I will be in London for a week in the summer, having arrived there after gallivanting around Europe I know I will be 'museumed out'. <BR>I would like to know what your suggestions would be for a no-museum, non theatre day. I love to walk and be outdoors and would like to get a good tast of the city.<BR><BR>Your advice is appreciated!<BR><BR>Julie

A few suggestions (from a non-Londoner!):<BR><BR>In the city: a "London Walk" (guided walk), ride the Millenium Wheel, hang out in Covent Garden (street performers, cafes), visit Portobello or Camden markets. There are many green spaces in London - I think that there are self-guided walks in many guidebooks. A trip down the river to Greenwich - catch the boat at Embankment or the Tower, I think.<BR><BR>Farther afield: Kew Gardens (this would be my best choice), one of the parks. Hampton Court, or Windsor. 4-7th July there is a big flower and garden show at Hampton Court (http://www.rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt/index.asp).<BR><BR>Or you have time for a day trip - many possibilities - a country walk, a trip to the south coast - but this is getting a bit away from your "taste of the city".<BR><BR>Also, check Time Out for details of outdoor theatre, concerts, etc while you are there. oops- non theatre - I forgot! How about a day at the horse-races?

The London Aquarium was my favorite thing in London. Also, Buckingham Palace and changing of the guards is pretty cool (that happens everyday at 11:00, I think). And the Hard Rock Cafe is a must....the food is actually good! (If you're from the U.S. you probably know that the Hard Rocks don't exactly have a reputation for their food). Have fun!

ttt!!!

wait for a fine day and head up to Hampstead Heath. You can walk for hours in what seem like wide open countryside but in the center of London. Great views over the whole city. Kenwood House in the Heath, the Spaniard's Inn and beautiful village-like residential areas just outside, then it is a short distance over to Highgate which is another village with hills, pubs, Highgate cemetary, etc. A day wandering around Hampstead and Highgate really clears out the cobwebs.

Hi Julie, if you have a map, trace out my favourite day in London... A relatively brisk walk plus river tour can give you a good taste for Central London in 4-5 hours. I'd start at one eastern corner of Kensington Gardens, walk East through Hyde Park, cross the Hyde Park Corner roundabout and on through Green Park, St. James's Park, and then to Westminster. Take a couple of hours, most of it through some of London's best parkland and passing quite a few principal sights. From Westminster, I'd take the Jubilee Line to Canary Wharf (interesting), and then the Docklands Light Railway to Cutty Sark, in Greenwich. I'd climb the hill in the park to the Observatory for the excellent view, and then take a boat back from London to Tower Hill. Finally, I'd walk West along the South Bank, crossing Tower Bridge, as far upriver as my legs or inclination would carry me, enjoying the riverside pubs, and sight-seeing many more significant landmarks along the route, the Globe, Tate Modern, the Eye, and up to Westminster perhaps, or perhaps crossing the new bridge in front of the Tate to end up at St. Paul's. Best places to stop for a meal include Greenwich, or the South Bank. Trust me, this is a great intro to London, and fun too.