London on my own

[SpikyHair]

Having a day trip on my own in central London in December. On a tight budget so I'm going to check out the National History Museum and the Science Museum.

Any ideas what else I can do?

Also any ideas on where to sit in a quiet corner and have a burger and a glass of wine where it isn't crazy loud and busy? It'll be a Saturday so I'm probably asking for too much there!

Bump

Always something to do in London. Christmas markets will be on later in December. I love to walk along Southbank from Embankment always lots to see. Borough market is fascinating and the real food market. A walk down Carnaby St or around Covent Garden. So much to do it depends what you like.

London is full of attractions and things to do. What sort of things do you like?

Maybe cafe at the v and a ? Or walk to Kensington high st

I like browsing, eating, bookshops, markets, just generally being nosy and mooching around etc. I might see if there are any nice parks to walk around in

Maybe have a stroll down Charing Cross road, lots of second hand book shops as well as the original Foyles, which is huge. From there you can either walk down to Covent Garden or Leicester Square and China town which is interesting to browse.

Not sure that you will find any where quiet in London in December though!

I would recommend Holland Park, much nicer than the bigger parks. Also near the Leighton Gallery which is gorgeous.

2nd Holland park look around design museum too and the Japanese garden is beautiful

A trip to Harrods to see how the other half live! It's a lovely building too. Food halls are lovely.

Just piggybacking on your thread, OP - I'm in London tomorrow, and mostly just want to mooch and take photographs, but wondered if anyone had tips for either great exhibitions that are on at the moment, or for bargainacious destinations for Christmas shopping that we don't have in the provinces.

Sorry for the hijack!

Bellini and Mantegna at the NG. Schiele at the RA

London not the best place in the world for bargains! Both the NG and RA shops have good bits and pieces for Christmas

Thank you! I had read about the Schiele exhibition but had completely forgotten about it.

The big Waterstones near Piccadilly has a cafe/bar on the 5th floor.

MissSmila - not a problem xx

Some good ideas so far thank you

Thanks - hope you have a great time.

I honestly cannot recommend the Wellcome collection enough. It has a huge reading room upstairs, it's so lovely, and you'd have seen nothing like it.

May I ask what's the Wellcome collection?

wellcomecollection.org/

"The free museum and library for the incurably curious" is what they say on their website.

It's near King's Cross and Euston, which can be handy.

Do check if Christmas windows are done eg for Fortnum and Mason - just worth a window shop. If you like mooching perhaps St James Church market right next door to F&M. Or Portobello?

I love the V&A so do go there quite a bit! For the other museums I would pick an room or exhibition and just do that. But if youa re that way perhaps check out the Albert Hall and see what might be on. Often cheap standing seats or in the balcony.

Do have fun! An adult day - what could be nicer!

There is a nice restaurant on one of the upper floors at the National Gallery, we often end up in a branch of Paul now (French company) although they can be small and not have many seats if you want to eat in (not tried their restaurants, just the smaller shops).

Enjoy your day, we are also going for the weekend in December although with DD eyeing up selfie opportunities at Tussauds it's not going to be an exclusive trip for us! Will try and keep her out of the M&M shop in Leicester Square too despite never having eaten them in her life the shop is a magnet

London Silver Vaults
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Spitalfields Market
Tate Modern
Southbank