OK - I'll dare open the "Rick Steves issue" - at least for argument's sake . . . .

Rick Steves is a good source for lots and LOTS of places/countries/cities. London - not so much. He (admittedly) really doesn't like the UK or London as much as Italy, Switzwerland, Turkey etc etc. He doesn't hate it - but spends a teensy fraction of his time there and devotes very few of his TV programs to the country. We had him here in town once for a PBS fund raiser and he answered live phone-in questions - and was asked point blank why he did so few programs about the UK and he said he understood it was a favorite destination for many viewers - but just not for him. (This is not "hearsay" - since I was working in the studio as a volunteer and heard it first hand)

He has lovers/haters and lots of people in the middle. But as a resource for London - uh uh. So maybe relying on these RS walks aren't your best use of time.

by London not being one of his favorites does that mean he might only allow say an hour for a 'walk" because he isnt really into it and wont spend the time a London fan would??

I would assume the general information would be correct in the books - maps, times....

Again I understand London has so much to offer that it just isnt possible to see it all in even in a week. we will get to as much as we can and enjoy it....

i really appreciate all this great info.

from what i have listed, if anyone has any other suggestions as to this that I could take off the MUST list please let me know.

Again, London Bridge. I really think you mean Tower Bridge. You'll be horribly disappointed if you go to London Bridge by mistake.

oh2doula - Try and get this nifty little Penguin paperback book edited by Andrew White called TIME OUT Book of London Walks.
It's easily slipped into your purse for the day and contains 30 walks by different writers. The first walk for example is through Soho, Bloomsbury & Russell Square titled 'Stepping Out' by Graham Norton and covers 2.5miles/4km.
The maps are excellent with eating & drinking suggestions along the way.

I particularly like the walk "A River Runs Through It" by John Vidal, which follows the Thames.

thanks for all the help!!

Im finding the book but its from 2001 - would it be too outdated??

If you want to just photgraph a fire station, then rather than schlep off to waterloo, wait until you get to leicester square and then go to the working fire station in Shaftesbury Ave.

There's another one near Victoria too.

There's also another one in Euston Rd a very short walk from the British Library (in fact you'll probably walk past it is you go to the Library by tube)

thanks so much for the fire station locations.

can you recommend places to eat - I will be with two vegetarians - but i want to try fish and chips. Looking for CHEAP fast - we would like to have a nice dinner one night and where is a good place to have tea again cheaply.....

can teens get into pubs during the day??

Inexpensive tea - try the Orangery next to Kensington Palace if you'll be in the area that day.

I'm pretty useless for vegetarians - I'd have them all shot.

However if you are around the British Library it's worth taking a detour to Drummond St by Euston station. This is a street of mainly south Indian vegetarian restaurants and the food is good and cheap.

There are maybe four Richoux tea shops that are not nearly as expensive as the hotels, and I think they are far better than the Orangerie. You can google for the locations and menus if you are interested. We usually have the afternoon tea for two, but you can also have a "cream tea" which is scones, jam, and a small pot of tea.

I agree that a Richoux branch would do a better afternoon tea - but if you are near Kens Palace, the Orangery would be a good alternative.

Every museum and gallery has a couple of good cafes/restaurants on the premises - and most will have vegetarian choices. It often makes more sense to eat while you are visiting the British Museum or National Gallery or Tate(s) or whatever than trying to find something outside.