London West End - Activities

[fourstardan]

I'm going up the west end for a night over in a few weeks with our son who is starting to get the wonderful parental exploitation called Christmas so I'd like to see the lights/window shows etc.

Has anyone got any recommended activities/exhibitions for a 3 year old we could do that is a bit unique? I looked at the usual spots like London Zoo and they want 30 bloody quid each and 20 for a three year old to go round, I know its a not for profit place but christ.

London Transport museum comes to mind, so we may do that one and We'll be doing the Natural History museum on a day as we've not been there yet with HRH.

[DoctorX]

I think you can get 2 for 1 entry to the zoo if you travel to London by rail if that makes any difference.

[okgo]

London transport museum isn’t free (or cheap) either but meant to be good for kids.

Hamleys probably a good idea, perhaps M&M world or something around there too?

[Truckosaurus]

Science Museum has lots of kids friendly things, and is free and close to the NHM if you are in the area.

Other than that all my experience is around drinking in pubs which might not be a suitable activity.

[Deesee]

DoctorX said:

I think you can get 2 for 1 entry to the zoo if you travel to London by rail if that makes any difference.

Same for the Aquarium.. which is well worth a visit (especially for the crocodile).

Bus route 139 has most of the major lights/attractions too, and is a whopping £1.75 (kids free).

National Gallery will often have story time.

[shakotan]

okgo said:

London transport museum isn’t free (or cheap) either but meant to be good for kids.

Hamleys probably a good idea, perhaps M&M world or something around there too?

It's pretty small though, you'd probably kill an hour at most.

[fourstardan]

Aware the London transport museum costs and isn't a bad price, If it's only an hour visiting time in there then I probably won't bother.

Hamley's could take 3 hours if they have the toys out lol.

Done science museum last time.

We are driving in as the trains are rubbish to get in from bournemouth, it's probably about the same price to drive to Richmond, park and then get transport to Waterloo as the train...and you come and go when you want as the cheaper tickets are advance only.

[soxboy]

Worth a trip to Harrods for the Christmas experience. The toy department has an awful lot of expensive stuff in it, however if you are buying brands such as Lego or Playmobil the prices are no different to ‘normal’ shops.

[fourstardan]

I think with harrods it will eat into the second day a bit as it's down towards the NHM.

Also I have forgotten that I've booked the Sky Garden for a walk about and some sights!

[Newc]

Does he recognise Beefeaters, big ships, and tower bridge? Or is he a bit too young still? Because that's a nice hour (if the weather's dry) wandering along the side of the river outside the Tower.

If you want free animals there's pelicans and squirrels in St James park. You can usually see the giraffes at the zoo from the road outside too.

Winter wonderland is again annoying all the local residents open in Hyde Park, and I believe has a young children's section running during the day (but double check).

[fourstardan]

Tower of London will be a trip we'll do in a couple of years.

I am not neccesarily looking for free options, just anything that's a bit unique and only in town for a period of time that we could see.

I am a Londoner but I've just lost touch with it all, I think maybe not seeing the adverts on the tubes is one reason!

[thebraketester]

fourstardan said:

I'm going up the west end for a night over in a few weeks with our son who is starting to get the wonderful parental exploitation called Christmas so I'd like to see the lights/window shows etc.

Has anyone got any recommended activities/exhibitions for a 3 year old we could do that is a bit unique? I looked at the usual spots like London Zoo and they want 30 bloody quid each and 20 for a three year old to go round, I know its a not for profit place but christ.

London Transport museum comes to mind, so we may do that one and We'll be doing the Natural History museum on a day as we've not been there yet with HRH.

Postal museum is pretty cool but a cock to get to.

[Percy Cushion]

When my lad was that age he was blown away just by the sights, smells and sounds of London. London Eye, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, Horseguards Parade etc. He’ll love it.

There’s also usually a parade outside Hamleys before Christmas but I don’t know when it’s on this year, loads of TV and cartoon characters, Mr Tumble got a bigger cheer than Santa Claus!

[z4RRSchris]

Winter Wonderland is open again (unfortunately for us who use green park tube) - there is a child bit but its a proper fleece

lights on regents / south molton / etc

Hamleys

free museum: NHN, British, Science

Covent Garden, watch the performers, have a pint, / hot chocolate - look around the stalls

South Bank at dusk has the little market and great views keep walking and you get to Borough Market

Zoo is fun but not exactly world class zoo these days.

[fourstardan]

z4RRSchris said:

Winter Wonderland is open again (unfortunately for us who use green park tube) - there is a child bit but its a proper fleece

lights on regents / south molton / etc

Hamleys

free museum: NHN, British, Science

Covent Garden, watch the performers, have a pint, / hot chocolate - look around the stalls

South Bank at dusk has the little market and great views keep walking and you get to Borough Market

Zoo is fun but not exactly world class zoo these days.

Staying in the Primmer Inn Waterloo so will probably eat on south bank.

Im a bit concerned by these marches going on in London at the moment so might not actually bother going in, it just feels very hostile and it also makes the whole place a complete mess after.

Would anyone following this post be concerned with it?

[z4RRSchris]

not at all, there is a very self contained march every Saturday, the route published in advance. away from the route you wont see / notice it.

there is less trouble than a standard weekend with 2 London football teams playing.

[shakotan]

z4RRSchris said:

Winter Wonderland is open again (unfortunately for us who use green park tube) - there is a child bit but its a proper fleece

Winter Wonderland is great if you want to be rammed in like sardines and overcharged for average fayre.

[fourstardan]

Won't bother with WW, I went up there the first or second year it was in and it was just full of dodgy folk who were there for the wallets and mobile phones.

[soxboy]

We went to Winter Wonderland last year and are off again this year. Must admit it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be (although there were train strikes so that may have helped), the big wheel was quite good with dusk views over the West End - think of it as a Primark London Eye.

[surveyor]

My daughter at that age loved the DLR out to Royal Victoria (sitting right at the front in the 'drivers' seat.)

Then the cable car across the Thames and the river bus back into town.

Enabled a bit of downtime amongst the chaos...