2 days alone in London

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I'm treating myself to a couple of days in London just before Christmas, whilst dp is still at work.

I'm booking an exhibition at the Royal Academy and will do Liberty/F&M Christmas decoration sections. Wondering about also doing the Hieroglyphs exhibition at the British Museum and a mooch around Bloomsbury too.

Any other ideas, please? Is there anywhere I could have afternoon tea, a lovely lunch or an early dinner alone, without feeling like a plonker?

How lovely. I would have a spa afternoon at Claridges or One Aldwych. Perhaps watch a movie or go to a jazz club. Lunch at la Goccia at the bar watching the chefs followed by shopping in Covent Garden. Also I think the Cezanne Exhibition will still be on at the Tate which will be wonderful.

Thanks for all of these. I wouldn't want to do spa or film alone though, to be honest, and am far too much of a barbarian to appreciate a jazz club! Cezanne sounds much more up my street. :) Will look at the restaurant now - thanks!

Hopeful bump!

You can eat alone absolutely anywhere you like, and nobody will care - just pick your favourite type of food.
Book a show? Come From Away finishes in January, so it would be good to catch it, just as one example.

My biggest treat is a couple of days alone in London, and there is always so much choice for things to do - whatever your interests are.

My DD is at uni in that area so I'm used to doing things alone there .. lovely cafe/ bar called Burr & Co... also there . Kimpton Fitzroy has a lovely room for afternoon tea in the Palm Court . British Library is great .. also London Review of Books .. really nice for a break and a hot drink ..

Also echo PP there are always lots of people alone eating or working .. you will feel ok good company . Just on another note there have been a spate of phone thefts when people have left them on the table ) someone comes in .. puts a newspaper down .. asks for money .. removes paper with phone underneath) so take care but apart from that it's such a lovely area ) just also remembered the Italian in Tavistock square.. you can tell I spend my time eating and drinking ! )

Have you ever tried the floatation tanks? That's an unusual experience and they have a lovely relaxation room to use after.

I absolutely do spas by myself by the way but if this isn't your bag I understand.

I love to visit St Paul's by myself it's so stunning.

I don't think any restaurants will bat an eye lid at eating alone, just book where you fancy!

You might like Leighton House Museum

www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/

If museums appeal, the V&A always has something worth seeing, and the shop is excellent.

(No-one will look twice at someone dining alone in a museum or gallery, if you're feeling shy)

Thanks for these.

I definitely don't want to do a spa. Don't want a show either. Just museums, shops, eating nice things and lots of people watching!

Burr and Co looks lovely btw, but I'm vegetarian and the menu doesn't look great for me.

Is afternoon tea in Liberty any good? Or I suppose there's always The Wolseley for reliability? I wouldn't want to do one of the 'big' ones by myself.

Anybody know anywhere that would do lovely veggie dim sum maybe?

not sure where you are staying but Cork & Bottle wine and cheese bar is my go to if on my own - it’s in Leicester Square but a bit hidden in a basement. Mildred’s great veggie food. Brindisa tapas you can sit at the bar (or in fact any restaurant where you can sit at the bar) I prefer that on my own.
John Soames museum in Bloomsbury is great and try Lambs Conduit Street or Store Street for little bars/restaurants.
my fave thing is going to little Venice (Warwick avenue tube) and walking east along regents canal, to Camden and kings cross.

Ps this is making me envious 😊 I want to do this! And I live in London!

I've done most of the museums before, so only want museums if this a specific exhibition I want to see - probably the two I mentioned.

I do like Mildred's - good call.

Cheese sounds good too!

Staying at the Hub in Kings Cross.

Have a look at dennis severs house, would you enjoy that?

Viktor Wynds Museum...has an absinthe bar upstairs. Not for the easily offended
Queer Britain museum KX
Dishoom for breakfast KX

I'd love it, but it's not open when I'm there. :(

Borough Market is lovely at Christmas. Lots of places to eat there. You could even just get something from one of the food stalls & take it to a bench by the river to eat. I think the South Bank Christmas fair is back this year.

The little side streets near F&M are always very Christmassy too.

I’m envious op, I’d love to have a couple of days in London. Just to say I have been a victim of the phone theft thing, not in London, but if you’re careful it will all be fine! Enjoy

Are you going to the making modernism? I’m going alone too and so looking forward to it

Thanks re the phone theft tips.

I may be the only person in the world who doesn't like Burough Market! Or Christmas markets in England! And have done Dishoom to death now, I think.

Sorry to be a such a pain.

Mildred's or Granger and Co both lovely for breakfast in KC.

Yes. I'm a bit obsessed with Kathe Kollwitz!

Vegan rather than vegetarian but I had a lovely meal at Vantra Vegan in Wardour St recently vantraveganonline.co.uk. Also Charlotte St Hotel for afternoon tea www.firmdalehotels.com/hotels/london/charlotte-street-hotel/afternoon-tea/.

I'd start at the south side of Tower Bridge and walk along the south bank to Westminster. There's loads of things to look at / do along there

The Heiroglyphs exhibition is great, but try to get a ticket at an off peak time. It gets rammed and it’s one of those exhibitions that’s annoying when there are hordes of folk there, as you need to get in and look closely at the exhibits.

have a lovely London break!
ps. I live here but still find it exciting at times.