And if you aren't going on holiday or an expensive weekend away or to an expensive restaurant, you're poor and your career is failing.
I only half jest
Madame Tussauds, The London Dungeon, The Clink, The Sherlock Holmes Museum, though? Ugh.
The ToL isn't entirely contrived like those, but is paid-for so you can see why people might feel awkward about it. As others have noted, though, Tower Hamlets residents get in for £1 which makes it pretty much acceptable - especially if you go on a rainy Tuesday in February when queues are at their shortest...
> No-one's going to look askance if you spend a day in the BM, V&A, or National Gallery
Askance! Love that word! I digress. People rarely do that though (except real youngens, students etc). They all lie to themselves they're in London for the culture and art etc but they're so exhausted from climbing the ladder and networking, they don't have time.
People turn extremely capitalistic in London. If you're not displaying your wealth or working to improve it, it's a waste of time.
Those in zones 4-6 especially spend all their time there, and just hang around for after work in central drinks. If they venture in, it's undoubtedly for food/coffee/drinks and not much else