Help tree_and_leaf plan her life (or part of it!)

[tree_and_leaf]

My current cunning plan for the week - other than putting the final touches to my chapter draft, burying myself in Eckhart's sermons (yay!), eating curry at the rather belated bible clerk's† end-of-term dinner, taking the Cubs swimming, and trying to decide if I should organise a Burns' Supper* - involves going down to London for the Byzantium exhibition. However, while I confidently expect it to be fascinating, it won't take all day.

I rather feel I fail at getting to grips with London, though - there's so much to do that I always end up just falling back on the BM or the British Library Treasures exhibition. While those are among the greatest things in the world, I can't help feeling there's more to London than that.

So: please suggest things I ought to do in London.


† My college's term for the students who volunteer around the chapel, and also say grace every night in hall.

* The problem being, it would have to be on the Saturday night, and while every Burns' Supper I have organised has been a total blast, it has always ensured the worst hangover of the year, and there are reasons why I particularly don't want an epic hangover next Sunday morning.

Comments

[buffysquirrel.livejournal.com]

The aquarium in the old GLC building.
Foyle's.
:)

[tree_and_leaf]

... tempt me not with bookshops! ;)

ETA: the aquarium sounds fun, and I had no idea it existed (this is the building by the London Eye, right?)

[itinerantsphinx.livejournal.com]

Awww, I am sure that the Byzantine Exhibition will be fascinating. I am so upset to be in the wrong country. Enjoy!

I always get drwn to the BM too. That and the V&A, usually...

[tree_and_leaf]

The V and A is a thought...

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

The thing about London is that there are all sorts of odd corners which one comes across just by wandering. I had no idea before I worked in London in December that such a place as Leather Lane market existed - it's right behind the east end of Holborn, and with the shops and cafes around it one is suddenly a long way from business London and from traditional tourist London as well. You might find the church of S. Alban near there interesting too. Borough Market is worth visiting too, before the Thameslink Programme gets to it and part of it is lost (though I don't think that part of the programme is going to happen until after the Olympics now).

[tree_and_leaf]

I generally do find churches interesting ;)

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

I also endorse Sir John Soane's Museum! And 'S. Alban' is entirely appropriate for this church....

The V&A is worth going to as well - recent changes include the reopening of the Victorian tea room (what else are museums for than to buy overpriced food and drink? Oh.) and there are of course the British galleries, though I'm always impressed by the cast gallery too.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

We were much impressed by the tea room when we went earlier this month; and especially by the pianist there.

[bookwormsarah.livejournal.com]

What to do in London...so many things.

*The V&A (or other South Ken museums)?
*If the weather is good, just walking round the houses in Kensington and Chelsea?
*The Old Operating Theatre Museum (near St Thomas' Hospital)?
*The Cartoon Museum (round the corner from the BM)?
*Imperial War Museum (Elephant and Castle)
*Museum of Childhood (Bethnal Green)

*Sir John Soane's Museum (near Holburn/BM) - this is a fantastic place and if you haven't been I thoroughly recommend it. Make sure you chat to the guides because they will show you all the random bits, like the room that doesn't exist, the Hogarth paintings all folded up together, the false window and the fake Latin joke inscription on a tomb in the courtyard...

Have you been to Bookmarks? It is a left-wing bookshop round the corner from the BM. A good second hand section, and last time I got a music box that plays The Internationale...

[tree_and_leaf]

I think it might be Sir John Soane's Museum - I adore eccentric museums. And Bookmarks sounds fun, too, though I'm trying to buy fewer books...

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

I second the recommendation for the cartoon museum. And there's a fun free museum at the Bank of England, too; worth it, if only to see the doorwardens' pink tail coats!

[schreibergasse.livejournal.com]

I recommend the National Portrait Gallery (on the off-chance that you haven't been); but everyone else is probably more knowledgeable about London than I.

I would also recommend YES on Burn's Night. Just drink lots of water.

[tree_and_leaf]

I've been, yes, although I'm sure it would be worth another visit. I think I'm going to go to Sir John Soane's Museum, though.

[estelyn-strider.livejournal.com]

Globe Theatre? I enjoyed seeing Shakespeare there! I like the South Bank anyway - such a pleasant place to walk.

[tree_and_leaf]

I think I might save that for warmer weather, but it should be done some time *is a wimp*

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

The V&A have The Costumes of the Tsars on at the moment - well worth the £5 it costs (advance ticket only).

The librarian at the SJSM is a member of Taruithorn.

[tree_and_leaf]

Yes, she's on my flist - which means I definitely ought to go and see SJSM!

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

No idea, as it's years since I've been in London and if I were going there I'd probably simply bury myself in the BM, but I hope you have an excellent time.

[tree_and_leaf]

Thank you! I'm trying to resist the lure of the Franks' Casket and the Alfred Jewel, because I'd like to see some unfamiliar things - though I admit I still haven't seen the mummies...

[rivrea.livejournal.com]

I love the National Gallery, but if you actually want to spend some money on your museum experience, the small collection of the Courtault Institute has got some French impressionists that you won't find at the NG.

And how about wasting money at Forbidden Planet? :)

[snorkackcatcher]

I'd agree with the Courtauld. A collection on the smaller side but high quality.

I ought to try some of these ideas myself. I have a bad habit of not getting out much. :)

[tree_and_leaf]

The Courtauld is definitely a strong contender. I seem to vaguely remember they have Turner water colours on temporary display, too.

[caulkhead.livejournal.com]

Bridges. If it's nice, walk across the Embankment bridge (the pedestrian one), then along the South Bank and back across the Millennium Bridge. Wonderful views, all kinds of people, and sometimes an unexpected second-hand book stall.

Also, I really like wandering through the big old Victorian cemeteries, which are in parts fabulously Gothic and over the top, and in parts very moving, but I realise this is probably Odd and not to everyone's taste.

[tree_and_leaf]

I quite like cemeteries too, but I fear it may be more indoor weather...

[(Anonymous)]

Visit the Temple, the loveliest part of London. (It is the lawyers' district, and they always know how to treat themselves - to the extent that the quarter is quite undiscovered by tourists!)

[tree_and_leaf]

I had't thought of that, but it sounds good.

... I think I now have enough suggestions for several days in London, but that's all to the good, really.