Dem
51
Ties
3
GOP
46
Here is the question we put before readers many weeks ago:
T.B. in Waterloo, IA, asks: I'm turning 50 in September and to celebrate, a friend of mine and I are going to London for a week. (She turns 75 the same day I turn 50.) This is a lifelong dream of mine, as going to London has been #1 on my bucket list for the last 30+ years. To say that I'm excited is an understatement. I was wondering if any of your readers have suggestions for sites to see, or restaurants to visit (perhaps with favorite dishes to try)?
This has been spread over quite a few weeks, so here are the other three entries, all in one place:
And here is one last round of the answers we got in response:
T.V.P. in Portland, OR: There have been so many excellent suggestions of places to visit in London, but there is one most unusual and interesting place that has not yet been mentioned: The Dennis Severs' House, located at 18 Folgate Street in the Spitalfields area of London. In 1967, a young gay American artist went to London, bought a derelict 1724 townhouse, and spent his life restoring it and buying "antiques" at thrift shops to fill the various rooms with a historical setting—each room representing a different time period of a family who lived there. Severs thus created a mythic history, spanning several generations of a family who lived in the house. At some point Severs started giving tours of the house—think performance art, theater, museum of artifacts. You can learn about the family who lived in the house by going on one of the Dennis Severs' tours (now done by an actor who basically gives a 1½ hour brilliant monologue to an audience of 8 people who go through the house from room to room) or you can arrange a visit to go on your own through the house. You have to get tickets on the website ahead of time. I'd strongly recommend going on the evening guided tour—it's a great theater performance as well as a spellbinding history lesson.
N.M. in New York City, NY: One stop really worth seeking out is Ye Old Mitre. It's an East End pub with big history, yet not often on the radar of tour guides. (A local couple took a few of the group I was with on a pub crawl, I was a passenger in the car so I can't say where it is but it turns out the pub now has an online presence). Legend (as we were told) has it was Henry VIII's main hangout, and given it was established in 1546, there's probably some truth to it. Have a great trip!
S.D. in York, England, UK: The National Covid Memorial Wall is one of London's most deeply reflective sites. Running along the Thames opposite Parliament, it is made up of thousands of hand-painted hearts, each one standing for a life lost during the pandemic. It is not a conventional tourist stop. It is quiet and sad.
For those who cannot find the time to visit in person, the online version is also very powerful. "Walk the Wall" lets you scroll along the memorial and hear stories from loved ones. It gives a sense of the scale of loss, and also provides amazing stories of individual lives lost.
Visiting in person is very moving. I first came across the Wall while I was in "The Queue," the long public line to pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II as she lay in state in Westminster Hall. The route passed alongside this memorial, and the contrast stayed with me. Two national moments of mourning, side by side.
O.R. in Milan, Italy: I always make a point of visiting cemeteries in all places I travel to. They are as enlightening of the local culture as watching ad breaks on local TV stations: Both provide an interesting glimpse into the society, being made by and for the locals. Wild, unkempt English cemeteries, especially those around ancient small churches in the middle of nowhere (like in the villages in the green belt around London) that are on nobody's must-visit list, emanate a peculiar English atmosphere that can be magic, especially in late afternoon.
Equally fascinating and instructive is a trip to a grocery store/supermarket to get a feel for what we have in common and what is different (also in terms of prices). To give you an idea of what I mean, when visiting the northeast of the U.S., I noticed that:
- Eggs were refrigerated in US stores; not over here.
- Fruit was sold in small quantities, even by the piece, and it was relatively expensive; over here fruit is sold by the kilo.
- Meat, on the other hand, comes in small, one-portion quantities here, as opposed to the huge packs I saw in the U.S. that would feed a whole family of four for an entire week, and for much less than over here.
- Plain whole milk without additives was impossible to be had stateside; there was always vitamins and other additives listed on the label. To me that milk tasted as if perfume had been spilled into the container.
I am not throwing shade, just noticing different perceptions/attitudes towards food that reflect the local economy. I am sure T.B. and their friend may be equally intrigued when visiting grocery stores in London.
My favorite museum in London is the Natural History Museum. It has a restaurant inside, so no need to leave the premises to get a bite to eat. On my very first visit there, although I had been warned by my friend who was from London, I foolishly chose the sausages because they looked like bratwurst. Unfortunately they turned out to be nothing like them, but a huge, lukewarm and tasteless disappointment reminiscent of papier-mâché. Since that first mistake, I now religiously stick to coffee/tea and cakes when there.
P.R. in Arvada, CO: Things to see and do in London? Normally, this would be the easiest list ever. However, I have no idea what your interests are. With that in mind and knowing that you will be there with a 75-year-old lady, I will cut it down a bit and give a little general advice.
To start with, you will be walking a lot more than you think you will. There is no avoiding it, so be careful. Secondly, while the reports of crime are greatly exaggerated, they are based on the truth. Last time I was there, I saw someone riding a bike along Oxford Street grab a phone out of someone's had and off they went. So, be mindful of your surroundings and what you are doing. You don't need to go to any great lengths to protect yourself, just be harder to steal from than others. Don't stand in the middle of the street with your phone out looking at the maps of yelp or whatever. Stand to the side and have the other person stand in a way that blocks easy access to it. That way you can both get lost in the phone, but you aren't an easy mark. Don't carry your phone or wallet in your back pocket (if you are a guy). Put it in your front pocket. Just a little harder to get, but there are plenty of easier targets.
That said, London is a safe city, I lived there for 8 years and had absolutely no problems. You also don't need cash. I don't know why, but this is something people ask us all the time. Doesn't matter if they are coming to the U.S. or to the U.K., people always think they need cash. You don't, and it is generally easier to not bother.
Now, on Day 1, I always suggest people do the open top bus tour. Don't get off everywhere, just ride it round and enjoy the tour. It is a great way to get your bearings, hear some history, relax, and enjoy yourself. It is also great for letting you change your itinerary if you need to. It is also good to see some things that you then don't need to walk to: Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, Horse guards parade etc. They are really neat to see, but it is quite a trek to see them. The bus tour will satisfy your curiosity.
Covent Garden is an easy place to get to and really nice to walk around and there is a great place to get a curry there. Paro, by the Lyceum Theatre, was really good.
I don't really care what anyone says, but coming from Scotland, the fish and chips in England are generally disappointing, and London is really not good. Rock and Sole Plaice is probably one of the best in London, though.
If you go to the British Museum, go left when you go in. I went right the first time I went, and unless you are really into your beads and pots, turning left is the best way to start. There aren't many museums where you will have time to see it all so have a plan, otherwise you run the risk of missing what really interests you. Remember what I said about walking more than you think? These museums are enormous.
Battersea Power Station is a fun place to go. It is a little out of the way, but cocktails in Control Room B (reservations are strongly recommended) and lunch at El Pastor is something you will not forget in a hurry.
Canterbury Cathedral, Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey and Hampton Court are some of my favorite places to visit. Aside from Westminster Abbey, they are all day trips and lots of walking. Unless you want to also visit Bath, Stonehenge is a bunch of rocks in a field and not worth it on a first trip.
For your first trip on the underground, go about 9-9:30 a.m. so you are after the rush and go to the ticket window. They will give you the best option for tickets and if you get really lucky you will also get the guy with the Dick Van Dyke accent that my wife and I still laugh about.
Evening walking tours. The guides are phenomenal. Either a ghost tour or the obligatory Jack The Ripper tour are both worthwhile. Give yourself time to get to the meeting point. It will probably take longer than you expected.
Far too much to recommend here. Just wait until you realize you missed out on Scotland. I have the best guide for that trip.
D.R. in London, England, UK: I have lived and worked in London for over 30 years. There is so much to see in London that even after three decades, I am constantly discovering new things and places to explore. I thought I would make a few suggestions, which may appeal to Electoral-Vote.com readers, not all of which may feature on the usual tourist itinerary.
If history is your thing, then a tour of Parliament (the Palace of Westminster) is definitely to be recommended. The oldest part of the complex is Westminster Hall, which was built in 1097 and has a spectacular timber roof dating from the late 14th century. It is where King Charles I was tried and condemned to death and where, more recently, the lying-in-state of Queen Elizabeth II happened. The rest of the building is a 19th-century confection, built following a disastrous fire which destroyed its medieval predecessor. However, the interiors are spectacular and the tour, which takes you through the chambers of the House of Commons and House of Lords, gives a sense of how parliamentary democracy evolved to stand up to, and limit the powers of, all-powerful monarchs intent on getting their own way. Westminster Abbey, next door, is also worth a visit if you are interested in royal history.
An area of London that is definitely worth exploring, though off the usual tourist trail, is the area that is often called "Legal London." Stretching between Temple Tube Station and Chancery Lane Tube Station is a collection of courtyards, buildings and gardens known as "the Inns of Court." This has been the center of the English legal profession since the 14th century, and is still where many barristers (trial lawyers) are based. There are four Inns—Lincoln's Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple and Gray's Inn—and between them they have a wealth of historic and interesting buildings; including the 12th Century Temple Church (seen in The Da Vinci Code) and Middle Temple Hall, where Shakespeare's Twelfth Night was first performed. The Inns' courtyards and gardens are open for the public to wander round Monday to Friday. Access to buildings is more restricted, but tours are available. Other things to take in, in this area, include Dr. Johnson's House and Sir John Soane's Museum.
The "City of London"—the area formerly bounded by the medieval city walls and where St Paul's Cathedral is located—is now the main financial district and full of modern tall buildings. However, its streets still follow the plan of the old medieval city, and hiding among the modern office blocks are 50 or so churches, half of which were built by Sir Christopher Wren in the 17th Century following the Great Fire of London. If you like a journey of discovery, then wandering through the City and stumbling on a medieval church or the Bank of England alongside a modern skyscraper can be a fun way to spend an hour or two.
London is often best seen from the River Thames. The best view in town is free and can be seen from the middle of Waterloo Bridge. It is set on a curve in the river and the view stretches from Westminster all the way downstream to Tower Bridge. A boat trip along the Thames, either on a tour boat or on one of the public transport Thames Clipper services, is a good way to get a different perspective on London; as is a walk along the riverside path from Tower Bridge back towards the West End. If you can cope with heights, climbing to the top of St Paul's Cathedral will give great views. Or, if climbing its 528 steps is not your thing, you could try the London Eye or the viewing gallery of The Shard.
Outside the central district, Greenwich is definitely worth visiting (as other readers have suggested), as are Hampton Court Palace (haunt of King Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey) and Kew Gardens.
It's a great city—enjoy your visit!
N.P. in London, England, UK: The introductory walk to London I always recommend to all out-of-town visitors unfamiliar with London is to walk along the south bank of the River Thames, starting at Westminster Bridge and finishing at Tower Bridge. It's about 2½ miles, and it takes in a variety of iconic London sights, including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the Golden Hind replica, Borough Market, and the Tower of London (plus many more). As well as the sights, you pass street entertainers, fairground rides, buskers, second-hand bookstalls, and the general panoply of London life. And best of all, given how expensive London is as a city, it's completely free.
R.P.E.H. in London, England, UK: This might not be of interest to T.B. in Waterloo and their friend, but if you're compiling a de facto custom travel guide to London, then may I recommend the established walking routes around the capital? This page lists them all, but I feel I should shill for the South East's Green Chain Walk, given that I practically live on it.
Highlights include Eltham Palace, which mixes buildings going back to the 1300s with art deco sections from the 1930s; an 18th century Gothic folly called Severndroog Castle; The Horniman Museum; and loads of parks in which you can take a break.
All the walks are marked, either with signposts or floor plaques, plus there's an app to help you find your way. The Jubilee Walkway takes in most of the obvious tourist spots if you want the classics.
M.J.S. in Gig Harbor, WA : London is probably my favorite city in the world and I have been there a number of times. Definitely see the "big ticket" items if you've never been there. But here are a few recommendations that may be a little off the radar...
My family's favorite museum is the London Transport Museum. You learn the history of public transit in London, especially the Tube. It's fun for kids and they have a great gift shop. The museum also offers "Hidden London" tours of old Tube stations.
The Tate Modern and National Gallery are great art museums, but the Courtauld Gallery is a hidden gem. It's not very big, so it's not overwhelming and there are some pretty famous paintings there and works from many of the all-time greats.
My wife and son took a mudlarking tour recently and loved it. You go with a guide to the foreshore of the Thames at low tide and look for artifacts. You can't keep anything but the number of pottery pieces, clay pipes, cow bones, etc.,that they found was fascinating. If you're really lucky you might find something from Roman times.
I think London is an amazing food city. My favorite place is Dishoom. It's an Indian cafe and, while it has a reputation among locals as being more trendy than authentic, I think the food is delicious. I especially love that you can go for breakfast and get a bacon naan roll, kejriwal and bottomless chai.
I also think everyone should experience afternoon tea at some point. I prefer Fortnum and Mason (which is also just a fun shop to explore if you are into coffee, tea, biscuits, and more). If you don't want all that the traditional afternoon tea includes (sandwiches, cakes, scones), I recommend going to The Wolseley for their cream tea. You get some scones, jam, clotted cream and tea, which is all you really need, and the dining room is beautiful.
T.K. in Half Moon Bay, St. Kitts: If you're a Beatles fan, the Abbey Road crossing is worth a quick stop. This is where the cover photo from the Abbey Road album was shot, outside the actual Abbey Road studios in St. John's Wood. Everyone who goes there has someone snap their photo as they cross, hoping to recreate the famous cover. Just be quick and keep your eyes peeled—it can be a busy street, and you won't make friends by holding up traffic.
On a somewhat related note, if you like record shops, check out the enormous HMV store on Oxford Street. You can spend hours thumbing through the vinyl and CDs. Find the bin for a favorite artist, and you're likely to stumble across a release you didn't know was out there.
Have a great trip!
J.Y-M. in Los Angeles, CA: A few years ago, my wife decided, on a whim, to visit Lord's Cricket Ground, the most famous cricket stadium in the world. She had a wonderful time meeting enthusiastic fans from all over the globe. She knew nothing about cricket, so she learned a lot, but what really stayed with her was how dumbstruck and delighted the guide was that an American was on the tour. She got the royal treatment! As a bonus, Lord's Cricket Ground isn't far from Abbey Road Studios and the part of London known as Little Venice, where a walk along the canals makes for a peaceful break from the city bustle.
J.K.H. in Richmond, VA: Many readers provided all kinds of interesting things to see and do in London, but let me add a twist. If you are there for a week, take one day and get out of London. Why not... to Oxford? It's only an hour by train, and has beautiful architecture, powerful history, and The White Horse, the U.K.'s best pub, where Inspector Morse drank a pint every now and then (and which served the best cider I ever tasted).
D.R. in Davis, CA: I am a London gal who now lives in California with my (Californian) husband. I still have my mom there, and friends, so I go back regularly.
My husband introduced me to your site a few years ago, before we were married, and since I've lived here (5 years now!) it has become my daily read while I drink my morning tea... channelling both my old country and my new one!
Here are my suggestions for anyone visiting that great city called London:
Walking Tours: London Walks is my tip for a walk. They operate every day except Christmas Day (whatever the weather!), and you don't need to book in advance. You meet and return to the same spot, usually at or near a Tube (underground) or rail station, and there are walks in the morning, afternoon and evening. I have been on a ghost walk, a Jack the Ripper walk, a walk around the area of the Houses of Parliament, and a "Beatles in London" walk. The Beatles Walk takes you to the place where John met Yoko, Abbey Road studios (where they walked across the zebra crossing for the cover of the album) and Paul's London office. When I did this walk, our guide said that he has met Paul several times when guiding people, and Paul is always friendly to the people on the tour; I didn't see him though! Many of the guides are actors, so they are very entertaining, as well as being knowledgeable. Some of them dress up..... Oscar Wilde and Sherlock Holmes come to mind! Each one is around two hours, with stops along the way for photo ops, and generally they are not too strenuous. I advise sensible shoes/sneakers, though; London has some cobbled streets which can be hard on the feet.
Historic Sites: Hampton Court Palace. This was Henry VIII's palace. Apart from the palace itself, take time to walk around the gardens, one section of which is laid out exactly as King Henry would recognize it. There is a tennis court and a maze, and the site is on the River Thames. They have a café where you can get lunch, and there are also a couple of pubs nearby that serve food (as well as drink!). From central London, take an overground train from Waterloo to Hampton Court (a journey of about 45 minutes), and it's a few minutes' walk from the station. You can also get a boat from Richmond or Kingston if you prefer. My friend's son, a guy called Alex Cannings, works there and he knows everything about the place; all the furniture, all the artworks, and all about the various kings and queens that lived there. He's very happy to talk about them, and so are all the other guides, some of whom dress up in Tudor costumes and guide tourists around.
Afternoon Tea: I was brought up on tea, of course, not coffee! The price range is vast for this, but if you want to really do it in style, The Ritz Hotel will fit the bill. You will need to book it in advance, and you must dress smartly—no trainers/sneakers, men to wear a collar and tie, no denim, etc. It's wickedly expensive at £95 per adult ($128) but hey, you're on vacation!
Tennis: If you like tennis, you can visit the Wimbledon Tennis Museum for a tour. Wimbledon is accessible by train from Waterloo (20 minute journey) and then a bus, and also by Tube on the District Line. There are shops in the town center, and plenty of places to eat and drink. There is also a theater there.
And for loads of free things to do, see this list.A few things to be aware of...
London is a pretty safe place, but it's a big city, so like all cities, you should always be careful when visiting.
Keep your bags, purses, etc., closed when you are in crowds and/or on the underground (the Tube). Groups of pickpockets are operational there; a common thing they do is work together in twos or threes. One of them will distract or jostle you, while the other one takes your valuables. If there's a third person, they will then take your stuff and leave the scene, so if you do challenge the ones you see, the valuables are not to be found. Pickpockets especially look for people who look like tourists, but making sure you have a zippered bag or purse (I always carry a cross-body bag) may deter them. If you have a backpack, carry it in front of you on the underground. The trains are always busy, and you may not notice someone behind you who's searching through your bag.
Be prepared for all weathers and temperatures. London can have rain at any time of year, and you can get rain and sun on the same day. The Tube is hot in summer, so dress in layers that you can remove when needed, and carry some drinking water with you.
If you plan to use public transportation, remember that trains, tubes and buses do not take cash on board, so you will need to use a credit card. The ticket prices are capped, so you only pay up to a maximum amount each day no matter how many journeys you make in that day. Go to tfl.gov.uk for train, bus and tube maps, and to see prices. They have an app, too, on which you can pre-pay for a week or a month, useful if you are staying a while.
The number to call for emergency services (fire, police or ambulance) is 999, or for non-urgent assistance, 101. If you need health care or advice, this site is a good source of information. The National Health Service (NHS) is the U.K.'s universal health service, and if you need emergency treatment due to an accident or sudden illness, it is generally free of charge to visitors. Medicines will be chargeable, of course, and so will any treatment requiring a stay in hospital or additional services, so please ensure your health provider will cover any costs, or get travel insurance before you go.
Many tourists get approached by people asking if they need a cab, and offering to take them to one. Decline politely; they are not licensed to do this, and are therefore not registered with local authorities. They may charge you more than a regular cab, and could be scammers who then rob you. You can use Uber in the U.K. if you have the app. Black London cabs are regulated, and you can put your hand out and hail them in the street; if the orange Taxi sign on the front of the cab is lit, they are available for hire and will stop and pick you up. Other cab companies need to be booked via an app or by telephone; they are not allowed to pick up passengers who hail them.
If you take one of those rickshaw bicycle things, ask the price before you get in; they charge according to where you want to go but also who the passengers are, meaning tourists can get ripped off.In spite of my caveats, I hope you enjoy your trip!
D.E. in West Yorkshire, England, UK: I lived, studied and worked there from 1965 to 1972. Loved it, learned to drive in the center, not the suburbs! Lived in four locations from Bloomsbury to Barnet and London south of the river remained a mystery to me: you might want to plan a second visit. Do include time to sit quietly watching and listening to the people; don't just see the sights. Think about how you want to arrive and how you might depart. Last time I visited I took a fast and comfortable train from York to King's Cross and there are other journeys like that where you have time to study the landscape as you arrive. A wonderful departure could be on the train from St Pancras to Brussels. Going back as an easily bewildered old geezer, I now find it a bit too much. Best wishes.
G.W. in London, England, UK: At last, your reader, T.B. in Waterloo, has stumbled upon my specialist topic: where to eat in London.
London is one of the greatest cities on earth for eating out, almost unparalleled in its diversity (London, New York... after that, nothing else comes close, not even Singapore, really). Other cities (Paris, Tokyo) may have more restaurants—and more stars—some at the absolute pinnacle, but they all still have their roots in an essential monoculturalism.
By contrast, some time back in the early 1990s, London took a long, hard look in the mirror and said to itself, "You know what, we're really crap at cooking; why don't we invite the rest of the world over and invite them to have a go for us?" And it's worked out really well. The vibrancy of the scene raises everybody's game to the point where even British cooking is no longer the butt of musical hall jokes (try Clove Club, Simpsons in the Strand, St John, Quality Chop House, Teal... or just the legendary Regency Cafe for a Full English Breakfast).
Putting my mouth where my money is, I've had a fair go at eating my way round the city, from the Michelin-starred (at the last count I'd clocked up 66 of the 120-odd that had held between 1 and 3 Michelin stars in the last 5 years) to the quirky gems that make London so brilliant, such as Pakhtoonkhwa in Green St, east London—an Afghan place that gives you the choice of a table or sitting on a carpet on the floor (the lamb dishes are what to go for). Like anywhere, you can part with a frightening amount of money for mediocrity, and there are plenty of tourist traps (e.g., the infamous Aberdeen Steakhouses). But like some culinary canary, I've been there first, so you don't have to. You can thank me later.
I get asked the question "Where should I go to eat in London?" quite a lot. So, in case it is of interest, I include my short guide (pdf) to some current favorites. Just to highlight a few, in list form:
Michelin-starred: Row on 5, Humble Chicken, Trinity
Spanish: Sabor, Lurra (for Txuletón - Basque steak)
Chinese: Chili Cool (for hotpot), Hunan
French:, Casse Croute, Elystan St
Thai: Anglo Thai, Supawan, Kiln
Indian: New Tayyabs, Trishna (because you wont be able to book Gymkhana!)
Sushi: Kikuchi
Middle Eastern: Imad's Syrian Kitchen
Best for Wine: Noble Rot (Mayfair, Soho, or Lamb's Conduit St)And if you can have only one cocktail, treat yourself by reserving a table at the Connaught (you want the small bar at the back, not the one at the front) and order a Connaught Martini from their Martini trolley.
Out of this lot, if it was a combination of very significant birthdays and money was no object, I would do dinner at Row on 5. For one amazing dish... the Pig Cheek Vindaloo at Gymkhana, the tortilla at Sabor, or "My Dad's Beef Curry" at Supawan.
P.A. in Redwood City, CA: I've been to London several times, and done many things there, but the one experience I remember most of all is taking a nighttime walk along the Thames and the Embankment. Crossing the Golden Jubilee pedestrian bridge at night is truly magical. This is a small thing, and it doesn't take a long time, but it is well worth making the time for.
J.M. in New York City, NY: Step right up, get 'em while they lasts: the markets! Two London markets that have been offering meats, produce and wares right off the boats and wagons since medieval times likely won't be around much longer, because "development": Billingsgate (Fish) Market, by Canary Wharf, and the Smithfield (Meat) Market, steps from St Paul's Cathedral, seem worthy of a nosing-around. Neither is in its original building, but the Smithfield mart in particular is embedded in the heart of London.
While you're at it, stroll doughty Old Spitalfields Market, the gorgeous stately arcade of Leadenhall Market, and the bustling open-air Petticoat Lane Market—"They would steal your petticoat at one end of the market and sell it back to you at the other." There are helpful articles on each at Wikipedia. Keep Calm and Carry On Shopping.
A.Z. in Waynesville, NC: Rick Steves Audio Tours are 100% free with no popup ads or other junk. If you want the cheapest, high quality way to get a fantastic overview this is it. I find these walking tours to be largely better than the ones you pay for and go in groups. You can download the entire tour on your hotel wifi so you don't have to pay cell charges while you are walking (recommended).
J.C. in Lexington, KY: Go see a show—any show—at Royal Albert Hall.
D.B. in Loanhead, Scotland, UK: Wander; there are many famous sights and you will have heard of them, but allocate one day of your visit to wander randomly through the streets and parks of London. You'll have interesting finds: a quiet green spot, a monument, a museum, a canal, that will be your particular London.
And give Edinburgh a visit, too!
S.S. in San Francisco, CA: My first trip to London was in 1969, made many trips with my husband until his passing last year. Here are some of the things we enjoyed:
A visit to the Royal Opera House. If you are going early in September, the opera Don Giovanni is one of Mozart's best... book an intermission smoked salmon and champagne
Take a boat ride to Hampton Court Palace (to prepare, see any movie or TV series about Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell).
Tour the Tower of London AND Westminster Abbey (try to attend Vespers at the Abbey).
Go to the Tate Museum to see the Turners.
Spend an afternoon walking up Piccadilly, visit the bookstore Hatchards, and have tea at Fortnum & Mason. St. James church has lunchtime concerts several times during the week. Many churches have concerts, check also the schedule at St. Martins In The Fields.
If your trip is the beginning of September, the Proms concerts at Royal Albert Hall are still on. The final concert there is one of the hottest tickets in the world. Maybe you can catch it on TV.
Go to the theater and afterwards have a late dinner at Langan's, off Piccadilly. The roast duck is a favorite, also the best broiled calf's liver and onions ever.
Go to Lord's Cricket Ground for a match.
If you liked Rumpole of the Bailey, tour the Inns of Court.
Selfridges Foodhall. (skip Harrods; it is no longer what it was... and the Diana and Dodi Memorial is gone...)
A chamber music concert at Wigmore Hall.No matter how little or how much you do, it will be a splendid trip. Enjoy it!!
S.G. in Newark, NJ: I'm not an epidemiologist, but I am something of an epidemiology nerd, so I will recommend a place I've never been but will visit next time: the John Snow Pub. It is at the site of the Broad Street Pump, to which John Snow traced the 1854 cholera epidemic, more or less inventing epidemiology in the process.
Some years ago I read an interview in an in-flight magazine (remember those?) with an American actress, presumably Brittany Snow, who is descended from John Snow. She was delighted to have discovered a pub in London named after her ancestor, but clearly had no idea why the pub was so named or why it was located where it was.
D.B. in Keedysville, MD: Well, thank goodness for anther week's input on suggested activities across the pond for T.B. in Waterloo. I haven't been for some 26 years, so I'm happy others have covered the places and things to do, but I absolutely must not fail to say: T.B., you simply can't say you've been at all unless you've had clotted cream with your scones. You'll be positively gobsmacked!
Here is the question for next week:
C.S. in Tucson, AZ, asks: If Donald Trump wants to rename Lake Ontario, what should Canada rename? And to what?
Submit your answers to comments@electoral-vote.com, preferably with subject line "U.S., Eh"!