My top thing to do in London? Probably shop. Nation of shopkeepers and all that. If you're into museums, in addition to the usual suspects, the London Transport Museum and the Vic & Al have the best gift shops. I love to shop in London- especially Fortnum and Mason, Boot's, Hamley's (around Christmas) and Portobello Road Market.
Tower of London has light traffic in late fall, but the guards make you keep moving in the Jewel Room so it's hard to ogle. Check out the armour displays. S/O Wolf Hall, there's a sequential display of Henry VIII's armour from childhood- it keeps getting taller, wider and the codpieces reach ridiculous proportions- it's fun to watch the old nuns giggle over the last one.
In summer, Westminster more doable. Evensong is a special experience if you are open to worship there. The National Portrait Gallery is my favorite museum with V&A close behind. I want to vist Buckingham Palace next time.
It's definitely... impressive I made my son put on an apron with the armor printed on, and that photo makes me laugh every time I run across it on my phone. Wish I had bought the apron instead of just taking a photo!
My favorite things were: * Zandra Rhodes fashion and textile museum * Westminster Abbey, and the gardens around *Seeing Trafalgar Square at night *Catching the Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theater. It was a bit campy, and fun. * Formal Tea at Fortnum and Mason
I was meh about: * Buckingham Palace - In fairness, I was almost trampled by a spooked horse. * Double decker buses * Harrods because it was so crowded, that I couldn't enjoy it *Piccadilly Circus, also extremely crowded
I wished I had time for: Victoria and Albert Museum
These folks make a tasty clotted cream cookie. YUM.
Also have a drink at the Savoy.
We went and bought chocolates at the chocolate shop in the Savoy. OMG. Seriously incredible. I was so sad when they were gone!
My favorite day there, actually, was a sunny day. We started in Trafalgar Square and they accidentally wandered over to the Buckingham Palace. LOL. Then we walked up the river (and saw a black swan!) and that's how we ended up at the Savoy. We wanted to get a drink but my H was in jeans and we were intimidated. LOL.