London on crutches

[backinaminute]

We have had a weekend away booked for DS1's birthday for months. We have tickets for an event on Friday night but are staying in London on Saturday night too.

The problem is that I will be on crutches after an injury and it's thrown me out my comfort zone.

Does anyone please have an family friendly suggestions for things to do for a birthday treat that are easily accessible and involve minimal walking. All our London trips usually involve walking all over.

We are thinking of kidzania on Saturday as that is what ds would like to do but that won't take all day. I've looked at west shoes but the prices are insane (and tips on how to do that cheaply gratefully received).

Children are 6 and 8. Does anyone have any creative suggestions. Our hotel is west London.

[backinaminute]

I didn't even say Thank you! Sorry was lost in the thoughts of hobbling round after the dc in kidzania.

[backinaminute]

Oh god - late night typos - West End Shows - not West shoes

[NotInGuatemalaNowDrRopata]

Unless you're very fit and strong, London will be no fun at all on crutches. I lived in West London and when on crutches just getting from one end of Ealing Broadway to the other was ridiculous. I also remember going to a show but was super uncomfortable because there was little legroom.

If you're going to Kidzania, it might pay to go into the Westfield website and see if they hire out mobility scooters and get one of those.

Any possibility of postponing for a time when you can enjoy it?

[NotInGuatemalaNowDrRopata]

Oh, I see it's for a special event. If you're in West London, what about the museums, again check to see about mobility scooters. Take taxis, you'll be completely worn out if you try to tube everywhere.

[Ricekrispie22]

If you have plenty of time, and can get on and off a bus, the Hop on/off buses can be a good alternative to the underground, and it also means you get to see a lot more than if you are on the tube. Luckily for us, there was a stop on Westminister Bridge, about 200 metres from our hotel. You can often get good value tickets which can include an additional 24 hours for free if you ask, or book online. Drivers are usually very patient for slower customers.
Boat cruise - Access to the boats (for example at the London Eye and Westminister piers) is by long ramps, with good grip. The boats are walk-on/off with no steps and are very roomy. They drop you off at the entrance gates of the Tower of London, which is very convenient (though the Tower attraction itself has extensive cobblestones and no elevator access into the White Tower, just lots of steps). The River Boat also goes all the way down to Greenwich, or back east up to Kew Gardens.
London Eye - highly accessible – ramp access and they stop the usually continuously-rotating wheel to allow wheelchair and disabled access. On a clear day you will be able to see almost everything. You can get deals which include the Hop-on/Off bus, the London Eye and River Boat access in a package which are much better value than buying them separately.

[backinaminute]

Thank you, we've got tickets for Friday night and a non refundable hotel. It's DS1's birthday this weekend. I had suggested my partner (their dc) takes them and I stay at home but that was met with horror.

There's some good suggestions and funnily enough I had looked at the eye as it's something we've not done as a family. River trip is also a good call.

This is such rubbish timing, ironically I did it when we were all together on our last family trip in had term.

Thank you

[bassackwards]

Let your DH take your DC out sightseeing around the city while you park yourself somewhere comfortable (hotel, cafe, wine bar) and then meet them at the end of the day for a nice early dinner followed by a show at a nearby theatre.

You will be stressed and knackered if you try to hobble around at all. And is there a risk of your injury getting knocked about? Honestly, you should take care of yourself especially when recovering.

[StarlightLady]

Sorry to hear this, and I’m sure you can still have a lovely time. Roughly where abouts are you staying?

The Thames Clipper riverbusses are all accessible and a fun way to explore. All Docklands Light Railway (DLR) stations have stepfree access too.

Do phone the hotel to let them know.

Take care x

[SlinkyDinkyDoo]

Poor you. Crutches are horrible. I live in London and just navigating my own street was a nightmare let alone central London on a weekend.

Forget buses they will be crowded, cabs all the way! Plan plan plan and let DH do the trotting around while you sit in a cafe. Science museum or natural history museum have places to sit (no idea about mobility scooters) and lifts.

Really feel for you but hobbling amonst the throngs is going to be horrible. Good luck!

[ShatnersWig]

Crutches in London? Nightmare due to sheer volume of people which this Saturday will be higher than normal due to the anti-Brexit march.

[SlinkyDinkyDoo]

Oh god yes the march. Why not do your Friday thing, stay over and go back sat morning. Promise an extra special treat to DS on another date?

[backinaminute]

Oh yes the March 🙈.

We have a bit of plan - no way of getting out of it. Everything is non-refundable, hotel, train etc.

Saturday, hotel and then cab to Kidzania. Then out for something to eat at night. All very low key.

Thank you - going to avoid central London at all costs ha!

[Stuckforthefourthtime]

Cabs are good. In my experience people are pretty good at standing up for you on the tube, rubbish on the bus - but if you ask, someone always will though.
You can have a lovely time! Agree about the river tour, or heading to a museum and sitting for a bit while the others sightseeing. I'd suggest the V&A instead of the Science or Nat History, it's a bit calmer and there's the lovely little pond in the middle for you to sit at a table and read a book / Mumsnet Fiercely expensive cafe, though, so if you want to stay a while you might want to pop past a supermarket first!