Day all to myself in London

gamston

the monument has nice views, lot of steps to get to the top, but nice views
then over tower bridge and a walk along the south bank,

allybee101

Try having a look for any temporary exhibitions/galleries that are on - could be worth a look?
I love Holland Park - the gardens are lovely to walk around. There are peacocks in the grounds.

A couple of years ago we went to London for the Open Squares weekend. One of the locations we visited was the Inner Temple (where all the barristers etc have their rooms). Inside Temple is the church (used in Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code) which was closed the day we were there, but is apparently v interesting. Just walking around Temple itself was fascinating - it's like an enormous private school/Hogwarts almost.
I'm not sure what access is like - might need a bit of research as we were there during an event weekend.

paddyrg

Have you actually 'done' the V&A? It's HUGE!!! ;-)

You can also do a tour of the Royal Albert Hall - I've worked on events there and it is such a wonderful building, I could spend all day there and love every minute.

Try the Bank of England who have an interesting small free museum where you can play with a gold bar. Somerset House sometimes has amazing things, or cross Tower Bridge on foot, or climb Monument or follow the old city wall or... oh goodness there is so much London to 'do' ;-)

bylromarha

Lots of good suggestions, thanks.

Yes, I've been to Tower of London - on the number 15 bus.
I've done as much as I want to see of the V+A.
I used to sing at the Albert Hall each year between ages of 9 and 18, so between rehearsal and performance I got to explore every inch of the building. I agree it is beautiful. I used to love looking at the mushrooms close up from the gods, then run down to the ground floor!
I've been to the BoE museum - they are doing an event in the evening which I'm considering.
I've walked a lot of the city wall.
I've been up the Monument 4 times.
I've been to the British museum 3 times, Nat Hist 2 times and Science museum 4 times in last 3 years. The kids are "that age" where I pile them on a train and we go to spend the day in London if a visit to one of these will help understanding of their school topic.
Have been to 2 hen day picnics on Hampstead Heath - it is beautiful.
I've been across Tower Bridge on the road and on the walkway - and been fortunate enough to see it raise a few times.
And been to both Hampton Court and Kew...on a boat from Westminster.

Love the ideas of the walking tours + going round Temple. Just investigated a HoP tour and they are fully booked until August 2015 - opening bookings for September next month apparently.

I absolutely love London, which is why we've taken so many trips as a family. Last time was Easter Holidays where I took my 2 kids, and 2 of their friends, on a Shaun the Sheep hunt. That was fun as one of the lads hadn't been to London before, and we live in a small town. It was wonderful to see his joy at the size of the screen in Picadilly Circus- jaw on floor for 10 seconds. Running up to the lions at Trafalgar Square was particularly fun - he hadn't noticed he'd just run past Batman and floating Yoda on his way to the lions, and didn't know which one to see first when he did see the characters.

converted

if you fancy the idea of a walking tour, why not try a treasure trail, there are a few which cover London. It is a walk and you get clues to solve as you go along (to work out who did the murder, who was the spy etc.) it does take you to places, lanes etc. that you would normally never notice, it is also quite informative (I did one which went under admiralties arch - did you know there is a nose in one of the inner arches which soldiers rub for good luck). I have done a few treasure trials around the country and would recommend them to anyone: with family, friends or solo. can pass a couple of hours or more.

Kynthia

Visit Choccywoccydoodah and have a cake in their cafe. Visit the Clink museum and the Golden Hind. Go the Greenwich as you can visit the market, the Maritime Museum, the Cutty Sark, Queens House, the painted Hall, the planetarium and the observatory. You could walk over the O2 roof or do a brewery tour.

susancs

Kynthia wrote: »

Visit Choccywoccydoodah and have a cake in their cafe. Visit the Clink museum and the Golden Hind. Go the Greenwich as you can visit the market, the Maritime Museum, the Cutty Sark, Queens House, the painted Hall, the planetarium and the observatory. You could walk over the O2 roof or do a brewery tour.

I second Greenwich as worth a visit. Along with theother sugguestions, also worth considering doing the walk in the Greenwich foot tunnel under the Thames if there.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186338-d1821177-Reviews-or10-Greenwich_Foot_Tunnel-London_England.html#REVIEWS

barbarawright

Crystal Palace for the dinosaurs and the Horniman for the walrus?

Richmond, Syon Park, Strawberry Hill?

Docklands museum and the Thames Flood Barrier

If it's a nice day go to one of the many lidos in London - there are even some heated ones

paddyrg

How about HMS Belfast? And you can also do a great tour of Tower Bridge including the walkway and the big swing chambers.

maman

I enjoyed a self guided walk of the City


http://www.londonforfree.net/walks/city-walk/


I did it on a Sunday as the city is really quiet then but Saturday should be OK. There are others on the site if you don't fancy that particular walk.


Also second a trip to Greenwich. OK so you've been on the boat but it's a restful way to travel there. I loved the chapel at Greenwich but also worth a walk up through the park to see the Meridian.