# Must-do things in London or within an afternoon’s drive? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** vacation-travel\ **Created:** [December 2, 2025, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314 "2025-12-02T01:42:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/61 "2025-12-02T22:09:32Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > **One of those touristy open-air bus tours that shows you the main highlights,** because we want to, however briefly, see the main highlights. Note that those tourist busses are not all equal value. I don’t have a recommendation, but if you get a chance, check out the bus routes and frequency , and tour dialog, before you buy. Also, for better or worse (no, just for worse), they are bus systems. When the shift ends, your driver wants to clock off at the depo. You get on at the end of the day, and he’ll run you express to finish on time. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/62 "2025-12-02T22:23:52Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > In the UK, can you watch a soccer match on TV while it’s being played? I know in _Welcome to Wrexham_ they once mentioned something about blackouts or something … is that true across all leagues? Saturday 3pm games are blacked out but the rest of the games are usually live and it won’t be difficult to find a pub that’s showing sports. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/63 "2025-12-02T23:43:33Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Not to mention Hogarth’s _Marriage a la Mode_. His _Rake’s Progress_ series is at the Sir John Soane Museum, just to mention. The National Gallery does have my favorite painting _The Arnolfini Portrait_. The level of detail in it is insane, and you can get quite close to it. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/64 "2025-12-02T23:50:32Z")
_Allegory with Venus and Cupid_ is where Terry Gilliam got the image of a foot that used to stomp on things in his animations for Monty Python’s Flying Circus. ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/65 "2025-12-03T00:31:12Z")
The old St Thomas’s Hospital museum. As well as gruesome implements of old medicine, strange herbal remedies and suchlike, it also has one of the original operating ‘theatres’ - where students (and members of the public) could stand in the the tiers and watch operations in progress. Good for an hour or two if you are visiting Southbank (home of Tate Modern, Globe theatre etc). ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/66 "2025-12-03T00:54:34Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > _Allegory with Venus and Cupid_ is where Terry Gilliam got the image of a foot that used to stomp on things in his animations for Monty Python’s Flying Circus. And if you take a day trip to Cambridge, the Fitzwilliam Museum has the painting that inspired the character of Simon the Holy Man in _Life of Brian_. [https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/virgin-and-child-between-saint-john-the-baptist-and-saint-onuphrius-4359](https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/virgin-and-child-between-saint-john-the-baptist-and-saint-onuphrius-4359) ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/67 "2025-12-03T01:32:29Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > _Allegory with Venus and Cupid_ is where Terry Gilliam got the image of a foot that used to stomp on things in his animations for Monty Python’s Flying Circus. A friend of mine is the proud owner of the foot she received when she saw Spamalot in San Francisco. [![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCfA3G1RdH1UlqqKW2AYxSwCE15sjHfuIiqhQtNi0Obve8jHquhcfLQxM0A1xfw-fcnEKUvhD1bn-3O9fE5CRuTzDwTAdmX4n8FmOFLgD4SLANZRkNl2g1zg80Q2eX98Uie38ioB7kRDI/s1600/Python.jpg) ](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCfA3G1RdH1UlqqKW2AYxSwCE15sjHfuIiqhQtNi0Obve8jHquhcfLQxM0A1xfw-fcnEKUvhD1bn-3O9fE5CRuTzDwTAdmX4n8FmOFLgD4SLANZRkNl2g1zg80Q2eX98Uie38ioB7kRDI/s1600/Python.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/68 "2025-12-03T01:49:17Z")
See _Ophelia_ by [John Everett Millais](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Everett_Millais "John Everett Millais") in the [Tate Britain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_Britain) Museum. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/69 "2025-12-03T07:00:10Z")
> [@Wallaby](#): > > As well as gruesome implements of old medicine, strange herbal remedies and suchlike, it also has one of the original operating ‘theatres’ - where students (and members of the public) could stand in the the tiers and watch operations in progress. > **[The Old Operating Theatre](https://oldoperatingtheatre.com/)** > > Museum & Herb Garret As for tours would any of these be of interest: > **[London Walks - London's Best Guided Walking Tours](https://www.walks.com/)** > > We offer 5\* rated walking tours throughout London by the finest blue badge guides. Join us for a few hours of discovery, facts and entertainment. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/70 "2025-12-03T08:43:33Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > The coastal city of Dover is about 90 minutes from London by car or train. I was last there when I was 11, and was ABSOLUTELY THRILLED as only an 11 year old boy can be to ride in a DUCKW, a World War II era amphibious truck, the tour took in the cliffs from the sea. Unfortunately I did not care about the cliffs because I was an 11 year old boy in a vehicle that could drive right into the sea and float around. If you do have a little time, the Isle of Wight is quite lovely. And if you have lots of time, Gerald Durrell’s zoo on the island of Jersey is a really good one, compasionate treatment of animalds as can be expected from the life-long animal lover. Perhaps too far afield though. ---
**Author:** ![yendis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ed8c4c/32.png) [@yendis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yendis)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/71 "2025-12-03T14:23:28Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > I missed it, but my brother really enjoyed the nearby computer history museum that had actual working historical computers. I was fortunate enough to go there earlier this year as part of a work trip and it is brilliant. It also has all of the code breaking hardware that was used at Bletchley Park. ---
**Author:** ![merrick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@merrick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merrick)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/72 "2025-12-03T21:13:05Z")
Lots of great things already suggested so I’ll just toss in a couple of tips. London is vast and has enough to keep the average tourist going for months. So don’t worry about not finding something to do, there’ll be more than you have time for. Make plans for what you _really_ want to do (be it shows, football, historic sites, museums, markets, galleries, food ..) and then see what fits into the gaps. If you take half the suggestions on this thread, you’ll end up having to rush through stuff so you can dash off and rush through more stuff. Be careful with the long day trips. Oxford or Dover are probably OK, but Bath, Norwich or the Isle of Wight are a minimum two-and-a-half hours from central London, so unless you’re fine with 12+ hour days or want to spend half your day travelling, maybe best to pick one and plan to stay overnight. I certainly wouldn’t try and see Stonehenge and Bath in the same day. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/73 "2025-12-03T22:03:17Z")
My other tip is that London has one of, if not, the best food culture in the world. But that’s mostly because there are great options at every price range for almost every cuisine you could imagine. Understandably visitors want to try fish ‘n’ chips and other British food. And that’s fine but you need to find the good places. There is some bad British food in the super touristy areas, but there’s no excuse not to look up and find the good places of which there are many. And there are some fantastically high quality British restaurants as well that do unique dishes. Indian food is obviously a staple of London cuisine. Brick Lane is the traditional place to find rows of Indian restaurants but they are all very average bar a few exceptions (usually _off_ Brick Lane). There is also a decent Chinatown and quite a little Little Italy. Great Asian food is everywhere. If you want steak don’t go to the Angus Steakhouse but find a good one like Goodmans or Hawksmoor (who also do a fine British roast lunch). ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/74 "2025-12-03T22:36:42Z")
To expand on various posters comments on cuisines, there are some fabulous food courts in London. The one I know best is Mercato Metropolitano (the Earls Court one.) > **[Homepage - Mercato Metropolitano](https://mercatometropolitano.com/)** > > BOOK NOW WELCOME TO THE MM MARKET! London’s first sustainable community food market, where incredible artisanal food traders meet great vibes. Our locations You wanna try Uzbek dumplings? Eat Argentinian? Modern Nigerian food? Really, you’re spoilt for choice. Another thing to bear in mind is that, at least in the parts on London I know (south of the river) there are independent microbreweries everywhere, each with their own tap room. Or if you want to make a night of it, there’s the Beet Mile in Bermondsey. Here’s a useful looking summary of it. > **[Bermondsey Beer Mile Day Out – Anglian Craft Brewers](https://angliancraftbrewers.org.uk/2025/04/bermondsey-beer-mile-day-out/)** j ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/75 "2025-12-04T07:44:49Z")
Walk across Abbey Road at the place where the Beatles album cover picture was taken: ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/oolpPmuK2I8/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/oolpPmuK2I8?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PLycVTiaj8OI-kwvNjgvvopMJt__x-y5mD > **[Abbey Road Crossing Cam](https://www.earthcam.com/world/england/london/abbeyroad/?cam=abbeyroad_uk)** > > Travel to one of London's most visited landmarks - Abbey Road zebra crossing - with EarthCam's 4K webcam located just outside Abbey Road Studios. If there are four of you on this trip, have one of your group take off their shoes. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/76 "2025-12-04T09:53:25Z")
> [@merrick](#): > > Make plans for what you _really_ want to do (be it shows, football, historic sites, museums, markets, galleries, food ..) and then see what fits into the gaps Realistically, one or two “big” things from your must list per day. You’d be surprised how absorbing some things can be - and there are mealtimes and downtimes to be allowed for ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/77 "2025-12-04T12:16:48Z")
I had 23 hours in London so I concentrated in one area - Greenwich. I did the Greenwich and Maritime museums and Cutty Sark. I took a boat from Canary Wharf to Westminster so saw a bunch of the sights near the Thames. I stopped at 221B Baker Street (not far from station) but it was after the museum closed. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/78 "2025-12-04T13:22:51Z")
We didn’t have time, but when in Greenwich we wanted to walk the [Greenwich Foot Tunnel](https://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/things-to-do/greenwich-foot-tunnel-p1373551) just to say we’d done it. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/79 "2025-12-04T21:46:09Z")
Not so much a trip out, but rather something to look out for if you’re chilling around town: there’s a lot of street art in London. Shoreditch is notorious for it - you can do a Shoreditch street art tour if you’re so inclined. Here’s an example of the sort of thing I mean. https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!4v1764884576219!6m8!1m7!1sfqH7PxjD5FLGmI_b1hmMyg!2m2!1d51.46328944622037!2d-0.1104357309113436!3f73.71235130274755!4f-5.069864445502816!5f0.7820865974627469 j ETA: more about that particular mural. > **[Wonderful Brixton Baby mural appears in Valentia Place, Brixton](https://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2021/04/wonderful-brixton-baby-mural-appears-in-valentia-place-brixton/)** > > A rather fabulous new mural celebrating TY Music’s “Brixton Baby” has been created in Valentia Place, Brixton (between Coldharbour Lane and Station Road). ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314/80 "2025-12-05T16:48:08Z")
It’s not that far off- somewhere between the switch from astronomical latitude to geodetic latitude, the shape and size of the Earth, and greater understanding of how gravity works, it turned out that the original 19th Century establishment and the current understanding of where the Prime Meridian is, are off from each other by about 100 meters. The actual Prime Meridian goes through the park to the east of the Observatory- not far on the other side of the parking lot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314.md?page=5)