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Things to do in London?

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boiler2000

Guest
I'll be finding spending a few days in London in a couple of months, and I'd like to see what people would recommend as don't-miss activities and sights, other than the obvious ones.

I'd also like to see what books people can recommend on London's history, etc, that would help get me into the spirit of things before the trip.

Much appreciated!
 
Hmmm...no obvious London things. Depends on what interests you, but here is a short list:

St. Stephen Walbrook -imo, the best of Wren's city churches - central plan, saucer dome, much enhanced by the Henry Moore altar added in the last couple of decades

David Linley - in Pimlico and now in Mayfair - expensive, but worth it to see what a top craftsman and designer can do - in 200 years people will pay a fortune at Sotheby's and Christies for this furniture. Plus you can overhear the staff on the phone saying things like "Sadly we're just back from Joburg" which is of at least some sociological interest.

Sissinghurst - hop on the train, see Vita and Harold's stunning garden

Diana & Dodi Memorial at Harrods - the campiest thing you'll ever see

Spencer House - one of the best, and one of the last remaining 18th century aristocratic town palaces - it's only open on Sundays, I think

Bibendium - great deco building, the food was still good the last time I was there, and there is a Conran shop at the back

The Old Bell pub in Ludgate circus - good City crowd, nice pub, stand outside the back door with your pint and admire St. Brides

Just wander around aimlessly - there's something interesting in London on almost every corner.
 
The big exhibition on camouflage - the designs, the artists who created it and the influence it has had on popular culture - opens at the Imperial War Museum today and runs until November.
 
Presumably the exhibition is so well hidden it's impossible to see?
 
I think that some of the dazzle-camouflaged battleships from WWI might be considered cubist works of applied art, equivalent to Picasso and Leger's costume and set designs for the Ballet Suedois.
 
I definitely plan to visit the Imperial War Museum - I never got around to it during a previous visit, and I'd love to see some WWII stuff in particular.

Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming!
 
Whenever I see the term dazzle-painted, I always think there will be sequins. And the jaunty crew will all be doing jazz hands.
 

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