Somewhere Unusual for a Day Out in London

[smurfchops]

We always seem to end up in the usual places, Leicester Square, Piccadilly, Covent Garden, Oxford Street etc. eetc. Are there any out of the way unusual places to visit ? Somewhere not too boring but although hubbie doesn't like museums we like old buildings. Also maybe somewhere with a market, a bit of street life. Is it worth going somewhere in North London/ We are in Surrey.

[boxtops]

Have you been to Buckingham Palace? or, if it's a nice day, go the other way, and spend a day in Brighton.

[Buenchico]

Somerset House is often missed by many people visiting central London. It's a beautiful building, with a variety of galleries plus a nice terrace for enjoying a drink! It's only a 5 minute walk from Covent Garden
http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/

Just across Waterloo Bridge from there is the Southbank Centre. There's often free music going on (either outside or within the Queen Elizabeth Hall or the Royal Festival Hall) and, again, it's a great place for eating and drinking on the terrace.
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/

£13.90 might seem a lot to visit a garden but I can assure you that you'll find the entrance fee to Kew Gardens is actually a bargain. It's easy to spend all day there!
http://www.kew.org/vi...ld-with-kew/index.htm

Greenwich is great (especially if you travel there by boat):
http://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/

North London? Well perhaps hubby might be able to overcome his distaste for museums in Hendon?
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/
or you could simply go shopping in Camden Lock market:
http://www.camdenlockmarket.com/

Chris

[pusskin]

unusual for a day out? How about the Old bailey!

I went there years ago to that lovely building and sat for hours listening to court cases. It was a very interesting day. lol. I can hear you laughing smurfchops

[ethandron]

the best thing, or one of the best things, we ever did in london was a walk along the regents canal from little venice to camden lock and market. the market was really interesting, it's the one that has lots of stalls from all over the world not the cheapo t-shirt selling one. here's a link for free stuff to do in london, takes you to some interesting places:
http://www.londonforfree.net/

[boxtops]

that's a nice link, ethandron.

[ethandron]

there's loads of similar sites boxy. with our two boys living in london we go there fairly often and it can cost a fortune to do all the usual things, plus we like to find interesting, out of the way stuff. another very interesting walk we did was along the thames but with lots of interesting things pointed out along the way which you would never notice.

[Mosaic]

Greenwich - go on the jubilee line to island gardens, then walk through the river tunnel. There'll either be a proper market or a crafty market inside the cluster of shops in the middle of greenwich, loads of coffee shops. Walk in the park up to the observatory and survey London from an elegant distance - maybe then take the river boat back up river, get off at the Globe if you heven't looked at it yet.

[boxtops]

There's a thought, I've never seen the Globe.

[ubasses]

If you like a market visit Borough Market and just round the corner from there is one of the oldest pubs in London just off Borough High Street. The George Inn, supposedly the only coaching inn left in London.

[smurfchops]

pusskin, I didn't laugh -- we did mention the Old Bailey, we go along to our local court and find it fascinating as we love people watching. Some good ideas there everyone, some of which we have already done, but I need to explore the East End and the River some more I think. Thanks everyone, all ideas welcome !

[Eve]

I was going to suggest Borough Market as well and there are some lovely places to eat outside by the river, lovely view and some great people watching.

[Woteap]

Second mosaic - Greenwich should tick all your boxes. Old buildings galore : maritime museum (new wing just opened), old royal naval college with painted hall and chapel, observatory, beautiful Georgian houses. And then you have the Market, loads of pubs and cafes as well as the park and river. Go via Thames Clipper from London Bridge if you are coming in from Surrey via train, you'll have a great day out although be warned it gets busy with tourists if it's a sunny weekend!

[bushbaby_de]

If you like wine, go to Vinopolis for a really fun and informative couple of hours

[denis567]

North London, what about Highgate Cemetery?. Make sure you go on a guided tour, they are extremely interesting. I have been on three such tours, and they were all completely different

[WHU010]

Correction to Mosaic answer. Island Gardens is not on the Jubilee Line its on the Docklands Light Railway and rather than walking through the tunnel its better to stay on the DLR to Cutty Sark station which is right in Greenwich. I recommend Greenwich too for a visit, lots to see and if the weather is good a walk up to the Royal Observatory is worth it

[smurfchops]

I like the sound of Highgate Cemetery ... a bit different. Thanks everyone ! Lots to do now ...