London

gazzak_2

I have 3 kids and we regularly take trips into London as we live right next to a tube line, (Croxley). I used to work in London for 10 years so know my way around quite well now. As it was so nice yesterday we took yet another jaunt to the old smoke, so here are my tips for you.

Don't do the Science museum. As has already been posted in this thread it's not anywhere near as good as it used to be. I'd compare it to a theme park that's forgotten it's roots. We went there last summer and never again. Free but overcrowded and not a museum anymore.

The natural history museum next door is fantastic, but if you're going to visit then it's a whole day or nothing.

If you don't mind spending some money then here's my best London day out:

Book for the London Eye in advance and start there. You'll never forget the experience. Come off the London Eye and straight into the London Aquarium next door, the kids will love everything about it and so will you. Out of the aquarium and into MacD's for a quick lunch, (optional). Walk over Westminster Bridge and admire Big ben, the Houses of Parliament and the Abbeys. Up Whitehall for Downing Street and Horsegaurds parade. Into Trafalgar Square for loads of picture taking. From there to Covent Garden and all the street entertainers, markets and general entertainment. Accross to Leicester Square and from there to Piccadilly Circus. Up Regent Street and Hamleys, then Oxford Street if you've got the energy left. All walkable and easy to navigate.

Yesterday we did a cheapy in this order:
2 Travelcards, (kids are free). Tube to Oxford Circus, down Regent St, (another look round Hamleys), lunch at Piccadilly Circus, through Leicester Square then Covent Garden, (never get bored with the street entertainment), down to the strand, No. 11 bus to Victoria, (via Whitehall, Big Ben, Victoria St), walk to Buckingham Palace, walk through St. James Park, (via superb play area),to the Mall and then to Trafalgar Square, then tube home. All tired and had another great day.

If there are specific things you want to see and want to know the best way to do it, or find out if it's even viable then please post. London is fantastic and cheap if you want it to be.

unsure

We took two American couisns (12 and 15) on the Duck tour. They loved it.
There was a slight moment of panic as the thing flopped into the water but that only added to the fun! There was a guide giving a very jokey tour narrative as well. Good fun and not too time-consuming.

Definitely get the tube rather than driving if you are not familiar with London. It's large, confusing, busy, and the native drivers are not exactly helpful or even merciful! Parking is expensive and nightmarish. Tube will be much less stresssful and possibly quicker. A lot of the main sites are not that far apart and a stop or two on the tube will be eaiser and probably cheaper than parking and reparking.

July is a great time for London's parks: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park, St James all worth visiting....and good getaways from the crowds as it will be peak tourist time.

If you like culture (even if you don't!!) ...some of the museums and galleries are great and all are free. I'd recommend Tate Modern, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery,Victoria and Albert Museum (just up from Harrods if you want to combine a visit), Natural History and of course the British Museum. Most of them have specific kids activities.

Also the Southbank Centre, just along from the Eye, Aquarium etc, which comprises Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery and Queen Elizabeth Hall often has free children's and family events in school holidays. Worth staying across www.southbankcentre.co.uk bit too ealy for July events just yet.

You could even make a day of Eye, Aquarium, Southbank (lunch!) Tate Modern which are all within walking distance along the river...and then go over the wobbly bridge to St Pauls.

Covent Garden is fun and funkyas mentioned by op.

brazilianwax

unsure wrote: »

Definitely get the tube rather than driving if you are not familiar with London. It's large, confusing, busy, and the native drivers are not exactly helpful or even merciful! Parking is expensive and nightmarish. Tube will be much less stresssful and possibly quicker. A lot of the main sites are not that far apart and a stop or two on the tube will be eaiser and probably cheaper than parking and reparking.

July is a great time for London's parks: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park, St James all worth visiting....and good getaways from the crowds as it will be peak tourist time.

It's always peak tourist time!!!

And just be aware that the tube will be extremely hot in July, and, depending on the line, cram packed. Make sure you have plenty of water with you.

Janepig

simplepete wrote: »

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!!

Pete - we spent a couple of hours in the Willow Walk on your recommendation on Saturday to watch the match and had a fab time. I don't think there were many English people in there (or certainly not around the big screen), it was full of Welsh fans, and the manager was very accommodating (moving furniture around for us to sit on etc..) and seemed pleased that the rugby fans were bringing a bit of atmosphere to the place. Oh and the vodka and cranberry was only £2.25 - bargain!

Thanks again for the recommendation!!!

Jxx