bank holiday recommended activities

My experience is that just about everything is open and extra busy. You may notice more people out and about, especially at big museums. There's very often a queue to get into the Natural History Museum anyway, but in the last bank holiday, there was a queue to get into the V&A as well.

The Notting Hill carnival takes place over the August bank holiday. It's quite a lively event but if you don't like crowds it may not be for you.

Leaving town is a good option as well. Dover isn't my favourite place but the castle is worth a visit.

Notting Hill Carnival is too busy for me and I like crowds.

If you can easily get to Dover, the town is definately pants but the castle is well worth a visit.

There will be lots of people moving around, probably in somewhat direct correlation with the amount (if any) of available sunlight.

If you are planning a train trip over that weekend (or a Tube trip) check that planned engineering works haven't closed the line.

Thanks. The carnival could be fun, but this is our first time in London, and there is so much else to see!
Just curious, as neither of your replies seem too excited about Dover -- is it a worthwhile day trip for military or history buffs? Or should we stick to Windsor castle and maybe Bath?
Thanks

Dover Castle has played very important parts in history for several centuries, and was pivotal in WWII. It is very very interesting no matter if you are interested in what happened in the days of Napoleon or WWII, or anywhere inbetween.

It is signed and explained very very well.

What do you think a hospital in chalk tunnels looks like? Or a command and control headquarters?

The cliffs are magnificent.

The town is a dump.

Dover Castle (English Heritage owned) and the tunnels and lighthouse (National Trust owned) are both certainly worth a visit. These will fill a full day. Dover town itself isn't worth visiting. Check there are no engineering works if you do decide to go there.

Thanks, the history of Dover sounds fabulous.

How does one check on possible engineering works -- by website?

While you are in Dover, and if you are interested in Roman excavations, you might want to visit the remains of the Roman Painted House (actually a mansio/hotel).

http://cka.moon-demon.co.uk/painted.htm

For planned engineering works
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/currentAndFuture.aspx

For Dover, the rail company is Southeastern.

thanks so much!