London recommendations with dd aged 12

[Joyfulincolour]

Looking for some advice re: what dd 12 yr old might like in London. We are staying in Covent Garden over a weekend. We haven’t been to London for years and our dd has never been.
Looking for places to visit and places to eat (not too expensive) please.
Also, which is the most cost effective way to get around London? Can you buy a ticket or pass to hop on and off the tube or buses. How much do they cost approximately please?
Thanks everyone 😀

I'd recommend using a contactless bank card or an Oyster. It varies on cost as to how many times you tap in and out in a period.

Covent Garden has lots of lovely restaurants & pubs, it's nice to wander around and see.

South Kensington is where all the museums are like Natural History & the Science museum.

Things to do I'd suggest London Dungeons, I went a similar age and it was great. Lots of fun and gory history! I'd also recommend Tower of London, again plenty of history and you can see the Crown Jewels! May also be nice to take a walk up the Thames to see the bridges.

If you're going by train keep your ticket and you can get lots of 2 for 1 deals on the Days Out Guide website (I think it's called that). You need to download and print out the vouchers before you go.

DD and I went on the London Eye, went to the Tower of London, Shakespeare's Globe and to Hampton Court (she was doing the Tudors at the time). We also went on a boat trip to the Thames barrier when DD's feet hurt.

DH took DS and they did a walk round Harry Potter sights, if your DD likes that.

There was also a discount at a Covent Garden restaurant at the time.

Would she like the fashion/jewellery galleries in the V&A? Lots of cafés around South-Ken tube station that are (mostly) better than museum food.
Your daughter might like Kensington Palace which focuses on Queen Victoria's childhood.
As this is her first visit to London, she'll probably want to see the 'sights', as in Buckingham Palace/Trafalgar Square/Piccadilly Circus - which aren't the most interesting things to see but they're famous! Piccadilly Circus is a grubby disappointment - but you'll find the best ice-creams in London at Gelupo on Archer Street nearby.

If you're staying in Covent Garden, you're close to Cecil Court (by Leicester Square tube) which was the inspiration for Diagon Alley. The old platform 9 3/4 was lost in the refurbishment of KIngs X station and the present plaque on the wall is not worth the detour!
The London Eye is miles better than the Shard!

You can use your contactless card on transport, unfortunately at 12 your DD is no longer free. This page gives you the details on fares for that age group www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/getting-around-london/do-kids-need-an-oyster-card .

What does your DD like? The big museums and galleries are free, but as a consequence do get busy. Go early or later in the day if you want to avoid the peak crowds. My DD is the same age as yours, recently we visited the V&A which she enjoyed. Recently we’ve also done the Tower of London, Welcome collection, Kew Gardens and museum of London. She also always likes a look around Harrods and a walk around China town.

Food wise there’s everything from fast food, chains, independent places and high end restaurants near where you’re staying.

Good suggestions, thanks. Yes she would like the London eye so will look into that one.

When are you going? If next weekend, its Chinese new year, shan't bang on about if you arent there then!
Depending on your dd, mine finds the Eye a bit tedious. Its v slow so not terribly fascinating view wise after a bit. Tower of london great, esp if you get on a Beefeater tour. St katherine's dock is across the road and v lovely for a chain restaurant meal with lots of twinkly lights on the water, or a drink at the Dickens inn before round 2 of walking. V and A is lovely, natural history and science museums all v close. Used to nip in and out, as they are free, so dont spend hours unless she is really into them. Go early, they get v busy.You may be able to get tickets for the Tutankhamun exhibition at the Saatchi gallery off the kings road depending when you are there. There is also a new exhibition opening... van Gogh I think at the South bank which looks fab. Dinner at Inamo is overpriced and a bit blah, but v exciting for tweens as the table is interactive - several of them but if you did a trip to Camden market (if that would interest her) then you could visit the Mornington Crescent one after. If you do go to Camden, the Cereal Killer cafe is my dc's favourite place to visit. You can also get a canal boat ride from there, which is lovely.
Tube - as pps have said, use contactless as cheaper.

What kind of stuff does she enjoy?

My 11yo DD loves the street performers in Covent Garden, which is handy for you. She loved SIX the musical, showing in Covent Garden too. It's brilliant and if you can get tix. artstheatrewestend.co.uk

She really enjoyed Camden Market and Tate Modern recently.

I think the graffiti tunnels are fun, combine with something else on South Bank.

Head to Greenwich by tube, have a walk around (I don't know that area, but meant to be nice) and then get the Thames Clipper (boat) back West. Get off at Westminster and walk back towards Trafalgar Sq / CG.

Well we made it to London last weekend. We saw many of the famous sights and did some shopping. The dd 12 was not really a big fan 🤣 She thought it was too loud, too smelly and quite dirty. She said, Mum, London isn’t really for me. I think I prefer the country 🤣 Glad we went as she needed to see it for herself but won’t be bothered about going back.