London weekend with a brand new 18 year old!

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Planning a long weekend in London for DD's 18th in September.

So far have hotel booked, lunch on the Friday (which will either be light or more substantial depending on what we do for the rest of the day), Hard Rock Cafe (it's a tradition of ours) and Hamilton Saturday night, and View from The Shard and restaurant booked for Sunday evening.

I want to fit in one other 'special' booked thing but am struggling to find something suitable.

Have looked at day spas but can't find anything a/ reasonably priced that b/ doesn't include food. As well as the restaurants planned we've got a couple of places in mind for brunches so not fussed about lunches/afternoon tea.

Both quite fancy life size Monopoly but not sure if it would work or be much fun with two of us and Crystal Maze Experience can't guarantee we won't be put in different teams.

I've looked at a few cocktail making experiences but none really appealed...I just don't want to spend the entire weekend just shopping and eating.

Any ideas much appreciated, including options that don't need advance booking would also be great then DD could choose one or two things nearer the time or over the weekend itself.

West End show (either book, or grab last minute show)

Mamma Mia party - at o2

Regents zoo

Boat trip

Have you been to London a lot - if not, the usual sites - Buckingham palace, Harrods, V and A museum, St Pauls cathedral, Camden market, Covent Garden etc

Does she have any particular interests? Something to do with those?

@Riverlee

West End show (either book, or grab last minute show)

Mamma Mia party - at o2

Regents zoo

Boat trip

Have you been to London a lot - if not, the usual sites - Buckingham palace, Harrods, V and A museum, St Pauls cathedral, Camden market, Covent Garden etc

Does she have any particular interests? Something to do with those?

They are already seeing a show...

Rib boat ride on Thames is a blast.

I'm from London originally, albeit not lived there since I was a kid so have made a point of taking her quite regularly although not for a couple of years of course!

She loves Shoreditch area and there's a jewellers there so debating getting her a voucher for that which I guess would qualify.

Annoyingly I missed out on the recent release of Yayoi Kusama tickets as it didn't occur to me they'd be booking that far ahead. She's not massively arty but that was something we both liked the look of.

She's mentioned the cable car in Greenwich although not sure if that's overkill if we do View from the Shard.

Will have look at the canal boats round Camden as I think that would appeal...to be honest she'd probably be quite happy mooching.

What about something like Junk Yard Golf in brick lane or Flight Club (a few around) some sort of activity?

You could do fancy cocktails at Mr Foggs - that's a fun experience.

@LadyMacnet I suggested that but she wasn't keen unfortunately.

We did the Duck Tours back when they went on the water which was fun, but she's not one for speed!

Mine would want Westminster Abbey and The Tower.

What about having your nails done? Nails Inc used to have a salon in London or Selfridges have a nail bar? I think the weekend is in need of a pamper session

Doctor Who experience show thing.

If they do want to do the cable car, could do the line art walk at the same time.

the-line.org

@doeadeeer Junk Yard Golf looks amazing and she will definitely want to go to Brick Lane whilst we're there - thank you! Can also see us ending up in Mr Foggs at some point .

@tootrueblue I was thinking nails as the spa day options aren't looking great. She does love having hers done - will look at the Selfridges options as that's where we're going for lunch on Friday.

@jay55 that could be just the thing for Monday before we come home.

Her uncle is Greenwich and he'd love that too. We haven't seen him since before Covid or since as he was very unwell last year.

If he's recovered hopefully he could join us or meet us for lunch afterwards,

Sounds like a lush weekend! Lucky girl.

You'll need to book Mr Foggs (it is really fun!)

If you need another eating option my 20 year old bro likes Dishoom too.

And if she likes history there is an amazing living museum near brick lane called Dennis Savers House.

A mooch around Camden Market?

www.camdenmarket.com/?msclkid=60a2c55bb44211ecb9c93839b2227983

Try somewhere like duck and dry for a quick blow dry

How about skuna boats in Canary Wharf? They do a floating hot tub that looks like fun.

Junkyard golf defo!

The Skuna boats look great and DD has mentioned them before but it's a bit expensive for two of us and tbh I'm not entirely convinced...

Will deffo be looking around Camden Market.

I really wanted to do Dishoom for brunch.. apparently the bacon naan are amazing but DD wasn't so keen.

I've booked Alto at Selfridges for Friday lunch, and looking at Inamo in Covent Garden for Sunday night, and Alchemist for a bottomless brunch one day.

I really mustn't get too carried away booking stuff...I have a spreadsheet and my natural urge is to fill it, but DD will definitely want some mooching time.

Bally Ballerson or the speak easy bar?

Hi All...just wanted to say thanks for all the fab suggestions.

After several hours of googling and logistics we (or rather I) have a draft plan

Friday
Arrive 11am, drop suitcases at hotel
Lunch at Alto, Selfridges and the rest of the day/evening free to potter/shop around Oxford Street/Covent Garden
May book Mr Foggs for the evening

Saturday
Brunch at Alchemist followed by crazy golf at Puttshack with her aunt, uncle and cousin/s (one will have just gone back to uni so don't imagine he'll schlep back up to London)
Mooching around Shoreditch/Spitalfields
Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe
Hamilton

Sunday
Breakfast at The Ivy
Spa Day...have found a great deal at a hotel in the City for 4 hours Spa use, facial and massage.
More mooching/chilling in the afternoon, hopefully the weather will be kind and we can hang out on the South Bank, otherwise maybe Tate Modern.

View from The Shard followed by Inamo for dinner.

Monday
Art walk and Emirates Cable car
Lunch (hopefully with Godfather...he's recovering from a serious health issue atm) at Champagne and Fromage.

Train home.

Will need to look at the costs and budget before booking everything and keep wondering if its a bit indulgent but...

...she's only 18 once.
...I don't have any other kids I need to match it for
...we've not had a holiday together for 3 years
...we've actually had a really shitty 3 years
...she's bloody awesome!

She's not having a big party...family logistics are too tricky. She's planning a meal out with half a dozen friends then bringing them home for cake and bubbly so this is her present and party all rolled into one in effect.

Sky Garden for drinks is great

I must admit I am wondering about Sky Garden rather than View from the Shard...upside of the latter is I can use Clubcard vouchers!

Sky gardens is great - save the entrance money from the Shard and spend on a drink or two in the sky garden

Climbing the 02 dome is fun

Sounds plenty and wonderful
You can easily potter around covent garden , China Town, or to Borough Market

And one i
Of the parks s if nice weather
Coal drops yard kings cross and canal walk to regent's oark