Must see London 

Hiya

Apologies for the extreme delay in reverting to your query

London is a dreamer's paradise; a fantastic city with a wealth of history and culture that leaves every visitor wanting more. Whether its royal history, sports, architecture, museums and galleries, or just a fun-filled family trip there is something to please everyone.

Offbeat Attractions that might interest you are listed below.

• Museum of Brands - This museum in Notting Hill represents consumer history with a large number of evolved brands of modern day on display. It also showcases huge amount of  World War-I memorabilia. The 60's era draws a large crowd of people drooling over a young Sir Paul McCartney on display. It also houses Margaret Thatcher slippers, a front page Margaret Thatcher spoof, and best of all Margaret Thatcher toilet roll!! Check here for more information.

            Nearest Tube: Notting Hill Gate/ Westbourne Park

• The Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park - A 100 foot high pagoda in the north central Battersea Park, overlooking the Thames was completed by Buddhist monks and nuns, is one of less than 100 of its kind in the world. It opens daily, but dawn till dusk hours are the best time to see the pagoda. Viewing is free of charge. Visit here for other highlights of the park and getting there info.

• Tate Modern and Tate Britain are exceptional national art galleries housing some of the finest artworks in the world. Tate Modern focuses on contemporary art while Tate Britain displays British Art from the sixteenth century to the present day. Do remember that many of the many art galleries and museums stay open late.

• Hyde Park - Though this is a familiar name, I am including it here for its one of London's finest historical landscapes that houses over 4,000 trees, a lake, a meadow, rose gardens, horse-riding paths and more so, and you can almost forget you’re in central London in the midst of chrome and glass!

• The Floatworks Floatation Center -  Book yourself for some floatation tank therapy at the Floatworks, the world's largest float centre with 9 tanks! This is the only situation you will encounter where your body is completely free from the harmful forces of gravity(of course, unless you are an astronaut). Every single muscle in the body is allowed to totally relax.
  
   

             Here you can book a session at Floatworks. And below is a BBC-London article with info:

 Dave Arnup recommends the Floatworks Flotation Tank Centre at London Bridge: "It's somewhere I go when I really feel I need to get away from it all and completely unwind," he says. "Flotation tanks induce a similar effect to that of deep meditation... the water is heated to skin temperature and after a short while you lose all contact with your body. The feeling is a bit like dreaming but being awake at the same time. When you leave you feel dreamily alert and wonderfully refreshed."

Best Theatre This Month (critics' choice)

1. Spur of the Moment, running at Royal Court Theatre till August 21 is about a middle-class suburban family on the edge of implosion.
2. The Beauty Queen of Leenane is an off-West End theatre presentation which is running at Young Vic,Waterloo till August 21. It's a mother-daughter sadistic relationship of resentment and recrimination.
3. All My Sons by Arthur Miller is a real time drama that reflects the narrower alleys of human emotions of love,loyalty,hate & greed, all in one! Read some reviews of the show and book your seats here.
4. Ghost Stories by Lucy Lord running at Duke of York's Theatre,London is to watch out for if you've nerve for those mystery ridden ghost houses! Check this link to book your tickets.

 Some in the genre of comedy (featuring in the Recommended list of TimeOut)

1. The Merry Wives Of Windsor by William Shakespeare is worth a try. Read what the guardian writes about it. You might also like to check out another Shakespearean screening As You Like It which is in its final week during the time your visit.
2. La Bête -- This play is set in sixteenth century France, where a playwright-manager is forced by his rich patron to take on her new protégé.
3. Educating Rita -- This is Willy Russell's delightful celebrations of a working class woman's emancipation from the constraints of her limited world, and a warm and happy experience for the audience.That's what a theatreguidelondon review says.

Apart from this, London does house some great comedy clubs(stand-up comics) to share a laugh like The Comedy Tree in west London, The Comedy Store in Haymarket, near Piccadilly Circus.

Jiving with Jazz -- The best jazz bars in London are impressive. Often small, often full of true jazz fans and always welcoming. The best jazz bars in London have a uniquely soulful and friendly air.

• Hideaway -- Located behind the Streatham High Road, the place has vibrant music scene. Alongside featuring established artists,does provide a platform to upcoming jazz musicians. Below are some recent reviews

We went last night to hideaway. The venue is really great (air-conditioned so great on a hot summers day!!) and the food was excellent. I don't agree with some other comments about the staff. The staff we met were great. We were with friends and the waiter was attentive and a good laugh!

                                                                                           (Source: viewlondon)

Fantastic jazz club. really friendly service. the food quality was great and beautifully presented. food and wine was very reasonably priced. highly recommended.

Tina, London

• Ronnie Scotts -- This is one of the most renowned oldest Jazz clubs in the heart London's Soho that has featured some of the popular names in modern jazz and jazz fusion and also some legendary artists since inception. This article from The Guardian makes an interesting read. And this blog about Ronnie Scotts delves into some good information.

             Here are some recent reviews of the place  (source: tripadvisor)

July 4,2010

I can't believe we went to the same place as some of the other reviewers. We went last Friday to see Kurt Elling and had a wonderful time. All the staff we encountered from the receptionists to the waiting staff were extremely helpful and pleasant. Of course, it helped that we saw a superb performer and we can't wait until he makes a return visit.

Fantastic night out, highly recommended!
Ronnie Scott's,Dundee, United Kingdom
Oct 22, 2009
My wife and I recently went to Ronnie Scott's on our trip to London. The show was fantastic (Ernest Ranglin) and the service was excellent. We had our dinner there, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The prices were reasonable, and together with a bottle of wine our food bill was under £40. There was no pressure to purchase drinks, and the waiter frequently offered us tap water through the evening. A very enjoyable evening, with brilliant music, service and I would definitely do it again!
 

•  606 Club -- This unique jazz haven is located in the upmarket surroundings of Chelsea, London with a seating capacity of 165 people. This place gets busy on weekends, and there's fair chance that cann't get in unless you're a member, or have booked for dinner. So my take will be check with the organisers that the event is happening and schedule before making any travel arrangements.

 As for the atmosphere, last night I visited Ronnie Scott's for the first time in 8 years and I can honestly say that 606 provides a much better relaxed atmosphere and you don't feel that they are trying to grab every penny out of their customers or per square yard, unlike Ronnie Scott's, I'm afraid to say! At 606 the dark and rustic setting is everything a jazz club should be and the quality of music, food and drink is provided at a high level without them trying to fleece you out of all your money. The focus here is on good music, food and drink, and creating an honest down- to- earth relaxed atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. Ben R.

Then there are some TimeOut recommendations as well that I am listing below

• Canary Wharf Jazz Festival -- has free entry and is Recommended.
• Fête Quaqua -- first of the three nights fest is on August 15,features guitarist John Russell
• Jazz, Latin & Improv -- Running on August 16 with trumpeter Henry Lowther in the lead; has free entry too.
• For some Blues jamming and live session check this out!

Now some Food Options --

• Hyderabad Restaurant - If you are looking for authentic biryanis in London, this is the place. It is quite a small place, no glitterati, just a few tables so there's no frills attached but the food is seriously amazing! The portions are generous too.

          Following is a review -       

A nice small restaurant that is overlooked due to the abundance of Indian food in Southall. It is probably the only place in London where you can get authentic Hyderabadi biryani and even rarer, authentic Andhra food. The place is not the the greatest for ambience, but is definitely worth it for the food.

Sarath Palety
 

• Chowki Restaurant -- Also serves some good chicken biryani recipes.

 Myself and my husband had a meal in Chowki yesterday and we both agreed that the taste of the food was pretty good. He had the Hyderabadi Chicken which although flavoured well was a little dry. My vegetarian dish was very good as were the accompaniments - the daal was wonderful! I think we would definitely go again!

Nita
 

• Chutney Mary in Chelsea,London is yet another restaurant that's known for its classic Indian recipes along with the ambience.

Aarau, Switzerland
Jul 15, 2010

I loved the innovative Indian dishes served in Chutney Mary. Especially the chutneys we loved so much, we had to order seconds. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly and a big help in choosing the dishes and the wine. If you want to have a very romantic evening reserve a table in the conservatory, were you can sit on...
 

Hope this helps! Do let me know if you need any other information on the eating joints in and around London.

Signing off with a beautiful visual of sunset from the London Tower

Sikta