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Original poster

London Dungeon?

40 replies

Dljlr · 19/08/2018 20:30

Hello! I'm taking DP and DS to London this week, and I'd like us to visit the London Dungeon. I've just had a quick look at it will cost almost £80 for the three of us; that's OK, in the sense that we've not had a holiday this year, nor will we, so this is sort of our one-day-only break; but I want it to be something that won't stop being fun for 7 year old DS after just an hour or something.

I'd like to visit the Planetarium at Greenwich for a show at 16:15, and the Dungeon wants us to confirm the time of our visit at the time of booking.

Can anyone advise - is there enough to keep DS entertained here for a few hours? Or is it a bit of a rip-off? Thank you!

OP posts:
Hellywelly10 · 19/08/2018 20:34

It's a guided tour it takes about an hour or so. 7 may be a bit young in my opinion.

QueenOfIce · 19/08/2018 20:35

If he's easily scared I wouldn't take him.

CorvusUmbranox · 19/08/2018 20:36

Are you travelling by train? Because I think London Dungeon is part of the 2 for 1 ticket deal if you are

DramaAlpaca · 19/08/2018 20:37

I also think it's not suitable for a young child. And it's definitely a rip off.

namechangefriday · 19/08/2018 20:38

It takes 110 mins but I took my nearly 9 year old and he was scared. The advisory age when you go in is 12... it is good though in my opinion and interesting.

Original poster
Dljlr · 19/08/2018 20:39

Thanks CorvusUmranox, I'll have a look.

Ugh is it really just a guided tour and that's it, we have to leave? That's a bit rubbish... I hoped we'd be able to sort of take our time.

Not certain about whether he'd be scared really - when I was a kid I loved it, and I was a lot more wobbly about things than DS is! But I did plan to talk about it with him before I booked it just to make sure he's definitely interested. He seems pretty robust!

OP posts:
Original poster
Dljlr · 19/08/2018 20:41

If we don't do the Dungeon, what else do people think he might enjoy? I lived in London until I was 9, and I've barely been back since; no idea really what to do with him, but he's been wanting to go for a long time (he knows he wants to see Buckingham Palace, but beyond that he's leaving it up to clueless me)

OP posts:
ploppymoodypants · 19/08/2018 20:41

I LOVE it, but if he is at all sensitive or easily scared done take him. As you walk round the dungeon they have actors hiding and then jumping out on you and trying to frighten you. I was frightened as an adult who understood. In a fun way, but my heart was hammering and adrenaline pumping. Also maybe a bit young, some of the content is gruesome. And it’s not done in a ‘horrible histories’ kind of way. Although it is fun. My DD is tough as nails and happily watches Jumanji and Harry Potter and loves the ghost train at Disney world and all that. But I still wouldn’t risk taking her to london Dungeon yet.

IHaveBrilloHair · 19/08/2018 20:41

I took Dd to Edinburgh Dungeons when she was 8 and she loved it, but she loves (safe) scares.

ProudThrilledHappy · 19/08/2018 20:42

If you are in Greenwich you might want to consider the Cutty Sark instead? Less distance to travel and still an interesting thing to visit

Synecdoche · 19/08/2018 20:42

London Aquarium is fantastic. As is the zoo.

ploppymoodypants · 19/08/2018 20:42

Does he like Harry Potter? The Warner brothers studio is fantastic.
Or what about Madam Tusaudes?
Tower of London?

ploppymoodypants · 19/08/2018 20:42

Oh yes the Cutty Sark is great

LunaLovegoodsRadishes · 19/08/2018 20:44

For the time you spend in there it's very expensive, and not really suitable for a seven year old.

In Greenwich is a huge park, and FREE museums like the National Maritime museum. You can also visit the Cutty Sark for a fee, which is no where near as expensive at the Dungeon. The Market is pretty cool too (and not as crowded as Borough). Talking of free stuff, what about the Science museum or Natural History Museum in South Kensington? Or the British Museum near Russell Square tube to see the mummies?

Bloodybridget · 19/08/2018 20:46

I wouldn't take any child to see representations of people being tortured, nor would I go myself.

Original poster
Dljlr · 19/08/2018 20:47

You're all marvellous, thank you so much. Off to take a look at the Cutty Sark now. I just had a mini light bulb re: the Natural History Museum, just before I read your post Luna! Good idea. I think I'll save the Dungeon until he's older, because he did in fact recently cry when recounting the Jumanji remake to me that he saw at his dad's; that's probably a good indication that he's not quite ready for that level of scaredness.

Thanks so much for all your help, massively appreciated.

OP posts:
RedSkyLastNight · 19/08/2018 20:50

Not suitable for a 7 year old and if it's in the nature of a treat, I would do something else.

Lots of free or cheap museums.science and natural history both excellent, followed by trip to Princess Diana Memorial playground would be ideal day out at that age I'd think.

sm40 · 19/08/2018 20:52

Get the Thames clipper (commuter ferry not tourist one) from central London to Greenwich! Get the dlr back, get to the front and it's like driving a train!! The
re is a great new pub in Greenwich called the old brewery. Great views!
I went to the dungeon last year as part of Merlin pass. Didn't think it was worth paying full price for.

Hellohah · 19/08/2018 20:53

DS went with school recently and he said some of the kids were terrified. I believe some of the girls cried and ran out. They were all 13. I wouldn't take a 7 year old

VioletCharlotte · 19/08/2018 20:59

I think 7's too young, there are some really quite scary bits. I think I'd changed somewhat since I was a kid, it's much more interactive now. I took my boys where they were 13 and 15, but I think 10+ would be ok. Mine loved it.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 19/08/2018 21:11

My DC's did Cutty Sark when they were about 6 and 8 and really enjoyed it, interactive tour, which was fun for all

user1471553214 · 19/08/2018 21:42

Also O2 is near Greenwich and you can go from there over the Thames in a cable car which is fun. Either 1 way then back by the Docklands Light Railway or round trip on cable car

malaguena · 19/08/2018 21:49

Just a little tip if you end up going to the National History Museum: you can avoid the huge queues by buying tickets for the Sensational Butterflies exhibition, which cost a fiver and it is quite fun!

PJ04JCW · 19/08/2018 21:52

We have Merlin tickets and went to the Blackpool dungeon. My 7 year old who usually likes scary stuff wasn’t happy at all. And yes guided tour

CurlyhairedAssassin · 19/08/2018 21:55

Don’t take him to the London Dungeon, I’ve been 3 times now between the age of 12 and now (46!). It has changed completely from the old days when you could just take your time looking at things and the guides in costume just stood round ready to answer questionsz

Now, small groups are taken round the whole thing and get told a little story by an actor. Things happen like lights go out for a couple of minutes at a time so you’re in pitch black, with scary noises (not just comedy stuff, I mean things like knives being sharpened in the Sweeney Todd bit, and things touching you from beneath the seat)

I took DS 14 and 12 this year and they really enjoyed it, but there was a kid of about 10 there who was terrified, especially when her dad got taken off by a body snatcher type and put behind curtain with then a pretend scream and a sound like blood dripping. While everything went dark. When the lights went on, the actor joked about “we seem to be one down, never mind let’s move on next door” and the girl was petrified that something really had happened to her dad behind the curtain.

In the next room she actually begged the actor not to make it too scary, and in the room after that she was shaking and crying and someone actually came to take her and her parents out.

The actors are great, they can tell if it’s too much for some kids and send a message to someone to come and get them out.

But no, itMs not for 7 year olds. My kids got the puns and rude jokes so enjoyed the thrill of being pretend scared and the special effects. They also knew about Jack the Ripper etc and the plague already but I doubt a 7 year old woukd have been taught that in school so it would just make them scared.

Far too young, sorry.