Before you leave for London, you can go to an international weather site and check the long-range forecast. Not perfect, of course, since weather is variable, but it will give you a general idea of what kind of weather to expect during your stay. Here are my two favorites:
http://www.accuweather.com/
http://www.wunderground.com/

Also, FYI, info on July London weather:
http://goo.gl/I7yhf
http://www.myforecast.com/bin/climat...6&metric=false

Since much of the thread is not food-related, what is rocket salad? I keep seeing it on menus and I have no idea what it is!

>>what is rocket salad<<

You may know it better as arugula.

>>Peter Mandelson (a Labour eminence grise, but actually the grandson of a Cabinet minster for all his louche pretentions) famously confused them with guacamole<<

I thought he didn't, and that it was one of his then leader's "all pals together" party conference quips about his colleagues (a symptom of why said leader was never taken seriously as a poaaible PM).

arugula (rocket) mixed with other veggies such as sprouts, cucumbers, etc., with olive oil and balsamic vinegar becomes "rocket salad." Every chef has a slightly different version.

Aha, thanks for the clarifications.

Fodor Friends, you all amaze me! This is just a HOOT! Of course, I want to know what clothing to bring, so I thank you for your great answers and your websites, "walkabout." But how did you all get so savvy to know that my first love is FOOD!?! So all these posts about traditional British food is FASCINATING! I want to try traditional British food, no matter what (well, within reason and I doubt I'd gobble up animal cheeks, for example) and I will try to taste each thing you recommend. But then to see a conversation about the history of mushy peas and Prime MInisters, brings me to another thing I'm looking forward to during our visit. You English peoples' words! "Toff"? "Posh Gits?" This is not only going to be illuminating for our palates, but a lesson in how the English language is FAR broader than what we speak in middle America! Bless you all for sharing! You all are priceless!

Banofee pie may not be all that traditional (it popped up in the 90s) but it is delicious and for future info THE very best version ever is the family size one from Marks and Spencer (snort snuffle snuffle trough snort - family? huh?)

<<I want to try traditional British food, no matter what>>

Be careful what you wish for.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/offal

The pasties, pastries, various pies, fish & chips, Indian cuisine, and more are very good. Also Cadbury's various chocolates are far superior to Hershey's (Hershey created the "American chocolate" by souring the traditional European chocolate style, which is too bad because there is great American chocolate just like there is great American beer not named "Miller" or "Bud" . . . ). The clotted cream shortbread biscuits (British for "cookie") from Harrod's are tough to beat.

And be sure to try Kit Kat in Europe - they are necessarily different because Nestle produces them everywhere except the US (licensed to Hershey). If you ever go to Japan, you can go Kit Kat cuckoo (from a CNN article "Nestlé has produced over 200 special edition flavors of the chocolate bar since 2000").

Definitely wondering how a New Mexican like Lee Ann (the Elendil Gherkin) can go from green chile and great flavo(u)r to eating Marmite . . .

If you are really into food then don't forget the food from the "former colonies" - I've had some of the best Indian food in London, and other ethnic cuisines as well. And if you are going other places in the UK, then definitely do ethnic food in London, saving the British food for the smaller towns where you may not have as much of a choice.

Well, BigRuss, not to offend, but offal looks AWFUL! heh heh I'm gonna steer clear of THAT! And marmite!?! I want to be respectful and try new things, but I'm beginning to wonder where your forefathers got their recipes! Now, banofee pie is more up my alley. What's your favorite Indian cuisine? I see that our hotel, by Tower HIll, has some Indian restaurants close by. Being brave with trying new things isn't going to make us, uh, regret it, is it? Suggestions?
Thanks!

A good list here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_cuisine

Some of the London/UK pubs have really great food so be sure to stop for a pint and try some.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment

If you check this post I list several pubs that offer great Sunday lunches - excellent tradition to take part in!!

"the current Prime Minister (allegedly a toff...)"

Witney must be an interesting sort of place if an Eton educated millionaire son of millionaires, with Baronets as grandfather and great grandfather is not considered a toff.

>>if an Eton educated millionaire son of millionaires, with Baronets as grandfather and great grandfather is not considered a toff.<<

But (taps nose) <i>in trade</i>, you know.

<<I'm beginning to wonder where your forefathers got their recipes!>>

Um, I'm not Anglo.

I don't eat offal.

Or Marmite. (Or its Australian bastardization, vegemite.)

Half my forefathers made great food.

And Tower Hill area should give you innumerable options for Indian food.

>>Definitely wondering how a New Mexican like Lee Ann (the Elendil Gherkin) can go from green chile and great flavo(u)r to eating Marmite . . .<<

Curious tastebuds and an open mind. :-)

Lee Ann