London with 15, 13 and 11 year old......sadly their first experience!

[shushpenfold]

Hi all,

DH and I are finally having a 2 day/1 night with the kids in London in a couple of weeks; the last time being when they were 4, 2 and 6 months old! I'm not quite sure what is practical/enjoyable and what not. Staying in Ealing area hotel.

What are 'must sees'? Thanks all.

[yougetme]

Put on your collective walking shoes and get out in the streets.

Just walking along the embankment for example will let you see a lot of famous buildings and sites of interest. There are too many places to go and things to see really and if its their first time I wouldnt spend too much time indoors looking at exhibitions etc.

Maybe pick some interesting places to eat and just make your way there by a variety of modes of transport. Enjoy the passing spectacles and possibly fit in something a little energetic like climbing the monument.

Make notes of what to see and do next time - you will be back.

[shushpenfold]

Thanks yougetme.

[NotCitrus]

This. Look up the Time Out website or the Evening Standar's for details of stuff that's on, but be warned, all attractions get really busy very early - try to get tickets in advance and/or turn up at opening time. The BFG Glass Jar hunt is free and will take you round most sights.

[shushpenfold]

Thanks Notcitrus....will look now. x

[Potcallingkettle]

Go by underground and DLR to Greenwich. Take a boat from Greenwich to Westminster. The talk is very informative and quite funny too - very accessible. You get off opposite the London Eye. Either go on that or just stroll along the South Bank.

[MangoIsTheNewApple]

There's lots going on on the South Bank for kids this summer. From Ealing, you could go to Westminster on the District line (Parliament, Westminster Abbey), walk over the river to the South Bank for some fun and food, then walk along the river past Tate Modern etc to London Bridge and the Tower. At that point you'll be tired, so maybe a river trip (to Greenwich and the maritime museums and observatory, or just back to Waterloo) might be fun.

Lots of people recommend Covent Garden for the shopping and the street theatre, but I find it a bit crowded and not great for kids apart from the London Transport Museum and the Royal Opera House / Royal Ballet tours. If it's hot, then the parks are great for a rest in the shade. You can combine the South Kensington museums with that end of St James's park and the Diana Memorial fountain (which is nice for a paddle on a hot day).

[shushpenfold]

Sounds good Pot and Mangols - shall add to the list and propose to husband (the outing, not marriage....did that a while ago!)

[SpuriouserAndSpuriouser]

I would definitely see a show in the evening, if you can afford it (tickets for a family of 5 won't be cheap). Something fun like kinky boots or the lion king (though they may be a bit old for that). The bus tours are great if you want to be properly touristy and see lots in a short amount of time. I would definitely also go on the London eye, again it is touristy but it's such an iconic symbol of London. Then I personally love the London aquarium, I would recommend that

Whatever you do I am sure you will have a great time!

[mrsclooneytoyou]

When mine were that age they enjoyed just walking around, platform 9 3/4, the monument, the cable cars at the o2 which was part of a boat trip, we got in at the eye and finished at the o2 , stopping at the tower and everything else on the way .

[TSSDNCOP]

Open top bus
Breakfast up the Shard
Tower of London
London Dungeons-book this!
Dinner at Planet Hollywood: cheese but kids that age love it
Boat trip from Greenwich to Westminster
Boating in Regents Park
South Bank

[shushpenfold]

I love you all.......EXACTLY what I needed! Fabulous lists being written here and I had forgotten about most of them. DH has just informed me that kids want to see a show; in 2 weeks, in London. That'll be easy then!!!

[TSSDNCOP]

Consider doing the last tour of the Dungeon in the evening then dinner. Keeps the day free if the weather is nice, plus cheaper than show.

[shannie]

We are just on train on way back from spending the weekend. We loved the Skygarden, need to go on line to book free tickets. Brill views. Got the Thames clipper to North Greenwich and then the cable car over.
Walked around today from Buckingham palace, a poster had typed out a walk and we followed that. We went to Matilda last night which Dd(10), dh and I loved. We got cheap seats and we were happy ( cheap for London I mean). I found Covent Garden v v busy. Loved south bank and could easily have spent a whole night there.
Was v hot and humid this weekend which I hadn't expected. We walked loads and are exhausted. Was a great time. Hope that's a help. I've had some great advice

[Tralala33]

I think the first week of August is kids week in the West End. So kids go free or half price. You might be limited though in which tickets are left. This is if you're actually going during the relevant dates of course.

A RIB tour is also good fun, goes very fast and your get some good commentary during the ride.

[Buttwing]

I did a duck tour with my dcs they loved it and got to see lots of the famous buildings. I was bit scared when it drove into the Thames it goes quite fast as it drives in and you are quite low down in the water!

[Dogolphin]

Boat up the Thames from the Eye to Greenwich then across the river on the Eremites Cable Car. My son loved it!