I focused this visit on what is fairly unique to England - excellant military museums. A refreshing change than those endless crowded art museums, and often accessable by public transportation. I don't mean the old medieval stuff, but 20th century like what you find in the Imperial War museum in South London (free, and great cafe too) and the WW2 Belfast cruiser on the Thames (fantastic explanation material inside).

Well, I had seen those and aimed at the more obscure. On the Northern underground (branch towards Edgeware) at Colindale stop, you can exit left for almost a mile and find several hangers comprising the free RAF Museum. The legendary WW2 planes are mostly in the dark Battle of Britain hanger, where you can sit for periodic dramatic light and sound displays. The other hangers very worthwhile too with famous aircraft hard to find in other countries.

One of the most obscure was the Artillery museum in Woolrich. Right on the Docklands Light Railway line, but if you are sticking to oyster transport cards you must get to Millenium Dome where you catch a bus. Really interesting historical cannons, and you can pay a small fee to actually fire a howitzer (blank)! I think the most modern part of it is temporarily closed.

There is a free Army Museum in the Chelsea part of London that is a little cluttered, but has interesting displays on the Napoleon and the American wars (frustrated by hot and cold weather they weren't equipped for, more than the actual battles which they mostly won).

Of course there is the Naval museum complex in Portsmouth, which is well known for Victory and Mary Rose historical ships and much else. There were not guided tours of the Victory when I was there and it was hard to get oriented in the gloom and low ceilings. By the way there are special deals to beat the high rail fees for such outings, such as on megatrain.com .

The highlight was the Bovington Tank Museum; largest in the world. I was told it wasn't possible to go by public transport, but I soldiered on with a train trip to tiny Wool. From there it is 2 miles (or km?) northwest, and I found a bikepath that went straight there, bypassing some of the roads. It was just amazing and unbelievable with umpteen examples of practically every tank from every country. You get in some of them and sometimes watch them drive around (sometime even ride).

Originally I was to include the Duxford air museum near Cambridge, which even had an airshow (which means they run a free bus to and from Cambridge). I had already been, but maybe should have done it as their display is so vast and hard to do in a single visit (includes ground vehicle display on the fringe too). With that bus, try to pick it up in it's rare stops in downtown Cambridge rather than the distant train station, so you can that famous university town a bit along the way. Details (corrections?) on the various museum websites.

One of the most obscure was the Artillery museum in Woolrich. Right on the Docklands Light Railway line, but if you are sticking to oyster transport cards you must get to Millenium Dome where you catch a bus.

You can use your oyster card on the DLR....

I have been to all of the places you mentioned and enjoyed them. Another was the RAF museum at Cosford. Another place I really enjoyed was the "Docklands" located in Chatham. Another type of places I like to visit are the train museums.

One of my favorite museums in the world is the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth, London. Incredible exhibits devoted to World Wars I and II...

Don't forget the IWM has changing exhibits. So even if you've been before there will be something different each time. We go there on every visit to London for the last 30 years. I agree, the cafe is very good and makes an excellent waiting place if your companion is not that interested.

Thanks for this, Viking.

One of the most obscure was the Artillery museum in Woolrich.>>>

Woolwich. Nearest DLR stop is Woolwich Arsenal.

I hate writing "Arsenal".

If you go upstairs you can see my Dad's medals as I have them on loan there.

BTW if you want to go there it's actually called "Firepower" for googling etc.

Just down the road is Woolwich Barracks which is still a real barracks (Scots Guards). You cant go in but it's a hell of a sight - the longest Georgian frontage in the world.

Further up the Road is the old Royal Military Academy - currently being turned into housing. Again you can't go in but it's a hell of a sight.

Between them is the old regimental church - bombed in WWII but still standing. It has the memorial to all those in the RA who won the VC.

Woolwich barracks:

http://tinyurl.com/pg6qfv

RMA

http://tinyurl.com/kjaf7g

The church:

http://tinyurl.com/ptezje

CW - whos dad was in the Royal Artillery.

Then get the hell out of Woolwich - it's a khazi.