Riot damage? What riot damage...
Seriously you will have to go away from the normal tourist spots to see any 'riot damage'...
But London at the Bank Holiday will be busy...almost wherever you go.
That being said it is part of the overall feel of the city and its charm.
Doing the museums is good... the Science/ Natural History and V&A museums are in a cluster at South Kensington and you can spend days there....the British Museum is in Bloomsbury, just next to Soho and hte West End.. so some culture and then a show could be good...
Museum of London is in the City, near St Paul's cathedral..very good as well.
Or you could just enjoy the Royal Parks and the water...great boat trips on the Thames to enjoy.
I'd leave Reading as soon as you can
