I live in London and my mum is visiting for the weekend, where can i take her?

Question

she has visited before lots of times, and seen a lot of the obvious places like the eye, covent garden etc. things like musicals and the theatre wont interest her but shes from a small town so fancy london things will make her happy! i wanted to take her for afternoon tea at the ritz but its all booked up. any ideas?

Answer 1

There's always Fortnum & Mason, Claridges and the Savoy, all of which are fab. And better than Harrods which is just a bit too touristy!

Answer 2

Lots of good suggestions here. You could always try for tea at Browns Hotel, opposite the Ritz in Albemarle Street. I was there years ago, and it was very English and comforting.

When is your mum coming? I'm not sure when, but there will probably be a Christmas ice rink outside the Natural History Museum. There's a cafe there too, and small shops to buy Christmas puddings, jumpers, jewellery, etc. Cross the road to visit the V & A to see something you're interested in (check out the current exhibitions); then take a leisurely stroll up the road to Harrods. You could have a meal in the Green Man pub in the store - all wood panelling, and small! Just a short walk from there is Harvey Nichols, with its small food department and restaurants on the 5th floor. You can wander around and look at the pricey designer clothes, and lovely things for the home.

Take no 9 (I think) bus from there towards Piccadilly and hop off at the Royal Academy - check for exhibitions there, too. Cross the road and have a stroll around Fortnum and Mason, where you can treat her to wonderful chocolates and interesting foods in the grocery department. I think it's at 11 am when Mr Fortnum and Mr Mason are in evidence!

Someone else mentioned the Museum of London - a couple of hours there and a sit down in the Barbican is a good idea, as is, possibly, a London Walk. You could do a walk of City Ghosts, if she's interested; there are a lot to choose from.
http://www.walks.com/ (they last about two hours, and after that you could take her to a pub for a drink and meal)

Every year so far there has been a winter ice rink at Somerset House, Aldwych. That's the one I like best, with its wonderful surroundings and Christmas Tree. You could see an exhibition there also - check for current ones, and you are close to Covent Garden for shopping and eating.

Someone else mentioned St Martin-in-the-Field; it's close to the National and National Portrait Galleries, so you could have either tea or a meal there. Lunch stops being served around 2 pm; there's a nice shop, and often there are concerts in the church itself. I heard one by candlelight one evening.

Have a lovely time!

Edit: just seen you said at the weekend - try a London Walk!

Answer 3

Some of the really nice restaurants in London which are booked up months in advance usually still have places for lunch time. Try one of the really nice ones such as Gordon Ramsey at Claridges, Angela Hartnett at the Connaught, the Ivy, or any of the other "unbookables". What about wondering around Greenwich. It's really lovely at the weekend with loads of market stalls, antiques and little cafes. There is always the park and foot tunnel there as well as a pier for a boat trip down to Westminster.

On Sunday going up to Portobello Road for a look at the antiques there is always good fun.

My mum is from a small town in Scotland and she actually really loves going to big shops like Harrods and even the Marks and Spencers on Oxford Street when she comes down.

Marylebone High Street is good for interesting shops to look at such as Kath Kidston and the White Company.

Chinatown is always worth a wonder round and pop in for dim sum for lunch or dinner - it's an experience in itself.

There are walking tours you could go on such as the Jack the Ripper tour in East London, might learn a bit more history about the city.

Answer 4

If you want to have a lovely afternoon tea: try the Wolseley! It is located next to the Ritz and they have wonderful staff and of course lovely food! Do make a reservation but the chances for getting a table are better than at the Ritz! Also, I love taking my mum to Borough Market: very busy but great food (you get to try a lot of it, so this may even replace your afternoon tea, ha ha!)
Have some fun, got to Tate Modern and go off the slides: FUN!

Answer 5

Art Galleries, Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) a museum of film stuff on the south bank. "Posh" shopping in the boutiques and designer stores down Old Bond Street and Burlington Arcade. Christmas store at Harrods. Plenty of other posh hotels in London for afternoon tea.
Add some comments to your question to give us an idea what sort of things your mum likes.

Answer 6

How about Portobello Road market and then lunch somewhere in Notting Hill? The British Museum and the Museum of London are both good. Or Camden Market.

Answer 7

If you can't get into the Ritz there is a similar posh tea section inside Harrods. Have you been to the V and A my Mum liked that.

Answer 8

The Tate Modern has a few slides as part of its display (and allowing people to slide down them). The Natural History Museum is still displaying the Wildlife Photography Competition exhibition.

Answer 9

Cafe in the crypt under St. Martin in the Feilds Cathedral at Trafalgar. The entrance is on the left hand side of the building (where the flea market is on the weekends).

Answer 10

Harrods, Madame Tussauds, if you can go outside London abit, take her to Kew Gardens or Windsor Castle. You need to be sure of what she likes. You could always wait til she comes and plan with her. most stays are best when unplanned. Good luck.