Visiting London at the moment

[ByTheLightOfTheSilveryMoon]

DD and her friend, both ASD in their 20s, are due to visit London next Saturday to see a show and a couple of shops on Oxford Street. Just a day trip.

This trip has been planned within an inch and they are both very much looking forward to it - it's a 3.5 hour train ride away.

Both myself and friend's parents are becoming increasingly concerned Bout the protests but I'm wondering if we're just being a bit precious as this is the first time either have ventured out so far.

Can I ask for any opinions please, isolated line parent/carer here

It's the Disney store they want, so Oxford Street it will have to be. The plan is to get a bus to Oxford Street, then a taxi from there to the show. DD is definitely more confident with the bus as it's what we usually use when visiting London.

Forgot to say, DD will have her noise cancelling ear plugs in

That's my thinking. DD will hopefully not get too stressed (trigger for her epilepsy) as she will be too focussed on the end goal

Your DD sounds amazing - I love opera

@Forgotmylogindetails oh please. My dc could navigate across London at 12ish, happily on the tube, etc, and dd would go for a wander around the West End at that age. But, they were fairly streetwise London children, used to the pace and familiar with central London.

We were there last week. Didn’t see a single protest. It’s busy and loud as always but I’m sure they’ll be fine

Have been in central London tonight and despite some fireworks being let off at Trafalgar Square, I saw no trouble. Busy in pubs and eateries but nothing that would make me think of my safety in a negative way.

Op where is the show? Quite often it’s easier to walk than tube. I’m a born & bred Londoner but walk rather than tube as much as possible

And don’t worry about the protests there’s one almost every week, they just don’t all end up on the telly

Make sure she takes a power bank for her phone with her. I forgot when I went last week and my goodness do the shops try to fleece you to buy one.

We were there today.

Oxford Street was busy, they need to leave extra time. Bond Street tube is closer to the Disney Shop, but they’re going to need to walk down a very busy street anyway, remind them if they’re feeling stressed to chat about stuff they can see.

ot is sometimes easier walking, but if they do, say away from the road in case her phone was stolen.

I would also use the tube, it’s quicker, easier and the staff are friendlier and more helpful. I lost DD this afternoon and they’d done a tannoy within 5 mins.

Crowds were massive in Charring X

I would stay well away from Whitehall as the protests are ramping up next weekend.

Part of Oxford St was shut down yesterday due to a sit in by the demonstrators. I would look into changing the train and theatre tickets to another day if possible.

One million Palestine protesters due to march in London on Saturday 11th.

Which theatre are they going to? Possibly just as easy to walk from Oxford St as get a taxi. As others have said, there are protests on around Whitehall a lot, not all get in the news. But they probably won’t see anything.

The protests so far have been between a few thousand and 60,000 people. Next Saturday they are expecting a million. It won't be confined to Whitehall. I don't mean to scare monger but I would be worried about my daughter getting caught up in it.

I'm starting to worry again

It's the Theatre Royal for Frozen. I'm actually wondering whether to just post pone the Disney store and get a taxi straight to the West End, then have lunch, in theatre and taxi straight back. I have asked DD to have a chat with her friend, as she is probably having the same conversation with her parents.

There is a Disney Store in Harrods, probably smaller but a bit further West in London so possibly out of the March area.

It's also possible that the march will be banned on that day because it's Armistice Day. Have you looked into having the theatre tickets moved to another Saturday?

It will be fine

There may be road closures around Whitehall and Trafalgar Sq and extra security as the Remembrance Day Parade will be on the Sunday.

London is a big place and very good at absorbing all sorts of people. You can be in the thick of things one minute and then on a very calm side road.

Mr Monkey works in Covent Garden and he says protests have been mainly peaceable but with some rather unpleasant fringe elements.

Well, to use your own words OP, you're being unbelievably precious. Millions of people are in London every day, and they're all absolutely fine.

Weve been today and walked past a protest, it was very peaceful and probably more chaotic outside the Palace than it was at the protest

I know they do, but DD and her friend aren't in London every day. They both struggle with unexpected changes and the worry isn't really they will get injured or anything, but more than roads will be closed and their pre-planned routes will have to change. That will cause them both immense stress. That's a chance that exists in every day life that can't be avoided. This trip to London feels a bit like tempting fate as there will most probably be changes because of the protests.

I agree, I am being precious. I have seen her in hospital way too many times to not worry.

I do really appreciate everyone's posts though, it is helping me think it all through more clearly

I don't think you're being precious, I think you are being cautious. Nothing wrong with that.