What's happening in London this week / weekend

[Oneeyedvic]

I am coming down to the smoke on Thursday and we will definitely be hitting the sales.

We also have tickets for Woman in Black on Thursday night, Oliver on Friday and Sound of Music on Monday (returning Tuesday).

We will go to the V&A on one of the days and maybe the Natural History Museum - any thing else that we can do?

[VHG]

I am not sure you have much spare time !

As you probably know the V&A and History museum (along with science museum) are very close to each other so you could spend a day there.

If you like Museums then the British Museum is an amazing place, but maybe you will have had your fill of museums after the V&A.

London is a GREAT city for strolling round. In almost every area there is something of interest to see. The area round Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Trafalger Square is full on interest and you can easily spend more than half a day walking round there.

The Tate Modern in the south of the river (next to wobbly bridge) is interesting, and is next to the rebuilt Globe Theatre.

Then there is St Pauls, Tower of London, London Bridge, Bond Street, Leicester Square, Buckingham Palace, St James Park, Harrods, Regent St, Fortnum and Mason, National Gallery and so on.

There are also the lovely Wren churches, and some quiet small squares surrounded by historic houses.

[Im a BusyBee]

what is the V&A??

[VHG]

Victoria and Albert museum.

[VHG]

The Brompton Oratory is a roman catholic church right next to the V&A.

Well worth a visit, the inside is amazing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Imm aculate_Heart_of_Mary

[Oneeyedvic]

Cheers, did the British Museum last time - about 4 hours in a museum is all I can last....

May try the Tate.

Thanks

[VHG]

If you fancy something a bit different, how about the Sir John Soanes Museum (free).

http://www.soane.org/

This is a small house just off Fleet St in Lincolns Inn Fields and it was own by the architect Sir John Soanes (he designed the Bank of England).

He tried to make the inside as interesting as he could with lots of domes in the roof letting in shafts of light.

He filled it full of statues and other architectual features to try to help young architects.

It only takes about an hour to go round, but it is one of the most amazing museums I have ever been in.

See the 360 degree video here, use your mouse to "drag" this image around.

http://www.britishtours.com/360/soane-museum.h tml

[Oneeyedvic]

That looks really interesting. Definitely will look at that.

Vic

[VHG]

This book is well worth getting

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1405321024/ ref=s9_subs_c5_s1_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OL E&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=150WWVJX3PN4EYZK49K Z&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463374953&pf_rd_i=468294

[VHG]

If you want to know EXACTLY what is happening in London get the Time Out magazine.

Available at any London newsagent (and a few outside London as well)

http://www.timeout.com/london/

[keyplus90]

Apart from all these nice things. We are going to have heavy rain, chance of localized flooding etc. Have a nice time.

[SeaJayPea]

Why not try a trip down the Thames by boat.? Thames Clippers run a great service from Waterloo or Chgaring Cross as far down as Woolwich and Greenwich and back for less than a tenner. see here

http://www.thamesclippers.com/siteseeing-leisu re/siteseeing-leisure.html

I use it every time I go to the O2 and the service is brilliant, not to mention the river scenery.

[Oneeyedvic]

thanks - may consider that depending on weather.

[katerich48]

The Chinese New Year Starts this week-end so it will all be kicking off in China Town.. The Chinese lanterns have been put up already so you cant miss it.. Be warned it gets rammed on Sunday..I know I live there...

[SeaJayPea]

Go on then. Did you enjoy yourselves? And what did you actuall do?

[Oneeyedvic]

Well, as well as the aforementioned plays, I went to the Sir John Soames Museum and from there (just round the corner) to the United Grand Lodge of England and had a tour. Both very interesting and amazing feats of architecture.

Did a lot of shopping (trying to with the help of my wife overturn this recession!) and also visited the National Gallery & National portrait gallery (though disapointed that the Annie Liebawitz (sp?) exhibition was �11 entry.

Was going to go on a tour down the Thames but was too cold.

Had a very enjoyable time - thanks fro your suggestions.