hello,
Our first trip to London, would like to visit the Tower of London, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey and a walk around there (Big Ben, Bridge, etc.) Some of the Parks, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall. St. Paul's. A Southbank walk, several of the bridges and the Thames views from each. Trying to choose between Strand Palace and The Beauchamp which is by Russell Square. Any helpful advice most appreciated, traveling mid August.

I am not sure about the one in Russell Square but the Strand Palace is an excellent choice, basically right at Trafalgar Square and above charing cross station. Easy access to west end and the tubes!

The Strand Palace is down the Strand from Charing Cross station. Both are well placed for sights - would you rather be close to the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery (the Strand Palace) or to the British Museum (The Beauchamp)? How do the rates etc compare?

Keds1, I just returned from my second visit to the STRAND PALACE which I described in my trip report in 2011 and my current TP from last June-July 2013.

It's a traditional 3 star, clean rooms, no AC (not a problem when I was there), loads of TV channels, excellent "full" breakfast (too full). You can walk to dozens of major attraction within a mile of that location. Plus at anytime you can step out and be only a few minutes walk to Trafalgar Square where there is always something happening.

the Beauchamp is a little more expensive but you hit it on the head, no air conditioning at the Strand Palace , and I've heard London has been hot, Here in New England we've just gone through a long heat wave and sure would not have liked going through it without AC at night. Both include breakfast.
We are arriving from the north by train to Euston .on a Saturday, but we plan to get a taxi . Want to make sure Russell Square is still an area of easy access to the sights I listed, some walkable besides the British Museum . Will not have time for the art museums I'm sad to say. Would we be able to walk to Covent Garden from both?