Not: Madame Tussauds. Too crowded, too expensive.

Yes: Westminster Abbey, but arrive in time for tour (They stop giving out earsets about 45 minutes before they close.)
A play.
Tower of London.

Logandog, I almost fell off my seat with your response! I only wish I could have said it myself. Hey, really, you should try living in Orlando. We see a lot of Brits around here, white legs and all. Maybe they should try to wear those pants! That way the rest of us Floridians don't get blinded by the light (or shall I say white...)
This is all in good fun. Hopefully no new Fodorites will take offense. We don't bicker like this often. Keep the ideas coming everyone.

Hi abby,

>The British Museum then off to a pub for pink gin, that sounds like my kind of afternoon!<

Do it at The Museum Tavern. See
http://alt.venus.co.uk/vpub/wc1area.htm

Pink Gin in the Museum Tavern??

I think Karl would ask Vladimir to make room.

Thanks, ira, for the website.

I'd skip Harrods. I really thought I would enjoy it, but it did nothing for me. The food court gets raved about but it looks mlike my local supermarket- Wegmans- no big deal really. I went the one time and will not go on my return visit unless I am somehow supplied with a buttload of money, or someone drags me there....It is no big deal. Honest!!

I was ticked because I skipped Nottinghill to go there, as my time in London was limited....DARN!

Hi PW,

Sorry you didn't care for Harrod's.

I spent a week in Notting Hill. Wasn't that great. Portobello Road is filled with people off tour buses and there are no bargains anymore.

Policywonk, does Wegman's warn you about the possibility of shot in your fresh duck?

ira~

Thank you for the suggestion and website. I've definitely got one afternoon planned. I'd love more suggestions for nights out.

Wegmans=Harrods?????????????
I must have missed something the last time I was in a Wegmans!

Calamari,
Since John (Thin what's-it) is off having his pedicure (gold instruments only), I'll break it to you. Yes, in most circles, physiologically, he's male. Physiologically, come to think of it, he's really more along the lines of Ariolimax columbianus, judging from the slime trails he leaves behind.

Luv2Travel!!

Where are you in Orlando!

I am off in the wilds of maitland!

Must see: Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral (try to go to the top to see a great view of London), Hyde Park and Tower of London.

Please, do skip: Madame Tussaud's and Harrods.

Definetely go if you have extra-time to get off the city: Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath. I loved Bath. It was quite a different town. It almost made me feel like I was out of England.

Tinder

I am so shocked! His posts are so, how do you say, bitchy. I thought Thin was a woman doing a fair Patsy alla ABFAB impersonation. I do have to admit that I loved Thins reports on both the Great Wall of China and Bhraman women out doing their shopping. I just thought he was one.

Jody:
Winter Springs...work in Maitland though.

Must see - Cabinet War Rooms (Churchill's command).

I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but one of the best times we had in London was at Hyde Park on Sundays when they have the soapbox speakers. They are a riot. Some are clearly nuts, but others are pretty interesting and so are the crowds tthat gather.

Great suggestion zwho.

Come on Thingorjus. Charm us! We were only playing.

BTilke, I completely disagree with your comments on Hampstead. It sounds as if you spent your entire visit on the High Street and didn't turn left or right. There may be one or two venues that represent the brash you describe but that does not warrant not visiting the place at all. Yes, the traffic is a nightmare but show me an area of London where it is not. I would strongly recommend taking the London Walks tour, which takes you down hidden streets, walkways, paths, etc. Most of Hampstead's fantastic, charming pubs - which are not located in the High Street - have not been taken over and serve excellent food

cont. by chains - that is simply false. The amazing thing about Hampstead is that it is run by a committee of dedicated citizens/villagers who fight to preserve the integrity of the place and, largely, they succeed. Unfortunately, they lack the funds to fight places like McDonalds from opening (story has it that McDonalds spent so much money on the fees to open up on the high street that the Hampstead branch will never turn a profit).

The situation with London - like most cities - is that a lot of its day to day charm is hidden. There is NO WAY that Hampstead could be described as a 'tourist trap'. This is very much a place where people live and INSGIRL would DEFINITELY spend a lovely afternoon wandering around its lanes.

INSGIRL, go to Hamptstead. You won't regret it.

HUGE thanks to everyone who posted, This will be very helpful. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to reply.