OK will do

If you like the idea of afternoon tea, you could check out this website, fabulous photos of food and beautiful dining rooms and prices too -

http://www.afternoontea.co.uk/

We had a great tea at The Ritz, it was a gift from friends. Very pricey but really special. The room (and ladies room) were gorgeous. You usually have to book weeks or months ahead but you might get a cancellation if you are interested.

Kay

Some of the best places to visit in London are Pleasure land Amusement Park, Edinburgh Castle, Newcastle Upon Tyne and Wax Museum.

@Melissa - That has to win the prize for this week's silliest post. Three of those aren't even in London, and the wax museum is one of the biggest wastes of money IN London. If that post is supposed to drive traffic to the website advertized in your profile, don't count on it.

Go and have a proper lunch at Wiltons.

I'm so excited for you, and although you've got lots of good advice already, I have to add mine. I used to live outside London and go in for day trips -- it's my favorite city.

When you're planning, I suggest you clump things together that are nearby -- i.e. the National Portrait Gallery, which is in the same block as the wonderful National Gallery of Art, and across the road from St. Martin's in the Fields. All are on Trafalgar Square. From there you can walk south a few "blocks" to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, or north to Covent Garden, or in another direction to Regent Street for shopping or Picadilly.

If you like bookstores don't miss the very old and elegant Hatchards on Picadilly, and then go next door to Fortnum and Mason's for tea! So many characters in novels have had tea at Fortnum and Mason's -- and the food specialties shopping on the main floor is a great experience.

The Tower is worth it, but far away from the West End; it's a destination of its own. I agree with the poster who recommended wandering the City on the weekend (a thousand years of commerce, St. Paul's, Mary Poppins...) There's a wonderful restaurant in the crypt at St. Paul's.

Have a wonderful time!

Harrods, Borough market.

Borough Market is somewhere I would also recommend - Saturday morning/lunchtime is the best time to visit, although this is also the most crowded time (and it can get very crowded). Lots of interesting foods on sale and if you're thinking of visiting the Tower of London, it's right across the river. Also a great place to start (or end) a walk along the Southbank - I would suggest that Westminster Bridge to Southwark Cathedral (right by the market) is a great walk as it takes in the Tate Modern (free entry), the Millennium Bridge which you can walk across to see St. Paul's, the Globe Theatre, the London Eye and various street performer areas. We have spent many a Saturday on the Southbank and one thing it never is, is boring!

A few things I didn't notice anyone suggesting:
If you are interested in history, The Churchill War Rooma and the Imperial War Museum
For art: National Gallery -- a place to get drunk on the art,
Victoria and Albert - "stuff" of all kinds, to see the beauty in all kinds of objects
For experiences: Tower of London, not to be missed even when crowded (Queen Victoria's crown!!)
And London itself -- walk the streets whereever you can, walk over the Millenium bridge, take a walking tour, hang out in Trafalgar sq just people watching, same in Leister Sq (where the 1/2 price tickets booth is), Kew Gardens.
There is so much to see and do in London that you can't go wrong. Don't pay attention to "must see" places, follow your fancy and your feet and get a feel for the city. It is amazing. It is my number one favorite place for vacation.

Sussexred, I don't think you read all the posts. The National Gallery was mentioned in the 3rd post and several posters mentioned the Tower of London.

1 tower of london
2 Buckingham palace
3 Trafaglar square
4 Westminster abbey

This is SO GREAT. At the risk of starting to bore you, I just want to say again: thank you and thank you. I am leaving in 5 days. What I will do now is to compile a list of 9 'days', focusing on your recommendations, and my gut feel of what will work for me. Some days will be short, since I have to combine it with work and conferencing. Some of your repeat recommendations (Tower of London, Westminster Abby , Trafalgar Square and especially Borough Market) will be high on the list. Some that sound just like 'me' (a walk along the Thames; a park; Jazz in St Martin's in the Fields) will be included - depending on the weather. An afternoon tea ... mmmm. The British Library with the original Jane Austen - I am getting all emotional to think that I can really see it. Too many wonderful suggestions, too little time. Van Gog's Sunflowers - a special treat. Also at least one show in theatre. I can spend double the time and not feel a minute is wasted. How do people 'do' London or any other great city in 3 days? I hereby solemnly promise to write a trip report .

Hi, a couple of quick things. You need to book ahead for the jazz at St Martins in the Fields. You could get tickets sent to your hotel.

Also not sure if this has been mentioned but there is a Half Price Tix booth in Leicester Square that sells tickets for that night. There is always a queue but it moves quickly. You can also go to the box office at the individual theatres if the show you want is not being sold half price.

http://www.tkts.co.uk/

Have a wonderful time.
Kay

Ha! You do three days now and three days next year and a couple of weeks a couple of other years, and then you just keep going back, of course! "Those who are tired of London are tired of life," you know.

Speaking of Thomas Carlyle, a tour of 24 Cheyne Row (Carlye's House), followed by a tour of the Chelsea Physic Garden (and definitely take the tour) and a duck into Daunt Books (on Fulham Rd) down in Chelsea would be a wonderful day. Carlyle House was one of the highlights of my September trip.
Have fun!

Another vote, given the OP's interests, for the Museum of London (you might like to order tickets in advance for the special exhibition on the Cheapside Hoard, which is really impressive), the British Library and its Treasures exhibition (and its bookshop) - and the Lord Mayor's Show:
http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/
http://www.bl.uk/
http://www.lordmayorsshow.org/

Pardon my butting in, Kovsie, but to those who suggested Borough Market would this be a consideration for a winter visit? We go in January. I'm about to check their website to see if it's partly indoors...

It's mostly under cover, but not indoors.

We enjoyed Churchill's War Rooms. The Tower of London is very interesting. Take the tour. We like to stay at the Rueben's Hotel or the St. James.

I also recommend Chelsea Physic Gardens - followed by a walk around Chelsea !
And if you fancy something different, maybe there is something at Wilton's Music Hall you like - it is not far from the Tower of London ( you can walk it)