London.

[Bob]

Talk to me about London…..

I used to live onthe outskirts but I’ve never done the touristy thing.

I’ve booked 4 nights near Kew Gardens in the summer, smallest wants to see Buckingham palace and the natural history museum. Eldest wants to go to Camden and brick lane. I want to go to Kew and to Kensington gardens because it holds some cherished memories! Hubby just wants a quite life with the smallest amount of tube travel possible.

Not overly interested in merlin activities (shrek, dungeons, Harry Potter etc) shard or London eye or the theatre, more interested in authentic London experiences suitable for a 10year old, a 14 year old and a country bumpkin……what I missing?

 

[Thehooperman]

Here's a few ideas.

The Science museum or the Natural History museum are good especially if the weather's not too good or you want to kill an hour or two.

A boat trip on the Thames

Open top bus hop on hop off tour. A great way to get your bearings and sightsee.

Wembley stadium tour if they're interested in footy

Concert at the Royal Albert Hall

If you go to Buckingham Palace it's a short walk to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, etc.

Lunch at the Oxo Tower overlooking the river.

Check the TfL website for the cheapest way to travel around but it's worth knowing that there are caps on the amount they charge for tap on tap off regardless how many times you use it. I paid less than £5 for travel from Wembley into the city and back to Uxbridge and then back to Wembley recently.

 

[staffordjas]

Check the TfL website for the cheapest way to travel around but it's worth knowing that there are caps on the amount they charge for tap on tap off regardless how many times you use it. I paid less than £5 for travel from Wembley into the city and back to Uxbridge and then back to Wembley recently.

Just make sure you use the same method of payment (visa card or phone) , even for the same account. Son used his phone and his card one day when we went , so didn't just pay the one capped amount. Ended up paying double thinking it was all linked to his one bank account so wouldn't make any difference.

 

[Gramaisc]

Hampton Court's not far from Kew.

If there's four of you, would it be viable for each to 'have one day in charge'? Or 'one thing each day from each person', if that makes the travel easier?

I have heard it said that Madame Tussaud's is often felt to be very disappointing.

The glass walk across the top of Tower Bridge might be exciting.

The Zoo.

British Museum.

 

[proactive]

We found Tussauds very disappointing. The Tower Bridge walk is good. I know you said you weren't going to do the Eye but we found that very good as it allowed us to see many of the sights we didn't have the time/weren't that bothered about visiting but also doing it whilst sitting, rather than traipsing around. It's also next to the Houses of Parliament, so you can take a look at those and marvel at what might have been if Guy Fawkes had done his job right.

 

[Bob]

We’ve done Tussaud’s before, I don’t rate the Melin attractions, over priced and oversold usually.

 

[Bob]

Hampton Court's not far from Kew.

If there's four of you, would it be viable for each to 'have one day in charge'? Or 'one thing each day from each person', if that makes the travel easier?

I have heard it said that Madame Tussaud's is often felt to be very disappointing.

The glass walk across the top of Tower Bridge might be exciting.

The Zoo.

British Museum.

Knowing my lot I think it would be best to group by location, once we get in it’s all on foot till we’re getting out

Too many museums and gardens and the kids won’t be having fun which means I I’m not having fun either so I’m going to need to Chuck in some milkshakes, Lego shops and trendy markets along in between the stuff I want to do.

 

[Trumpet]

The Shard is worth a look, great views on a clear day.

 

[pinky]

If you can book up the sky garden it has great views and it's free, then walk along tower bridge and into borough market for some good food spots. If you go to brick lane go on the hunt for all the street art and get some beigels from beigel bake, you can even walk to spitalfields market from there and have a look around. Camden market is always great and there is something for everyone. The natural history museum is also a good day out and you can even walk to Harrods after for a good look around and the toy section.

 

[Noah]

Harrods after for a good look around and the toy section.

Hamleys also good for toys.

 

[Mudgie]

I would agree with a boat trip on the Thames and the London Eye if you don't want all day getting round the best of the pubs.

 

[proactive]

Hamleys also good for toys.

But bad for the wallet.

 

[SketchyMagpie]

I took the folks there last weekend.

The cafe that's used in 'Sherlock' (and the front door to his on-screen house) is a few minutes walk from Euston, if you want to stop off somewhere famous for a cuppa. It's called Speedy's.

After that I took them for a walk around Regent's Park, the Japanese Gardens in the lower left middle are well worth a visit. London Zoo at the top end of the park, then you have Primrose Hill for a good view over all the skyscrapers in London. I'd highly recommend walking the canal route from Primrose Hill to Camden, though be aware that Camden is nearly always a crowded nightmare.

We didn't go on the London Eye, but they also do a River Cruise for £15 each which is 45 minutes and we really enjoyed that. You go under all the bridges and see the Houses of Parliament and some other landmarks.

After that we walked to Hyde Park, which takes you past Buckingham Palace.

 

[SketchyMagpie]

Also, probably not one for the kids () but the Hunterian is the best museum in London. That's reopening next month after renovations.