Hi

Other than the obvious ones , can anyone recommend any good attractions / places to go in London.

Actually , even with the well known ones - any good / bad opinions are really appreciated!

Many thanks , Kate

I love the Tower of London,and Kew isn't too far away.The Victoria and Albert museum would be on my list if i was in London and had plenty of time.All very traditional,i know,but historical buildings fascinate me.

The art galleries are fantastic.  Try the Tate Modern, walk across the Millennium Bridge, then visit St. Paul's.  The National Gallery and the National Portrait Galleries are superb.  You can just sit on a bench and get totally engrossed in paintings.  For a great London view, without getting on the London Eye, try the 'Monument' which stands near the spot where the Great Fire of London started.  A lot of steps, but a great view!  You can fit a lot in a day out, and it can be a cheap one if you include museums.

Another vote for the Tower of London, both my children and I had a great time there. And also the museums, recently we went to the Science Museum and there is loads to see for all ages, a day wasn't really enough! And how marvellous that it is free! ( And of course no trip to London is complete without going to Wicked the Musical, but we are rather obsessed...)

Art galleries would be my thing too but one of the things I like about being in London for social events, rather than working, is the chance to walk some of the well known streets.

If you are used to viewing London through the perspective of the Underground maps you can be forgiven for thinking that each station is miles apart.  Really they're not.  Covent Garden is always a good place to hang out particularly if you get there early for breakfast, before the masses of tourists, and it's an easy walk to Trafalger Square or Leicester Square from here.  A short walk across the river to the Royal Festival Hall is nice too.  Covent Garden works well as an end point too as most of the small shops are open late and you can generally get a good coffee or an ice cream here whilst you watch the world go by.  There's plenty of restaurants too that cater to all budgets. 

If you're not so fussed about having some elbow room then you can enter the seething masses on Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road - always an interesting route.  Remember to look up from time to time though or you could be on any major street anywhere in the world!

Some of the London Museums are amazing and I've always loved the Natural History Museum.  Our kids have always enjoyed it here.  Madame Tussauds by comparison is expensive, overrated and the queues are a nuisance.  Better for adults though than children - at least you'll recognise more of the exhibits.

The London Eye is quite expensive but if you can get there at sunset it offers unequalled views and in a quiet car it's a bit special...

Have a great time

Of course it depends upon which station you use coming into London.   Forgive me here - I'm going to give you the route that we take with visitors.

For a quick "morning" trip (Saturday or Sunday preferably), come into Fenchurch St Station (that's the really cheap station on the Monopoly Board ;) ) , walk out into Fenchurch Sq.   Right turn - and then turn left into Fenchurch Street.   Cross the road, and when you come to Mappin & Webbs, turn right down the lane facing you, which will bring you into Leqdenhall Street.  Turn left again, and walk past The Gherkin (looks like a gherkin or boiled egg) on your right, and Lloyds of London is on your left.   If you turn left down Lime Street then right at the end of the Lloyds Building you will walk through Leadenhall Market.   Carry on along Leadenhall Street, onto Cornhill, then Poultry - and pass the Mansion House (where the Lord Mayor of London lives) (Bank of England on your right!).   Straight onto Cheapside and along until you reach St Paul's Cathedral.    Hang a left here somewhere (it is well signed) and cross the Thames on the Millenium Bridge onto the South Bank.    Turn right again (you are walking in a westerly direction all the way - should have told you that at the beginning!) walk along the South Bank, pass loads of street performers and cafes/coffee stops and pubs until you reach ....The London Eye (at Westminster).   You can then cross Westminster Bridge and look at the House of Thieves (sorry Houses of Parliament) or Westminster Abbey and all places westward.   What we've done is at this stage go down to Westminster Pier and get on one of the tourist boats which can take you further up river, giving you a commentary right up to Chelsea, or down river, back to the Tower of London and Fenchurch Street again.

Hope that might help someone.   It takes a good couple of hours or so - maybe more - depending upon where you stop for coffee/beer/shops!

I'd love to go to camden market,i don't know details of when it's on,but the antique and bric-a-brac one looks fab when it's featured on telly.

obvious one is the London eye we really enjoyed that one. Try the london dundgeons too, yes we went to kew for the day and loved that

Some very very good suggestions.  If you're there on a Sat I would highly recommend Borough Market if you're into food (they have some amazing brownies here) from here you can walk to Tate Modern, over the Millenium Bridge, Tower of London all within easy walking distance.  I'd recommend Covent Garden for late afternoon tea/wine, it gets very very busy esp on a Saturday & if you can fit it in a show would be good.  Some favourites of mine are Wicked (agree with honeybee it's a great show), Joseph & Dirty Dancing.  If you like Dim Sum food I can recommend Ping Pong, I think there are a few of these in London & for shopping you can't beat a stroll up & down Oxford Street or I would imagine the new Westfield is pretty impressive.  Hope you have a fab time x

Thanks to everyone for all suggestions! Will definately do the Tower of London as a few of you have mentioned that , and natural history museum. And love the thought of just walking around taking in the sights ( remembering to look up ;) ) May give the dungeons a skip though as I am a complete wimp!!

Oh , and will trek up the Monument too - hadn't even heard of that before. :)

thank you!!

if you are just wondering around, try Covent Garden the street theatre there is usually worth a visit and from there you are withing walking distance of Trafalgar Sq, the National Gallery, Buck House and St James Pk.

I love London from the Themes I would suggest a Duck trip, you get on at Waterloo its like a coach trip but the coach drives in and out of the Thames along its route its magic.

Otherwise, HMS Belfast, London Eye, Tower of London, Museaums top include the Imperial War, and a nice meal, always good for us!! oh and Greenwich as well.

My company worked on the restoration it is really good.

Madame Tusards Wax Museum

Possibly a little out of the way, but if you have the time I recommend taking a trip out west towards Surrey- places like Richmond (Kew gardens) or even Winsor are absolutely beautiful. If you have access to a car, or can be bothered to work out public transport- a picnic out at Viginia Water Park (just to mention it's not a water park!) would really finish off a busy London weekend with some relaxation and beauty- it's one of the Queen's parks. There is a huge lake and loads of places to sit and enjoy the scenery.... this place is probably one of the only things I miss about living in the UK! This might be a bit more suitable if you are around for more than a day or so... but wanted to mention because I absolutely love it :-) This could be a completely useless suggestion if you are from this area... so apologise if that's the case!!!!

As for central London things to do....
*London eye is pretty cool and will give you all a real sense of how London is put together.
*London dungeons were a bit overrated IMO.
*Madame Tusauds was really fun, a little expensive and long queues... but I thought it was worth it.
*Definitely try and walk as much as you can.... as someone else mentioned, things are a lot closer together than you expect and really who wants to go on the tube unless they really have to?
*I didn't ever go to Buckingham Palace but I know of friends who really enjoyed it.
*Portobello Markets are pretty funky and easy to get to- that whole area is really nice just to walk around.
*Harrods... ? Only ever driven past but it's a bit of a London classic.
Thats about all I can suggest I think... have an excellent time :-D

Stormy has just jogged my memory - Harrods food hall is a great place to visit and nice for tempting goodies.  If you got the time and a sense of humour the pet section is fun - if only to see how the other half pamper their pooch.  I think there is a pets bakery in the store too.  I'm sure I remember a stall holder at Crufts had a concession there?  Perhaps someone else will know...

I dimly recall roast dinner biscuits as we left Hall 5  - they didn't last long :)

The pet section at Harrod's is HORRIBLE -unless you like looking at the latest toy and small breed "designer crosses" in cages for sale.  :-(  

> The pet section at Harrod's is HORRIBLE -unless you like looking at the latest toy and small breed "designer crosses" in cages for sale.  :-(

Oh no.  When I went, rather a long time ago now, it was just the accessories bit.  Admittedly I didn't look for a 'live' section but I didn't see it anyway. 

I didn't realise they had pets in cages and yes - HORRIBLE

the min eye is a good place to start.
Also the london aquimuim is great.

Okay.............I'm coming too.
Just booked for me and daughter, will have a long bank holiday weekend.
Poor husband is volunteered to stay at home with the dogs.He will though enjoy the peace.
Karen ;)