Favorite (Favourite) Places to Visit in London

i like a trip to Kew Gardens and high tea at Newens Original Maids of Honor Tea Shop

The big furniture shops on Tottenham Court Road are lovely to browse in, wonder who would spend thousands on such ugly things, and get glared at by the shop assistants who think you should fuck off to Ikea.

Is there any news about travel to UK this summer? I’ve been waiting to hear any confirmation of the lifting of travel restrictions - but without some definitive statement, I think it’s too early to book a ticket and hotels. I have a cousins wedding there in July - but as of now, the rule is we are not allowed to travel there and the wedding reception can not be large.

Theatre is my favorite thing to do while I’m there. Off the beaten track-wise I really loved Sir John Soane’s Museum and would love to go back there one day.

Hunting down the masterpieces throughout London of a Grinling Gibbons, best wood carver who ever lived!

I love behind the scenes architecture tours--try a Brutalist one---with the Barbican, National Theatre, BFI, etc.

How about a swim at Oasis Sport Centre near Holborn? Heated outdoor pool and sundeck in central London.

I'm a big coffee fan: love looking for coffee shoppes near museums and other activities. Check out the Watch House on Bermondsey Street (not far from Borough Market) Monmouth Coffee in Borough Market can be great for people watching. It's less busy on mornings when the market is closed but then you see more real neighborhood people and shop owners stopping in. Gentleman Barista (off Borough Market and also a stall in Vinegar Yard near London Bridge Station--the vinegar yard one has great Welsh Rarebit (cheesy toast) which can be great on cooler mornings.

Cut the high and mighty act, OP. We all know the only kind of stalls you like to browse are bathroom stalls.

I’d have said Chariots. But RIP.

Early summer evening stroll in Regent's Park - it's the nicest of the parks and is most magical at that time of day.

Explore the back streets of Chelsea (see pic) and cross the beautiful Albert Bridge to Battersea Park.

I've been waking very early in the morning recently and have been out taking these pics

and

oops # 2 didn't come out

I'l try again

a Vesper martini, conjured up by Alessandro at Duke's

I sat in on a bit of a criminal trial at Central Criminal Court (aka Old Bailey). It's free and an interesting look at British Courts if you're into that sort of thing. Something to keep in mind - once you're seated in the visitor's gallery, you're NOT leaving the room until the judge calls for a recess.

What if you have to pee, R14?

R3 Coming from the US you are allowed to enter the UK now but there are testing requirements and a five- or ten-day quarantine at a place of your own choice. Different rules if you're coming from someplace else perhaps.

The Horseshoe pub in Hampstead.

If you want something authentic where you’ll see real locals and no other tourists, head to IKEA on a Saturday and people watch. Definitely order the meatball platter in the canteen as well. I’m recommend the one in Croydon.

A lovely way to see London is from the Thames. Take the Clipper (the TFL public transport ferry not the tourist only ones) from Embankment to Greenwich. Get off and see some sights around there (market, park, observatory, pubs, Cutty Sark, etc) and come back mid Clipper or the DLR (connects to Tube). If you take the DLR, it’s fun to get the first seat in the first carriage.

Also about transport, always check out how far two things are from each other before deciding to take the Tube by default. Sometimes, it’s quicker and less stressful to walk or take the bus. You’ll see so much more on the ground. So many people obsessively try to master the Tube when visiting, and it’s not always the best option. My fave bus route is the 414. I call it the ‘luxury bus’ because it goes from the museums, expensive shopping in Knightsbridge, Hyde Park/Mayfair, through Edgware Road (with many excellent Middle Eastern restaurants) to the canals of a Little Venice/Maida Vale.

Love riding the double decker buses on the top. Try to get in the first seat up front.

I learned about this when Ari Shapiro (the NPR radio guy) was based in London and posting Instagram stories!

There are many places with lower infection rates than the US that haven't made the UK 'Green List' yet.

I wouldn't really plan a visit until the fall (Autumn) if I lived in the US.

The Chelsea Physick Garden.

I enjoyed climbing to the top of the Monument and standing out on the creaky viewing platform at the top.

My ex's bedroom is the most satisfying place.

Take a boat up to Hampton Court, and stop by the Mute Swan for lunch.

The Templars Church is interesting if you enjoy medieval history and such.

Regent's Canal is a really fine walk, but crowded especially on weekends.

That huge park with all the roaming deer is a great excursion.

Walk under the Thames through the pedestrian tunnel to Greenwich then explore the area.