London

Liz_the_Whizz

My DH used to live in London so were old hands, but recently visited for the first time with our 6 year old.

His highlights were seeing Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, boat trip on the Thames from Westminster to Tower Bridge and, best of all, the Tower of London.

We actually found the Science Museum to be a rather confusing mess with inadequate numbers of interactive experiments which did not work or were inaccessible due to excessive numbers of people, amongst other static and ultra dull exhibits.

Not nearly as enjoyable as our more local ones in Manchester and especially NEWI at Wrexham - fantastic.

It's really great to see London through the eyes of a child - it's so easy to become blase about the sights, it was nice to re-discover them 10 years on.

nickyc_2

Personally I'd use the tube/buses, driving in London isn't much fun (and I live here)
If you get an oyster card there are 2-1 offers: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/microsites/oysteroffers/

For restaurant offers try http://www.toptable.co.uk/

Visit London is also good for ideas & offers - http://www.visitlondon.com/offers/

If you want to try to get theatre tickets - here always has reviews & offers:http://www.theatremonkey.com/CURRENTSPECIALOFFERS.htm

Janepig

Sorry Flowerscotland, do you mind if I hijack your thread slightly (I thought of doing another thread but I would imagine it'll be merged with this if I do)? A gang of us from work are going on a "jolly girls outing" to London next weekend, ostensibly to see Grease on Saturday evening. I'm okay with London in general, finding my way around, etc..., but my questions are - does anyone know of any good pubs in the vicinity of Buckingham Palace Road (where our hotel is) where we can watch the Wales v England six nations match? I've never visited pubs whenever I've gone to London.

Also, on the Sunday one of my friends wants to see the changing of the guard, which we might as well do as we're so close to Buck House, but although I've looked around the net for whereabouts to stand for the best view, etc, I can't quite make sense of it (I know ). Any tips?

Finally, we've provisionally booked a "duck tour" which looks like a laugh - has anyone done this? Was it any good?

Thanks

Jxx

simplepete

Janepig:
buckingham palace road is victoria, which is where I work, so we usually go to wetherspoons on wilton rd (the willow walk)as its nxt door, and is nicer than most of that chain, and usually have big sports on the screens;
theres also The Elusive Camel on the same road, which i think show sports too...
try the ViewLondon site, its really good as you can search specific areas of london!

You could always visit the sports cafe in haymarket for a bit more atmosphere!!

Janepig

Thanks Pete, that's really helpful. :j

Jxx

stefejb

the website for transport for london is www.tfl.gov.uk - definitely do not reccomend driving into c london

check out www.londonfreelist.com - lots of free or nearly free things to do there and it has a kids category - you'll have to do that nearer the time though but you should find plenty for the kids to do on there - have fun

brazilianwax

Janepig wrote: »

but my questions are - does anyone know of any good pubs in the vicinity of Buckingham Palace Road (where our hotel is) where we can watch the Wales v England six nations match? I've never visited pubs whenever I've gone to London.

Only one place to go if you're Welsh and in London on match day - Famous Three Kings on North End Road. It's next door to West Kensington tube station.

You'll probably be in the company if many of my colleagues. In fact, I'm in London next weekend, so I will probably be in there myself. :beer:

Buzzbox

There is always a queue at Madame Tussades, don't waste your time there if you only have two days in London. I recommend you take a Duck Tour of London, the tour bus actually goes on the Thames River, amazing views!

bandraoi

If you're there, there's a takeaway called the Best Mangal nearby.
It's FANTASTIC.

flowerscotland

thanks everyone ! such a great help, im off to look at the tfl website :T thank you !