Things to do in London this summer with a 13yo

[WellTidy]

I find myself with quite a bit of time trips summer to do day trips and outings with 13yo Ds. He isn’t sporty, likes theatre, exhibitions, a bit of history, wildlife, animals, walks and good food.

I’ve booked lots of theatre tickets - we really like musicals - for Cinderella, Come From Away, Hairspray and Mary Poppins. Also booked a couple of cinema trips. And the Banksy and Van Gogh exhibitions. And the Tower of London. We will probably combine with picnics and lunches out.

Now I am looking for activities that are less pricey than west end theatre seats! Touristy is fine. They don’t have to be free, happy to pay in the region of £20/30 per person but suggestions of things to do that are free are very welcome too! I have the big London parks in mind, particularly Battersea, as we’ve never been.

We’ve done the science, natural history and transport museums to death over the years. Also done St Paul’s, London Zoo and Sea Life.

Thanks!

The Alice in Wonderland exhibition at the V&A is excellent - and if that's his kind of thing, there are some fab treasure hunt type trails around London that we've done - including one in search of the Cheshire Cat. Highly recommend.

@lettie9 I think you must be referring to the one in Gerrard Street - is that right? I’ve made the mistake of looking at trip advisor reviews and they are very mixed. Have you been recently?

Kensington Palace current exhibits Wueen Victoria's childhood, Stuart king and Queen apartments and King's stair case. Finally fashion exhibit including rare chance to see Diana's wedding dress since William and Harry took ownership.
If he loves musicals trip to the Theatre cafe.
Walk along the South Bank is always good.
Serpentine Cafe is one of my favourites on a walk in Hyde Park.

They are all owned by the same people. Gerard St is the one I normally go to. Wardour is smaller. Bayswater (so not Chinatown) is the original I think.

Their service is not the best. But Chinese restaurants aren't known for service. I last had food pre-pandemic I admit. I think Jay Rayner reviewed them and it was positive.

Oh yes and Charlie and chocolate Factory afternoon tea at One Aldwych,
Currently with DD who will be applying for MT degrees in the autumn visiting the college locations as there are no open days and doing some of these things.

www.timeout.com/london

Treasures of the British Library? Free exhibition:

www.bl.uk/events/treasures-of-the-british-library

Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Shakespeare...

@Wrinklyeyes that RIBA exhibition looks outstanding. Wow. I am absolutely booking that and the restaurant looks amazing. This is perfect, thank you. What a grown up day that will be!

Tower of London?
Go geocaching?
I like the “scary” walking tours like Jack the Ripper tour etc
Ripleys believe it or not?
Rent a row boat/pedal boat on the serpentine

Following for ideas as I'll be there with dd soon

I took my fabulous, nerdy DS on a guided Dr Who walking tour, which he loved. Quite niche though! Also the Bodyworks exhibition is fascinating and appealed to DS at that age

I wouldn’t ever go to the London Dungeons.
If you go to Battersea Park, you can hire a rowing boat or pedalo there.

I think the Ripleys believe it or not museum has closed

I think bodyworks exhibition used to be there but that doesn’t seem to be in London anymore either

Towel of London is on the list!

Doctor Who tour is a good call, thanks. I might wait until it is back on tv and do it then

We are doing the Van Gogh exhibition at Kensington Gardens so maybe I will combine with Kensington Palace

Loving the Charlie and the chocolate factory afternoon tea - that is going on the list too

I’d forgotten the British Library and British Museum too - nice to have some balance!

We will give Four Seasons a try! Thank you.

For wildlife have a look at the London Wetlands Trust at Barnes

Trainers exhibition looks great, plus a Gordon Ramsay burger

I am so glad I started this thread

The suggestions have been fantastic, not things I would have thought of looking at

If you’re close to the Horniman, you might have done this already, but what about the dinosaurs at Crystal Palace park? Then a walk around the triangle for the views north and a spot of lunch. They used to do little tours of the park, including an underground area, but it’s years since we did that, and it might be a little dry for your son.

Can you adopt me?!! Sounds like the best summer!

We’ve done Crystal Palace park and the triangle a few times as it is pretty local

@LER83 only if you like ice cream!

Great thread, thank you

Rib boat tour
Old operating theatre museum (by london Bridge), followed by a mooch around Borough market or vice versa
Maritime museum greenwich and Cutty Sark
British Museum/V&A/ National Gallery have free permanent collections, as do Tate and Tate Modern.
There are often free events at the South Bank Centre and More London (by Tower Bridge.
Tower of London

The Old Operating Theatre

Hummus Brothers on Wardour Street for a cheap lunch, if you like hummus!

The Wolseley or Brasserie Zedel for all the style at not too £££

Hyde Park to feed the parakeets

Maybe do a couple of photo challenges whilst you're out eg: a colour theme / animal theme / a shape theme / a mood theme etc

Someone may have already said, but Kids Week at the theatres - adults go free or something like that. It’s actually a month officiallondontheatre.com/kids-week/

Omg is Hummus Bros still there?? DH said it had shut but maybe that was just the branch near his office. BEST food😍