Alone . . . in London . . . what shall I do?

[Anonymous]

Shop at Harrods. Tour Westminster Abbey. Explore Victoria. Ride the double decker buses. Take a day trip to Stonehedge, and while there, vist the Salisbury Cathedral (built between 1075 and 1092). Have fun - it's a safe city and fun to explore alone

I was alone in London for a week and had a blast! Went to museums, walked around, and just had the best time.

[Anonymous]

All of the above - Tate, V & A, tea at Browns. Old Bond Street arcade, Fortnum and Mason, Bloomsbury, Regents Park, Trafalgar Square. Harvey Nicks, General Trading Co and Liberty!

[Anonymous]

The National Theatre always has a couple of plays, usually including a Shakespeare - all seats under 30 pounds. Camden Market on Sundays is huge. Kew Gardens in Richmond is a bit of a hike on the Tube, but a nice springtime destination. Cafe in the Crypt at St Martin in the Fields in Trafalgar Sq - have a latte while sitting on Sir Egbert.

[Anonymous]

I was just in London with my daughter ... would love to have alone time in London!

There are some great shows on right now, for probably any kind of taste. I would have loved to see One Man, Two Guv'nors or the Sweeney Todd revival, but not with a kindergartener.

Some of my favorite things to do in London include Sunday morning checking out the Columbia Road Flower Market and then strolling back to Liverpool Street via Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market; taking a ride on the river (you could just do the Tate to Tate launch if you're having a museum day); a delicious outdoor lunch (try Fish! at Borough Market on Th or F); buying whiskey in Soho and getting to taste-test everything that's for sale; checking out the fine instruments for sale on Wigmore Street (and closely related, a recital at Wigmore Hall); eating a full English breakfast (Giraffe offers a pretty decent one and has branches everywhere, although you should be able to get a good breakfast without resorting to a chain restaurant); drinking a pint at an outdoor table of a friendly pub; buying fabric (or anything else) at Liberty; heading down to Hampton Court to check out the gardens; taking the train out to Kent for a country walk (maybe to Sevenoaks to visit Knowle/do a walk); tasting all the unpasturized cheese for sale at Borough Market on Th/F/Saturday.

As PP mentioned, Daunt's is a lovely bookstore, and just across Marylebone High Street is Divertimenti, a wonderful kitchen store that has classes in the basement.

[Anonymous]

Tower of London. Walking tour (I did a Jack the Ripper tour!). Sherlock Holmes Museum. Double-decker bus tour. Westminster Abbey (try to go when the choir is rehearsing or performing). Tate Modern.

[Anonymous]

I saw that Modalu purse posting on another thread. Is there a Modalu store in central London? It's not clear from their website. Would love to pick one of these up during my summer trip!!

[Anonymous]

First off - When you get there, pick up a copy of Time Out Lonon - it will let you know what is going on that week - everything from special events, to clubs, restaurants, art exhibits, theater etc.

Other thoughts:

Take in a free (donations accepted) mid day concert at St. Martins in the Field (Trafalgar Square)
Kew Gardens - these are the Royal Botanic Gardens in Richmond (District Line Tube). Gorgeous!
Hampton Court Palace
Walk along South Bank and visit the Design Museum
Imperial War Museum
V&A
Wander the open air markets of East London: Petticoat Lane, Brick Lane, Spitalfields,...
Day trip to Bath (easy to get to by train)

and for something different:

Denis Sever's House (Liverpool tube)

[Anonymous]

Where to have high tea?

[Anonymous]

Any show recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where to have high tea?

I was in London alone for a summer working at I went to the following for high tea:

-The Ritz
-Fortnum & Mason
-Harrods

For me, Fortnum & Mason by far had the best high tea. I loved it!

[Anonymous]

For fish and chips...the Fish bar at the Harrods eatery was amazing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where to have high tea?

I was in London alone for a summer working at I went to the following for high tea:

-The Ritz
-Fortnum & Mason
-Harrods

For me, Fortnum & Mason by far had the best high tea. I loved it!

Agree with Fortnum. There is a fancy one upstairs and a more casual one downstairs so you can take your pick. I think either would be okay alone.

Brown's is fabulous but I think it would be odd alone, although they might be able to find an out of the way spot for you (there are lots of nooks in the room, it's more of a lounge style than restaurant style).

[Anonymous]

What's your favorite pub?

[Anonymous]

The London Dungeon museum. Fun and interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For fish and chips...the Fish bar at the Harrods eatery was amazing!

Where else for good fish and chips?