A whole week of "me" time - recommendations please!

[Pickle]

After a pretty horrific month due to my brother passing away, a fleeting visit to NZ to help with funeral arrangements etc I am very much looking forward to half term, as lovely hubby is taking all 3 children to visit his parents for a week. I drop them at the airport on Sunday, and pick them up the following Sunday!

I've arranged a couple of boring admin type things (dentist, hairdresser), but would love your recommendations, either in ED or beyond (given I will be completely free of children and routines) for

- breakfast/brunch place, where I won't feel too silly sitting by myself

- somewhere to get a massage (not too expensive)

I'm planning to go to Westfield Stratford for a look around, any other recommendations? What would you do? Obviously no morning alarm, tv, books, knitting and wine are already on my list!

[enjoy]

Lucky you!

Check out all the time out offers, great stuff to do, often beauty and massage too.

Enjoy

[Jem]

Ooooo lucky you... If it were me I'd book a spa day, take a book and make the best use of the facilities with a bit of lunch. Wowcher or groupon might be worth a look at for some cheap deals. Shopping for self is always impossible with kids so purchasing some much needed clothes would also be on my list! Enjoy your week

Jem

[canela]

sanctuary spa in covent garden. a real treat

[edanna]

I agree with canela - if not too expensive a day at the sanctuary with a massage booked in would be amazing. I finally went for the first time in about 20 years and found it incredibly relaxing. You could also go to all those grown-up coffee places in Soho - the Nordic Bakery in Golden Square or Fernandez and Wells. And a gallery? And a film? Hope you have a brilliant time.

[Pickle]

I've been lucky with gifts in the past and had a few spa days at the Sanctuary in the last few years - agree it's lovely, might look into deals I can get for next week.

[Polly D]

Ooh lovely, and much needed.

I would go to the Porchester spa (think ladies day is tues and thurs).

http://www.timeout.com/london/shopping/the-porchester-spa

It's very unfancy, no soft white robes nor people trying to make you spend oodles of dosh but if I had a day to myself this is where I would choose to spend it. It's ?26 to get in, you get full use of sauna, steam room, splash pool and swimming pool (I *think* re the latter as last two times I've been I was too lazy to swim). You can take a good book and some mags and relax on a sun lounger (indoors). Nice unpretentious cafe which does enormous salads and Spanish omelettes for about a fiver a dish. And they do all sorts of massages, facials and body scrubs at extra price, mostly between ?25-?50 I think. You'll need to book that in advance. I went recently with my cousin and we both had the most amazing body scrub, and she had an hour-long facial which she loved.

For local brunch I'd go to Luca's and sit in the garden/patio out the back. Went recently with a friend for coffee and found service much improved.

You could go to the Ritzy cinema during the daytime on the 37, cheaper tickets usually, and then have lunch in one of the amazing places in Brixton market.

[Vickster]

I would take the opportunity to mooch round some markets, something that is never possible with small kids. Borough, Spotalfields, and Columbia Road flower market are some examples but there are obviously loads, depending on your taste. Bliss.

[Ellie78]

Go and see a lunchtime showing of a movie at one of the picturehouse cinemas (nice seats), eat popcorn.

Luxury, I love the naughty feeling of lunchtime films.

Only on one day.

Ok, maybe 2. He he he.

[Ole]

Oh yes Borough market! I went to Borough market last friday for the first time in years. I could have spent ages tasting stuff but I had my 3 year old with me and he was being whingey and kept pulling me away. They had some pretty amazing stuff (but very pricey, only as a special treat), I'd love to go back on my own.

[Goodliz]

Love all these recommendations. I know this one probably sounds really boring but I would love a day to drive/ take a train out into the countryside for a trail walk or run.

[Pickle]

Polly, the Porchester Spa looks ideal, thank you. Will ring tomorrow and see if I can book myself in for next Thursday - for ?60 I can get entry, a body scrub and a massage, seems pretty reasonable. Excited! Must visit the revamped Dulwich Library and stock up on books!

Goodliz, your idea is also a good one, I am looking forward to a week where I can exercise when I want to, rather than when kids/school runs/baby nap times dictate.

Borough Market is a great idea too, I'm ashamed to say I've lived in London for over 12 years and never been there.

Great ideas, thank you all.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Game of squash on the Thursday!...

[stacey-lyn]

Train to Brighton? Meandering around the Lanes.

The Bowie exhibition at the V & A is really quite good.

Head to the East End - as Vickster suggests - Spitalfields, Brick Lane (bagels & salt beef sandwiches much cheaper than Selfridges and just as good) and Columbia Rd on Sunday morning. Bring home a load of bagels and flowers and whatever treats you've picked up for yourself.

Enjoy.

[canela]

if you go to Borough market make sure you go to Giuseppe's stall selling produce from Cantabria. He does this mix of olive oil, chilli, dried tomatoes and other bits to stir through pasta that is AMAZING!!!

hope you have a lovely time. sounds like it is very much needed.

[Monkey]

I'd go for breakfast at Smith of Smithfield and then off to a movie at the Barbican Cinema.

Been wanting to try out the Bliss spa too for a long time but never get around to it. I also love Dr Boo on Northcross Road but have not been since I had my girl four years ago! I used to loooove it. These two would definitely been on my list.

I would also go to Portobello Road, Marylebone High Street, Bond Street (Fenwick), King's Road.

Also second Columbia Road Flower Market followed by bagels on Brick Lane.

[Pickle]

Ha ha, Help-ma-Boab, squash isn't scheduled in, sorry ;-)

[Pickle]

My list is growing rapidly, I'm running out of days, might try to convince Mr Pickle to take them away every half term!

[Mrs Bigsy]

How about taking yourself off for a posh afternoon tea. Red carnation hotels have some lovely little boutique hotels tucked away around town with gorgeous teas

[Fuschia]

I think I would have a lazy day at home. Sourdough toast and scrambled eggs. Lounge around watching films.

[enjoy]

http://uk-offers.timeout.com/deals

[mrs f]

The portchester spa is lovely.

Also Brixton market/village for lunch, there are loads of amazing places, just wander round & see what takes your fancy.

Enjoy, I'm longing for the day ours are old enough to go off for a week!!

[midivydale]

Aw Pickle, it sounds like a week of bliss. So welldeserved too!

Here are some things I would do if it was me.

A pamper day, nails, hair massage etc. I would probably try and get some groupon deals for this.

If weather is nice I would go for a pancake breakfast at homemade and bring a book or some magazines with me. I love their coffee and their pancakes are amazing too. I love sitting there (they have blankets now) and watch the world (well east dulwich) go by. For me, breakfast is my favourite meal to eat out. The ultimate me time treat!

Spend one day doing the house stuff that never gets done, organise toys and clothes that are no longer used, kitchen, makeup or underwear drawers that could do with a tidy etc. I am abit sad like that:)

Invite some friends over for some wine and perhaps a pamper evening. There are several beauty therapists that are mobile and would cater for this. You could all catch up while have manis, pedis etc.

I would def go to some of the markets ie borough market and the flower market in east london.

I would also jump on the train or tube and go somewhere I have never been for the day (or somewhere you really like).

Most of all, enjoy the time to yourself and let us know how you get on, would be lovely to hear what you thought of the things that you tried.

X

[womanofdulwich]

i am afraid i would spend a day clearing/ tidying too. esp toys. i might paint a bit too.:-(

[Pickle]

Yes, sadly I am planning to spend some time sorting toys, and sorting through the kids wardrobes. Jobs that never get done with children around "helping".