London has grown unplanned since the days of Jack the Ripper, there remains a web of back streets so to find anything buy a map in book form, then get a travel card from a Tube (subway) station (various types and lengths of use) to get on any bus or Tube train in central London till the card expires. Public transport is everywhere unless you're traveling at 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., then I advise you to get a taxi. Use your travel card to get out of the center of town, avoid crowded Oxford Street especially, go South on the tube to Clapham Common or venture further South to Wandsworth Common which is like a huge open park (people used to graze their animals on the "common" land), great bars surround both commons. The bed and breakfast houses in these areas are much more affordable than the central hotels, although you may have to forgo an ensuite bathroom.

London has more parks than any other major city, take advantage of all of them. Stroll through St James' Park (St James Tube Station) to Buckingham Palace, the Palace is dull from the outside, the guards wearing those big fuzzy hats are the most interesting sight. The parks cost nothing to enter and are so relaxing on a temperate day. Buckingham Palace has recently opened some of its rooms to the public, tickets are difficult to obtain, so unless you have a once in a lifetime need to see the inside of the Queen's personal residence, go and see similar treasures elsewhere.

Museums are free to enter or cost a few pounds, the exteriors of the buildings are often very ornate. The opening times and locations are shown on:
http://homepages.force9.net/adnama/act_4.htm
Try the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square, (disembark at the Charing Cross Tube station) full of French impressionist paintings such as those beautiful water lily paintings by Monet amongst the big names in art that live here. Or, on the off-chance that you like modern art and sculpture, take the Tube to Pimlico, be prepared for quite a hike then be shocked on the main floor of the Tate Gallery, full of the big names and the most controversial art around. Turn a corner and a painting of a nude male torso in gold is well, face to face with you. Eighteenth century art is featured on other levels of the building including the famous horse painter, George Stubbs:
http://www.tate.org.uk/coll/cchtm/stubbsg.htm.

The Natural History Museum is featured in the 1976 movie 'One of our dinosaurs is missing'; may not be worth watching, but the museum is, if the Jurassic period interests you. If you enjoy art, the Victoria and Albert Museum a.k.a. the "V & A" is a national treasure, the exterior does justice to the beauty inside. See each museum by taking the Tube to South Kensington.

The British Museum near the Tottenham Court Road Tube station is home to the Elgin Marbles, statues that the Greeks have wanted back in their country since the 1930's. Unfortunately its hard to part with beautiful objects:
http://www.british-museum.ac.uk/area.html

If you love antique kids toys, take a ride to Bethnal Green tube station to marvel at the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood: http://www.kidsnet.co.uk/museums/bethgree.shtml

At the Tube station of the same name, be seen in Covent Garden, a hip place, many buskers bring their music or novelty acts to the shoppers at the covered market and high class shops. Princess Diana used to shop at the Body Shop here. Check out the candle shop on the lower level, you can set fire to your most unfavorite politician. Prices are high here, so window shop. Ask directions at one of the shops to Neal's Yard, the health food shop is great and you may want to dig into your wallet at the Apothecary as there are some unusual products here. The wine bars are also vibrant and decorated with flair. A word of caution, if there is a long wait for the lift (elevator), continue to wait, the climb up the spiral staircase is like something from a Hitchcock movie.

There is a thriving theater district centered around Drury Lane, if you get last minute seats you can get a deal, try matinees (afternoon shows) for the very best bargains. I got a front row seat to 'The Sound of Music' for 10 pounds. If you're with other people, tell the booking agent that you will split up for better prices on the seats. The magazine 'Time Out' will include listings of every show. Try the 'Barbican' at the tube stop of the same name, and behold international musical events at fair prices.

Most English restaurants do not serve good portions, so try Indian food, fast food or cafes for tea and sandwiches. Unless you get an unexpected windfall, forget taking tea at The Ritz, the hotel guests are now the preferred few. Sorry, England is class-ridden, but go see the spoils on show at all the museums for any poor geezer to see.



Recommended: Yes