Immersive London trip

My biggest piece of advice if you want to immerse yourselves: Don't stay in a hotel or touristy area. Stay at an Airbnb outside of London in a neighborhood/suburb. I stayed at one in Hammersmith a few years back and so glad I did. It was quiet, inexpensive, and close to a train station, so easy access to all the good stuff.

Our third trip there was after two of the more tourist-site-intensive trips, so I know what you mean. We spent two weeks in an apartment and sought out less-visited sites, took some day trips to nearby towns, and long walks through various parts of town. A few things come to mind to suggest:

• London Walks Little Venice walk was quite nice and an area we had not explored previously. The group was blessedly small.
• Portobello Road Market
• Bletchley Park day trip
• Canterbury day trip
• The Imperial War Museum which is one of hubby’s faves
• Lunch at the Sky Garden (reservation imperative)
• Kew Gardens
• London Underground Tour https://www.insiderlondon.com/london/educational-tours/london-underground-tours/
• Hyde Park Italian Gardens and a long walk thru the park with lunch at The Serpentine

I have an old book, out of print but usually available somewhere online as used, called “24 Great Walks in London.” We have used several to take us to different parts of the city over many trips. Its focus is a little on the macabre and sensational but it makes for some good wandering.

We didn’t focus on fine dining but enjoyed several pub dinners and good Indian food which we don’t find so much here.

Meant to add a recommendation to visit Richmond and walk through the park to see the Queen’s deer. It is in the recommended book. Charming little suburban location. We just visited there last autumn and would stay there on a future trip.

Don’t stay outside of the City. You’ll spend time commuting daily and fine dining will be pretty much out of the question.

Is there anything you've already seen/done that you do not want to repeat?

For my husband and me, the Churchill War Rooms was a highlight. It is part of the Imperial War Museum which we showed up at instead of CWR. It's a bit confusing, so if you are going, you might want to make sure you arrive at the correct venue.

Wherever you stay won’t be convenient for everything, so you will have to use buses and tubes to get around. I find another few minutes travelling further is neither here or there if it means you can stay somewhere quieter and more interesting. Chiswick, Highgate, Hampstead, Wimbledon Putney and Wandsworth would all give you a local flavour.

Possible day trips for something less touristy (well, fewer American tourists) include Brighton, the fascinating Historic Chatham Dockyard, Bletchley Park, take a walk along the Thames tow path at Henley, Greenwich Observatory or visit Leeds Castle.

I am not the slightest bit interested in fine dining and can always find some local haunt that is just as good. Many suburbs have gastro pubs. Sorry, I have never heard of Ottolenghi - had to Google it! Every cafe in the country offers afternoon tea or scones and tea/coffee.

On a Sunday morning, try the Colombia Road flower market in the city.

Locals can’t afford central London prices, so Airbnb rentals don’t have a significant impact on the residential market.

What are Ottollenghi restaurants?

Thanks everyone for all the good ideas. We definitely want to stay in the city, planning on an airbnb.
rogerbrown, I am a great fan of the chef Ottolenghi, so want to visit many of his restaurants. It is not fine dining but creative cooking: https://ottolenghi.co.uk/restaurants
Lindy, Churchill War rooms was an unforgettable experience but as we went just a couple of years back not planning to repeat. The one thing we may repeat is the parliament tour.
Laurel, great ideas. I am going to borrow them!

We are Ottolenghi fans as well, especially after meeting him at a talk he gave here. He is a very personable, funny, and warm person, with no arrogance in sight. My daughter-in-law has 5 of his cookbooks, and does almost all of her cooking from those. (I only have 2 and need to explore them more).

We have been to 3 of his restaurants/delis in London: one deli was chosen by my daughter-in-law for lunch in Belgravia ( this one has closed). They were very welcoming of our family group, which included 2 small children, but the only seating available was a shared table in the back room. We ended up sharing the table with an actress my DIL recognized, and her small child who started playing with my toddler granddaughter. The two moms struck up a conversation and ended up exchanging contact information. Fun memories. And the food was excellent.

On the same trip, at a later time, we went to the Spitalfields deli with our daughter and a friend, and got takeout for a picnic lunch. We there for 3 weeks, and shared our nice 2-bdr apartment with various family members or friends at different times. This time the food was just as good, but my husband was a bit alarmed by the price to feed the 4 of us. But the young adults with us were hungry!

But our first Ottolenghi experience was a birthday dinner (mine) at Nopi, in May 2014. What a lovely evening. I won’t say more, but I encourage you to include this one (and hope it hasn’t changed since then).

The 3-week stay I mentioned was in May, but the previous year we spent a September week in London, and this has become my favorite time to be there—-mainly due to this month-long festival:

https://thamesfestivaltrust.org/

It is a celebration of the river, with cultural, historical, and educational programs, iexhibits, and events. Some are free and some have a fee. They are just getting up to speed, after 2 years of “virtual” celebration, so the full program (or should I say programme) is not out yet. But you can explore what is on offer during your stay using the calendar view under “What’s On”. We will be in London for a few days ourselves, stopping on our say home from Italy, and I am thinking of this walk:

https://thamesfestivaltrust.org/whats-on/mayflower-and-the-ships-of-rotherhithe-13262/

Your idea of staying in an apartment is sound, but some of us feel AirBnB (and similar owner-rental platforms);is not the best option for London, due to negative impacts on the local housing market. We now prefer apartments, aka aparthotels, which are buildings dedicated to short-stay apartments, with some hotel services such as reception desk, maybe a gym for workouts, etc. You have much less chance of the possible issues you face with owner-direct rentals, such as incorrect descriptions, poor owner communication, lack of help with maintenance issues, etc. And since many were originally intended for business travelers, they are more likely to be located in the heart of London, closer to the main sights, rather than in the suburbs.

This one, Native Bankside, is our current favorite for location and ambiance (we like modern, clean design). The location is great—-near the Tate Modern and the pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge to St. Paul’s, as well as a dock for the Thames commuter boats. Also convenient to the Thames pedestrian path, which is how we like to get around London (along with an occasional bus for locations far from the river). We have not stayed here yet, but will soon.

https://nativeplaces.com/property/native-bankside/

A list of other aparthotels can be found in this blog:

https://loveandlondon.com/18-london-apart-hotels-better-than-airbnb/

I’d love to stay at the first one listed—-Cheval Three Quays—but it is outside the reach of our budget this trip. But there are lots of other choices, as well as locations closer to Westminster, Bloomsbury, Knightsbridge, Trafalgar Square. . . Whatever your preference.

Jandee been going to London for decades. Always find something new and different to explore and enjoy.

Last 2 trips November 21 July 22 stayed at Premier Inns and with friends in Richmond.

Great neighborhood, Richmond. Massive park and did get to see the fallow red deer as I meandered from the Kings Gate entrance ( adjacent to the E Sheen cemetery) to Sawyers Hill road. Turned right and right again onto Queens Road.

Also followed the Line Art Walk which encompasses areas few tourists would ever think of experiencing.
Loved finding and enjoying the Anchor and Hope near the Thames Barrier. Took a Thameslink train back to Richmond from Charlton.

Went to an evening performance at Alexandra Palace. Great night out and lengthy ride back to Richmond. Didn’t care as one of the stars of the show was on the train with me.

I’ve posted countless times about different things to do and see in London and in surrounding environs.

Maltby Market on a Saturday
Bletchley Park
Camden Lock Market
Mudchute Farm
Syon House and Gardens
Eel Pie Island artists enclave
Watching crew on the Thames in Richmond
Chiswick
Vinyl Fridays at Spitalfields
A meal at The Dove and White cross Pubs
A cocktail at the Booking Office in St Pancras
Dishoom at St Pancras
Joy King Lau in Chinatown
Theatre ( can visit in person or go online for the 1/2 price ticket booth offerings…. If still running Witness for The Prosecution is well done. Staged in an actual County Hall courtroom.

And on and on and on….
EDIT: took the Inns of the Court London Walks in July. Really well done.

Just an FYI - the 24 Great Walks in London is available on Amazon.

Lola, wow thanks so much for the thoughtful reply! I am going to look into those apartments.
Claudia, I am looking through all your posts now, you are a fount of good information.
Nancy, thanks, going to order the book.

Look into Thrift Books for that book and many others about London walks. Prices are great and j have bought numerous books from them. Used books but they tell yoh the condition of the book. I have never been disappointed. Just bought Americas Test Kitchen. Recipe book with a small tear on the cover for a ridiculously low price. Good luck.

I am also a big fan of Ottolenghi and make a visit to one of the restaurants or get takeout on pretty much every trip. You can make reservations at the Spitalfields location, as well as Nopi which is more formal. If you like Ottolenghi, I’d also suggest that you try Honey & Co; the owners are Ottolenghi alums and I love their food.

I think Joy King Lau closed about a month ago.

Jandee we too love London and have visited more than a dozen times in three decades. You’ve gotten terrific suggestions and since you mentioned an immersive experience I’d add this visit

https://dennissevershouse.co.uk/

We were there on one of our two 2019 visits and it was magical. But it’s an unusual experience and Trip Advisor reviewers include people like me who loved it and others who wanted a traditional museum with labels and guides.

We will be back in London ( finally!) in September and having just read Edward Rutherford’s long and entertaining novel, London, I’m going to make sure I spend more time back in the City of London Museum exploring the prehistoric and medieval history parts. I’m also signing up for one or two specialty tours at the Victoria and Albert. While I’m doing the fashion one my husband will repeat a delightful experience taking the tube out to Wimbledon to play golf with rented clubs at the London Scottish Golf Club, perhaps the oldest in England. Like you we want to immerse ourselves in such a special place.

I haven't done it yet, but I am super looking forward to a 3 1/2 hour boat trip from Hampton Court Palace to Westminster dock.

https://www.thamesriverboats.co.uk/info/index.asp?page=westminster-to-kew-richmond-hampton-court-service-130

Cerastez is it better to take the boat in that direction (Hampton Court -> Westminster) instead of the other way around?

After numerous trips to London, we finally went to Kew Gardens-a must see and so enjoyable to take the boat from Westminster Pier to get there.

Jandee good choice to see the Museum of London on your September trip. The museum will close in early December as it is moving to another location.
https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/west-smithfield/relocation-west-smithfield

If you like Ottolenghi, try Gails bakery also, same quality, about a third cheaper. The cakes in both are wonderful.

If you're in the mood for a refreshing gin cocktail, try a Smugglers Gin & Tonic in Edinburgh. Made in Scotland, this gin is full of citrus flavors and a touch of zest. Mix one part gin with one part tonic water in a high-ball glass. Garnish the drink with a lemon peel and serve immediately. The lemon slice helps the citrus botanicals come through.

jandee, I recommend you look up Jules Guides on Youtube. He has wonderful videos of places all over London(not just touristy, but everywhere). And he gives many obscure and interesting details! Many of the places in his videos are off the beaten path. Have a great trip!

Jandee, another vote for Museum of London, especially if it is changing locations. Like many of you I've been lucky to go to London multiple times and so for a trip last December I wanted to take in a few things I'd skipped before in lieu of 'bigger' sites. My adult daughter and I went on a weekday, and it was very quiet. The museum was what I'd hoped -- a deep dive into the long and fascinating history of this city.
Also, I'd heard a section of the Roman wall was on the property but saw no signs for it so asked a worker. They pointed us to a back door that took us along and down a winding staircase and there it was. Very cool.
Have enjoyed London Walks - we did a Beatles tour and a day-trip tour to Stonehenge and Shrewsbury Cathedral.
Hanging out in Notting Hill at the Portobello market was fun, but also staying in that neighborhood meant being there without market crowds.
A walk from Highgate through Hampstead Heath into Hampstead village was a wonderful combination of village-to-village hike and a huge, lovely park with views and history too.
I'm returning in late September and hoping to continue reaching places I've so far missed.. on the list is Highgate Cemetery and Kew gardens. Love the idea of take a boat cruise for one direction.
Have a wonderful time!

Has anyone stayed in Hammersmith recently? Do you have suggestions for lodging?