Next time you’re there I would completely avoid the east end. It’s far too touristy and there isn’t really anything you haven’t seen a thousand times in the movies or on TV before. Oxford Street it probably the worst shopping experience you will have in the whole country.

The places that are worth exploring? South Kensington is wonderful. Aside from the Palace and Hyde Park you can walk up Kensington High Street towards Holland Park. The shopping experience is a lot better and look out for St. Mary Abbot’s Church off the beaten path. The Japanese Cultural Center always has some great exhibitions on. The Design Museum is also up this way.

If you long for some riverside life and its a nice sunny day then take there tube out to Richmond.