A day in London

[Tobermory]

Coming to the end of half term so we’re - me, DH, DD17 and DD14 - going to jump on the car and drive down the M1 for a day in London. We’ve booked parking in St John’s wood which is open until 10pm. Love museums so we are booked to go to the Britain’s Museum midday. So what else should we/could we squeeze into our day?

Well, what do you all like doing? Art, history, theatre, markets? You’re not going to be able go to a night-time show if you need to get your car before 10 pm.

Extraordinary museums everywhere, but tell us what you like?

If it's nice weather then a wander along the South Bank or through Regent's Park is usually on my list.

what do we like? Meandering along looking at interesting things. On previous visits we’ve enjoyed the grafiti at Leake St tunnels., Covent Garden, wandered along south bank near tower bridge. My kids love a museum, hence British museum. But definitely aiming to spend not much money!

The Foundling Museum is interesting and in walking distance of the BM. The Soane Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields is fascinating but best if you can book a guided tour. If you’ve booked the Silk Road Exhibition at the British Museum you will be there at least two hours.

Wallace Museum

Walking tours - a few routes here (not organised tours, just follow the suggested routes, and passes hidden gems)

https://www.walklondon.com

You could get tube to King’s Cross and explore Coal Drop Yard and walk along canal a bit? Great for teens. Lots of places to eat all budgets. Not far from the car then to head home

https://www.wallacecollection.org

wallace museum link, which I think is fairly close to British museum?

Tate Modern on the South Bank for the view. The Sky Garden ( free). You can just walk in. It might be busier because of Half Term. If it is busy, pop next door to Horizon 22 also free and walk in. Highest viewing platform in London

Treasure Trails are brilliant for a meander looking at interesting things. A good walk and a brilliant way to learn the more unusual things about the area.

If you're going to the British Museum, you will be close to Kings Cross and the Regents Canal anyhow. You could walk along the canal to either Camden or Angel (you have to come off canal path to get to Angel). Angel is a quirky and interesting area, look up Camden Passage as a characterful shopping street.

Personally I wouldn't recommend the Wallace Collection but thats very much personal taste! I'd suggest other art galleries or museums in walking distance. The Soames museum is very interesting and close to the British Museum. If you want to look at Art, I'd go for the re-hung National Portrait gallery- with new doors designed by Tracy Emin.

There are some very niche little museums at UCL, link here www.ucl.ac.uk/students/news/2020/dec/ucl-culture-ucl-museums-galleries-and-theatres

Including the Petrie museum of Egyptology which is usually much quieter than Egyptian gallery at British Museum!

Wellcome museum at Euston is full of gorey and sciences weirdness. Free and nice caff.