Defintely get a copy of Time Out to see what's going on. There's a Royal Air Force museum in Hendon. If you like food markets Borough Market should be fairly close to where you're staying.

Make sure you use the river bus at least once. It gives you good views of London.

Visit Docklands on the DLR. Sit in the front of the train -- there's no driver. It's fun.

As a copper, you might like the Thames Police Museum in Wapping. If you do, then have a drink at the Prospect of Whitby. The pub used to have an excellent restaurant specializing in seafood. I don't know if it still does.

The Metropolitan Police Museum is not open to the public, but since you are at Hendon, you might be able to get entry. They have bits and pieces from the Jack the Ripper investigation.

After a couple of beers in the Prospect of Whitby it is only 15 minutes walk along the river to Canary Wharf and you will feel just like you are back in Vancouver.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this place yet.....

http://www.realpubco.com/other/pub-f...rden/pid-C3061

(Also recommend Marine Ices just out of Chalk Farm tube station.)

The Tower of London is excellent - the Beefeaters are great entertainment & the history is really interesting, others have already mentioned the museums & the shows. Again others have said it but just wandering around London is fantastic. Go to the Parks too. Obviously this is all ok if the weather holds out ......

...and again using any decent contact at Hendon you will be able to go behind the scenes at the Tower to see........

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceremony_of_the_Keys


I went once and its worth seeing


just thought of another secret London sight that is worth seeing.......a whole series of disused tube stations and underground sections that were used during World War II in central London....not open to the public but you can get access

http://underground-history.co.uk/downst.php

London is the world's second city after New York. If you are spending a month there, but commuting to and from Hendon during the week, then you've only got 4 weekends. That isn't enough time to see London, let alone the English countryside and Paris as some contributors to this thread have suggested, so ignore them. Buy a good guide book and concentrate on the main sights, plus any special interests you have such as policing etc.

Or just go down to the nearest boozer.

Since you are staying near Waterloo, these are places which will be local to you:

The Hole in the Wall. I used to drink there regularly back in the seventies. Reviews on the web suggest it hasn't changed much. Traditional pub.

Rather more upmarket is the ArchDuke Restaurant and Wine Bar. One of my favourite places for lunch or an evening meal when I'm in London. They sometimes have live jazz.

Sunday morning is a good time to stroll along the South Bank. There is a second hand book market, a good cafe at the NFI (National Film Institute), and often a free concert in the foyer of the Royal Festival Hall. You can make your way to the Tate Modern and then cross the wobbly bridge (official name The Millenium Bridge).

A final thought. If you are in the West End, PLEASE drop into Gaby's Deli for a coffee or a meal. It is one of the cheapest places to eat in central London, but more importantly, it is under threat of closure, and needs support. It's at 30 Charing Cross Road, right next to Wyndham's Theatre. I've been eating there since I was 17, so when it closes it is part of my life gone.

Gaby does excellent felafel and pita, and Jewish friends highly esteem his salt beef. If my recommendation isn't enough, take Matt Damon's -- he ate there when he was appearing at the Wyndham, and his photo is on the wall.

Please sign the petition while you are there.

Matt Damon....phew He didn't have the nerves to come back and do the latest Bourne installment.

Other places to visit not yet mentioned

1. Walthamstow market, and if you like greyhound racing you can visits the dogs

2. Stratford to see the olympic stadium and the whole transformation of that part of London

3. Hackney---.Holborn----tottenham crt rd----regent street----oxford street

If the weather is fine, the riverside walk from Waterloo (County Hall/London Eye)to Tower Bridge is a great afternoon's stroll. Then jump on a riverboat back.

I think Walthamstow Stadium is closed.

2008. I expect Action Man could still post a picture though.

Indeed. Closed years ago; sold off to developers, I imagine it's all housing units now. Walthamstow Market (unless it's changed for the good in the last half-dozen years) is nothing special. It is supposed to be the longest street market in London, but (as any fule kno) it's not all about the length. Much better off in Borough market for foodie stuff, Spitalfields for eclectic tchotchkes, or frankly the street markets in Brixton or Balham for a bit of local flavour.

I'd be tempted by Stratford and the Olympic stuff in the Lea Valley, though.