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?

I thought the tube would be overwhelming, but there are very nice staff by the barriers, even at busy times. Have fun! I still remember the Natural History Museum from a visit when I was 5!

Chaz she probably would enjoy it, but she is always having to compromise on accepting doing slightly young for her stuff because she has 2 younger siblings and things have to work for everyone - our London trip is a special 1:1 thing and I'd quite like something a bit special and "grown up" (not really grown up obviously but not babyish). More to the point though I really hate the book 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea' its a book everyone is supposed to love isn't it, it grates on me, I am not particularly strongly feminist but is it not amazingly sexist? I know it's an old book but still... and it's kind of creepy if you over think it and start imagining it means more than it does on the surface... Probably just me, and probably DD would enjoy it, but it wouldn't be my first choice!

I remember taking my ds for the first time when he was about 6 or 7. TBH it was the cheapest day out - ever (excluding travel). We just wandered, window shopped and talked about things we saw. Jugglers at Covent Garden, street artists on the Embankment, Tower of London, Globe Theatre, river, Hamleys..... we didn't spend any money at all, except on lunch! If you're going for a couple of days, then of course you need to go on a tourist bus and the Tube, because that will be exciting for him!
Just arm ds with a camera and some good walking shoes, and set off! You'll love it. London's a great city.
(And so much better when you haven't got dh lagging behind moaning..... I know, I know )

This thread has got me all excited about going to do the sights! We live a 20 minute train ride from Liverpool Street station, and 25 minutes on the tube from oxford circus, and we just don't make the most of it at all! We go to the theatre a lot but we haven't done the sights in years.

I am going to plan a whole day of sight seeing and squeeze it in before the kids go back!

Hope you and your son have a great time.

The tube is fine, especially if your child is older so you don't have to worry about managing prams/buggies. It's sometimes worth walking short distances though - sometimes things can be closer together than they seem from the tube plan, and it can be quicker.

If you have an Oyster card it's v. easy to hop on and off buses.

Can I just say DON?T go to the science museum first.
We had to beg and bribe the DNs out of there they would have happily spent all day in there.

It is good fun, but the food places in there are extortionate

yes, take your own snacks to the science museum and be prepared to spend the day there. also there's the 'oriental canteen' opposite the pret a manger by south ken tube where you can get a great value lunch/dinner.

Oriental canteen? What food does it serve?

Its just an oriental restaurant. I don't like it. We always go to the Cafe Cremerie/Creperie just as you come out the station on Exhibition Road. Dcs always love a savoury then a sweet crepe.

Science museum has a picnic area in the basement though and if the weather is nice the grounds of the natural history museum have benches. Sandwiches readily available at South Ken (Pret/ independent).

New route masters run on route 38. However I live on the route and still haven't managed to get on one (despite using the bus all the time). Good luck!

Greenwichgrooves suggestion of boat to Greeniwch is a really good one. The new cutty sark is also pretty good and there are loads of nice cake shops!

I'm excited for you - have you thought about getting the london rough guide from the library (it is really good). Was going to offer someone my copy but it seems to have gone AWOL.

Science Museum wins it for me (well,..my sons !) over the Natural history Museum hands down.

Have a look at the visit London site. Plan carefully. Come back and check the cheapest/ best way to do what you want.

Go for it. I've been once I stayed in Hampstead for 3 nights, central London was easily reachable by the tube although if I went with ds I'd prefer to stay more central. I'd give yourself at least 2 nights with a child to make sure you get to see everything without feeling rushed and getting exhausted especially as you'll have a longish journey.

I'd love to take ds but he'd have no interest atm.

I'm excited too!

Might have an offer of digs. It's someone my bil is friends with. He's a bit of a party and ladies man but bil said he wouldn't mind putting us up for a couple of nights. He's in woollwich is that central enough?

I might take him up on the offer and cramp his style for a couple of nights. Would stay for 2 if getting it for free, maker a massive difference money wire!

I'm excited too!

Might have an offer of digs. It's someone my bil is friends with. He's a bit of a party and ladies man but bil said he wouldn't mind putting us up for a couple of nights. He's in woollwich is that central enough?

I might take him up on the offer and cramp his style for a couple of nights. Would stay for 2 if getting it for free, maker a massive difference money wire!

Do not drive. There are few places to park and they cost a fortune. Also if you stray into the centre and don't pay you will get a fine.

I've just remembered China Town as well. Are yo sure you can't do a week?

Woolwich is not exactly central (or particularly nice tbh). You can get into central London in about half an hour on the train or DLR. Depends where you want to go, and how much time you're willing to spend travelling.

The Thames Clipper goes from Woolwich pier too (not sure there are many on weekends though).

Woolwich is zone 4 I think, its sort of right in the bottom south east corner, but I guess its more what London is like for most people so gives you that experience.

You could travel into town on the DLR, which might take half an hourish. But you can also catch the ferry at Woolwich and do various tours, go to the London eye etc, so look into the Woolwich Ferry when you're planning, its might make the trip a bit more interesting.

TBH if it means you get to stay for 2 nights I would do it because you'll get to see everything you want that way and will mean you have a bit more money for eating out and spending.

Sorry Ephiny is right its the Thames Clipper you want not the ferry, I couldn't remember which was which (I've only been to Woolwich a few times).

I am taking my 6 year old too! I would do London Eye, big ben, Buck palace.
Oh, and you can get a boat to Greenwich (its only about a fiver) which is fun because you go under tower bridge etc, and then you can see the Maritime museum etc.
(Do that on a different day though).

I can't wait!

Oops, sorry, hadn't read other pages of thread, and just repeated what everyone else said!
YANBU though

other 2 for 1 offers I got sent today

yes! take your child to london , it is wonderful ! a country within a country ! a one off , a must see !

Stay at the premier inn next to Kings X (where Edinburgh train comes in) as then you can leave luggage there on the last day and collect it at the end - no having to manage it on the tube or bus! And no having to allow time to get to another hotel from whatever you have planned and then make it for the train.
Buses are really quick from Kings X into London and a bit nicer than the tube as you get to see things.
Kids under 11 are free on London transport too And a family and friends card helps with the train fare.