Mum daughter trip to London

[scatteredglitter]

Posting here for traffic, hope that s ok.
I a few weeks my 10 year old and I are going to London.
I need some help to plan what we should do. There s just so much, I m flummoxed.
We have a show booked. Staying pretty central (near central line tube).
I know London but would love to make this a special experience, dd has had a tricky few years. We never get to do something like this and unlikely to get the opportunity again for several years ! I really want to make it happy and memorable.
Thanks in advance

I'm taking my DS (7) to the British Museum tomorrow to visit the Egyptian section as he's covering it in school. We'll do some serious ice cream eating as well I'm sure in case anyone accuses me of being too worthy...

Actually - how did I forget this?

therainforestcafe.co.uk

honestly it's such a lovely place to eat for a 10 year old, great shop too and all funds go to good causes.

Oh wow! Thank you all so much for all the suggestions !
I used live in London years ago so am somewhat familiar but not current with the geography. I love Covent Garden and yes it s near theatre so will plan on that anyway for one day.
I really appreciate the tips and will sit down tonight and look at all the suggestions and book what s needed (that s a good idea so we aren't wasting time queuing ) thank you all again so much

Rain forest cafe is not usually rated on here nor on ta, I'd defiantly swerve it.

We also did rain forest but at Disney, my dd much preferred inamo

Burpsandfustles why would you 'defiantly swerve it'?

Do you shop at Tesco and have a club card? You can change your points for a boat cruise which is a lovely way to go across town (e.g. Westminster to Tate).

The restaurant vouchers are helpful too.

Definately the Lego Store and M & M World (both in Leicester Square)
Hamleys is LOUD, Harrods Toy Dept is nicer.

The South Bank area is lovely to walk round and there is usually lots going on.

I didn't like the Rainforeast Cafe. We love Covent Garden (dd loves the dance shops, ds loves the Apple shop)

At 10 my DD loved tea at the Fortnums Dismind tea saloon she felt really grown up and they served her hot chocolate in a tea pot with a cup and saucer. Not cheap, but it did lunch and then we had a snack for tea.
We also did science museum, natural history museum and British museum all about that time.
River boat from Westminster to the O2 also went down really well.

One of the Harry Potter walking tours in London? I've only googled though, never done one. I hope you have a fantastic time.

Lego store definitely, and yes the Harry Potter section of Primark Tottenham Court Road. And Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross (go early in the day because the queues for the photo op get mad. Maybe a boat trip from Tower Bridge to the Eye. Apart from that, give her a list and let her pick. 10 year olds vary in their interests, so she might like hard core sightseeing or museums or shops or history or skyscrapers or bustly Londony stuff or luxury afternoon tea and Liberty’s stuff. Get a list of the top 50 things to do, get her to pick 5 Must Do and 5 Would Be Nice, come back to us and we’ll do you an itinerary.

Oh and download City Mapper onto your phone.

Shrek World of Adventure on the South Bank near the Eye is great. It only takes an hour or two but the pack a lot into that. It’s as enjoyable for adults as it is for children.

When DC were little we used to do a short trip to one of the big museums in South Ken and then walk down to Harrods to marvel at the food hall and the beautiful displays. If we were feeling flush we would treat ourselves to an ice cream there.

People seem to have activities covered - if she likes “nice” cake etc. I think something like that would be a really nice mother/daughter experience. Some options of nice places are L’eto (a few branches), Elan Cafe (slightly instagrammy but nice) and La Duree. At 10 she would probably enjoy nice cake with Mum and feeling like a grown up!

Also forgot - The Milk Train in Covent Garden do the ice cream wrapped in candy floss - which tastes good and I’d imagine a 10 year old would love!

Little.. It's really expensive for what it is, food never that nice, bad service.. It's fun yes but not that much fun really to make up for everything else that's wrong with it.

Primark in Oxford Street
Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross station - there is a huge shop there as well.
Science Museum and Natural History Museum.
London Eye.
Buckingham Palace Royal Mews tour.

If you're going to primark in Oxford street, go early otherwise it's the seventh circle of hell.
I always recommend the emirates cable car crossing.
Pretty sure the London dungeon has moved to next to the London eye.

The wildlife photography exhibition at the Natural History Museum is fab. You have to buy tickets but they're not hugely expensive.

Hamleys and then ice cream at Fortnum & Mason - arrive there just before the hour to see the special clock do its thing.

If you don't want to shell out on London Eye tickets then the Sky Garden is fab and free.

If you go to Covent Garden maybe go to Choccywookydoodah on Shorts Gardens for a hot chocolate. It's a really nice boutique type cafe

Download the free Citymapper app. It's great for getting round using all modes of transport; sometimes it even tells you which carriage of the tube to sit in for a quick getaway. It, combined with the urban canyon effect of the tall buildings, will eat your phone data though, so make sure you have plenty.

Open top bus tours are a great way to get an overview of the whole city. Choose a route that'll let you get on and off, so if you see something interesting you can get off and explore. You can sit downstairs if it's too cold/wet for the top deck.

If you're at Covent Garden you might as well walk up to Seven Dials. There are some lovely shops there.

I have to get down to London again soon!!!!!