London Things to Do Tips by planxty

The National Army Museum in chlesea is much less well-known and certainly less visited than the larger Imperial War museum, but is nonetheless worth a visit.

tracing the history of the British Army from being first raised right up to modern conflicts in Afghanistan, the place is absolutely packed with exhibits. As you work your way up the four floors, you are taken on a chronological history of the British Army.

The First World War section, complete with a recreation of a Somme trench is particularly good, although my favourite exhibit was near the entrance concerning Brixmis which I must admit I'd never heard of. Basically, they were uniformed soldiers who were allowed to drive around Soviet controlled Germany in uniform and driving marked vehicles. I must admit I'd never heard of them but you might like to check out the hyperlink fir a history of this fascinating unit.

If you like military history you really should allow yourself a full day here, it will certainly take that long.

The second photo shows an old personnel carrier outside, similar to ones I remember in Belfast as a child.

Opening hours are 1000 - 1730 and admission is free.

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Phone: 00 44 207 730 0717
Address: Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, SW3 4HT.
Directions: From sloane Square walk down Lower Sloane Street towards the river, turn right into Royal Hospital road, and it's on the left past the Royal Hospital.
Website: http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk/

I realise that the Tower of london is probably high on the list of must sees for visitors to London, and rightly so. with almost a thousand years of history, the priceless Crown Jewels, ravens and splendidly attired Yeoman warders, it really is a wonderful place to visit.

What people are perhaps less aware of is the Ceremony of the Keys. It is by ticket only (limited numbers) but is really well worth seeing.

Tickets for this ceremony are free but you need to apply 6-8 weeks in advance. Write to The Ceremony of the Keys, Waterloo Block, HM Tower of London, London, England EC3N 4AB enclosing a stamped addressed envelope or coupon-response international and stating the names of the attendees.

As the Yeoman warders put it, at 700 years, it's the longest running show in town.

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Phone: 0 20 7709 0765
Address: Tower Hill, EC3
Directions: Tower Hill tube
Website: http://www.toweroflondontour.com/keys.html

You know, it's amazing the things that are on your doorstep that you don't know about. I recently discovered the Museum in Docklands, less than a mile from my home. It is dedicated to the "Old Father" Thames and the docks area, and really is very highly recommended. It is situated in an old converted warehouse, lending added authenticity to the whole experience.

There are a number of audio visual displays (narrated by Tony Robinson) and many interesting exhibits and displays. You start on the third floor and work down, and it is a chronological history of the area from Roman times up to 1997.

There is a film exhibition of the Blitz including previously unseen Fire Brigade footage - fascinating.

Perhaps my favourite exhibit is Sailortown, a reconstruction of the area I live in several centuries ago.

Admission is £5 for adults but the ticket is valid for a year, and includes admission to Museum of London exhibitions, so pretty good value, I think.

Fully wheelchair accessible.

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Phone: 0870 444 3857.
Address: No 1 Warehouse, Hertsmere Road, E14 4AL
Directions: Follow the signs along the quay from West India Quay DLR station.
Website: http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/

I have lived in London for many years and must have walked past this place literally hundreds of times without ever venturing inside. I recently rectified that omission and spent some time in what must be one of the most fascinating churches in London (and competition is fierce!)

A place of Christian worship for over 1000 years, there is every style of architecture here (predominantly Gothic), there are laid up colours of regiments long disbanded, a plethora of memorials, excellent stained glass and much more.

An interesting feature is the small St. Andrews chapel dedicated in 1991 to prayer for those afflicted with HIV / AIDS.

Admission is free, although there is a suggested donation of 4 pounds / 6:50 euros per person.

A genuine "must see."

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Phone: 020-7367 6700
Address: Montague Close, Southwark, London SE1
Directions: Come out of the main entrance of London Bridge Station and walk forward. The cathedral is the huge building across the road.
Website: http://www.southwark.anglican.org/cathedral/
Other Contact: 020-7367 6725 (fax)

If you've ever seen either "Four weddings and a funeral" or "The hundred and one dalmations" you will already have seen Kenwood House. Even without the dubious attraction of Hugh Grant or the slightly more obvious one of a number of frolicsome dalmation puppies, this place is certainly well worth a visit.

The house itself is stunning, set in beautiful grounds adjacent to Hampstead Heath and with a beautifully preserved interior, including a library designed by Robert Adam. The function of the house now is to act as a gallery for paintings by Gainsborough, Turner, Van Dyck, Vermeer and Rembrandt, to name but a few. I am not normally a great art lover, but this place absolutely enchanted me.

The fact that the house still stands in it's present condition is testament to the first Earl of Iveagh, one of the Guinness brewing magnates, who saved it from redevelopment in the 1920's. Due to his generous bequest to the nation, there is no admission charge, although donations are gratefully received. There is a pleasant cafe attached, and I have no doubt that on a summers day it would make a fine place for a picnic.

As a bit of a musician myself, I was much taken with the Music Room, where the ladies used to withdraw after dinner. Apart from the many art works, there are numerous historical musical instruments.

As well as paintings, Kenwood houses displays of jewellery, miniatures, statuary and the largest collection of shoe buckles I have ever seen!

Opening hours are

24 Mar-31 Oct 11am-5pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1 Nov-31Mar 11am-4pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
24-26 Dec and 1 Jan Closed

The park stays open longer than the House, and opening hours vary.

Definitely a "must see" for art lovers.

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Phone: 0208 348 1286
Address: Hampstead Lane, NW3
Directions: Walk up past the Heath from Hampstead Village and it is on the right hand side (signposted). Alternatively, bus service 210 Finsbury Park - Golders Green stops right outside.
Website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=ConProperty.106

There are a plethora of small museums in London, and I, to my shame, haven't visited half of them. In an attempt to rectify this recently, I visited the Jewish Museum in Camden, and I'm really glad I did. It is not very large but has a wonderful collection of artefacts relating to the history of Jews in London.

There are audio visual displays giving an insight into Jewish customs, religious ceremonies etc. which was extremely interesting. There are also temporary exhibitions. At the minute (April 2005) it is in relation to 100 years of the Aliens Act.

The Museum is staffed by volunteers, mostly elderly Jewish pwople who are extremely helpful and will give you virtually a one-on-one guided tour. Well worth a visit.

There is a sister museum in Finchley, but I haven't visited it - yet!

Admission is £3:50 for adults.

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Phone: 0207 284 1997
Address: 129-131 Albert Street, London NW1 7NB
Directions: Walk along Parkway from the Tube Station, turn right at the Spread Eagle pub, and it's fifty yards on the right.
Website: http://www.jewishmuseum.org.uk/

You might find it difficult to believe that the roadsign pictured is situated within fifteen minutes walk of a Zone 3 tube station, but it is. Amongst the many lovely park areas in London is Hampstead Heath, a huge expanse of grassland and forest which affords superb virews over the City. As the sign attests, there are deer here, although I personally have never seen any.

There are cycle tracks and paths throughout, and it is a great place for a walk or a picnic.

Visitors should be aware that Hampstead Heath is noted as being a gay cruising area in the evenings.

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Address: Hampstead Heath, NW3.
Directions: Walk up Heath Street from Hampstead village, and it is all around you.
Website: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/living_environment/open_spaces/hampstead_heath.htm

If you've been out for a walk on Hampstead Heath (see seperate tip) you could do a lot worse than visit the Spaniards Inn for a spot of light refreshment.

Built in 1585 as a country house for the Spanish ambassador, it is a lovely old-fashioned pub with a spacious beer garden. Legend has it that Dick Turpin, the famous highwayman, drank here, although historically it is unlikely. Still, let's not let the truth get in the way of a good story!

I am told that the food is very good (if somewhat expensive) although I have never dined here myself.

The small building on the left of the picture is the old toll booth.

If you have been walking your dog on the Heath, there is even a doggy wash, would you believe?

I have a particular personal affection for the place as it was here that we had the musicians wake for a very dear friend and founder member of my band who sadly passed away in November 2004. It was a superb send off.

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Phone: 0208 731 6571
Address: Spaniards Road, Hampstead NW3 7JJ
Directions: Follow Heath Road up from Hampstead village and keep going. The pub is on the left.
Website: http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=&pc=NW37JJ

So what is London famous for? Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Tate Gallery, Yeoman Warders, London bobbies and big, red Routemaster buses. HOLD THE BUS (pun intended). Until a couple of years ago, this would have fitted nicely as a transportation tip, something along the lines of "you can jump on and off one of the iconic Routemaster buses which serve large parts of Central London". Unfortunately, no more.

Due to a mixture of a meddlesome Mayor and European regulations, the poor old Routemaster has been pensioned off. Now they only run on two specific tourist routes (notably Tower Hill to Trafalgar Square). I deliberately took this photo of the bus disappearing into the distance, it seemed appropriate somehow.

Try and get a ride on one if you can.

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Address: Virtually nowhere now!
Website: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/buses/ini-heritage-buses.asp

This tip refers to the Geffrye Museum in Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, which is a museum of home furnishings from the 16th century to the present day.

If it is not one of the most visited museums in London, it is certainly one of the prettiest, being situated in old almshouses established by Sir Robert Geffrye for poor pensioners of the Ironmomongers Guild. It passed from this use to being a museum in 1911 and now houses a fine collection of furniture and home artefacts which are arranged chronologically into mocked up "rooms". This allows a fascinating insight into how people lived their daily lives over the centuries.

In the centre of the building is the chapel, retained as it originally was.

The museum is geographically very correctly positioned as the area of Shoreditch was traditionally the centre of the London furniture trade.

There are temporary exhibitions relating to furnishings as well.

Perhaps one of the nicest features of the Museum is the gardens. There is a period garden and, my favourite, the small but delightful herb garden, which has to be smelt to be believed!

The grounds to the front provide a convenient place for people to escape the bustle of the busy Kingsland Road.

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Phone: 0207 739 9893
Address: Kingsland Road, London E2 8EA
Directions: Walk up Kingsland road from the Shoreditch / Old Street end, and the Museum is a couple of hundred yards on the right. Numerous busses pass coming from the Liverpool Street direction although it is only a fifteen minute walk from that Station.
Website: http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/