Going to London for two nights

Cherryfudge

I was eight the first time I went to London. Things I still remember: the Tube (nothing sounds like the Underground!), being very impressed that a Beefeater called my Mum 'Madam' and of course, going to Hamleys.

strawb_shortcake

You could check for changing of the guard during your visit, but best to get there early for a view as it does get busy. 

I like the boat ride from Little Venice to Camden, you can then get an ice cream from Hans and Gretel, but not sure if Camden would otherwise appeal to a 10 year old. 

You also have the Toy Kingdom in Harrods, I think I may prefer that to Hamleys. 
You also have the Lego shop and MnM world? Never been but seems popular.

Personally I really dislike the Natural History Museum, other than the earthquake bit and I guess the dinosaurs. I don't know why I dislike it as much as I do

Rosa_Damascena

textbook said:

Emmia said:

textbook said:

Emmia said:

textbook said:

Emmia said:

textbook said:

Going with primary school aged kid to do football stadium tour and London Dungeons etc.

What's the best way to book a hotel e.g. Premier Inn in ok location and should I book stadium tour?

Which stadium tour are you planning to do? To avoid disappointment I would book that element. 

There's 2 Premier Inn's just over the road from Euston/St Pancras/Kings Cross Stations

Arsenal stadium tour

Ok, so Victoria and Piccadilly lines are your good routes to the Emirates Stadium, if you want to be central-ish  I'd probably still go with one of the Premier Inns near Euston / Kings Cross / St Pancras - Putney is the other end of London, so that's a long tube journey. Victoria line will also get you down to Oxford St etc (although that's very walkable) and the Piccadilly Line will take you to Covent Garden.

Alternatively I'd suggest the Premier Inn Hub near St James' Park - that's near Victoria Station for the Victoria line and Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Downing St, Horseguards Parade and the London Eye (as well as St James' Park itself)

I guess just being centralish for the sites is best it's two nights.  Arsenal will be just one trip.  The prices are high for premier inn but how do you know other places will be ok with breakfast etc?

Does the Hub have breakfast?  What's the difference to normal premier inns

I think you ought to look at the Premier Inn website, look at the rooms available and features and work out how much you want to spend vs travelling times to the places you want to go to.

Personally I wouldn't want to spend half an hour or more on the tube each way to have a cheaper hotel, as that cuts into the sightseeing time, and if you go somewhere with only one tube line you're tied to it, going more centrally gives more travel options.

But depending on what you're willing to pay that might be a choice made for you.

Gone for Holiday Inn nesrVictoria Station.  

London is expensive but if the weather is good, walk through the royal parks from St James through to Piccadilly and then on to theatreland, Leicester Sq and Chinatown if you think your child will enjoy drinking in the atmosphere.

I was in Regents Park last weekend and it was lovely. And full of happy families.

Rosa_Damascena

Emmia said:

textbook said:

Going with primary school aged kid to do football stadium tour and London Dungeons etc.

What's the best way to book a hotel e.g. Premier Inn in ok location and should I book stadium tour?

Which stadium tour are you planning to do? To avoid disappointment I would book that element. 

There's 2 Premier Inn's just over the road from Euston/St Pancras/Kings Cross Stations

That reminds me - its always worth going to the Wellcome Collection. This is suitable for children and is also free.

Emmia

strawb_shortcake said:

You could check for changing of the guard during your visit, but best to get there early for a view as it does get busy. 

I like the boat ride from Little Venice to Camden, you can then get an ice cream from Hans and Gretel, but not sure if Camden would otherwise appeal to a 10 year old. 

You also have the Toy Kingdom in Harrods, I think I may prefer that to Hamleys. 
You also have the Lego shop and MnM world? Never been but seems popular.

Personally I really dislike the Natural History Museum, other than the earthquake bit and I guess the dinosaurs. I don't know why I dislike it as much as I do

If you're up really early close to the parade season, the practicing for trooping the colour happens v.early (7am ish) with the soldiers marching around St James' Park playing tunes (mostly of their choice, Star Wars is a frequent favourite)

The Pelicans in St James' Park are also great - mostly hanging out on their rock, but often the have a little mooch around on the paths 

There's also Beat Retreat which is an evening event.

strawb_shortcake

Emmia said:

strawb_shortcake said:

You could check for changing of the guard during your visit, but best to get there early for a view as it does get busy. 

I like the boat ride from Little Venice to Camden, you can then get an ice cream from Hans and Gretel, but not sure if Camden would otherwise appeal to a 10 year old. 

You also have the Toy Kingdom in Harrods, I think I may prefer that to Hamleys. 
You also have the Lego shop and MnM world? Never been but seems popular.

Personally I really dislike the Natural History Museum, other than the earthquake bit and I guess the dinosaurs. I don't know why I dislike it as much as I do

If you're up really early close to the parade season, the practicing for trooping the colour happens v.early (7am ish) with the soldiers marching around St James' Park playing tunes (mostly of their choice, Star Wars is a frequent favourite)

The Pelicans in St James' Park are also great - mostly hanging out on their rock, but often the have a little mooch around on the paths 

There's also Beat Retreat which is an evening event.

We saw the practice many years ago for the welcoming of the King of Saudi Arabia (if memory serves) purely by chance.

zagubov

textbook said:

Emmia said:

textbook said:

Emmia said:

textbook said:

Emmia said:

textbook said:

Going with primary school aged kid to do football stadium tour and London Dungeons etc.

What's the best way to book a hotel e.g. Premier Inn in ok location and should I book stadium tour?

Which stadium tour are you planning to do? To avoid disappointment I would book that element. 

There's 2 Premier Inn's just over the road from Euston/St Pancras/Kings Cross Stations

Arsenal stadium tour

Ok, so Victoria and Piccadilly lines are your good routes to the Emirates Stadium, if you want to be central-ish  I'd probably still go with one of the Premier Inns near Euston / Kings Cross / St Pancras - Putney is the other end of London, so that's a long tube journey. Victoria line will also get you down to Oxford St etc (although that's very walkable) and the Piccadilly Line will take you to Covent Garden.

Alternatively I'd suggest the Premier Inn Hub near St James' Park - that's near Victoria Station for the Victoria line and Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Downing St, Horseguards Parade and the London Eye (as well as St James' Park itself)

I guess just being centralish for the sites is best it's two nights.  Arsenal will be just one trip.  The prices are high for premier inn but how do you know other places will be ok with breakfast etc?

Does the Hub have breakfast?  What's the difference to normal premier inns

I think you ought to look at the Premier Inn website, look at the rooms available and features and work out how much you want to spend vs travelling times to the places you want to go to.

Personally I wouldn't want to spend half an hour or more on the tube each way to have a cheaper hotel, as that cuts into the sightseeing time, and if you go somewhere with only one tube line you're tied to it, going more centrally gives more travel options.

But depending on what you're willing to pay that might be a choice made for you.

Gone for Holiday Inn nesrVictoria Station.  

Excellent idea.
The underground is fast and regular but really noisy so take them upstairs on the 38 bus from Victoria station to Chinatown (goes near Hamleys and St James Park). The views from some buses are a treat; use them wherever possible - this link might help you choose:https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/experience-london/bus-leisure-routes?intcmp=53128
Near Bank in the city, the Garden at 120 isn't as high as the nearby Sky Garden or Shard but usually no queues or booking needed.
There's an optical illusion museum near Harrod's called the Paradox Museum that seems to have good reviews but costs over £20 per person  for a 90 minute visit.
If you're in the West End/Trafalgar Square and want to visit the Shard, all trains from Charing Cross mainline station stop there (doesn't show on tube maps as they're not underground trains). Thanks to Emmia for reminding me of this.

Emmia

zagubov said:

textbook said:

Emmia said:

textbook said:

Emmia said:

textbook said:

Emmia said:

textbook said:

Going with primary school aged kid to do football stadium tour and London Dungeons etc.

What's the best way to book a hotel e.g. Premier Inn in ok location and should I book stadium tour?

Which stadium tour are you planning to do? To avoid disappointment I would book that element. 

There's 2 Premier Inn's just over the road from Euston/St Pancras/Kings Cross Stations

Arsenal stadium tour

Ok, so Victoria and Piccadilly lines are your good routes to the Emirates Stadium, if you want to be central-ish  I'd probably still go with one of the Premier Inns near Euston / Kings Cross / St Pancras - Putney is the other end of London, so that's a long tube journey. Victoria line will also get you down to Oxford St etc (although that's very walkable) and the Piccadilly Line will take you to Covent Garden.

Alternatively I'd suggest the Premier Inn Hub near St James' Park - that's near Victoria Station for the Victoria line and Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Downing St, Horseguards Parade and the London Eye (as well as St James' Park itself)

I guess just being centralish for the sites is best it's two nights.  Arsenal will be just one trip.  The prices are high for premier inn but how do you know other places will be ok with breakfast etc?

Does the Hub have breakfast?  What's the difference to normal premier inns

I think you ought to look at the Premier Inn website, look at the rooms available and features and work out how much you want to spend vs travelling times to the places you want to go to.

Personally I wouldn't want to spend half an hour or more on the tube each way to have a cheaper hotel, as that cuts into the sightseeing time, and if you go somewhere with only one tube line you're tied to it, going more centrally gives more travel options.

But depending on what you're willing to pay that might be a choice made for you.

Gone for Holiday Inn nesrVictoria Station.  

Excellent idea.
The underground is fast and regular but really noisy so take them upstairs on the 38 bus from Victoria station to Chinatown (goes near Hamleys and St James Park). The views from some buses are a treat; use them wherever possible - this link might help you choose:https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/experience-london/bus-leisure-routes?intcmp=53128
Near Bank in the city, the Garden at 120 isn't as high as the nearby Sky Garden or Shard but usually no queues or booking needed.
There's an optical illusion museum near Harrod's called the Paradox Museum that seems to have good reviews but costs over £20 per person  for a 90 minute visit.
If you're in the West End/Trafalgar Square and want to visit the Shard, all trains from Charing Cross stop there (doesn't show on tube maps)

It won't show on tube maps as it's a National Rail service from the mainline station. Not to be confused with the underground of the same name, where none of the services go to London Bridge directly.

uklaw1

textbook said:

Going with primary school aged kid to do football stadium tour and London Dungeons etc.

What's the best way to book a hotel e.g. Premier Inn in ok location and should I book stadium tour?

There is a Premier Inn near the Tower Bridge. Reasonable price and amazing location in the heart of London. There are some local breakfast places as well with great food.

Rosa_Damascena

zagubov said:

textbook said:

Emmia said:

textbook said:

Emmia said:

textbook said:

Emmia said:

textbook said:

Going with primary school aged kid to do football stadium tour and London Dungeons etc.

What's the best way to book a hotel e.g. Premier Inn in ok location and should I book stadium tour?

Which stadium tour are you planning to do? To avoid disappointment I would book that element. 

There's 2 Premier Inn's just over the road from Euston/St Pancras/Kings Cross Stations

Arsenal stadium tour

Ok, so Victoria and Piccadilly lines are your good routes to the Emirates Stadium, if you want to be central-ish  I'd probably still go with one of the Premier Inns near Euston / Kings Cross / St Pancras - Putney is the other end of London, so that's a long tube journey. Victoria line will also get you down to Oxford St etc (although that's very walkable) and the Piccadilly Line will take you to Covent Garden.

Alternatively I'd suggest the Premier Inn Hub near St James' Park - that's near Victoria Station for the Victoria line and Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Downing St, Horseguards Parade and the London Eye (as well as St James' Park itself)

I guess just being centralish for the sites is best it's two nights.  Arsenal will be just one trip.  The prices are high for premier inn but how do you know other places will be ok with breakfast etc?

Does the Hub have breakfast?  What's the difference to normal premier inns

I think you ought to look at the Premier Inn website, look at the rooms available and features and work out how much you want to spend vs travelling times to the places you want to go to.

Personally I wouldn't want to spend half an hour or more on the tube each way to have a cheaper hotel, as that cuts into the sightseeing time, and if you go somewhere with only one tube line you're tied to it, going more centrally gives more travel options.

But depending on what you're willing to pay that might be a choice made for you.

Gone for Holiday Inn nesrVictoria Station.  

Excellent idea.
The underground is fast and regular but really noisy so take them upstairs on the 38 bus from Victoria station to Chinatown (goes near Hamleys and St James Park). The views from some buses are a treat; use them wherever possible - this link might help you choose:https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/experience-london/bus-leisure-routes?intcmp=53128
Near Bank in the city, the Garden at 120 isn't as high as the nearby Sky Garden or Shard but usually no queues or booking needed.
There's an optical illusion museum near Harrod's called the Paradox Museum that seems to have good reviews but costs over £20 per person  for a 90 minute visit.
If you're in the West End/Trafalgar Square and want to visit the Shard, all trains from Charing Cross mainline station stop there (doesn't show on tube maps as they're not underground trains). Thanks to Emmia for reminding me of this.

Perhaps its obvious, but if the front seats of the top deck are unoccupied, use them! They offer a fantastic unobstructed vantage point.