No, nytraveler - thankfully I do not get panic attacks! I was thinking of Venice in July this year, where the mass of humanity just made it impossible to enjoy the place; where the very boats felt like cattle trucks, where you knew you were going down the Grand Canal but saw nothing, only the other passengers pressing against you.. Mere busy crowds like Time Square in NYC are actually quite acceptable. But then, oh the relief of Central Park!! So yes, I prefer fewer people ... but will not stay away just because a city is a city.

texasbookworm you made me smile: yes, you may have four favourites! The idea of a walk along the Thames sounds lovely. I know this depends on a lot of things, but how much time do you think should I budget for it?

There is so much to see in London that there is no way to pick just one sight - and you have plenty of time in any case.

If you want a list of the most recommended places, any guidebook has a list of the top ones - Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, British Museum, etc. etc. We just had a thread about less visited places once you've worked your way down those lists. But the place I go back to most often (especially if it's raining) is the V&A - http://www.vam.ac.uk/. If you want something a bit less popular I would vote for the boat ride on the Regent's Canal, but probably not in November. Or a "silent night" visit to the Dennis Severs' house.

I know what you mean about crowds. When I'm there for a long weekend I've had enough of people by Sunday afternoon and avoid main sites and the tube, eg walk round one of the parks, having coffee and people-watching, take the DLR to Docklands or Greenwich, or sit on the top deck of a bus and appreciate the architecture above the plate glass shop fronts.

You can stroll the Southbank from London Bridge or Borough Market to Westminster Bridge in less than an hour, walking past the Globe Theatre, Tate Modern, the National Theatre, the Royal Festival Hall and the London Eye.

If you're in Baker Street; walk down Marylebone High Street; one of my favorite places in London. Pop into Daunt Books, have a look at the food shops in the side streets, or the Farmer's Market when there on a Sunday morning.

As has been mentioned; the Wallace Collection - have tea in the courtyard cafe.

For affordable tickets to a show try the half price ticket booth at Leicester Square; easier for a weekday or a matinee.

I don't know how old your daughter is. She might enjoy Portobello Road on a Friday or Saturday (go early if you want to go on Saturday; 9 am or so. It gets very crowded). Or Topshop on Oxford Circus if she's a teenager.

Kosvie, I'm sure you'll find yourself on Regent Street at some point. It is one of London's main thoroughfares and was considered pretty elegant in the past. I think it still is!

I would check out one or two "London Walks". They give you a peek into things you might otherwise not think about.

Also, check out the Dicken's Museum, in one of his old homes.

We just came back on Friday from London. It was our second trip. If you enjoy art then check out the Tate Modern Museum. I also highly recommend The British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum for a mix of history and art.

The Borough Market is wonderful to visit and you can always find a good lunch there.

We strolled along the Thames and explored the streets of shops.

<First, wrap your brain around that fact that London is a very busy city and very, very crowded. I think this surprised me a bit. >

Sorry I have to ask but how, in planning to visit the largest city (by a mile) in Western Europe, does it not occur that it might be bit busy?

One of my least favourite areas of London is regents street and Oxford street...packed to the gills with people and the same store you see everywhere. I avoid these areas at all costs!

My favourite areas are around London bridge and Greenwich. Less tourists, better pubs, and I find a nicer atmosphere. The area around St. Paul's, Farringdon, spitalfields are also favourites of mine!

If you have to visit Oxford Street do it on the top deck of a bus. You won't have to fight the crowds, and you will get to see the upper stories of the buildings, much the best parts, up close. But take a book just in case, it is a very slow ride.

Note that the Christmas lights will go on at 5pm, Tuesday 12th November - will you be there then? If so, see: http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/whatson/...vent-4216.html

Talking about seasonal things, looks like the ice rink at the Natural History Museum will already be open, the one at Somerset House opens 14 November. The Lord Mayor's show is 9th November: http://www.lordmayorsshow.org/

I think my very favorite is Westminster Abbey, and it is right there with the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the Westminster Bridge over the Thames, so you get a lot of iconic sights all at once. The Churchill War Rooms are there, too, just below ground.

For a less expensive afternoon tea than the big hotels, try Tea for Two at a Richoux tearoom, something that my daughter and I really enjoy. It's served on a tiered plate with an assortment of little sandwiches, scones, fruitcake, and a choice of whatever goodie you prefer from their glass dessert case, plus a pot of tea each.

Since you say you like books, try to work in a brief visit to the British Library to see the Special Documents room. Even the benches in the lobby are shaped like open books.

Depending on how old DD is, she might love doing a brass rubbing in the crypt at St. Martin in the Fields. It's a little pricy, but you end up with a wonderful, hand-made souvenir and you get to sit and have a cup of coffee while she is doing it.

Go to the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for discounted theater tickets. http://www.tkts.co.uk/

Here is a link to my 2007 trip report. The first couple of days might give you some ideas for London: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...b-may-2007.cfm

Lee Ann

kovsie:

If you love music, check out what's going on at Royal Albert Hall, English National Opera and Southbank Center. There are usually tickets available and if enjoy opera, you can sometimes even get half price tickets for ENO at Leicester Square. Also stop in at one of the free lunchtime concerts at St. Martin in the Fields, perhaps the same day you visit the National Gallery. Lunch in St. Martin's crypt is also a hoot.

While wandering around Piccadilly, stop in the garden at St. James Piccadilly. It's a wonderful spot. The Christopher Wren church is interesting, too. and in the vestibule they'll be selling great Christmas cards to support a variety of charities. Continue down Piccadilly and admire the windows at Fortnum and Mason even if you don't want to buy a single tea bag to take home. Hatchard's book store is also on Piccadilly and the windows can turn anyone into a bibliophile.

Covent Garden Market isn't as interesting as it used to be, but St. Paul's, the actor's church at the edge of the market is a wonderful history of British theater and the London Transport Museum is a fun short stop. Depending on the weather, the area may or may not be overflowing with street performers.

And since you will be in Baker Street, don't necessarily turn your nose up at the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Yes, it is commercial. Maybe it's a tourist trap. But it is well done for what it is, a heck of a lot cheaper than Madame Toussaud's, and sells a really neat potholder in its gift shop.

London is so full of wonderful things to see and do that it is hard to choose a favorite. Easy to choose lots of favorites. Mine are the vergers tour of Westminister Abbey, the Tower and the crown jewels, the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert, the National Portrait Gallery, afternoon tea, the theatre and Kew Gardens (although not at this time of year).

Eight nights gives you a wonderful opportunity to visit so many things. Enjoy every minute.

DD is 20 going on 21. I just love all your suggestions - I think this is a wonderful resource for anybody planning a trip to London. For 4 of the 8 days I will attend a conference at London University - so exploring the city will happen in-between and after hours. Still 11 days to go (not that I am counting or anything ...). OOO I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS!

kovsie--about walking along the river--well, it could be a 15 minute quick march in conjunction with nearby sites, or you could spend a long time walking around in the Westminster Bridge-to-the-Eye area OR Tower Bridge-to-the-Globe/Millennium Bridge or several other places, on both banks. So it's really impossible to say how long.

Not sure if anyone said these things above--too lazy to read it word for word:

1.Plan only 1-2 major things per day, grouped by location, and have a list of possibilities to do nearby if you have time. Early-Dusk-fall and late-sun-up MIGHT be a factor for you?

2.Plan to spend LOTS of time in transport or walking--it is a huge city with sites spread far apart, so you have to factor in time between.

3.I'd double check opening times when you plan what to see which day of the week.

4.Have you used googlemaps to see how far things are apart/possible routes/time walking? Another site is walkit.com and use the London page. Also if you plan to use the Tube (and I don't know how you can't--it's practical and practically necessary) you might look at the TfL (Transport for London) site too. I know you have few days before leaving, but if you have time....

and I'm with you about the "less crowds" and different stuff, BUT for a first visit, there are some things that are just not to be missed even if packed (like the British Museum and Westminster Abbey might be). Just go early, at opening, to such places, and just enjoy anyway!

Have a wonderful time and let us know how it went. My first of 5 trips to London I stayed near Baker Street and found the area quite convenient.

You all have given great ideas. Thank you! Anu suggestions on where to have an afternoon tea mamcalice?

Have afternoon tea at the Wallace Collection, it's not far from Baker Street. It's a free museum, just walk in. The courtyard is lovely.