Ideas to help me rediscover London’s art and history!

[wavingfuriously]

Tired of London 😒 yeah I know what Samuel Johnson said but hoping someone can revive interest for me in this big city of ours..
Had spare afternoon so headed towards the central galleries passing leicester Sq. so tacky as always 🙄
Went to national gallery to have a browse but probably know every lovely painting in there by heart, their one extra exhibition was v small so didn't take long.

went up to Royal Academy humm nothing new to see..
Looked to see if there were any guided walks at that time ...nothing, zilch, what a bore!

I know Open House is coming up and its usually so interesting but never remember! and all tours are full atm.

Anyone got some interesting ideas of what to go see please? love history and art in general.
😊 thanku

Secret London book has great ideas for exploring the city.

www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-London-2025-Edition/dp/106867203X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KQQ8BKW73EYG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1ryAB156YSvzu8PbOuQTk5uoPMLi7DGQcYWqmV_KdZxHzsXuqxZl8HGS4rbzS-BwtdaOFGLOfLOzYsxwIRVzSvRWYCB3fempjyy-itWh66MKup1S1N_pTkntETeoGlzfpq2mAkgUelxV8c-pJkSFIIU13gxpwlb2J_9-h-rOWB-CBrfEm5gkcp3qEZldqcl10I_8vIe50aWvmvVedIWVlhv7F2ne4pOyOsyIChTaeJw.tGbca1C2DVUs4Audu5uM4ZCusQIOPXn-V0Z2EWmB-90&dib_tag=se&keywords=Secret+London&qid=1789028902&s=books&sprefix=secret+london%2Cstripbooks%2C226&sr=1-1

https://www.royalwatercoloursociety.co.uk/exhibitions/location/2/

Thanks for this 👍 didn't even know it existed!

This one’s near there too: https://culturecanada.co.uk/canada-gallery/lucy-ash-invisible-portraits/

@wavingfuriously why are you wanting to do this?

I’m kind of in the same place maybe it depends cos you’ve not explained
I feel as if there’s loads of stuff to do, but I feel as if I’ve done it and I’m just over it

When I look at peoples pictures of things or when they tell me they’ve been to see something I think oh that looks good. Like the Frameless thing. But it all seems very overwhelming and the galleries seems like they’ve all got the same stuff going on maybe I just got old and did it too many times

Someone mentioned two Temple place be aware it’s very small and only exhibitions on in there are tiny it was nice to go once, but I’d have to be really interested in what was on before I try again

I just can’t seem to take an interest stuff there any more and I find the crowds and concrete too much, but then occasionally I miss things like I didn’t even know the constable exhibition was on because I wasn’t really paying attention I literally found out the weekend it closed!

Then I find it too expensive and I thought about that art pass, but then I thought will I really use it enough to justify the cost

I read this with interest, but I feel as if I’ve done all of this stuff lots of times
We are priced out of theatre now, so don’t do that anymore

basically, I’d like to fall in love with London again, but I don’t know how!

Things I’ve enjoyed -

Go to churches for a service and read up on it beforehand so you can notice as much as possible while sitting there (the only affordable way to see St Paul’s, but also the Actors’ Church at Covent Garden, All Souls Langham Place, the Wren churches etc)

Another vote for the Thames Path ‘backwards’ from the Thames Barrier to Tower Bridge

Dr Johnson’s House in the City just off Fleet Street; I combined this with a short stroll from the Inns of Court to the Aldwych - lots to see and think about from Fleet Street to the Old Bailey. (Re)Read Bleak House beforehand.

Hogarth House out in Chiswick

No 1 London /Apsley House (this is pricy but enjoyable. Guess what language the guide book does NOT come in).

The WWII memorials near Hyde Park Corner. I don’t look at them without criticism but they are really interesting.

The British Library exhibitions - I think the Treasures exhibition is permanent, it’s free and brilliant

I havent seen the London Mithraeum yet but plan to. Likewise the Courtauld.

That lightbox place just outside Tottenham Court station - ok it’s mostly adverts but I still like it.

We have Art Pass and recouped the cost in 2 months. We visit London about 6 times a year and use it locally too.
We are in London this weekend and are going to V and A East for the Music is Black exhibition, Queer Museum, Bowie at Light Rooms ( 3rd time) , and museum of teenage culture.

I went to the V&A today for Schiaparelli, fairly cheap with Art Pass, and afternoon tea at the Wolseley because someone gave me a voucher. Travelled to and from by bus and saw lots of sights in glorious weather. Brilliant day. This is the kind of thing I do regularly with my sister

Following...

Google "Secret London" there's lovely ideas for excursions on there.
As for art I seriously cannot understand what the shortage is in London. Do research. There's exhibitions everywhere. shakes head

following

Boat trip from Westminster pier to Greenwich? As well as seeing so many grand historical buildings, you see so many ancient little pubs tucked onto wharves, where Shakespeare drank or from where religious extremists 😀 had their last food and drink before sailing for the US on the Mayflower. Also the spot where pirates were executed by being shackled in the water in anticipation of high tide.

Greenwich is nice to stroll around, with places to visit and the meridian.

Agree Greenwich is really lovely and so much to see 👍thanks. But long slog to get there from where I'm based.

Thought the Mayflower pilgrim fathers sailed from Plymouth?

Little update from me seeing as the thread seemed to raise lots of interest and am grateful for the feedback.
So today after doing the usual household chores etc I looked up what things had availability for the Open House weekend thingy...and ended up going to see the Drapers Hall which was v interesting with some beautiful artworks inside. then wandered around the beautiful city 🏫🏦buildings alongside alleyways and courtyards dripping with history.. really enjoyable 😊 finished off at the London Mithraeum, small but atmospheric...

So, my interest in the city definitely revived 😊 it was all free, easy to get to with not a lot of walking and all completed within a short afternoon so not taxing at all!

Open House continues next weekend aswell and IMHO a city guided walk at weekends is a good idea !

Not sure if anyone has mentioned ianVisits – News, events and what’s on in London for reviews of what's on/upcoming.

Visit our Museum - The William Morris Society - in Hammersmith

ArtFund did a half-price 3 month pass last winter, think you need a referral from a friend, but it might be worth googling to see if you can get a code online - it would be a way of seeing how much use you find it before forking out for a full year.

Why don't you give Open House a go? Its on next weekend @OrangeFlower14

I enjoyed the Museum of Brands in Notting Hill recently. That's not been mentioned.

Also the Eel Pie Island Museum, about the famous 50s / 60s music venue near Twickenham (note that the museum is not on the island itself, which is mostly privately owned homes nowadays and there is not much to see any more)

The Canal Museum is on my radar too