Dukey1

Normally I would never post a request such as this one since when we do travel we pretty much have a firm handle on places to see, etc.

However, this time around it is now becoming apparent that for one of us that this could easily be the last trip to Europe for a while so I am trying to make things "extra special" (at least in my own mind).

Thus far we have the place in Covent Garden rented for a week. We are doing two opera performances and one long day out to visit Castle Howard (yes...early train to York and Malton and a late one back because he's wanted to see the place FOR YEARS).

As to London itself, we've done the V+A, the British, the Tates, the national; we are going to Kew hopefully; have been to Greenwich, Windsor, the cabinet war rooms, the Tower...all the so-called "musts."

Am sure there are "unique" things we haven't thought of and they could range from a museum to just a wonderful outdoor venue, either in the city or nearby.

I honestly don't wish to WASTE anyone's time nor do I want someone else to do basic research on my behalf.

Suggestions are appreciated and thank you.

Dukey1

Sorry, SHOULD have added that this will be in early to mid-October

northie

I love the City of London museum. Many others like the Sir John Soames house but we found it too crowded with objects for our taste but it does show his great work as an architect.Have you been to Hampton Court palace -beautiful gardens as well

texasbookworm

Did your "musts" include Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's, inside? If you have been in St. Paul's, did you climb to the dome? On a decent weather day, this give spectacular views.

Did your "musts" include a Southbank walk, including Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral (and inside the Globe?)

Did your "musts" include the British Library?

We enjoyed a Regents Canal ride and time in Camden Market (not sure when/if canal boats shut down for the year so would need to check).

We enjoyed finding a couple not-so-well known parks--Postman's Park and St.Dunstan-in-the-East (damaged in WWII and left unrepaired, now a nice garden). Nice photo ops and good for a quiet rest.

We enjoyed the views from the Tower Bridge Exhibit and watching the bridge lift. The lift times can be found on the internet as the Tower Bridge lists a schedule. The Exhibit is overpriced perhaps but we had 2for1 vouchers and pics were worth it.

I second Hampton Court as a good close-by trip if you decide to spend some more time outside of London. But with Kew Gardens and all day to Howard, you may not want another "trip."

And the Museum of London, if you've exhausted (for you) the other museums is good. We enjoyed even more the Imperial War Museum.

sassy_cat

You might want to check the websites of the museums and galleries you've already been to in case there's a special exhibition on that you'd like to see.

The Barbican is one venue that people seem to have polarised views on ; love it or hate it check the website to see it anything appeals during your time frame.
http://www.barbican.org.uk/

More modern art?
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/

You didn't mention Hampton Court Palace. It could be combined with Kew for a full day out but either place could of course take up your whole day if that's what you'd prefer.

I like Hever Castle in Kent but it's a chore to get there by public trans (I'm sure others can tell you how to get there if it's something you'd like to see).

Hope you have a great trip.. early October should be lovely.

yk

Have you been to the Wallace Collection? Fantastic art collection and it's free.

The Imperial War Museum is very, very good.

Kenwood House up in Hampstead has a nice art collection too, including a Vermeer. I've enjoyed the London Walks tour of Hampstead Village in addition to Kenwood House.

Dennis Severs House is a unique experience.

kmowatt

Hey dukey, this is a walk I enjoy doing...

Tube to Liverpool Street then a short walk north to Brushfield St...some cool little shops here and a great outdoor space by Spitalfields Market...Christ Church on the other side of Commercial St is beautiful and worth a visit before walking down Fournier St (nice houses that used to belong to the lace making trade) to Brick Lane...turn left on Brick and walk up to Bethnal Green road...right here and head to Barnet Grove, head north and you will end at the start/end of Columbia Rd flower market (Sunday only)...this is a fun market with lots of independent shops around the area, also the row houses in this area are quite different from other parts of London.

I also second yk's idea of the Wallace Collection and you can have a nice lunch here...it's then a short walk to Marylebone High St which is a nice walk up towards Park Crescent and it's beautiful regency architecture

Mimar

One of my favorite memories of London is the boat ride from Richmond up the Thames to Hampton Court Palace. Might even be better downstream. I loved seeing the houses and pubs along the river, and it's nice to arrive at HCP by boat, just like Henry the VIII. We did this as a London Walk but you could do it on your own. You'd want nice weather.

And another vote for the Imperial War Palace and Sir John Soane's house if you haven't seen them.

joannay

I second Dennis Sever's House, unlike any place I've been before. I visited in May and enjoyed it enormously: http://www.dennissevershouse.co.uk/

Dukey1

Thanks everyone for your kind recommendations.

To answer a few questions:

yes, we have done "the" abbey and St. Pauls and yes trudged up to the dome for the great view; yes to the British Library, the Southward cathedral.

Perhaps I should not have included the term "must" so forgive me that error. One person's "must" is undoubtedly another's "not for any amount of time or money."

The Hampton Court inclusion (along with Kew) sounds like a great idea and after I posted the original request I realized that a couple of the London walks might be enjoyable.

joannay

Another thought, have you been to evensong at Westminster Abbey? There's nothing quite as transcendent as the sound of a good choir in such a space. The church closes to all but those attending and the huge space becomes intimate. I try to attend such services anywhere I find myself in England: http://www.westminster-abbey.org/music/choral-services

nytraveler

Have you done:

Wallace Collection
Museum of London
National Portrait Gallery (sort of tucked behind the National Gallery)
Parliament

I also love to go to the Royal Academy -- but do so in the spring when they are having their huge annual exhibit. I'm always tempted to buy something from one of the amateur artists - but the only time I decided to spring for it the piece was already sld when I returned.

We found all of them fascinating.

janisj

Lots of good suggestions above.

How about the Geffrye? One of my very favorite museums in London.

http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/

janisj

Meant to add: If you are into Gardens/gardening a day trip to RHS Wisley would be great. Easiest way to get there is a train to Woking and a taxi from there - maybe 3 or 4 miles.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley

nicoatridge

I think some people have touched on it, but the London Borough of Richmond is surely one of the most rewarding desinations. It is an area with more parks than residential areas, with the huge Richmond Park probably less impressive than many of the smaller parks. This part of Thames-side London was where Royalty traditionally lived so there are a whole galaxy of minor and major gems. For sure visit Kew and Hampton Court, both beautiful in October. Richmond itself has some nice shops and restaurants and a lovely Autumnal riverfront. Walk along the river to Ham House then take a ferry across to Marble Hill and from there take a riverside walk down to Twickenham to check out Orleans House Gallery, the White Swan riverside pub and the gardens in York House with their unexpectedly grand fountains.

In Central London the Courtaulds Institute, National Portrait Gallery and the estimable Sir John Soane's Museum on Lincoln Inn Fields - an often overlooked gem - are memorable. The Courtauld's Institute charges a fee for entry.

Greenwich is impressive, the walk up to the observatory is stunning and at the weekend there are lots of interesting markets. Talking of markets, Columbia Flower Market in Bethnal Green on Sunday morning is a gem amongst a constellation of wonderful street markets London has to offer.

latedaytraveler

Hi Dukey,

Hope you have a great trip. Just seconding those recommendations above about THE WALLACE COLLECTION.

I quote from my recent trip report:

"SATURDAY, July 16: Rain, as predicted. My destination was THE WALLACE COLLECTION, Manchester Square off Oxford Street not far from Marble Arch. I took the wrong bus whose terminus was Oxford Circle, so I trudged to my destination up Oxford Street with hood up and umbrella open.

"The museum is housed in HEREFORD HOUSE, the ducal residence of the 4th Marquess of Hereford, art collector extraordinaire and his illegitimate son Richard Wallace who bequeathed the collection and property to the nation around 1900. Admission is free – donations gratefully accepted.


"I am at a loss to describe their treasures of 18th century French paintings, porcelain, furniture, bibelots, medieval and Renaissance works, and “the finest collections of princely arms and armour in Britain.” Their website – wallacecollection.org – gives an excellent overview of the mansion and its holdings. I arrived just in time for a tour conducted by charming docent who obviously was also fluent in French. The 4th Marquess and his son Richard Wallace spent a good deal of their lives in Paris where they collected madly – presumably many of their finds were plentiful and cheap (all things being relative) in the years following the French Revolution. The Hereford wealth was derived from landholdings in England and Ireland.


"To name just a few gems: the magnificent staircase balustrade designed with motifs popular in the reign of Louis XV, Frogonard’s THE SWING (1767 iconic image for the Wallace Collection), Frans Hals THE LAUGHING CAVALIER (1624), and American painter Thomas Sully’s flattering portrait of the young QUEEN ELIZABETH (1838). Not sure why the latter work is not in Buckingham Palace. Obviously, the Marquess and Mr. Wallace were well connected. According to the terms of their bequest, no item in the collection can be sold or loaned. The Wallace Collection facility has added a lovely dining room in the covered courtyard in the rear which was filled to capacity the day I visited."

One more - THE BANQUETING HOUSE on Whitehall - all that remains of the orginal Whitehall Palace - gorgeous ceiling by Reubens.

So much to see...

hsv

A day's excursions to the Chilterns or neighbouring Henley could be good if the weather cooperates. You can rent boats in Henley and idle about a bit on the water. A few good pubs in the area, too.

avalon

We go to the Imperial War Museum every trip , always interesting exhibits. In fact the doorman at their handicapped entrance said to me" you again!!" on our last trip. There is a wonderful exhibit at hte National Gallery, Leonardo da VInci Painter to the Court of Milan. I already have my tickets booked online.

Dukey1

As usual, and expected, folks have certainly come through with some wonderful recommendations which I am now beginning to sift through as we "recover" from our recent Hurricane Irene experience. I will certainly post a follow-up and I know I really SHOULD do a trip report to completion for a change.

Thanks again to all who took the time to respond.

avalon

You might sign up for the Londonist a daiy newsletter that list all sorts of unusual events and happenings.I know you saID YOU'D DONE THE v&a BUT IN THE LAST YEAR THEY HAVE OPENED SEVERAL NEW GALLERIES THAT WE FOUND MOST INTERESTING. Dam cap lock is where my shift key was on my old laptop!