How to spend a Hangover Free weekend in London

London is a lovely place to visit, a wonderful place to call home and a place I associated with hangovers and lost weekends for the first 7 years I lived here.

Stopping drinking has enabled me to see the city in a whole new light, and these days I get a full three night, two day weekend to enjoy this crazy place I am lucky enough to spend my time.

I was recently asked on Instagram for my tips on things to do in London at the weekend that don’t include drinking – and it got me thinking how best I like to spend my weekends hangover free.

Often I’ll stay in bed and watch TV one evening (and rather than spend my weekends cleaning I’ve found a cleaner through Helpling UK). I got hooked on Transparent after doing Amazon’s 30 day free trial and made the switch from Netflix, if you haven’t seen Transparent yet go watch it now – it is so good. But I also like to sit in cafes & read books, write, go to yoga and meet friends for dinner.

My favourite hangover free weekend activities

Yoga

Most weekends are spent practicing at my home from home, Stretch London. All of the teachers are wonderful, but my weekend highlights are Alice’s Saturday 11.30, Jody’s Saturday 6pm and Roberto’s Yin & Restorative classes on a Sunday evening. You can pair a yoga class with a wander round Broadway Market’s Saturday market & choose from extensive street food options.

If you’re staying more central – check out Triyoga. They have four studios across London and Triyoga Soho is my favourite of them. It’s a lovely studio, and they have an extensive timetable. See if Lisa Sanfillipo is teaching the 10.45 on Saturday morning (she normally does), she’s a wonderful nurturing teacher.

Located in Marylebone, Indaba is another lovely yoga studio with free tea! The 11.30 Forrest class on a Sunday with Craig is fab if you want to try something different.

Eating

Shackfuyu: I recently went for an early Sunday evening dinner with a friend to Shackfuyu and was pleasantly surprised by the mocktails on offer. The food is fab as you’d expect from any of Ross Shonhan’s restaurants. Ross runs Bone Daddies too (equally yummy, ramen focussed). But it was the drinks that got me, along with the miso fried aubergine.

Location, Old Compton street.

Dishoom: Another firm favourite, flavoursome and slightly more refined than your average curry Indian food. I love ordering loads of dishes and sharing them with friends, they have a menu full of delicious chai’s to choose from too.

4 locations so you can choose which suits you best (Soho, Covent Garden, Shoreditch and Kings Cross).

Timber Yard: A more relaxed vibe, I spend weekday lunch times here and weekend whenevers. It’s counter service and their ‘on toast’ and ‘soup of the day’ are relatively cheap and super tasty. It’s relaxed here and full of people reading or on laptops so good with a book or with a friend.

3 locations: Soho, Old Street & Covent Garden

Wanders

I don’t think you can beat a good walk and London has so many lovely parks to choose from. My favourite thing to do at the weekend is choose a good audio book (some recommendations here & a link to a one month free trial with Audible) and listen to it whilst wandering round a park or open space. At the moment I’m re-listening to Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic.

Regents Park is one of my favourites. It is great for a morning walk and a coffee at the cafe in the middle midway through. Whilst you’re there you can pop into Indaba (yoga studio mentioned above) and wander down Marylebone high street which is lovely, v British & much quieter than Oxford street!

And if you are based East (or have travelled to a class at Stretch), a lovely walk is from Broadway Market to Victoria Park. If it’s warm enough, you can hire out at pedalo or go boating on the lake.

Recommendations from fellow Londoners:

I asked some friends and other London bloggers for ways they like to spend their hangover free weekends. Keep reading for tips and things to do in London!

Zen from Happiness Wherever reccommends: Going to all the amazing markets such as Maltby Street and broadway

Poppy Mayy said: my favourite thing to do in London is go to London Zoo and walk along Southbank. You always see so many interesting things and it’s a great place to people watch

Staci who writes Lattes & Lipstick suggested: If the weathers nice, a big walk around Wimbledon Common/Putney Heath followed by lunch at The Telegraph (which I believe is considered the Putney Heath side)

Viki Bell recommends: Go bouldering in Bermondsey, check out Arch Climbing Wall (Laurie’s note, this is something I LOVE to do also!)

Jessica Emily says: My favourite weekend in London is spent having a lazy brunch at The Breakfast Club, walking through Borough Market, along to the Southbank and seeing what’s there

Lucy from LJLV also loves a wander down South Bank or heading to one of the many parks with a picnic if the weathers nice.

Latoya from Fashion Clutter said: The great thing about London is that we have many free museums and art galleries to explore so I love it! Whatever your interest there is a building for you… my favourite is the Victoria and Albert Museum!!!

Charlotte from Memoirs & Musing’s favourite thing to do sober in London is strolling through the Royal Parks, taking in some fresh air whilst getting some exercise! It’s an oasis of calm in a crowded concrete city!

Lieze from Glitter Rebel recommended having a picnic in good weather, her guide to 3 of her favourite picnic spots in London is super useful now summer is coming!

What are your favourite ways to spend hangover free weekends? In your home city or further afield?

I’d love to hear from you. Comment below, send me an email or chat with me on instagram.

All my love, L xx

You can find this blog post loving linked to:

ThatFridayLinky / Friday Linky / #BlogCrush