In London for a week.....any one any ideas apart from the usual touristy things?

[blossomsmine]

Hi, i shall be in London for a week and need to find things to do to occupy my days! We have done alot of the touristy stuff...Madame T's, Dungeons, Covent Garden, Oxford Street etc., anyone got any ideas that might be something just 'London' people might know about!!??
Oh, and is Primrose Hill worth a visit?
Thanks

I have heard there is a half price ticket booth in Leicester Square (theatre)

Primrose Hill is nice if you want a good view of London from a pretty park. Nice cafes too.

I always love walking along the South Bank and at this time of year there are often bits a pieces of dance, or stalls or some kind of festival type thing which you may well chance upon.

Anyway there's lots to look at and you're away from the cars and alongside the calming influence of Old Father Thames. You can also pop into the Tate Modern which is worth a look for the turbine hall alone.

I LOVE the South Bank.

You can also take a boat ride along the river. Nice view from the boats. Get off at Greenwich then have a wander round there before comeing back by boat again.

Thanks to you all Think South Bank is a must then, like the idea of a ride on the river too.

Go along the South Bank, yes... but while you're there take a Duck Tour! You'll need to book in advance.

Also... how about driving out to grotty Neasden to see the wonderful Mandir

I took some Aussie friends recently and they were blown away by it - it's not on the usual 'tourist trail'.

With children or without?

If with children and they are right ages:

Dr Who exhibition at Earls Court is v good, we went this week

Aquarium is fine if you book in advance and then you only have to queue briefly otherwise the queues are HORRENDOUS

I think my children would have liked the Tate Modern Street Art exhibition but we didn't get the chance this week

You could take a ride in a rickshaw, have posh afternoon tea in Claridges or some other great hotel, def go to Borough Market and have lunch, great food there. I know these are touristy things but still fun to do.

Covent Garden is good for street performers if your children might like that and the Science Museum and NAtural History museums are great.

I also love the beauty of the buildings in The City at the weekend when it's all quiet. National Portrait Gallery is great too.

And Brick Lane for a curry is an experience too.

If you;re NOT with children:

have drinks in the lobby bar at One Alwych, lovely beach bellinis, great service

book dinner at the Boxwood cafe if you don't mind spending a bit

hip hotel bars article

kids article

Oh the great hall at THe British Museum is fab too imo

Have some food in Chinatown

Some of these are quite touristy but still great things to do.

Spend some time in the parks. Either go up to Regents Park, which is very pretty-pretty, or walk from Oxford Street across Hyde Park to Knightsbridge, much nicer than using tubes and about as fast. Or from Hyde Park directly into Kensington Gardens, where there's a tiny little art gallery called the Serpentine, which looks like this right now:

www.serpentinegallery.org/2008/03/forthcoming_summer_2008serpent.html

My nine year old son (first visit to London) enjoyed the river trip from Westminster to Kew, and the badgers set at Kew. He also enjoyed West Side Story at Saddlers Wells. But the best bit was playing in the water feature running along More London Place on our last morning. Going on the tube, learning how to hail a taxi, the breakfast buffet at the hotel and room service were all appreciated, too. He was less impressed with the London Eye, but is glad he did it!

Kensington Park Gardens.
Camden market.