Do you have a must-see, must-shop, must-eat in London?

[ldymcbth]

I am interested in hearing what your London "must-sees, must-shop, must-eats" are to help me plan an upcoming trip.

So far, our plans include:

Doctor Who Experience
Show in West End
British Museum
Tower of London

Would love to hear things you suggest, even if they are out of the way or not really tourist spots! Thanks so much!

 

[Dimplenose]

This restaurant is in Covent Garden

http://www.porters.uk.com/

One of my favourite places is Hampton Court Palace but it is about a 30 minutes train ride outside London.

http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/?gclid=CIL7pb3Lua0CFYEmtAodLQwq7g

The Household Cavalry Museum is interesting

http://www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk/

Westminster Cathedral (not the abbey) is also a less visited gem and it is free to enter unlike a lot of London's cathedrals. There is a tower (£5 - but well worth it) with great views of London.

http://www.westminstercathedral.org.uk/

There is a church near the Tower of London where you can go down into the crypt and see Roman pavements - again free to enter but asks for donations (and a very nice cafe next door.) I think William Penn was baptised here.

http://www.ahbtt.org.uk/

Try and do a guided walk with a guide or use a book - I have this book but there are many others

http://www.amazon.co.uk/London-AA-History-Mystery-Publishing/dp/0749554177/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325790890&sr=8-1


ETA - just realised the ages of your children

There is a Rainforest Cafe near Picadilly Circus

http://www.therainforestcafe.co.uk/

And childrens playgrounds in St James' Park and Kensington Gardens.

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/tourists/

 

[Ware Bears]

Tower Bridge ~ it's right by the Tower of London and there is an interesting exhibition in the walk-way above.

I always like eating at the Rainforest Cafe when I'm in London.

 

[halleous]

I loved the Tower of London...all that history when i went i enjoyed the Madame Tussards but it is really touristy x

 

[kieras nana]

i would definately be visiting the earl of sandwich,just to remind me of florida

 

[Danauk]

The London Eye - A great way to see the sights of the city.

http://www.londoneye.com/

For food I would say a traditional British afternoon tea. Harrods do a really nice one, but my favourite is at Fortnum and Masons (it is where you can get proper British leaf tea that the royal family drink!)

http://www.fortnumandmason.com/c-209-afternoon-tea-fortnum-and-mason.aspx

For shopping with kids your age I would definately go to Hamleys, the worlds biggest toy store!

http://www.hamleys.com/

 

[ldymcbth]

I will be on my own, no kids! (EXCITING!) But I may go to that toy shop anyway to find them a prize to bring home!

Thanks for all of the ideas! I have read countless tour books but am always happier with first-hand recommendations, particularly about food and shopping!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Place to visit - Tower of London, Cathedrals, Hyde Park is lovely for a walk or a picnic.
Thing to Do - West End Show - recommend Phantom and Les Mis but there are lots of brilliant ones. Thames Riverboat cruise.
Place to Eat - Hard Rock Cafe, Tgi Fridays or Maxwells in Covent Garden
Hummingbird Bakery for divine cupcakes.

 

[queendisney]

Here are a couple of things that may not be in your guide book or you may skip over them in the book, as they tend to list the normal big tourist attractions..I live relatively near London and pop in often. The NORMAL tourist attractions are all great and things like the Tower of London etc should not be missed. Afternoon tea is 100 x better then at the GF Resort and Spa in WDW..we know how to do this better!!!!!! LOL..

If you want some good unusual shopping then I would def say go to Camden Town Market as it is full of great stalls.
http://camdenlock.net/

If you want to eat somewhere different to the normal chain restaurants offerings which are the same as in USA ie planet hollywood, rain forest etc etc then maybe try 'The Cafe Below' which is in the crypt of Sir Christopher Wren's St Mary-le-Bow church. http://www.cafebelow.co.uk/

There is also an excellent cafe/restaurant at the top of The Tate Modern museum which is also near to the Globe Theatre and the London Eye big wheel and next to the London Eye is the London Aquarium. So all in all there is a load to do really close to each other in the area of The London Eye. Its all along the bank of the River Thames and you walk past loads of little cafe's as well. Also if you want a really great meal then the OXO Tower is here as well but you would have to book.
http://www.harveynichols.com/oxo-tower-london

Also take a look at whats on in the Royal Albert Hall when you are here because they do some wonderful things there and its just such a wonderful space to be in. http://www.royalalberthall.com/

These are a few things that we have done when our friends from Florida come to visit.
Have a great time planning and an even more wonderful time visiting.

 

[MazdaUK]

Another vote for Fortnums afternoon tea Yopu can also have "High tea" which includes a hot dish (such as eggs benedict) instead of sandwiches, but the menu is otherwise the saem..This is a really filling meal - if you have a big breakfast atyour hotel then this about 4pm you won't want another meal! (and if you can't finish the cakes and scones they will pack them up for you to take away. they also give you extra scones and cakes, fresh tea etc.)

Cabinet Office War Rooms give an unusual experience and story of WWII, if you go to the Tower of London I recommend eating in St Catherine's Dock - very peaceful!

 

[zippy99]

How long are you there for?

Kensington/Knightsbridge is a great area to visit:
The Science Museum - Free to enter
Natural History Museum (next door to the Science Museum) and FREE too
The V&A Museum - FREE

Plus you have the Albert Hall, Kensington Palace & Gardens, Hyde Park and of course Harrods all within pretty much a square mile.

Also... must recommend The London Eye - I have been on it 6 times and enjoyed it every time - my favourite occasion was on a 'Champagne Flight' for a work thing - I was chatting to the Champagne Server in our capsule asking - does it get boring keep going round etc?, been doing the job long? ... usual sort of questions - When he told me about his first day...

Valentines Day and a couple had paid for a Champagne Flight for 2 (the server is required to be there 1 - to pour the drinks and 2 - to stop people joining the mile-high club!). Anyhow, the flights take around 20 minutes and after 5 minutes the man on the flight got down on one knee and proposed ..... unfortunately the lady said 'No'.

The poor server had to spend the next 15 minutes in silence looking at the floor whilst the man sniffled and looked out one window and the girl looked out the over. Talk about awkward!
(thought I'd share that story - makes me chuckle)

 

[ldymcbth]

Just wanted to thank everyone once again for the feedback - it's been so helpful. I am so excited about this trip! Thanks for all of your suggestions!