Ben Haines, this is a quote from the website:

"Of Bladder Stones and Nursery Rhymes

One of the early lithotomists was a traveling clergyman named Brother John, who operated in the early 18th century"

Thank you for having the curiosity to inquire.

Another possibility is a visit the the Old Bailey Courthouse.

Your kids might like seeing a real London criminal court case....complete with white wigged barristers.

If they like big machines, the Tower Bridge Experience includes a tour of the gigantic steam engines that raised and lowered the bridge before it was electrified.

This 62-year old boy was impressed.

For J Smith: I must be dim. I found the reference, but cannot see what being a good urologist has to do with sleeping. Can you help further ?

For Robespierre: Yes. You may like to know that at the Kew Bridge steam museum on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday you can see the great pumps at work: http://www.kbsm.org/

Ben Haines

If the boys are into Bond, they might want to visit his great grandfather, Sherlock Holmes, at 221b Baker Street. The building there has been converted into a nifty little reproduction of the digs made famous by Conan Doyle with lovely souvenirs of some of Sherlock's greatest cases. Takes an hour or so to tour on your own. Makes you believe Sherlock was real.
This is a commercial museum, but done with considerably more taste than such venues as the nearby Madame Tussaud's or the execrable London Dungeon.

I think the choices you've gotten include the major options, however I'd add the National Portrait Gallery and the Tate modern as possibilities. The NPG includes many current people (like David Beckham if they're into football). The Tate modern can be very appealing to a teen. I suggest you ask <i>them</i> to research the options and decide themselves. That way you're not the bad guy if they don't like your choices :)

Here's the url for the NPG http://www.npg.org.uk/live/index.asp

The Tate Modern is right near the millenuium bridge.