Anywhere beyond plausibly the first couple of zones, say 1 to 2, some parts of 3, isn't really urban London proper once out beyond that it's residential, suburban, London adjacent. Get out to zone 5, 6 say, you might as well be living in the country, somewhat tongue in cheek, but only somewhat.
By the end of a long week, fighting into and out of central London, public transport, come the weekend we'd often be too shagged to bestir ourselves and head in for the culture and touristy stuff. We'd do something local, a stroll to the common, pub lunch, meet friends for beers, Clapham picture House etc...maybe even a barbie in the tiny garden...weather permitting.
Go anywhere as a tourist, well it really should always be fun otherwise you'd choose, go somewhere else. Plus you've generally accepted it's going to cost you whatever, holiday/ short break mindset takes over...''you change your chip'' as a good Spanish friend of mine puts it so well