Stranded in South West London

[Subeccoo]

I'm in South West London for 2 days. I have young adult dc and a one year old gc. Kids are very easy going, but our relatives house is not baby friendly and we need to find something to do today.
The obvious museums are booked or shut today.
Can anyone help with ideas? We'd prefer not to travel too far but I guess a train journey is something to do at least!!

I would get a boat to tower bridge pier and then go up tower bridge. We did it last week and it was very quiet so we got ages on the glass floor bit. You have to book but there are plenty of spaces. It's going to open at 3 as well! Check the website.

@ChaBishkoot
The play area is closed at the Victoria
Also I would not suggest going over to SE (horniman/Crystal Palace) unless you are prepared for it to take an hour each way

Oh yes! The Museum of Water and Steam in Brentford- just over Kew Bridge, is a good shout if the rain does stay. Great for kids of all ages and there's a proper little steam train to take your little one on.
Hampton Court Palace is brilliant. I'd give Kew a miss (the gardens are open but the kid-based stuff is still shut. It's great on a sunny day for a picnic but not on a nippy, windy one like today with nowhere to go if it starts tipping down. Plus you'd be paying for a pretty lame day out).

Consider getting an Uber

P.s. it was not us who broke it (I don't think)

Ps Dulwich gallery is closed and the Horniman is like the seventh circle of hell on rainy days. I'd do it if I had 3/4 y olds to entertain but not a 1 y o just because there's no need!!

There is the musical museum across the river from Kew. I don’t know if it is open and haven’t been, but it sounds fun.

On Kew green there is a pottery cafe. It might be open and also fun.

Have tea at maids of honour opposite Kew Gardens if you are going there!!

The pottery Cafe in Fulham (on Fulham Road near Parson's Green) is more spacious and well lit.

Note: Hammersmith bridge is FULLY closed! No pedestrians even. Just saying, in case you plan a thames path tour and then a pop-over for something

Get on the tube and go into central London. It's so much quieter than normal so you can wander around the sights, along the river etc without the usual crowds and traffic you get at this time of year. The London Eye is open and the Tate Modern and Tate Britain - both free but you have to book timed tickets. There are plenty of cafes open if you need to escape from the rain.

Just to comment on someone saying kids stuff is closed at Kew - it isn’t. Children’s garden is open and so is log trail. Badgers sett is closed understandably and so is the indoor Section (jeepers creepers or whatever it is called) but that was closed pre Covid for refurb. Greenhouses now open but you have to wear masks.

How about the Transport Museum in Covent Garden, if you go into town?

if you train it to Kew G you get usually get BOGOF on tickets, check British rail or tube offers.

Yes, the children’s bit of Kew is open (I am on their email list) but Richmond Council on Twitter has said that high winds are forecast for later today. Yes, the pottery cafe is nice but unless you are planning to head back to pick it up, it’s not worth it.
I have to say that I have always found the food and the service at Maids of Honour quite...meh.
There is an Italian restaurant next to the McDonald’s outside Richmond Station that serves good food.

London Museum of water and steam (Kew) is cheap and free parking. it has a lot of exhibits with buttons to press and a nice cafe. Once you buy a ticket you can get in free for the rest of the year.

I would also highly recommend Kew Bridge Steam Museum aka London Museum of Water and Steam. In more normal times they had special weekends several times a year when they powered up all the engines and got model engineering demonstrations in, so for future reference if and when we ever return to normality it’s always worth checking their calendar before a visit.

Battersea Power Station by boat
Strawberry Hill
Kew Gardens

Be careful when planning boat trips.

Vessels weren't allowed under Hammersmith Bridge (from 13 August - and I haven't seen anything that says it's OK now. Anyone know for sure?

@Verite1 “jeepers creepers” I’m laughing so much we have a Kew membership so have been there a lot and I still get that place’s name wrong!!! I usually say creepy crawlies
The children’s garden is so great, always feel an hour’s play is too short, but like that it’s not so crowded now.