MeghanInNYC

Friends:

I've been to London five or six times, so I would love suggestions about what to see/where to go for the already-initiated. I'll have three(ish) days on my own to just wander (Oct.26-30). I love finding amazing, new, off-the-beaten-path restaurants, antique furniture, galleries, etc.

As an example, I had friends from Rome visiting NYC recently. They had been here several times, so I took them to Five Pointz in Queens (http://queens.about.com/od/thingtodo/ss/lic_art_2.htm), then to MoMa PS1 (http://momaps1.org), then we walked across the Pulaski bridge for great views, and tucked in to great food (http://www.glasserienyc.com and http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/11/di...klyn.html?_r=0).

I'm looking for the same type of not-your-average-tourist stuff in London, and would be grateful for some input from the locals.

Thank you!

Dukey1

Have you ever been to the Wallace Collection?

crckwc1

Old operating theater, FlorenceNightingale museum

MissPrism

Geffreye Museum.

jamikins

Dennis Severs House by Spitalfields Market

MissPrism

http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk
Got the spelling wrong in previous message

MissPrism

Whitechapel Gallery.
I haven't been for a couple of years, but as well as the art exhibitions, I remember that the food there was surprisingly good

mgnapoli

Get outside of London - England is not London, just as the U.S. is not New York City. There are incredible B&B's all over the UK, and you will get to experience a different aspect of life in the UK.

laverendrye

There are many small and interesting "house" museums in London. You are probably aware of and may have visited Apsley House, the London home of the Duke of Wellington (the present duke has quarters upstairs) and the curious Sir John Soane Museum. To these I would add Leighton House in Kensington, the home and studio of the eminent Victorian painter Frederic Leighton. While in Kensington, don't forget to visit the hidden rooftop gardens atop a former department store in Kensington High Street http://www.roofgardens.virgin.com/ .

I have enjoyed visiting all of these and there are many more such interesting places to see depending on your interests.

annhig

Legal London : The Inns of court - the Temple [Inner and Middle] Grays Inn & Lincoln's Inn

the Black Museum,

The Royal courts of Justice in the Strand

The Old Bailey [Central Criminal Court]

Bow street Magistrate's court [now a hotel, I believe]

thursdaysd

Loved the Geffrye and Dennis Severs house!

Also Highgate cemeteries, Kenwood House, wandering around Hampstead.

Get a copy of one of Andrew Duncan's walking guides, or take a walking tour with London Walks.

But I thoroughly agree with the advice to get out of London. You can day trip to places like Cambridge, Brighton, Canterbury, Dover, but better to go a bit further and stay longer. Oxford is easy, and you might score a room in one of the colleges through http://www.universityrooms.co.uk/

Bath and York are standard recommendations, and there are good day trips from Bath, but you could also consider Chester and Liverpool and Manchester, or Durham and Hadrian's Wall, or the Lake District. Aside from the last two all are easy by public transport.

Kate

Like markets? On the Sunday, go in the morning to Columbia Road flower market - this a fascinating old victorian street with quirky shops (street art dealer selling Banksy's, a perfumier brewing her own stuff in the back of the shop, a boutique wine shop etc). On Sundays, flower stalls descend, with old east end Londoners shouting out the prices. The market winds up by about 2pm, so go early, and book BRAWN for lunch (book in advance as the market will be busy), a casual, trendy small plates restaurant. (http://www.brawn.co/)

Afterwards, wander down Brick Lane, an artsy, grungy street full of retro clothing stores and indian restaurants that holds a food and flea market on Sundays. Keep going right to the end, and you're near the Whitechapel Gallery, for a spot of Culture. Or you can turn off Brick Lane, down Hanbury street and find yourself in Spitalfields, where there's another market, plus numerous funky shops and eateries.

crckwc1

London Walks has interesting walks both in London and out of town, I.e., Stonehenge, Bath, Greenwich, Cambridge, Salisbury, Canterbury and more - www.walks.com

Kate

Some relevant links:
www.columbiaroad.info
www.visitbricklane.org
www.spitalfields.co.uk
www.whitechapelgallery.org

thursdaysd

Forgot. Assume you have done a boat ride to Kew and/or Greenwich, but what about a boat ride on Regent's Canal? Go eastward and you wind up in Camden Town, good if you like markets.

Dukey1

Maybe because some of us aren't "local" the OP has decided not to respond.

stokebailey

Richmond is nice, easy to get to.

(Not a local, but wanted to put my oar in, keep this info for later.)

MeghanInNYC

Really fantastic suggestions! I doubt I'll have the time or inclination to do a day trip from London (and I've been many, many places outside of the city proper), but I think I've got more than enough places to now see

I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks so much!

MeghanInNYC

Brawn looks fantastic! I've just booked a table. Thanks @Kate!

latedaytraveler

MeganInNYCity, great question – there is just soooo much to do and see in London.

Strongly second THE WALLACE COLLECTION, a gem to which I would add THE COURTAULD GALLERY and the BANK OF LONDON MUSEUM.

Have you eaten at RULES, the “oldest” restaurant in London with shades of Dickens? Looking forward to your report…