Whether you are habitually an early riser or you simply want to make the most out of your time exploring London, you will most likely find that most of the popular attractions and museums don’t open until 10am, leaving you a bit lost for things to do unless you don’t mind sitting in a coffee shop for a couple of hours. So, what is there for people to do in London before 10am? Here are some of our suggestions: –
The Markets
A lot of the markets open between 8am-9am making them the perfect choice for the early riser, better yet you will probably be one of the first to arrive meaning you won’t have to compete with the crowds of tourists and you will have first pick of the wares on sale. Popular market choices include Portobello Road, Camden Market, Brick Lane Market, and Columbia Road Flower Market.
A Walk in the Park
London has some beautiful gardens and parks, many of which are open before 10am and which would be the perfect place to take in some fresh air whilst discovering one of London’s best open spaces. There are eight Royal Parks, any of which would make good choices and Hyde Park is less than a 5-minute walk from The Marble Arch by Montcalm London hotel. Many of these parks are also home to additional attractions which are worth exploring at the same time and you should find that they are fairly peaceful before 10am as well.
Watch the Sun Rise
If you find yourself at a loose end first thing in the morning, then you can’t beat simply hitting the streets and soaking up the atmosphere. Grab a coffee to go and make a beeline for the River Thames where you can treat yourself to the magical sight of the misty morning clearing and the sun rising over the water. You will find only the odd person about and it’ll feel like you are one of the only people in the city. Seeing London so quiet will give you a whole other appreciation for the architecture and the ambience.
Visit St Paul’s Cathedral
The Cathedral hosts morning prayer from 7.30am but is open to the public from 8.30am so if you have a desire to see inside this impressive building then early morning is a wonderful time to do so. You can wander around and admire the interior, visit the final resting place of many famous figures from British history or climb the 528 steps which will take you to the Golden Gallery with its 360-panoramic view where you can look out over the city and watch as it wakes.
People Watch
Whether this is interpreted in a kitsch kind of way or otherwise, the truth is part of what makes not having to wake up very early in the morning and go to work like everyone else does is the fact that everyone else has to do it. Travellers in particular love people watching as they go about their daily rush, so you might prefer to grab a window seat in one of the many coffee shops and cafes with one of your favourite coffee travel mugs in hand, simply relax and enjoy a decent cup of coffee as you watch the streets begin to fill with locals and tourists alike.