London Decisions

Definitely 2nd Sharon's recommendation of Courtauld Galleries. The decorative arts wing is amazing, too. Also if the weather is good, the courtyard there is a very nice place to stop for lunch or tea by the fountain (this courtyard was featured in the film, Last Chance Harvey w/ Dustin Hoffman). V&A is also a great museum and the Natural History Museum across the street has a really fun animatronic dinosaur section. If you get into museum overload, then maybe check out some of the outdoor markets or head over to Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park on Sunday.

Your choices all look wonderful. There is just SO much to do in London! Not sure how much time you have, though, so not able to determine if you already have a long enough list of things to fill your time. Things I have adored and would suggest include: The Tate Britain (OMG, the Turners!) The Tate Modern Hampton Court The Banqueting House (only surviving building from Whitehall Palace in the 17th century) Kew Gardens Windsor Castle Regent's Park (featuring the London Zoo) Hampstead Heath - great for a picnic! I also loved wandering on Edgware Road - nearer to Marble Arch - because the food is amazing. Lots of Middlle Eastern choices. And how about Harrod's? I could spend days in the Food Halls.

OOPS! "The weekend of...." Read the words, Kira! :D

Def. British Museum, National Gallery, British Library, Portrait Gallery, and the Globe. All excellent choices. I'd also recommend the Tate Britain (not Modern, not my taste). I'd go on some London Walks. I enjoyed Sir John Soane's House, and the Guildhall gallery. I'd also encourage going up the Monument - a cheap 3 pound entry and a great view once you've made it up. The V&A. Definitely a great place to spend a few hours. Oh, you wanted things narrowed down? Well, one large chunk will be taken up by the War Museum. You're on the South Bank, but it isn't that far to the Tate Britain from there either. It's also reasonable to the Globe, then across to Guildhall or the Monument. It's easy to spend a morning at the National Gallery, then NPG, followed by a quick lunch in Trafalgar Square. Although... I'd recommend being at the British Museum at opening, it gets crazy busy. I'd try and squeeze a London Walk in, if only to break up all the gallery visits.

JumpinBug recommends the V&A, which I would second. If you do go there, pop along afterward to the Natural History Museum for five or ten minutes, just to see the beautiful main entrance hall. (The rest of the NHM is good too, but if you've only got a weekend, you may not want to spend it looking at stuffed animals.) I was absolutely entranced by the Imperial War Museum. I had planned to spend two hours there; I ended up spending five and could have stayed for six!

If you like impressionist art, there's also the Cortauld.

Definitely the "Treasure Room," (a.k.a. Sir John C. Ritblatt Gallery) in the British Library. Also when you land pick up a copy of TimeOut magazine. Full of information on what's happening while you are there; theatre, markets, sports, festivals, music, etc.

You cant go wrong with your initial list, or anything recommended by Kira and the others. Much too much to choose from. If the weather is good, roaming around Richmond village, Thames side and richmond park are also a great way to spend some time

Thank you one and all for the great suggestions. Am reading RS London 2010 to get details on the choices. Sights close to the Imperial War Museum and on the way back to Richmond will be at the top of the list as we may only have Saturday on our own. Thanks again. Happy travels to all.

This is helpful to me, too. Thanks all

Beware, the British Museum is huge and fascinating. It could keep you there for an entire day.

It all sounds good to me,, but guess you do have to narrow it down a bit. I love the Victoria and Albert Museum,, didn't visit it my first two visits to London, but have been there for my last two,, and I would go again.
I also love the Portrait Gallery,, I found if fascinating and could spend hours in there. Its not too far from the British Museum ( as I recall) so its a good addition to the day there( cause everyone knows you could spend days and days visiting the BM and still not be done!)

Couple nice casual restaurants in chiswick down towards the river bank. Also, in kew (I used to live in chiswick).
Susan