Interesting things to do in London with dd 15yo in July

[Fuuuuuckit]

Hi MN hive mind -

I'm heading to London with dd (15yo) on 8th July, need suggestions of things to do that won't have her rolling her eyes the whole weekend! And not just shopping in Primark...

Maybe something a bit unusual, rather than the regular touristy things (although I'm up for some cheesiness!)

Also interesting (yet teenager 'safe') eating ideas, not the usual chains.

Budget not amazing but can push things a bit.

Thanks!

What about Camden Locks? You could have a boat trip or mooch around the market stalls. There's street food and lots of quirky things for sale. As it's a Friday you could even go on a tunnel trip:

www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/tunnel-trip.htm

I've not tried this but if the weather is awful you could try the posh new Odeon cinema in Islington:

www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/islington/

There are lots of artisan cafes in Islington like Pophams to go to before or afterwards.

Covent Garden has lost all its originality, although there are still street performers.

15yo DS loved Camden locks with the street food and the markets. Short wander to the zoo after. He also loved just wandering the streets and taking in the vibe of London, Islington was a winner with him but he's only ever lived in a small town.

That's really fucking weird.

If you like steak then Flat Iron is a great small chain of restaurants in London. The one in covent garden was lovely but I recommend that you book it was so busy when I visited.

The London Dungeons was fun with teens

Portobello Road market?

Novelty Automation

novelty-automation.com

Camden

I had a similar thread on here recently. We have just got back – as well as the shopping mine really enjoyed the sky garden, cable cars and a show

What's she into?

Go and see a show if you can. Six is good for teens and one of the cheaper ones because it's only short (although it's still expensive!).

We loved the Camden market, petticoat Lane, and Dennis Severs house which was recommended on here - to be fair, dd and I loved Dennis severs house, dh and ds less so but it was fascinating and different. Ds loved taking a Boris bike (anywhere) and a trip to the top of the Shard went down really well.

@Fuuuuuckit try this thread for ideas: www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4324449-Quirky-London-tourist-attractions

I did a game with Hidden City www.inthehiddencity.com/how-it-works with my DS. It was about the street art in Shoreditch, every location had a question to be answered by looking at a piece of graffiti. It doesn't seem to be available on the site anymore, but there are other websites that have self-guided street are walking tours and a lot of it is well worth seeing.

www.godsownjunkyard.co.uk/

Insta worthy place and fun too.
A bit off the beaten track from central London but worth it if she's into that kind of thing.

Camden
Liberty

My DD loved the theatre, breakfast at Tiffany's, sky garden, China town, shopping and Madame Tussaud's when we were there a few months ago.

Depends what she likes really. Tate modern, engaging little installation on at the mo with people sweeping rice into patterns, always something to look at there. There's some cool little corners in the city - eg Temple of Mithras (free expo about a weird bull slaughtering cult and actually immersive unlike those art "experiences - you don't get to kill a bull though) , Finsbury Square, little alleyways around there where you dip in and out of Victorian level street stuff and mad historic churches while surrounded by the skyscrapers. Number 11 bus will take you from bank of England/stock exchange along fleet Street, old bailey, rcj, west end, Trafalgar Square, houses of parliament, Whitehall, downing Street, the mall etc, can get off at any point and go round St Paul's, Westminster abbey whatever, if not just stay on and look at them. Westminster cathedral is also free. Get a bus north from there, past aldwych, can do John Soanes, fascinating little museum all put together by one guy with very very good taste. Carry on up through the Bloomsbury shaggers' neighborhood, call in on the British library, you get to see actual texts of works that shaped our civilization and country, ngl it's quite mind blowing.

That's what I'd do anyway, probably.

Or there's loads of museums and that. Really there's everything in London most of which you don't get elsewhere. You can go to Primark any time.

When I was studying at Durham, we had Saturday field trips to deprived areas of the North East. Looking back, it wasn't the best idea.

On one occasion the "subjects" unsurprisingly took umbrage at being gawped at by students with clipboards and decided to rock our coach and throw things until we made a rapid departure.

Back off my tangent, Borough Market is nice for a wander and if you're feeling flush, by Aqua Shard (restaurant has lovely views)

EL&N cafe has really tasty food and is very popular, they have a branch next to Harrods and another by Hyde park. It's also very 'intstagrammy' with pink walls, roses, a lot of young women like to go

You could book a waking tour if you like, there are lots of different themes and you can choose one that suits your daughter. Eg a history tour (specific era etc), Harry Potter, etc. London is great fun, I'm from there, there's something for everyone and I'm sure you'll both really enjoy it 🇬🇧

Should I go to therapy?

Maybe? I mean it certainly affected you badly since you are suggesting it as a day out

Walks.com is great, guided London walks, my 14yo enjoyed this