Tentative itinerary

It's a nice 15-30 minute stroll through the park from Kensington Palace to the Victoria & Albert Museum. You walk right by the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall. You may also find it interesting to meander by the Serpentine Gallery and the Princess Diana Memorial fountain; there are also the Italian Fountains and Peter Pan statue on that side of the park.

Earl's Court is just one Tube stop from the South Kensington station (V&A Museum).

Also, it's a nice walk across the bridge from Westminster Abbey to the London Eye. Then, back across the next bridge to the National Gallery - all within 15-30 minute walking distance. Piccadilly is just a few blocks from the National Gallery.

Marylebone and King's Cross are both just 2 or 3 Tube stops from Piccadilly.

If you can't tell, we love walking through London.

Also, the Tube's circle line will easily transport you to all of your must do's, except for Highgate Cemetery, plus Tower Hill.

You can get to Highgate from King's Cross.

I'm familiar with Penhaligon's on Brook St. Other easy London locations for you...

Penhaligon's Burlington Arcade
16-17 Burlington Arcade London W1J OPL

Penhaligon's Covent Garden
41 Wellington Street London WC2E 7BN

Penhaligon's Covent Garden Piazza
13 Market Building The Piazza Covent Garden London WC2E 8RB

Penhaligon's Kings Rd
132 Kings Road London SW3 4TR

Penhaligon's Mayfair
20A Brook Street London W1K 5DE

Penhaligon's Regent Street
125 Regent Street London W1B 4HT

This would make for a nice Saturday, but watch your time at the V&A.

• Kensington Palace - Tube: High St. Kensington or Queensway (10-15 minutes walk)
• Victoria & Albert Museum - Tube: South Kensington
• Earl’s Court (I'm a Whovian and there's a TARDIS there--photo opp)
• Emma Bridgewater - 779 Fulham Rd
• World’s End - 430 King's Road
• Penhaligon - 132 Kings Road

If there is a London Walks of Highgate when you are there, you might want to consider it. It's a very interesting area to walk thru and to me made more sense with a guide. You could do the cemetery afterward. Altho we did not end at the cemetery that was one of the things the guide pointed to at the end of the walk.

http://www.walks.com/London_Walks_Home/Sundays_Walks/default.aspx#12923

.With stellar public transport and your own 2 feet you'll be able to see all that you've listed in a week. Heck you could see the following in a single day: By visiting Parliament Square you can check off Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey. I suggest a verger tour for the Abbey. From there follow Birdcage walk thru St James park to Buckingham Palace. Then walk through Green Park. From there its about a 20 minute walk to Liberty Department store. ( BTW excellent choice to visit ). Then walk up to the Oxford Circus Underground and take the Central Line ( red) 4 stops to Queensway station,
Mind The Gap," exit, cross Bayswater Road and walk into Kensington Gardens and over to Kensington Palace. Maybe tea at Orangery? Get an early start, pace yourself, have the Oyster card at the ready and off you go. Study a Google Satellite image of London. Pinpoint places you want to see. Notice what tube stops are nearby. On another day you could start at The Tower of London, go in as early as possible, head straight to the Crown Jewels. After exploring the rest of the Tower walk up to the glass covered Leadenhall Market, have a nosh, then walk to St Paul's cathedral and then over to the St. Paul's tube station. Take the Central line ( Red) to the Holborn station, switch trains and take the Piccadilly line (Navy Blue) line to Kings Cross Pancras station. Walk out the front doors to Euston road, turn right and stroll over to the British Library.
You like bookstores then Daunts is a must. My favorite bookstore is The London Review in Bloomsbury. I think the cake you can get there is part of the reason.
Finally, you'll need to reserve a spot to tour Highgate, the side where you'll see Karl Marx's tomb. West Highgate. It's not open to the public unless you book a tour.

Thank you all so very much. All you have said is very helpful.

Emma, thanks for the tip re: Emma Bridgewater and Penhaligon products. I didn't realize they were sold in the department stores.

In the coming days I will sit down with my map and figure out specific days/activities.

I had another question regarding planning my week. I will be arriving in London on 29 May and I understand that Monday, 30 May is a Bank Holiday. I expect to be a bit jet-lagged upon my arrival, so I am looking for suggestions on what to do the day I arrive. I'm thinking just take it easy, walk around a little and get something to eat, then get to bed early.

Assuming I still feel a bit jet-lagged on Monday, and that it is a Bank Holiday, what would you suggest for activities for that day? I don't do all that well in huge crowded conditions (maybe should have added that in my first post).

Thank you so much, again.

People watch. Stroll in a park. Hyde, Regents, Hampstead Heath, Battersea. Ride a bike around Hyde Park. Use a paddle boat in Regents park. Walk along the Thames. Walk or bike along the Regent canal. Take a River cruise. Visit the treasure room in the British Library, shop in the gift store, lunch in the cafe. Explore the neighborhood you are staying in on foot.

Thanks--great suggestions. I'll check out those markets too!

So...two months later, i'm having a bit of trouble fine-tuning this list. I hoped to go on a day tour of the Cotswolds but I am wondering if I should just stay in London the whole time. I've got a printed calendar for the week, and am penciling in various activities. I'm not a super-high-energy person, and I don't want to overbook myself.

I'm just worried that I won't be able to see as much as I'd like. My "must see" list keeps growing. LOL I know we're supposed to assume we will be back, but it has taken me 29 years to get back to London as it is.