Five days in London to myself - ideas please

[ElleDeeCB]

I’m staying with friends in London for five days whilst my child is at a sports camp over Easter holidays. My friends will be out at work all day so I’d like some suggestions of things to do once I’ve dropped my child off (central London). I’m going to visit some exhibitions / museums, but any ideas that mean I can avoid the school holiday craziness would be helpful - since I’ll be child-free. I don’t mind spending a bit of money but don’t want to break the bank. I have also just been in a spa-holiday with girlfriends so don’t need to do that again soon. Thanks very much for ideas!

[Philandbill]

Victoria and Albert museum, Tate Modern and National Portrait Gallery for art would be my pick. And tube down to the Dome and catch a Transport for London boat up past the Houses of Parliament. Great views as it zig zags across the river.

[Spinet]

The Royal Academy is a good one for lack of kids and is absolutely massive (you have to pay for some stuff).

I love seeing a film at a central London cinema. I know you can see a film anywhere but there is something about a central London cinema in the middle of the day that feels like going to a different world. Curzon Shaftesbury ave is my favourite but the Regent Street cinema is supposed to be more or less original inside (haven't been).

Go and have a wonder around Coal Drops yard (Kings Cross).

22 Bishopsgate has a viewing platform at the top called horizon 22 which is a bit quieter than the sky garden (and better in my view but I hate the sky garden). There's another one next door too but I've never worked out how to get in it/how to book - maybe you could investigate.

Barbican is nice/interesting for a wander and hang round. Not sure what the deal is with the conservatory at the moment but you can Google it.

Google free lunch time concerts in churches if you like music

[JuneFromBethesda]

Go for a wander around Borough Market. Every sort of delicious food you could possible imagine 😋

[PlatinumBrunette]

What absolute heaven!
A boat trip to Greenwich and back.
All the galleries.
The Wallace Collection is wonderful.
maybe a matinee at the theatre, if you like that

[Floofydawg]

Get last minute theatre tickets for a show. Shard is great. Second Borough Market.

[starsinyourpies]

I was going to suggest theatre too, sounds blissful!

[SilkandSteel1]

Abba Voyage show
Sky Garden
Speed boat on the Thames (Thames Rib Experience)
Houses of Parliament tour and afternoon tea
Tower Bridge Experience
Climb the Monument

[AmandaHoldensLips]

I love taking myself out to lunch for one at really swanky restaurants.

[QueenOfWeeds]

Book a matinee and a pre-theatre lunch. That was my school holiday treat to myself (pre children). Also daytime concerts at Temple Church - often free. It’s stunning and the music is amazing.

The British Library is one of my favourite places and not hugely child friendly, so doesn’t get too packed out during holidays compared to other London museums.

Would a walking tour suit you? You can get audio ones so you don’t have to stay in a big trudgey group.

[viques]

@JuneFromBethesda

Go for a wander around Borough Market. Every sort of delicious food you could possible imagine 😋

And nip down the road to the Textile Museum where the Biba exhibition has just opened. They advise you to book.

(I would also ask around friends to see if anyone can lend you their membership cards for places like the V and A, Tate or the Royal Academy, or an Art Fund card. I know it’s naughty, but my reasoning is they need to prove footfall for funding, you will probably also buy something in the shop or cafe so that is money they are getting on top of the membership cost.)

Another great place for an adult mooch is Marylebone High Street, great indie shops and cafes, a world famous bookshop, close to the Wallace Collection, nice little park to sit in with award winning toilets.

If you have never been then Greenwich is a lovely place to visit. The Observatory, The Painted Hall, Greenwich itself. You can get there on a river boat ( not a tourist boat) which is a treat in itself.

Chelsea Physic Garden is another good call, tie it in with a trip to Peter Jones in Sloane Square, less hectic than John Lewis, go to their cafe on the fifth floor and try to get a table by the H U G E window, amazing rooftop views. There is a good little shopping area opposite called Duke of York Square.

if you have a rainy day then the Barbican is good , sadly the Museum of London is closed atm, but they have an art gallery, there are often lunchtime concerts, comfy cinemas and it is under cover.

[Crushed23]

I’m staying in London for the Easter Bank holiday for the first time in about 10 years (I’ve lived here for 12 years and usually always go away for bank holidays).

My plans currently are:

• Theatre, once possibly twice, depending on whether I can get good deals
• Cinema to watch The Holdovers (fingers crossed it’s still showing somewhere!)
• Massage
• A Hungarian restaurant I am keen to try for a hearty solo meal

Something to bear in mind is that it’s going to be cold and rainy over Easter, so some of the suggestions (eg Thames speedboat) won’t be a good idea unless you can really take the cold!

I hope you have a great trip 😊

[Shetlands]

Dulwich Picture Gallery
Design Museum
Kew Gardens
Museum of the Home
Highgate Cemetery
Backstage tour - Royal Opera House

[Floralnomad]

Take the boat down to Greenwich for a wander and take in the maritime museum and naval college

[FormerlySpeckledyHen]

Tour of The Royal Albert Hall
A sitting at The Old Bailey
Tea and scones at Liberty Of London

[Librarybooker]

V and A, Royal Academy, Wallace Collection. If you go to V and A be sure to see the Hereford Screen on the top floor. Walk along South Bank, find a nice cafe/bistro in Islington.

Interested to hear what your DC is doing for 5 days as an away from your locality sports course. How old are they?

[JassyRadlett]

If you're into portraits and/or the history of fashion, I loved the John Singer Sargent exhibition at the Tate.