to want to take my son to London?

[MrsKeithRichards]

I have never been, we live in Edinburgh.

My son is 6 and has been asking for ages now and it has reached a crescendo with the Olympics. I would love to take him and it isn't actually that unrealistic.

But where do I start? He wants to see Big Ben, the palace and ride a red bus. He'd like to see the parliament and number ten. Could all this be done in a day or two? I'm such a country bumpkin. Where would I stay? Are tubes as mad as they look? Am I mad?

Oh and go on the London eye!

It would just be me and ds. Dh is shit at being a tourist and would stay at home with the baby. It is something I want to do with him.

You're not mad. You will have a great time. Big Ben, the palace, Westminster and number ten are all within a small area so yes, a couple of days is enough to see these things.

Check Tripadvisor for reviews of where to stay. There are travelodges and premier inns in central london, although some of them are very noisy. The tube is fine outside rush hour, you will probably even get a seat . Or you can walk a lot of it (depending on how far your DS is happy to walk - no idea how far 6 year olds are able to walk!) Buses are ten a penny too.

Oh, but check about the London Eye and buck paalace about whether you need to book tickets in advance... I'm not sure, it's a long time since I have booked the Eye and I've never been in buck palace. You may need to get advance tickets.

And get an Oyster card from the tfl website to make travel easier.

It's a great place for a visit. At 6 your ds would live it and it's not that mad. If he likes transport the tube will be exciting and the dlr is like a fun fair ride. Take a tourist bus for all the sights - or a trip down the Thames. I would say you need 2 days minimum. Travel lodges offer some good offers. Go for it

I have a friend whose son used to go to London from Edinburgh on a sleeper train every year as his birthday treat. Sounded ace! Do an open top bus tour so he's seen everything ( all be it from a distance) and then home in on what he most wants to do. He'll remember it forever.

You can do all those things in less than a day, though of course if you were coming from Edinburgh you'd probably need to stay overnight (there are some centrally-located Travelodge and Premier Inn type places where you can sometimes get good deals).

Tubes are not bad unless you're trying to travel at rush hour, but if you just want to do the main sights and he's keen on big red buses, you might want to try one of the hop-on, hop-off tourist buses (they have them n Edinburgh too, I think?) which will probably go everywhere you want to go.

Number 10 might be a bit of a disappointment, though - there are gates at the end of Downing St and you can't get close enough to really see it.

A friend of mine recommends premier inn Westminster. London eye is a total rip off - I wouldn't bother. The natural history museum and science museum are next door to each other and are brilliant. Also the Diana memorial playground is brilliant and free.

Tube is easy.

We did this when dd was 5 - looked at palace (from outside) then walked down horseguards parade to westminster, past no 10, big ben etc. Was fine to walk. Two day is ample. You will have great fun!

I'm taking DS1 (6.6) and DS2 (4.6) next weekend, probably 2 nights/3 days. We are going to do Natural History and/or Science Museum, red bus, tube, Greenwich and see a friend, and, probably, Hamley's. Am slightly daunted by taking both of them, especially as DS2 is currently the devil incarnate, but also think it will be fun and am looking forward to it. Hope you go, and have a lovely time .

Ooh, yes, Big Ben - they will recognise it from Cars 2 so may have to go and have a look at that .

I don't think he's to fussed about going into palace and I don't relish the thought either so we'll just go for a look outside. Eeek this is sounding possible!

Just to say I stayed in the Premier Inn Leicester Square last week for work. Would thoroughly recommend it for you and DS.

the walk etc took us about half a day
you could def have a good day in London but travel time from Edinburgh makes sense to stay over
My dc loved the different types of transport (train, bus, tube) seeing my mate's flat and having Coke .. they were impressed by number 10 as the policeman whipped off dd's hat so although we didn't get close they liked that bit! in fact the people were a big part of it for them too
If you have time you could do a boat trip along the thames from Greenwich

horseguards parade was a surprise plus for my ds, we only went because we decided to walk but he loved seeing the sentry boxes/horseguards close up

I can't recommend Premier Inn's enough if you're on a budget. Great staff and the rooms are very well insulated so you and your son will get a good nights sleep leaving plenty of energy to explore our wonderful capital - you'll both need it! Be sure to book as far in advance for the best deals.

I'd also recommend the London Acquarium and two minutes away ante some great places to eat on the south bank.

YANBU - my mum would take me to London as a kid and it is one of my most enduring memories.

The museums are amazing and a trip to Harrods (toy bit) I used to love as well as Hamley's.

You could go in November for the Lord Mayors parade and fireworks - they're fab.

Would def go for 2 days if you can. Check the Time Out website for free exhibitions etc on too.

www.laterooms.com
I found an amazingly cheap stay in London using this site

Me & dd are a bit gutted as school holidays are nearly over & we really wanted to go to london this year. Its been a few years since we were last there.

I live a bit further up than you & we take the day train. My dd is 8 & loves the train as she meets lots of new people.
We also did the Tube & found it ok. The people were friendly & the staff were helpful.
Dd wants to go to tea with the queen & her corgis.
Have a great time

Go.

I was taken to London for my 8th birthday in the early eighties. We went to the Natural History Museum, Harrods and saw Starlight Express. It was fab, and I can still vividly remember being open-mouthed at the lights in Piccadilly Circus at night.

I live here now.

If you time it right at buck palace you'll see changing of guard. Daily in summer months at 11am ish (but o on royal.gov.uk to check).

Duck tour is fun.

South bank is brill.

Tate modern.

nearly over wild? still 3 weeks left here

He might like the tower of London too; they have little skits on in the grounds which are fun to watch and the tour by a beef eater is interesting (but long?)

Go on an open-top bus trip (the one with the live commentary) and you'll get to see all on your list and more. Holiday Inn Express Hammersmith is great value, on the central line couple of stops from Science Museum, Natural History Museum V&A etc. Breakfast's included and there's a smashing pub/ restaurant next door (Witherspoons or something) which does great deals and an M&S nearby to buy picnic lunches. Book a matinee for Lion King!

Scottish schools are back this week!

Not sure when, I'll need to save up!