London afternoon

Have you cruised to Greenwich? You can stand on both sides of the World at the Observatory. Visit the Old Navy War College to see really cool ship models. Or go to Highgate Cemetary to visit Karl Marx and many others. Check the National Trust UK site to see what properties are open to view in greater London. The Imperial War Museum on the site of the former Bethleham Hospital or "Bedlam". Go really early for Portebello. They have shops that line the street besides the Saturday Market and you can do lunch there, too. Visit one of the Blue Shield sites. Capt. Blighs house is near the Imperial War Museum.

Good ideas above, especially the boat ride. Also consider the Tate Britain, St. Paul's, Museum of London, a walk along the south bank, Globe Theater, National Portrait Gallery, Imperial War Museum. Don't know what you're doing with the other three days of course. And nothing's wrong with revisiting one of the museums you saw before. There must be something left in the British Museum that you missed!

I can't get enough of Westminster Abbey. The history there is just overpowering. I'll probably return for a third time this fall.

Greenwich or Kew Gardens be my two best bets by far.

September is one of our two favorite months in London. The whole month there is a festival devoted to the Thames-- history, culture, etc.--- with events each day. Check the schedule here for something on your day of interest:

http://totallythames.org

We love the Thames clipper water buses that provide transport up and down the river--- not the narrated cruises but the boats that serve commuters, payable with your Oyster card. Ride to Greenwich if you like, or go as far as the London City dock and visit the H.MS Belfast, a WWII battleship. You go up and down ladders and through the engine room on catwalks, all with an audio guide. Great for WWII history buffs or anyone with an interest in ships.

You could start with a visit to the Chelsea Physic Garden, easier to visit than Kew ( which we love and have visited many times, but it is a long journey out of London). Tour the gardens and then catch a boat from the nearby dock downriver to the City of London area ( I am being a bit vague here as I do not recall if boats from that dock go as far as the City dock, which is near Tower Bridge. The various water bus lines are displayed on the Thames Clipper website).

http://www.thamesclippers.com/assets/img/Route-Map-with-key.jpg

I will add my thoughts here - visit the Wallace Collection, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Library. There is so much to do! Did anyone mention the theatre? I just love London!

Enjoy.
Judy B

Walk through Hyde Park to Kensingston Garden both so beautiful. Then go to The Orangery at Kensington Palace for afternoon tea.

Have you been up the Shard or to the SkyGarden at 20 Fenchurch Street to look down from above and see what has changed since you here 2 years ago....

Thanks everybody for your responses. We have been to both Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and loved them both and plan to return this trip. We also enjoyed the British Library, great collection. I think we will try a river cruise to Greenwich. We were leaning that way and your answers helped confirmed it. Thanks again.

Victoria & Albert was my favorite museum in London. I vote for that.