good and entertaining.
And have a cocktail in the newly-refurbished American Bar at the Savoy. V. glam. And have a kebab up in Dalston- rather less glam but delicious.

Don't eat anywhere without doing some research first. London has fabulous food of all types for all budgets but also some of the worst rip-offs in the world. The Harden's ipad app or book is good.

Thank you for the thread- it's reminded me why I like living here

Climb the Monument - great views!

Contact your mp and see if you can get tickets to prime ministers questions on the wednesday in the public gallery.

Jasminerice and mid have stolen my ideas! If you like history, looking inside the Palace of Westminster is a must. Apply now via your MP. If you can't see PMQs, you can just go for another debate.

Apparently if you contact your MP you can arrange to go up Big Ben. Long lead time for security reasons though so might be too late

Sorry helium! Also go and watch a criminal trial at the Old Bailey.

Afternoon tea at Browns Hotel.

dennis severs house
goldfinger house

alfies antique market is good too.

Camden Market, Hyde park is a relaxed walk. All London Museums are fab :)