I took my first trip to the UK this past September. Over all it was a wonderful trip and we definitely packed it full of activities, but there are still some things I wish I'd done. I'm planning a return trip in October but here's my list of &quot;missed it and wish I hadn't&quot; things. First, here's what I did do - I think we managed to fit quite a bit in considering we really only had six days:<BR><BR>*Tower of London tour with a Beefeater including the Royal Jewels (go first thing in the morning to beat the crowds)<BR>*Westminster Abbey<BR>*Buckingham Palace (we did the tour)<BR>*Hop-on-Hop-Off bus tour (waste of money IMO)<BR>*Kensington Palace<BR>*Harrods<BR>*Bath (day trip with London Walks)<BR>*London Walks' &quot;London by Gaslight&quot; walking tour<BR>*London Walks' Jack the Ripper tour with Donald Rumbelow (would skip this if I had it to do over again)<BR>*Tour of Parliament (One of my favorite things!)<BR>*The rubbing crypt at St. Martin's<BR>*St. Paul's<BR>*Tea at the Orangery at Kensington Palace<BR>*Walking through Hyde Park<BR>*Two plays - Blood Brothers (OK) and The Complete Works of Williams Shakespeare (a bit cheesy but funny nonetheless)<BR>*Portobello Road and Notting Hill<BR>*London Eye<BR>*Tour of The Globe<BR>*the V&amp;A<BR>*The British Museum<BR>*One of the markets, can't remember the name of it now but it was veerrry early Friday morning<BR><BR>Things I wish I'd done:<BR>*Windsor Castle<BR>*Hampton Court Place<BR>*Rowing on the Serpentine (the friend I travelled with wanted to do this but nooo....)<BR>*Tea at the Ritz<BR>*Bath again to see Jane Austen's house (can't believe I missed this but we were on a tour that didn't include it)<BR>*a tour of the British Museum<BR>*The National Portrait Gallery<BR>*The Tate and the Tate Modern<BR>*A play at the Globe<BR>*Chelsea<BR>*A better view of the Changing of the Guards - we got there too late<BR>*Boat trip down the Thames<BR><BR>I also wish I'd bought more of my favorite souvenir - there was an artist selling small water colors for five and ten pounds outside the Tower of London. I only bought one small one and I just love it - it's so beautiful - I wish I'd bought more. I will definitely try to find him this October when I go back!<BR>

Forgot one more thing I wish I'd done - Evensong at Westminster Abbey.

Those aer two very good lists!<BR><BR>Check into the Jane Austen House before you go back -- I've heard some people are disappointed with it, so you might ot have missed anything!<BR><BR>Even if the Globe doesn't have any performances on in October, go anyway to see the theater itself and the surprisingly extensive museum attached.<BR><BR>The National Portrait Gallery is definitely not to be missed, though most people overlook it in favor of the other big museums.

I thought Jane Austen's house was in Chawton near Winchester. <BR><BR>I love the National Portrait Gallery too. It's a very do-able and the exhibitions are often more accessible to kids (there was a great one on children's authors last summer which included a bunch of bean bag chairs for the kids to flop in and read books). I always check what's on at the Royal Academy of Arts too. Combine that with a trip to Fortnum and Mason and it's a very pleasant afternoon.

On your next trip, don't miss the British Library! If you like Jane Austen you might be interested in seeing a manuscript written in her own hand! Thrilling!<BR><BR>Patti

Hi Michelle,<BR>This is why we keep going back to London, there are just too many things to do and see for one trip! Gotta figure out how to live there!<BR>The early market on Friday-Bermondsey? We did that and enjoyed it.<BR>We go back to the Tate each visit. Love the Turners!<BR>Walking on Hampstead Heath on a fall afternoon is lovely, looking out over the city of London. Then tea afterwards in Hampstead.<BR>After touring Hampton Court, going back to Kew Gardens, then tea in a nearby tea parlor.<BR>Antiquing in Camden Market.<BR>So much to do, so little time <BR><BR>

Michele, please don't limit yourself to just Hyde Park as London is full of many beautiful parks. I love St. James Park because of all the different varieties of waterfowl you can see close up. When we were there in May, many of them had young chicks. I am also very fond of Regent's Park. The suggestion to visit Hampstead Heath is also a good one. I really enjoyed my time there.

I wish I'd taken it a little slower. We spent 7 days in a whirlwind. Next time I will stop and take it easier, have a leisurely tea, people watch, etc.

Jane Austen, like many of us, lived in more than one house during her lifetime. Her family lived in Bath from 1801 and she lived and wrote in Chawton starting in 1809. The Jane Austen Centre in Bath isn't even in a house where she actually lived, but up the street from a house where she lived for a few months in 1805.

On my third trip I finally saw the Museum of London, went to the Sherlock Holmes Museum, saw The Woman in Black, and made a day trip to Warwick Castle. There are so many things to do in London that I don't forsee ever getting tired of it. The Dickens House is interesting, too.

&quot;When a [wo/man] is tired of London [s/he]is tired of life&quot;. I forget who said it but how true it is!

Daph, that was Samuel Johnson and more than 200 years later he's still right.<BR><BR>Can't wait to go back in 2003! London has become a dear old friend - it will be my 6th visit there. A colleague of mine is going to London for the very first time next month. Can't believe it took him so long! ;-)

Katie, it was Bermondsey! Thanks so much- that was going to bug me until I remembered the name. I will definitely try Camden Market next time.<BR><BR>OK, after all of the other suggestions I think I'm going to have to plan a third trip! I'd love to see the Chelsea Flower Show so maybe I'll shoot for Spring 2004, too. Then again, I'd also like to go in September for last night of the Proms...

<BR><BR>&quot;When a man is tired of London, perhaps he should try Paris or Rome instead of going to London all the time.&quot; -- xxx, 2002

I really enjoyed Madame Tussauds Wax museum (if you can stand the wait in the long lines-go early in the morning) and Regents Park. If i lived in London, i would practically live at Regents Park. (though not in a cardboard box - way too damp). It was so pretty and quiet. I was only in London for 9 days but it was, IMO, better than Paris. I think it had a lot to do with the language but it was a wonderful city. I know you already mentioned the british museum but that place would definitely deserve a second trip.

<BR><BR>Go to Coliseum, the home of English National Opera and catch a performance of opera sung in English for &pound;3! Coliseum sells day seats (amphitheatre)from 10 a.m for &pound;3. I am not kidding! If you are early enough, ask for any seats on row B, they are the best. This is my little secret I have kept for a long while as gesture of festive goodwill I am sharing it with you. Just hope you guys don't snap up all the cheap seats when I am next at the Coli.<BR>Even if you are not into opera, it is still a bargain to see a live performance of up and coming (sometimes establihed singers) stars and chorus of 100. You can walk out during the interval if you find it is too high brow for you. But you'll be surprised how accessible opera is. But hey what is &pound;3 (US$5) to any of us these days?

Re: Camdem Market...there are several markets in Camden itself some of which do offer antiques (Tube: Camden Town, Northwern Line) but i think that you may be refering to Camden Passage Antiques Market which, confusingly, for many tourists, is actually in Islington (tube: Angel, Northern Line). Both markets, however, are definitely worth a visit for their wares and Camden Town especially for its unique atmosphere.

Carrie and Londoner, those are great tips!! I do like opera in small doses, so that it definitely going on my &quot;next time&quot; list. And it's always a treat to get the low-down from someone who actually lives in London. I really appreciate it!

<BR><BR>I seem to remember that one could pay for a ticket to Madame Tussaud's at any of the London hop-on-hop-off bus stops. One was guaranteed to be able to walk right in - no waiting in line.

left 3 days sooner. No thanks.