London highlights- beyond the obvious

[TheGander]

My French cousin is visiting in a week. Im
looking for new places to take him as over the years we’ve done all the obvious things- the big museums, the parks, a lot of the concert halls. He’s into art, music, traditional architecture, history. Not so interested in science, modern architecture . I’m thinking of taking him to a museum of Italian modern art in North London for a change b it would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you!

Not particularly cultural but a visit to they Sky Garden is good for views over London- free but need to book.

Second this. Also there is a church in Fleet street and you can go down to the bottom and see a Roman road.

Ut;s called St Brides.

Greenwich is always worth a visit, get the uber boat in.

St Brides

Really worth a visit

See if there’s anything interesting at the Barbican gallery space? The Hayward? The Emily Kam Kngwarray exhibition at Tate Modern is closing soon.

I suppose what I’m saying is that if he’s interested in art, it’s less that he’s already been to the Tate or RA and more a matter of what’s currently on that might interest him.

If the weather is decent, combine Highgate cemetery with a walk on Hampstead Heath, calling in at Kenwood and or any combination of the Keats and Freud museums, and the Flask?

Has he been to Greenwich? There's a lot to do there and can combine it with the Uber boat trip.
Also, doing a tour of City churches if he likes history and architecture.

William Morris house in east London is lovely

Hampton Court Palace and then to see Richmond Park with the deer?

Absolutely love Greenwich. We go quite often. Walk up to the observatory then visit the maritime museum

Or Camden? Lots of wild street art and endless markets

The William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow is nice. Greenwich is also a good shout, combined with the observatory and a boat ride.

Have you been to Highgate Cemetery?

Or Kenwood House and Hampstead Heath?

Or the Garden Museum in central London, near Lambeth Palace?

Depends where you are I honestly wouldn't traipse across London for the William morris gallery

There is also God’s Own Junkyard in Walthamstow if you are traipsing across London for William Morris (really impressive collection of neon signs).

Thanks
I was just about to ask about this one.

It does depend on where you are in London, and how into art you are! But if you’re on the north or east side of London, and looking for something to do for a couple of hours, it might be an option and it has a nice cafe (and in better weather, Lloyd Park is a lovely spot).

God’s Own Junkyard is an excellent idea!

We went there -definitely worth a visit. It's also not far from the old Roman walls if you're into Roman remains.

Columbia Road flower market on a Sunday followed by a bagel, down Brick Lane. Curry then onto Spitalfields market.

I second (third?) Greenwich. The boat is a great was of seeing London from a different perspective.

Borough Market for breakfast then along the river to the Tate.

The Courtauld, then Covent Garden and onto China Town for Lunch.(Personally I would throw in a swim in the heated outdoor pool at the Oasis Leisure Centre, but I’m funny like that.)

If you go to the Estorick, I'd recommend Trullo, on St Paul's road, as a nice place to eat. If you feel walking afterwards, there's Highbury Fields (some lovely houses, otherwise an unexciting park), or you can walk east along St Paul's road and turn right at the new river to go down the path to Essex road.

If you go to the City (Mithras temple etc), try to stop in at Postman's park. There's nowhere else like it.

You've probably done this already, but the guided tours of the Globe Theatre are good and you can combine a walk down the south bank and the river bus

The Line sculpture trail is great - https://the-line.org/map/

V&A East Storehouse

Somerset House - nice exhibition on Wayne McGregor on atm.

Another vote for Greenwich - the Old Naval College is stunning.

I second the Globe. You can also tour The Royal Opera House.

I’d also put in a shout for The Temple Church. It’s in a very interesting area. Somewhat different to St Paul’s! Have a look at 2 Temple Place too for exhibitions. Spencer House is a gem just behind The Ritz overlooking Green Park.

There is also the reopened Pitzhanger Manor and gallery in Ealing and the Museum of the Home in Hoxton.

Look to see if the Kings Gallery has an exhibition on and definitely The Courtauld.

The churches around the City of London often have free lunchtime recitals. It's lovely to hear the music in the beautiful Wren churches.

Also second the recommendation for the Guildhall art collection.

And if you go to the Guildhall Art Gallery, downstairs you can see the remains of the Roman amphitheatre. You can combine that with the Temple of Mithras which is not far away. (The Guildhall Art Gallery also has very nice loos.)

All the City churches are worth seeing, but All Hallows by the Tower is particularly interesting.

And yes, the Museum of London at Barbican is closed. It's due to reopen at Smithfield late next year.

One of my top tips is to check the auctions that are happening at eg Sotheby's and Christie’s, and go along there for the viewings. It’s an amazing way to see some incredible art - and free!

(I also recommend the Guildhall gallery, and there are remains of a Roman amphitheatre in the basement there too)

ETA - great minds with the poster above as I was typing this!

Museum of the Home - history of living rooms from 1600s onwards inside old Almshouses. Nice cafe too.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden. Superlative.
Has The Foundling Museum been mentioned?