Activity suggestions required for staycation in London.

March 12, 2009 5:44 AM

I am on holiday from tomorrow (13th March) to 20th March. I live in London. I have decided to spend my time doing fun things here. My list of fun things begins with seeing the Gerhard Richter exhibition and ends with going to the Science Museum Lates. Does anyone have any suggestions of things/places/gigs/events/parties/fun to go in the middle?
posted by maryrosecook to Media & Arts (10 answers total)

Response by poster: I should add that I like weird music (hardcore, strange indie, sad music), art galleries, films, I am a programmer geek, queer, politically far-left.
posted by maryrosecook at 5:58 AM on March 12, 2009

Depending on whether you're a do-gooder or not, Londonist just posted about a Thames cleanup effort you might be able to have fun with, if you feel like volunteering tomorrow.
posted by sldownard at 7:38 AM on March 12, 2009

The permanent rare books exhibit of the British Library is a must-see for book or history lovers.
posted by Zed at 7:46 AM on March 12, 2009

The London Walks folks do terrific walking tours - pretty cheap, lasting a couple of hours, led by interesting and well-up-on-it guides.
posted by klpage at 8:05 AM on March 12, 2009

Go to the Shunt Vaults. Reviews here.
posted by Happy Dave at 8:51 AM on March 12, 2009

Have a look what's on at the ICA. There's usually something interesting, and the bar serves good food and cocktails (as well as more down-to-earth drinks).
posted by jonesor at 9:11 AM on March 12, 2009

My San Francisco neighbour Michael Brown will be installing his Blue Rain at the London School of Economics Library. I saw it on his studio floor and in its temporary SF location, and it is beautiful.
posted by rdc at 9:48 AM on March 12, 2009

Response by poster: Thank you for all the suggestions. The ICA, Shunt Vaults, the rare books exhibits and the clean-up sound great.
posted by maryrosecook at 2:43 PM on March 12, 2009

You should see if there's anything interesting on at Conway Hall, the Bishopsgate Institute, or Gresham College.
posted by cluck at 4:17 PM on March 12, 2009

Apologies for the self-promotion, but if you like classical music at all come to our concert on 19th March! We're playing (among other things) Brahms' late, autumnal Clarinet Quintet which many interpret as being quite "sad".
posted by cbrody at 9:27 PM on March 12, 2009