Warning! The Brits do museums like we do fast food - there is one on practically every corner and most are excellent. You run the risk of wearing yourself out trying to hit as many as possible. If you are in it for artifacts, I'd have to say that the IWM London is full of the real thing from WWII. Not only that, once you've gone, you can say you've experienced Bedlam, because the museum is quartered on the grounds of that famous lunatic asylum. Accessible by Tube from the Elephant and Castle Station, which was used as a shelter during the Battle of Britainicon. As you exit via the Arcade, you face CH Spurgeon's Metropolitan Tabernacle church. For medieval armor and weaponry there is a great royal collection in the Tower of London and some lovely twinkly gems as well. Just buy your tickets from a Red Bus up on the hill to avoid the box-office line at the gate. Accessible by Tube. RAF Hendon just North of London houses a great collection of stuffed and mounted aircraft and artifacts from their air war history. Accessible by Tube and train.

If you are going to be in London for a bit it makes financial sense to invest in an unlimited Tube pass for the zones where you'll be traveling and the period you'll be there. Any longer trips to outlying zones like Hendon can be paid for individually to keep the cost down.

Bob