London - Weekend Itinerary with Kids
Discussion
As per previous thread Heading down to London in a couple of weeks with the kids - just one night, Saturday / Sunday.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Accommodation finally booked in the Premier Inn at Wembley, so will drive down Saturday AM and hoping to be there and ready to get on the tube for 10am ish.
The kids have got a million & one things that they want to do and not sure how feasible it is to cram it all in to two days so would appreciate some feedback on how best to plan it all & structure it around the weekend... recognising that plans will change as we wander around etc.
My current plan is below - please let me know if not feasible or obvious errors....
Saturday..
Straight into town.. and some generic sight seeing - kids have explicitly said they want to see Buck Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Downing Street & 'the soldiers' (changing of the guard)
Considering doing an open top tour bus to get around to see everything, but could walk or tube it around... bus is attractive as the Xmas lights should all be on (3rd Dec) so a good way to see them in the dark?
They also want to go inside Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels... - anyone done the access recently.... is it a full day / half day thing? it's £90 so better be good!
Oldest wants to go to the Lego store too - suspect this can be tied in around some of this activity or pushed into Sunday?
Sunday
Planning on the Natural History or Science museum followed by a river boat ride... and I think i'm correct in saying I can do this all the way down to Greenwich? and then ride the Cable car back? (Details are a bit sketchy on this if anyone can help?!)
Maybe back into town centre for another wander around the touristy bits - covent garden etc.
Wanted to visit the Sky Gardens too but they're fully booked for both days that we're there... are there other options to get a good high up view, or do we just need to try our luck with a walk up?
Anything major that i've missed - this will be the first visit for both kids so keen to do the 'big' things rather than off the beaten track that they might not appreciate as much.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Accommodation finally booked in the Premier Inn at Wembley, so will drive down Saturday AM and hoping to be there and ready to get on the tube for 10am ish.
The kids have got a million & one things that they want to do and not sure how feasible it is to cram it all in to two days so would appreciate some feedback on how best to plan it all & structure it around the weekend... recognising that plans will change as we wander around etc.
My current plan is below - please let me know if not feasible or obvious errors....
Saturday..
Straight into town.. and some generic sight seeing - kids have explicitly said they want to see Buck Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Downing Street & 'the soldiers' (changing of the guard)
Considering doing an open top tour bus to get around to see everything, but could walk or tube it around... bus is attractive as the Xmas lights should all be on (3rd Dec) so a good way to see them in the dark?
They also want to go inside Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels... - anyone done the access recently.... is it a full day / half day thing? it's £90 so better be good!
Oldest wants to go to the Lego store too - suspect this can be tied in around some of this activity or pushed into Sunday?
Sunday
Planning on the Natural History or Science museum followed by a river boat ride... and I think i'm correct in saying I can do this all the way down to Greenwich? and then ride the Cable car back? (Details are a bit sketchy on this if anyone can help?!)
Maybe back into town centre for another wander around the touristy bits - covent garden etc.
Wanted to visit the Sky Gardens too but they're fully booked for both days that we're there... are there other options to get a good high up view, or do we just need to try our luck with a walk up?
Anything major that i've missed - this will be the first visit for both kids so keen to do the 'big' things rather than off the beaten track that they might not appreciate as much.
The Tower of London is really only a half day jaunt, so plan other things. I've visited the Tower a couple of times this year (our caving club have sourced Reigate Stone for repairing the Tower). My advice would be to book in advance and get there early. The first thing would be to go the The Jewel House at the very North of the site to see the Crown Jewels. The queues should be mitigated by the winter rather than summer season, but The Crown Jewels nearly always has a large queue. The rest of the site isn't too bad, even the main Tower. The main cafe/restaurant isn't cheap, but I found the food to be of decent quality.
I used to be a regular visitor to the Natural History Museum. Again be there before opening time if possible. The website now tells you to book your visit online. Again the most popular area is the Dinosaurs so get there first before the queues get horrific. Most people miss the Zoology Spirit Zone and The Cocoon (take lift to the top floor to access it) in the Orange Zone (the Western End of the building). The Zoology Spirit Zone has the best, cleanest and quietest toilets! If you have time you, you can pop to the Science Museum Next Door or the V&A opposite.
With regards to the Uber/Thames Clipper, I believe you would get off at the O2/Greenwich, walk 10ish mins to the Emirates Cable Car, take the cable car, and I believe you can walk to Royal Wharf to get the Uber boat back into London or use the DLR.
It's going to be expensive, interesting and fun with lots of tired legs.
Edit to add. You could always pop to a Tesco Express or similar to buy lunch/drinks to eat in the museum on the benches. Sabes buying overpriced stuff in Central London. Lots of people do this.
I used to be a regular visitor to the Natural History Museum. Again be there before opening time if possible. The website now tells you to book your visit online. Again the most popular area is the Dinosaurs so get there first before the queues get horrific. Most people miss the Zoology Spirit Zone and The Cocoon (take lift to the top floor to access it) in the Orange Zone (the Western End of the building). The Zoology Spirit Zone has the best, cleanest and quietest toilets! If you have time you, you can pop to the Science Museum Next Door or the V&A opposite.
With regards to the Uber/Thames Clipper, I believe you would get off at the O2/Greenwich, walk 10ish mins to the Emirates Cable Car, take the cable car, and I believe you can walk to Royal Wharf to get the Uber boat back into London or use the DLR.
It's going to be expensive, interesting and fun with lots of tired legs.
Edit to add. You could always pop to a Tesco Express or similar to buy lunch/drinks to eat in the museum on the benches. Sabes buying overpriced stuff in Central London. Lots of people do this.
Edited by vikingaero on Monday 21st November 11:33
Lego store isn't all that, we took our Gransdon along a a couple of months ago whilst spending a day with him, the wife had read that you can spend a good 2-3 hours in there, we were an hour tops, it was ok but not great.
Also from experience, whatever you plan, it never goes to plan, you will either run out of time or end up rushing and not doing what you have planned, properly.
Also from experience, whatever you plan, it never goes to plan, you will either run out of time or end up rushing and not doing what you have planned, properly.
Good high up view -
Shame about sky garden as it's excellent, considering it's free. But yeah, the tickets are released on a certain day and go within a few hours generally, particularly the weekend/holiday ones. Not sure I'd bother with walk up as the queues getting in seem pretty chaotic for both ticket holders and walk ups, last time I was there.
Obvious alternatives - the Shard and London Eye both offer excellent views but both come at a price, obviously.
If you are spending time near the Tower of London, maybe consider paying to go inside Tower Bridge.
Much cheaper than the other options and the walkway across the top of the bridge doesn't offer such amazing views but isn't bad for what it is. Entire visit probably only takes an hour or so. Kids will enjoy the glass floor -
https://secretldn.com/tower-bridge-glass-floor/
Shame about sky garden as it's excellent, considering it's free. But yeah, the tickets are released on a certain day and go within a few hours generally, particularly the weekend/holiday ones. Not sure I'd bother with walk up as the queues getting in seem pretty chaotic for both ticket holders and walk ups, last time I was there.
Obvious alternatives - the Shard and London Eye both offer excellent views but both come at a price, obviously.
If you are spending time near the Tower of London, maybe consider paying to go inside Tower Bridge.
Much cheaper than the other options and the walkway across the top of the bridge doesn't offer such amazing views but isn't bad for what it is. Entire visit probably only takes an hour or so. Kids will enjoy the glass floor -
https://secretldn.com/tower-bridge-glass-floor/
Buck Palace, Big Ben, Houses of parliament, Downing street all relatively close walking distance
Start at BP, walk through St James Park and then across Horseguards parade, past Downing street and onto HP and Big Ben. Tower Bridge and Tower of London at the other end of town near the Shard. It's quite a nice walk along the South Bank if weather is kind, past London Eye, Borough Market is on the way....might be a bit far for a 6 & 3 year old though.
Natural History is MASSIVE.....probably the better choice IMHO for 6 & 3 than Science Museum.....take them back their when they are a little older. As NH is so big, choose the things you really think they will be interesting in and just focus on those. Lots to look at.
Start at BP, walk through St James Park and then across Horseguards parade, past Downing street and onto HP and Big Ben. Tower Bridge and Tower of London at the other end of town near the Shard. It's quite a nice walk along the South Bank if weather is kind, past London Eye, Borough Market is on the way....might be a bit far for a 6 & 3 year old though.
Natural History is MASSIVE.....probably the better choice IMHO for 6 & 3 than Science Museum.....take them back their when they are a little older. As NH is so big, choose the things you really think they will be interesting in and just focus on those. Lots to look at.
arfur said:
How about Battersea Power Station ?
Lots going on there these days - and Lift 109 looks like a worthwhile viewpoint (on my list !!)
I fancy doing that. Its £15.50 for an adult and £11.50 for a child to go up in the lift. Other than that I believe its free to wander round the shops and there are a few resturants and bars open.Lots going on there these days - and Lift 109 looks like a worthwhile viewpoint (on my list !!)
https://lift109.co.uk/
https://batterseapowerstation.co.uk/
Other than the architecture it baffles me how much support the NH Museum receives over the Science Museum next door! The NH Museum genuinely is massive but I suspect only a small amount of its displays will be of interest to the children so I’d concentrate on seeing the Hintze Hall exhibits (the big hall with the whale skeleton), check out Andy’s clock if the children watch CBBC then head to the dinosaur rooms and then nip next door to the science museum to see the rockets/planes/steam engines/whatever you think or know the kids are interested in and then go to the basement to play. Check in advance to see if either museum is doing a lecture or a show as these can be very entertaining. “Buy” the free tickets in advance. Queueing unnecessarily isn’t fun. The NH Museum queue is likely to be significantly longer than the Science Museum. Sometimes these queues are prohibitive.
The south bank opposite Big Ben is a fun area with loads of street performers and other things to witness. The aquarium is just there. As is the eye. The clipper boat to Greenwich is always well received and make sure you take the kids outside to the back of the boat when he floors it after Canary Wharf. Greenwich has the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum. One is expensive the other free. The NMM has lots of interactive play and dressing up and decent food space. Greenwich park and observatory is literally just outside.
London is massive and even the relatively short Buckingham Palace to Whitehall and Westminster walk will puff out the six year old, let alone the three year old.
In honesty you could fill a dozen weekends and not scrape the surface. It might be easy for me to say so as I live here so have the option to be a tourist any weekend but I’d caution against trying to do too much on the first visit. The children have only so much staying power and London isn’t going away. Tick the big boxes on the first visit. Return visits can mop up other activities.
Be warned that the non-free stuff adds up quickly and can end up being very expensive. Maybe it’s because I’m tight as a gnats chuff but I’d stick as best I could to the sights and the free museums. I’d also prepare and take packed lunches as costs can add up and you also have greater control over exactly when food can be produced for hungry tummies. So bring a decent day rucksack. And good shoes.
Have a great weekend.
The south bank opposite Big Ben is a fun area with loads of street performers and other things to witness. The aquarium is just there. As is the eye. The clipper boat to Greenwich is always well received and make sure you take the kids outside to the back of the boat when he floors it after Canary Wharf. Greenwich has the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum. One is expensive the other free. The NMM has lots of interactive play and dressing up and decent food space. Greenwich park and observatory is literally just outside.
London is massive and even the relatively short Buckingham Palace to Whitehall and Westminster walk will puff out the six year old, let alone the three year old.
In honesty you could fill a dozen weekends and not scrape the surface. It might be easy for me to say so as I live here so have the option to be a tourist any weekend but I’d caution against trying to do too much on the first visit. The children have only so much staying power and London isn’t going away. Tick the big boxes on the first visit. Return visits can mop up other activities.
Be warned that the non-free stuff adds up quickly and can end up being very expensive. Maybe it’s because I’m tight as a gnats chuff but I’d stick as best I could to the sights and the free museums. I’d also prepare and take packed lunches as costs can add up and you also have greater control over exactly when food can be produced for hungry tummies. So bring a decent day rucksack. And good shoes.
Have a great weekend.
Thanks All.
We've got NH tickets booked for Sunday morning now.
So thinking we'll arrive Sat AM - prob head straight to the Tower.
Then spending the afternoon & evening wandering around the central stuff, see some of the Xmas lights, maybe take a bus ride in the dark. Tower Bridge is scheduled to open at 18:20 i think - oldest is keen to see that.
Sunday - all morning in the NH until they get bored, then maybe down to the river & a boat ride down to Greenwich - cable car is closed, so come back on the DLR or another boat, possibly go into / over Tower Bridge.
That should wear them out.
We've got NH tickets booked for Sunday morning now.
So thinking we'll arrive Sat AM - prob head straight to the Tower.
Then spending the afternoon & evening wandering around the central stuff, see some of the Xmas lights, maybe take a bus ride in the dark. Tower Bridge is scheduled to open at 18:20 i think - oldest is keen to see that.
Sunday - all morning in the NH until they get bored, then maybe down to the river & a boat ride down to Greenwich - cable car is closed, so come back on the DLR or another boat, possibly go into / over Tower Bridge.
That should wear them out.
Dan_1981 said:
As per previous thread Heading down to London in a couple of weeks with the kids - just one night, Saturday / Sunday.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Accommodation finally booked in the Premier Inn at Wembley, so will drive down Saturday AM and hoping to be there and ready to get on the tube for 10am ish.
The kids have got a million & one things that they want to do and not sure how feasible it is to cram it all in to two days so would appreciate some feedback on how best to plan it all & structure it around the weekend... recognising that plans will change as we wander around etc.
My current plan is below - please let me know if not feasible or obvious errors....
Saturday..
Straight into town.. and some generic sight seeing - kids have explicitly said they want to see Buck Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Downing Street & 'the soldiers' (changing of the guard)
Considering doing an open top tour bus to get around to see everything, but could walk or tube it around... bus is attractive as the Xmas lights should all be on (3rd Dec) so a good way to see them in the dark?
They also want to go inside Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels... - anyone done the access recently.... is it a full day / half day thing? it's £90 so better be good!
Oldest wants to go to the Lego store too - suspect this can be tied in around some of this activity or pushed into Sunday?
Sunday
Planning on the Natural History or Science museum followed by a river boat ride... and I think i'm correct in saying I can do this all the way down to Greenwich? and then ride the Cable car back? (Details are a bit sketchy on this if anyone can help?!)
Maybe back into town centre for another wander around the touristy bits - covent garden etc.
Wanted to visit the Sky Gardens too but they're fully booked for both days that we're there... are there other options to get a good high up view, or do we just need to try our luck with a walk up?
Anything major that i've missed - this will be the first visit for both kids so keen to do the 'big' things rather than off the beaten track that they might not appreciate as much.
Hello! There are a couple of other things to consider. The London Acquarium is a must in my view as is the London Eye. Give Thames Rockets a try too, the kids will love it - think powerboat roaring down the Thames! https://www.thamesrockets.com/ Natural History and Science Museum are also amazing. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Accommodation finally booked in the Premier Inn at Wembley, so will drive down Saturday AM and hoping to be there and ready to get on the tube for 10am ish.
The kids have got a million & one things that they want to do and not sure how feasible it is to cram it all in to two days so would appreciate some feedback on how best to plan it all & structure it around the weekend... recognising that plans will change as we wander around etc.
My current plan is below - please let me know if not feasible or obvious errors....
Saturday..
Straight into town.. and some generic sight seeing - kids have explicitly said they want to see Buck Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Downing Street & 'the soldiers' (changing of the guard)
Considering doing an open top tour bus to get around to see everything, but could walk or tube it around... bus is attractive as the Xmas lights should all be on (3rd Dec) so a good way to see them in the dark?
They also want to go inside Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels... - anyone done the access recently.... is it a full day / half day thing? it's £90 so better be good!
Oldest wants to go to the Lego store too - suspect this can be tied in around some of this activity or pushed into Sunday?
Sunday
Planning on the Natural History or Science museum followed by a river boat ride... and I think i'm correct in saying I can do this all the way down to Greenwich? and then ride the Cable car back? (Details are a bit sketchy on this if anyone can help?!)
Maybe back into town centre for another wander around the touristy bits - covent garden etc.
Wanted to visit the Sky Gardens too but they're fully booked for both days that we're there... are there other options to get a good high up view, or do we just need to try our luck with a walk up?
Anything major that i've missed - this will be the first visit for both kids so keen to do the 'big' things rather than off the beaten track that they might not appreciate as much.
Apologies in not updating... It did happen!
Tiring, exhausting success is the best way to describe it.
Was at Wembley for about 10:30am, dumped the car and jumped straight on a tube.
Headed straight to Tower of London area, and went Into the Tower, spent a good while in there, the kids loved it. Grabbed a sandwich from one of the tesco express things on the way down.
Walked from there to Garden at 120 and took in the views (sky garden fully booked and no walk ups)
Then walked down to Tower Bridge, crossed over and walked along the South Bank Xmas markets etc. Stopped to watch Tower Bridge open, then took a river ferry only a couple of stops up to embankment, walked up through to Covent Garden taking in the, xmassy stuff.
Tube back to Wembley for about 730.. Kids were exhausted, maccys in the hotel room for them.
Sunday was a very good breakfast in the Premier Inn then tube to Natural History for 10am, did all the main stuff until the kids got bored then came out and walked... Up past harrods, down to Buck pal, down to Hop, past horse guards and Downing Street, right down to Trafalgar, back up Regents to Hamleys (expensive, overpriced and busy).
Tube back to Wembley and departed London about 6pm!
For anyone else thinking of doing it...
Don't try and plan food, unless you want to book stuff, we found it easier to rely on hot dogs, sandwiches and McDonald's with a good breakfast at the hotel.
Take a pram for the little one but make sure it's light and foldable for the tube.
The 6 year old did 56k steps in two days! He slept well.
For us driving to wembley, parking for a tenner and staying in a Premier Inn was a far better solution than train. It also means you can dump all your stuff in the car once you check out.
You can do London 'cheap' we only paid for the Tower of London and the river uber, tubes... All the sites are free and at Xmas there is so much going on without needing all the extra stuff.
Thanks for all the advise... We ended up with one very pleased little boy!
Tiring, exhausting success is the best way to describe it.
Was at Wembley for about 10:30am, dumped the car and jumped straight on a tube.
Headed straight to Tower of London area, and went Into the Tower, spent a good while in there, the kids loved it. Grabbed a sandwich from one of the tesco express things on the way down.
Walked from there to Garden at 120 and took in the views (sky garden fully booked and no walk ups)
Then walked down to Tower Bridge, crossed over and walked along the South Bank Xmas markets etc. Stopped to watch Tower Bridge open, then took a river ferry only a couple of stops up to embankment, walked up through to Covent Garden taking in the, xmassy stuff.
Tube back to Wembley for about 730.. Kids were exhausted, maccys in the hotel room for them.
Sunday was a very good breakfast in the Premier Inn then tube to Natural History for 10am, did all the main stuff until the kids got bored then came out and walked... Up past harrods, down to Buck pal, down to Hop, past horse guards and Downing Street, right down to Trafalgar, back up Regents to Hamleys (expensive, overpriced and busy).
Tube back to Wembley and departed London about 6pm!
For anyone else thinking of doing it...
Don't try and plan food, unless you want to book stuff, we found it easier to rely on hot dogs, sandwiches and McDonald's with a good breakfast at the hotel.
Take a pram for the little one but make sure it's light and foldable for the tube.
The 6 year old did 56k steps in two days! He slept well.
For us driving to wembley, parking for a tenner and staying in a Premier Inn was a far better solution than train. It also means you can dump all your stuff in the car once you check out.
You can do London 'cheap' we only paid for the Tower of London and the river uber, tubes... All the sites are free and at Xmas there is so much going on without needing all the extra stuff.
Thanks for all the advise... We ended up with one very pleased little boy!
Dan_1981 said:
You can do London 'cheap' we only paid for the Tower of London and the river uber, tubes... All the sites are free and at Xmas there is so much going on without needing all the extra stuff.
Thanks for all the advise... We ended up with one very pleased little boy!
Apart from accommodation (buying or renting somewhere to live, or hotel costs which can be pricey), London does not have to be an expensive city, and in many ways cheaper than many other parts of the country. And the more you get to know it, the cheaper it gets. Thanks for all the advise... We ended up with one very pleased little boy!
valiant said:
ChasW said:
A cheap way of keeping them occupied between venues is to use buses. Mine used to love sitting at the front on the upper deck. This really helps if it's wet. Much better than using the tube
take them on the the DLR and they can pretend to drive the train!Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff