London with a pram

EconomicsGirl

I work in London and see people with pushchairs on the tube everyday. Normally someone will offer to help carry it up.

I can't say I'd recommend it but people do it. Do avoid rush hour tubes though. Station staff have been cutback so some stations have no staff.

If you can manage with a sling it will be easier but still avoid rush hour and use between 10am and 4pm. Some buses hate pushchairs as well and can be funny about letting you on but most are fine.

becominganobsessivesaver

I'd check out bus routes and walking with a smaller stroller if it was me. The buses are great, and if you have an older child they will love seeing the sights. Also look at the river taxi if that fits in with any of your plans.

silly_moo

Thank you for your answers everyone.

I won't be on my own (DH and older DC also coming) but was rather worried that I may not be allowed on public transport if there's another buggy on etc. I never knew some of the stations don't have lifts so will need to plan accordingly. We will be taking a baby carrier as well but prams are just so much more convenient. I don't really fancy carrying all the luggage (nappy bag, snacks, drinks etc) as well as the kids. The older one is under 5 and is bound to get tired with too much walking.

I agree it's best to avoid London with young kids but we've friends there that have been inviting us for the past 5 years and we've always said we'd come when our DC is older. But once DC1 got older we had DC2 so decided that there's no point waiting. Obviously we won't be able to see much as everything will be geared towards kids, but we're going to have fun anyway and make it a memorable visit for DC1.

suki1964

There really is no reason to avoid London just cos you have kids

I brought up kids there and I take my grandchildren now

I would honestly say, don't take the pram thingy. Get a stroller with a strap and use a back pack

As everyone says, Londoners walk fast, seriously fast. We also play sardines on public transport. The smaller your foot print, the more chance you have of getting on public transport

And in shops, resturaunts etc

I got a mcclarens stroller that was so lightweight and was really not much bigger then a large umberella. Turned on a six pence


Most people in London are friendly and will help you with a pram on stairs, escalators etc. But no one really understands the speed in which you are expected to move. Those kind people who help you on the stairs, disappear in a gallop. We tut and roll eyes if anyone or anything holds us up. Not cos we are ignorant or rude, just we have had a long day and want home


A stroller and a backpack Seriously

silly_moo

I never thought about restaurants! I don't think they'd like me very much if I asked for a table with a space for a pram AND a high chair in case my LO wants either! :rotfl:

hazyjo

silly_moo wrote: »

I never thought about restaurants! I don't think they'd like me very much if I asked for a table with a space for a pram AND a high chair in case my LO wants either! :rotfl:

There are lots of accommodating restaurants - I find the Italian ones are very child-friendly. Lots are off the beaten track, and there are many chains which have available high chairs.


I think you should still go


If you head somewhere touristy, it won't be so fast paced (although the pavements getting there might). And there are loads of lovely parks. Half of London is green space!


Jx

Kynthia

I live near London and commute in. I see strollers most days and big travel systems only occassionally although I bet there are more at the weekend. I've taken the Vista to central London twice and while it's doable I'd get a stroller as your child is big enough for one. You'll probably be getting one at some point so why not now, or borrow one from a friend?

Many tube stations are very deep underground and the majority don't have lifts. The ones that arent very deep still often dont have lifts and are a flight of stairs instead of escalators. There is a step free underground map you can use but I've turned up at a station before where the one lift was out of order. So a light buggy you can manuver in small spaces, fold and carry, and get onto crowded trains more easily would be better.

There are loads of family friendly restaurants and pubs so there's no reason to avoid London because you have children. As above, Italian restaurants are accommodating and there are many known for being very child friendly like Giraffe, which is one of my favourites on the South Bank.

I bought the Uppababy G-Luxe as it's very light and has a carry strap. However there are loads out there to choose from. Plus many places are walkable as the gaps between stations on the tube map don't reflect the true distance above ground.

elisebutt65

I used to take mine n a backpack once they were over 12 months. Much easier for public transport. Get your OH to have littlie and you can hold onto your 5yr old.
Like this: http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/walking/equipment/rucksacks/baby-carriers

Savvy_Sue

Kynthia wrote: »

Many tube stations are very deep underground and the majority don't have lifts.

the deepest in my day was Angel Islington. There were lifts, but they were often out of order ... Given that the RNIB had offices near by, you can imagine the fun and games of numbers of people with limited sight, several with dogs, getting up and down the spiral staircase at the beginning and end of the day ...

mattpaint

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Don't forget you'll need Oyster Cards - £5 each - as there's no cash fares on the buses and buying tickets for the trains and tubes can take forever now. If it's a manned station, you should be able to get through the wider gate, as the normal ones will end up with you and junior getting stuck with a hundred stressed commuters stuck behind you. Travelling is probably least bad between 10.30am and 2.30pm. And download the London Transport Bus Countdown App on your phone, it's worth having a smartphone just for that alone.

You won't need Oyster Cards if you've got a contactless debit/credit card.