London trip

[Whomp]

Unfortunately, it's not me that's going.

My gal is going to be there on Friday for b'ness and her company is letting her take her mom, 5 and 8 year old. The 5 year old is very excited since she goes to the British School of Chicago and can say things like "rubbish" and people will know what she is saying.

I had fun with all of you when I was there so I was hoping you guys could recommend some things to do.

We searched a bit yesterday and found things like the parade for the Queen's birthday Saturday, Abbey Rd for Beatles (kids love em), Baker St., kids museum (1st teddy bear), east end for curry and Hyde Park for boating and Sunday soap box.

Any other thoughts that are children appropiate?

 

[Shekwan]

If the 8 year old is a boy he might like the Imperial War Museum. Lots of tanks and stuff.

 

[really]

The science and technology museum in Knightsbridge is pretty cool.

There is a legoland in Windsor outside London.

Hamleys toy shop on Regent Street.

 

[Furiey]

Kids seem to love the London dungeon, lots of gory stuff, but it is set out as a tour for kids.

London eye for a view of the city if they like heights, it's right near the london aquariam and houses of parliament so other things to see in the vacinity as well.

 

[Formaldehyde]

The science and technology museum in Knightsbridge is pretty cool.

Indeed. Especially for kids although the 5-year-old may be pushing the limit. Given that caveat, it would be on my short list along with the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower Of London.

And you can't forget the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and taking the underground at least once. "Mind the gap" is not to be missed.

But my biggest piece of advice is to see as much of London as they possibly can. The images they get from simply walking and motoring around in such a historic city will remain in their heads for the rest of their lives.

 

[GinandTonic]

A ride in a black cab with the kids sitting on the fold down seats, ride on the top deck of a bus.

 

[Rossiya]

London Eye is always good.

 

[really]

A ride in a black cab with the kids sitting on the fold down seats, ride on the top deck of a bus.

You can still catch a route master on a couple of heritage routes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Routemaster#London_heritage_routes
Heritage route 9: Royal Albert Hall — Hyde Park Corner — Piccadilly Circus — Trafalgar Square — Strand — Aldwych.
Heritage route 15: Trafalgar Square — Strand — Aldwych — Fleet Street — Cannon Street — Monument — Tower Hill.

I have to admit to smiling for hours after after hopping on the back of one of these as it was pulling away from the stop.

 

[Hitti-Litti]

British Museum and the humongous totem pole in that big entrance hall(or something like that) could be an amazing sight if your kids like Native Americans.

 

[Whomp]

Keep them coming!

Question regarding riding the double decker. Do you carry a bus card to get on? Can you get a all day pass and use it on the tube too?

 

[Serutan]

I'll vouch for the Technology Museum. The kids might be a bit young for the British Museum.

 

[ParadigmShifter]

Yeah the Science Museum is good. Tower of London good too, see the crown jewels and beefeaters.

 

[really]

Question regarding riding the double decker. Do you carry a bus card to get on? Can you get a all day pass and use it on the tube too?

Those heritage routes are included in the TFL (transport for London) travelcard which includes public busses, the tube, some overland trains and can be bought for a day or two or whatever. (Oyster travel card)

The guided tour busses that do loops of the sights are different and private though.

 

[tycoonist]

having sat in westminster abbey twice a week for the last two years, i would not recommend it. it is not a real church - although it is spectacular from the outside, i wouldn't go in. inside, you find hundreds of memorials and statues to people who have died and have either been (rarely) skilled enough, lucky enough, rich enough or powerful enough to have somehow forced their way in. for example, there are two statues of gladstone and disraeli (who were the two greatest prime ministers of the victorian era. nevermind the fact that disraeli was a jew, the two loathed each other. they exchanged the PM ship multiple times. and there they are just standing beside each other, dressed in their Roman togas. it is absolutely ridiculous. by all means look from outside, but i wouldn't go in.

rant over, i recommend the science museum (for reasons stated above), the natural history museum (it is right next to it, and has a whole bunch of dinosaurs and stuff. i used to love it when i was 8), London Dungeons (although that might be a bit much for a five year old - i haven't been there in a while), and the London Eye (great way to see London.)

oh and also they have these amphibious cars/boats, refurbished from WW2 landing craft, that have been painted to look like ducks. they drive around London, and go down the Thames (which is a great way to see the Houses of Parliament, St. Pauls Cathedral, Tower Bridge etc). i am always seeing them on the roads, and they look like quite a laugh LINK

 

[Brighteye]

The Natural History Museum is a superb piece of architecture, matched by the almost endless displays inside. However, for a weekend to see something special a few thousand miles from home you should choose your sights carefully, because the museum can take more than a day to see fully.
The Palace of Westminster (Parliament), a bus ride, the science museum, St. Paul's, the Tower of London and the London Dungeon are all excellent places.
The Tower has the Crown jewels and a big museum in the White Tower, filled with pretty suits of armour, weapons and some exhibitions.

 

[Whomp]

My gal asked what are the chances of getting out of Heathrow (customs and all) and to the parade? They arrive at 8:30am and the parade starts at 11am. Cab or train? Is there an express train? They're staying in Picadilly.

Anyone have a favorite place for curry? Tea?

 

[Grimz101]

My gal asked what are the chances of getting out of Heathrow (customs and all) and to the parade? They arrive at 8:30am and the parade starts at 11am. Cab or train? Is there an express train? They're staying in Picadilly.

Anyone have a favorite place for curry? Tea?

www.tfl.gov.uk
I swear by this site.

Depends what terminal they are landing at and the time.. Last time i arrived at Terminal five i literally got out in 10 minutes after getting off the plane.. other Terminals are not so good however.

 

[Whomp]

www.tfl.gov.uk
I swear by this site.

Depends what terminal they are landing at and the time.. Last time i arrived at Terminal five i literally got out in 10 minutes after getting off the plane.. other Terminals are not so good however.

Thanks for that. Funny thing is the first thing I see on the website is they're striking. I don't think she'll want to tell her mom about that!

 

[Grimz101]

Thanks for that. Funny thing is the first thing I see on the website is they're striking. I don't think she'll want to tell her mom about that!

Well it's only going to last two days, but i have an exam on one of those days which will be an annoyance