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Places where you can eat packed lunch in winter

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Hi all

Eating a packed lunch is a no brainer to save money but it's tricky in winter when parks and squares are too cold to sit out in.

I've been thinking for a while it would be good to have a list of places (in London but feel free to mention other places) where if you're out and about seeing the sights etc you can go to eat your packed lunch in winter where it's relatively warm and dry, and you won't get moved on or told off.

To start off, here's my suggestions:

British Museum courtyard
Any large mainline railway station, particularly Euston as it's heated.
On tube platform benches
'Never keep up with Joneses. Drag them down to your level. It's cheaper.' Quentin Crisp

Comments

  • Horace
    Horace Posts: 14,426 Forumite
    Wrap up warm and go and eat your packed lunch in the park on a bench. Outside is surely preferable to eating in a tube station where the air isn't exactly fresh.

    Why should you expect to be allowed into somewhere warm eg a caf! to eat your own lunch and not buy food from them? That is why you are moved on.

    If you are working then why not eat in your canteen/rest area or even at your desk?
  • savingqueen
    savingqueen Posts: 1,715 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Science Museum and Nat History Museum have indoor picnic areas. I don't live in London anymore but our local indoor shopping centre has benches and people often eat there. Must be others with benches.
  • Horace wrote: »
    Wrap up warm and go and eat your packed lunch in the park on a bench. Outside is surely preferable to eating in a tube station where the air isn't exactly fresh.

    Why should you expect to be allowed into somewhere warm eg a caf! to eat your own lunch and not buy food from them? That is why you are moved on.

    If you are working then why not eat in your canteen/rest area or even at your desk?

    I wasn't suggesting that I should be allowed into a cafe or other place where you are expected to buy food. I'm asking for suggestions for warm, dry places where there is no obligation to purchase items or spend money. They do exist - eg, British Museum - but seem to be few and far between.

    It's a bit uncomfortable to eat outdoors when it's raining or snowing and you've been walking about outdoors all day anyway. I'm pretty hardy and don't mind cold but I do feel it if I'm sitting without moving for a while.
    'Never keep up with Joneses. Drag them down to your level. It's cheaper.' Quentin Crisp
  • phizzimum
    phizzimum Posts: 1,712 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    When you say the British museum courtyard you mean the beautiful white inside bit? If so, that's great! Lost count of how many times I've sat outside shivering to eat my lunch!
    weaving through the chaos...
  • Bobarella
    Bobarella Posts: 10,824 Forumite
    Savvy Shopper! I've been Money Tipped!
    The Museum of London has a room you can sit inside to eat lunch. It's mainly aimed at visiting schools but there is plenty of room in there.
    " Your vibe attracts your tribe":D

    Debt neutral :) 27/03/17 from £40k:eek: in the hole 2012.
    Roadkill 17 £56.58 2016-£62.28 2015- £84.20)
    RYSAW17 £1900 2016 £2,535.16 2015 £1027.20
  • Exactly the same this end too, I would rather get away from the office and have a proper break away to go back refreshed. But it's ridiculously cold at the moment.
  • Ilona
    Ilona Posts: 2,449 Forumite
    When I am out walking I look for a church. Some of them aren't locked.
    Ilona
    I love skip diving.
    :D
  • phizzimum wrote: »
    When you say the British museum courtyard you mean the beautiful white inside bit? If so, that's great! Lost count of how many times I've sat outside shivering to eat my lunch!

    Yes, I mean that bit. I've never eaten there myself but I've seen people on benches eating their own sarnies.

    Somebody mentioned churches - great idea. Some London churches are happy to let you eat your lunch in the pews, and some have an organ recital specifically to entertain workers having their lunch.

    I went in one church just for a rest and got offered a cup of tea by the elderly lady verger - she looked quite concerned. Maybe I look like a tramp! :rotfl:
    'Never keep up with Joneses. Drag them down to your level. It's cheaper.' Quentin Crisp
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