Spitalfields is in the East End of London, which covers just about every part of London east of the "Square Mile" (the City). It's been a haven for waves of immigrants over the centuries. Take a tube or the no.11 bus to Liverpool Street Station and then just walk around. There's a large market, with a superb Hawksmoor church opposite. Turn down Princelet Street for a step back in time. No.13 (I think) is open as an Immigration Museum. It's a small terraced house with a wonderful secret inside. Brick Lane is full to bursting with Bangladeshi and Indian restaurants, alongside Jewish bakers. Fascinating!
Denis Severs House by candlelight is well worth a visit but you'll need to book.

The Benjamin Franklin house on Craven Street is an interesting tour. It's the only house left standing that Franklin lived in.

I also love Regent's Park Open Air theatre.

Oh, and the profiteroles from Marks and Spencer!

Sadly, 19 (not 13) Princelet St isn't open all the time - it's not that structurally sound - and won't be open next month. But it is a magical place: http://www.19princeletstreet.org.uk/openings.html

and I second the suggestion of exploring Spitalfields. The newly-restored Christ Church is glorious.

Next to the Hawksmoor church in Spitalfields is the Ten Bells pub, which is where Jack the Ripper met five of his six victims.

Many thanks to each of you! Lots of interesting ideas.

I took the tour at both St. Paul's and Westminster and I'm truly glad I did both. I got to see areas that you don't get to see otherwise, including the geometric staircase, quires and various tombs/shrines.

I would highly suggest seeing both if you can make time. When they first open is best because you can walk around before it's full of tourists, get the first tour and get on your way again. It also gives you a view before you come back in the evening for evensong.

Have fun

crckwc1 - Are you back from your trip? Would like to hear what you think of the Old Operating Theatre.

yk --Yes, just got back Monday night. We thoroughly enjoyed the Old Operating Theater and all the grisly descriptions of old-time surgeries. But it's not frightening -- at least not to me --just interesting to learn and see how surgery was done in the past. It makes me ever more glad to live now and not then. We took some photos to bring to my surgeon, although we hope he doesn't get any ideas!

crckwc1 - Thanks! How long do you think you were there for? Is 1 hour enough? I'm not 100% sure I'll go, depending on how much time I have. Would you post a trip report by any chance?

Thanks again.

Even though the OP has returned, for others checking out this site for suggestions I would recommend a quick stop at Harrods to walk through the Food Halls. Its not historical, or cultural or educationally enlightening--but it sure is facinating to see how magnificent (and expensive) food can be!

yk -- We were there about an hour, maybe less. The time you spend will depend on how much you stop to read. The displays themselves can be seen quickly, but to me the interesting part is reading the how-to's and what-not's. I might try to post a trip report when I get things sorted out here at home. We were gone about 5 weeks including a few days in Paris, Ireland, Scotland and a drive through England to London. We spent only two full days in Lonodn as we have been there many times. We did go to the Imperial War Museum again and thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the Children's War exhibit, and to Sir John Soane's Museum, also recommended on this thread. We spent hours in the National Gallery one cold and wet day. Before getting into London, we went to Bletchley Park to see the WWII code breaking facilities and the first computer -- incredibly fascinating not only for the technical achievements, but for the fact that it was kept secret for so long. Well, I guess I'm getting into a trip report which isn't the purpose of this thread. Sorry.

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