7 things to do in London in 2017

I can’t lie. A small part of me was glad that the children returned to school and the husband to work this morning. I really enjoyed our Easter holidays but the days were just so busy and sociable. I missed my quiet time.

We’re not blessed with any family anywhere near us so it’s pretty hard to do anything as a couple. For the last 7 years we’ve been a family and I love our family days out. But occasionally we remember our child-free days of going out after work, lazy weekend lunches and the hottest tickets for the latest screening or show.

If we want to do anything we either have to take the children, go on our own or be brave and hire a babysitter. Last week we wanted to tick something off our 2017 list of things but had to cancel as our 7 year old was ill and we didn’t want to leave him with anyone else. We scaled back our plans from a grown up day out to a few drinks in our local instead, sitting and dreaming about the things we want to do.

7 things to do in London in 2017

We started the year with ambitions plans for some days out. We’ve squeezed in a few long lunches whilst the children have been at school but that’s it so far. Fortunately it looks like most of the things we want to do can be done as family of four and we’ll probably have a better time together anyway, I always miss the kids when they’re not with us!

Robots at the Science Museum – the exhibition explores the 500-year story of humanoid robots and the artistic and scientific quest to understand what it means to be human. Open now until 3rd September this is something we will probably go to with the children.

Did you know that this year sees the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first Harry Potter book – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone? I’ve just bought a copy to re-read with my 7 year old and I’m hoping he’ll enjoy it as much as I did 20 years ago. I’d love tickets to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child but I think I’ll be making do with the Harry Potter exhibition at the British Library. Imaginatively entitled Harry Potter: A History of Magic it’s on between 20 October 2017 – 28 February 2018. Fingers crossed this will then lead to a trip to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour  London and The Making of Harry Potter.

This year the Postal Museum re-opens (in July!) and I’m desperate for a ride on the underground railway known as Mail Rail. My husband and I are train geeks and we’ve wanted to visit the railway as soon as we first heard about it.

The Pink Floyd exhibition at the V&A. Ok, I think my husband might be going to this one on his own. We’ve always found plenty of other rooms at the V&A to keep us busy.

RHS Wisley. I don’t care what you say. This counts as London if you live in suburban West London like we do. We’ve been to Kew Gardens too many times and really want to visit one of the RHS gardens. This one looks amazing, we just need pick a time of year to see it as it’s best.

A day out exploring the new Design Museum, the Kyoto Garden at Holland Park and Leighton House. Ever since I heard about the new Design Museum I’ve been planning our day. Sadly it’s been shelved more times than I can admit. Maybe I should just go on my own?

Finally, we would love to stay out late at night and use the Night Tube to get home. I have so many memories of taking the Night Bus home. Of course now we live in the suburbs it would be Night Tube quickly followed by Uber to take us the rest of the way home to suburbia! We would definitely need a babysitter to help us tick this wish off our list.

I’m so shocked that we’re half way through April already. Fingers crossed we find time for some of these fun days out in London, either as a couple or a family.

Disclosure – this is a collaborative post