http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24537 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24537 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23836
Christie's on King Street holds fantastic modern art, impressionist art and British art sales, as well as countless furniture and jewellery sales.

In South Kensington it's all a little more light-hearted with pop memorabilia, sporting memorabilia, musical instruments, clocks and house sales where you can often pick up good antique furniture bargains.

South Kensington is also famous for its drop-in valuations, so if there's something on your wall, in your attic or basement that you've always wondered about, take it to Christie's for a free valuation.

They're quieter than museums, and somehow much more personal. No ropes or screens to keep you back.

Their website will tell you what's coming up and when. And if you have time, attend an auction - the bigger sales at Christie's are fascinating to watch. Just don't twitch, stretch or fix your hair.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23836 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23574
From here, carry on to the peaceful Shadwell Basin; turn left to join Cable Street; or turn right and follow the Thames back to Tower Bridge. The streets around Wapping are especially intriguing, and there's a really good Italian restaurant (Il Bordello) on Wapping High Street. If you're not sure of where you are, you can always retrace your steps and the canal will take you back to St. Katharine's Docks.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23574 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22404
Starting from the London Eye, overlooking the Thames, Houses Parliament and Big Ben.

The Royal Festival Hall in particular, is an excellent meeting spot and place to chill... sometimes you get art or music for free in the foyer :) and there's a cafe and bar for refreshments!

There are plenty of tourist-friendly/child-friendly restaurants around here, big chains such as: Waggamama, Strada, Giraffe, also a pretty big "eat" (with great sandwiches, juices etc,.) a bookshop and music shop too... plus a regular book market outside the BFI, in the summer various free events outside, well worth checking out this area and just walking, walking, walking...]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22404 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20923 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20923 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20326
Complete with archaic greetings, a bugler and the best costumes you're ever likely to see. Having lived in London all my life, I can honestly say that I've never spent such a magical and unforgettable 10 minutes in London and urge everyone to accompany the procession at least once. It's free, but to go along you need to go through the hassle of writing a letter (no emails of course!) -]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20326 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19666 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19666 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19664 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19664 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16560 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16560 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16346 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16346 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13177 www.bikely.com. It’s a global community site for logging routes and sharing them with others. I’ve been using it for everything from holidays to training rides.

You can draw your proposed route on the map and it’ll work out distance, height gains and you can even export it to Google Earth for a pre ride fly through. Great fun for planning your own Tour De France in the lunch hour with some really good local knowledge on a lot of the routes.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13177 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10609
Lots of gears and cogs and flour leaking out. Children can try grinding corn the hard way or the easy way. In the summer there is a small cafe with outdoor seats in the sensory garden. There is also a local collection of bits of history, with things for children to find.
And it's all free.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10609 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9960
When I strolled down recently there was a new outdoor food and craft market. I was very very pleased to see that Neals Yard Cheese had a stall as usually you have to trek to Covent Garden or Borough market for their cheeses. Was lovely to be able to buy some really good, and not ridiculously priced food but wihout the business of some of London's other markets. I think the market's only there on Friday and Saturday; a lovely way to while away a weekend afternoon, especially as there are lots of tasting opportunities and a really good mix of well-known companies and tiny cottage industries.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9960 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9856 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9856 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9381 Primrose Hill is an easy detour north for views over London and, passing through the north of Regents Park, if you time it right you can take in the feeding of the hyenas as you walk right through the middle of London zoo.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9381 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8982
The Natural History Museum is wonderful before you enter it, a beautiful example of Victorian extravagance. Plenty to see and do, especially the dinosaurs; be warned though, the animatronic T Rex is very real and great for scaring small children! There's a decent little coffee shop, although it was a bit disturbing eating chocolate cake sat next to Chi Chi the Panda!

The Science Museum is more modern, although the exhibits go back some way. All kids will love the 'Launchpad' area in the basement, all hands on, noisy, messy and great fun. The Deep Blue Cafe does a decent lunch as well.

Both museums have regular exhibitions as well, although these will have an entry charge; usually well worth it though. There is also an Imax Cinema in the Science Museum, any of the underwater or outer space movies are good value.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8982 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8939
All Londoners should visit here at least once, to help your understanding of what makes London the unique world city we live in. With lots of interactivity for the children, and well laid out exhibits for the rest of us!

Just one tip; the Museum Cafe is good for a cup of coffee and a sticky bun, but I wouldn't recommend it for lunch.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8939 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7613
This year is is on 5&6 August in Regents Park, London.

I'm just a previous attendee, with nothing to gain from publicising this other than sharing the fun!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7613 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7321
The National Maritime Museum is close by (at the bottom of the hill, on the edge of the park) and is also worth a look, as is the Queen’s House. The Observatory is part of the Greenwich World Heritage site.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7321 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6831 In the summer especially there are often good free events in the small parks that are dotted around, such as concerts on Friday evenings, and films sometimes on Saturdays.

If you're coming with children then combine your visit with Mudchute City Farm down in the Isle of Dogs. It has cows, goats and guinea pigs, plus a riding school.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6831