London with a five year old and a two year old

[HRHwheezing]

As a treat for my son's 5th birthday, we've thought about taking him to London, maybe for the day possibly a hotel stay.

We don't know whether to catch a train into paddington then take a walk across kensington gardens to the museums

Or catch a train into Waterloo, walk London eye, big Ben, buck palace, across green park bus to the ritz catch a bus down Knightsbridge to the museums

Or drive to imperial college and park

Or go on one of those open top bus tours

Any. Advise about travelling around London with small children would be appreciated

I'd like to avoid public transport as much as possible due to having a buggy and London being busy or have people had no problems with that

All of this would be on a Sunday/Monday because I thought it maybe quieter.
We could even stay in a hotel!

[HRHwheezing]

Well, we could drive to surbiton and leave the car there or Windsor.

Or we could just get the train from Bristol into paddington.

Are buses ok with buggies? I've done London a lot as a person on my own not with small children. I just thought it would be fun for them.

[LittleBearPad]

Buses are generally fine with buggies. There's space in the disabled area for two unfolded. If the space is needed by a disabled person then they have priority and you can fold the buggy up.

It's easier to get on at the middle doors than at the front with a buggy. If you ask the driver they'll open the middle doors for you.

If you want to do the south bank, then defo go to Waterloo. The deeper tube isn't very buggy friendly, very long escalators and few lifts.

I wouldn't bother with a London bus tour, they are expensive and just going on a bus will follow the same routes.

[HRHwheezing]

Thanks. We've booked to go on the train to padington, a walk through Kensington gardens, so that should be exciting.

[Lioninthesun]

Aren't Kensington Gardens the ones with the Diana Memorial Park in? Been meaning to go there for months - if you didn't know it was there then have a quick google as it looks great for kids :)
I'd avoid tubes but that is because I fear buggy+escalator combo. Busses all the way for me!

[Lioninthesun]

www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington_gardens/diana_playground.cfm

[HRHwheezing]

How amazing! Is the fountain still there?

[MoetEtPantsOn]

I just went to London with 5 year old. She loved the Eye, the natural history museum, going on a double decker bus and the Tower of London.
If you google Tower bridge opening times, there's a site which tells you when it opens so you could try to time being by the river to see that.

We stayed at a hotel in the city as were there over a weekend and it was lovely and quiet. They were so sweet to her and did a special children's check in and gave her a teddy and a rubber duck. Small gestures but she LOVED it.

[SkiBumMum]

Lots of London kids scoot around to save tired legs. It's good for parks/the river etc.

Somerset House is fab. Gorgeous food (cake!) and the courtyard where the ice rink is in winter has jumping fountains.