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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be thinking of taking an 8 yr old to the London dungeon?

29 replies

laptopdancer · 04/12/2012 08:15

No, not to leave him there.

I've heard its a bit too scary and the website has all sorts of warnings. Not sure if its a bit mean to be thinking of taking my 8 year old there.

OP posts:
KnittingChristmas · 04/12/2012 08:17

Not in a million years, personally! Totally inappropriate for such a young child - but bet you I'm in a minority!

2cats2many · 04/12/2012 08:18

I went there a few years ago as an adult and was scared out of my wits. There were children crying who had to be taken out. It's more of a teenager activity really.

Original poster
laptopdancer · 04/12/2012 08:20

Its on his request, by the way. I have no idea what it will be like and don't fancy it myself. It's the usual case of "his friend have been and it sounded good to him". Kids crying = probable NO for us.

OP posts:
2blessed2bstressed · 04/12/2012 08:23

Not been to the London one, but we took two 11 year olds to the Edinburgh one last summer. They were absolutely terrified and crying. For the rest of the holiday mil kept saying accusingly "whose idea was it to go to that dreadful place?" Blush
In my defence, I think they've made them a lot scarier than they used to be....I remember my parents taking me when I was a child (a wussy child), and I wasn't bothered!

TLC123 · 04/12/2012 08:25

It depends how 'brave' he is, my ds went when he was 10, he loved it, although was very scared. We have been a few times now, and I have seen very young children there 5/6 who were fine and seem to enjoy it. It depends on the child really, I know my 19 year old would hate it and it would give her nightmares for weeks!!

TurkeyGibletsGeekette · 04/12/2012 08:27

I went there in my 20s and by the time the river ride thingy had ended with the guy jumping out and screaming at us, I was hyperventilating. OTOH, my kids went at 11 and 13 with their DF and adored it. How easily spooked is your DS?

IveBeenGoodSantaIPromise · 04/12/2012 08:28

I went a couple of years ago I was 28. I was terrified! I am easily scarred and hate horror stuff but was on a school trip. The teenage boys I was accompanying thought it was hysterical- both the dungeon and my shaking fear! A lot of it is just make you jump stuff, but there are actors that jump out at you and come near you in the dark. Creepy. The worst bit is at the end and you don't have to do it- it's a kind of walk through about famous mutderers in London. If you do take him I would just avoid that bit

I wouldn't take an 8 yo though

balia · 04/12/2012 08:30

We did this - DSS really wanted to go, (he was 8) and ended up terrified and DH had to take him out. Wish I'd thought to ask Mumsnet!

valiumredhead · 04/12/2012 08:31

Nope - far too young.

Frontpaw · 04/12/2012 08:31

No. Unless you want to be woken up every night for a year by screaming child.

HintofBream · 04/12/2012 08:32

Stay away. Don't encourage the purveying of violence and cruelty as entertainment.

BoatysTinselSails · 04/12/2012 08:36

My DBro and SIL took my DS2 and DD when they were 13 and 10 and they were ok but there was a child aged about 5 hysterically crying being forced round by its parents... SIL went up to them and asked if they had lots on money...they were Xmas Confused and she said "you will be paying for that childs therapy for years to come, take the poor child out will you!!! Xmas Grin

valiumredhead · 04/12/2012 08:37

There are SO many other places to take an 8 year old, this shouldn't even be a consideration imo.

psynl · 04/12/2012 08:38

I took my just 8 year old in the summer. He loved all of it except the ride at the end but you can skip that bit. My 15 year old sister was more scared!

Fairyloo · 04/12/2012 09:19

I took my 7 year old last week and totally regretted it. It was dark and very scary.

Talk of mutilated prostitutes was a bit much. She was white as a sheet by the end but has told everyone it was brill and she loved it.

She is pretty brave too and not easy to scare.

Original poster
laptopdancer · 04/12/2012 09:27

Much appreciated. Don't think its for us. Will have to find some other things for an 8 year old to do/see in London :)

OP posts:
WizardofOs · 04/12/2012 09:34

What about the tower of London? It's has creepy elements without the outright horror.

Original poster
laptopdancer · 04/12/2012 09:35

Sounds good, thanks :)

OP posts:
Frontpaw · 04/12/2012 09:36

I hate things like this and would probably pee myself.

givemeaclue · 04/12/2012 09:37

My dad took my brothers when they were teens....and had to leave! Too scary!

Floggingmolly · 04/12/2012 09:40

If the website has "all sorts of warnings", surely that's all you need to know?

GilmoursPillow · 04/12/2012 09:41

My 8 year old DS kept on saying he wanted to go so my Dad took him in the summer. DS nearly crapped himself and kept talking about it for quite a while afterwards, and not in a good way.

My cue should have been when my stepmum refused point blank to go in (she's been before). Blush

bakingaddict · 04/12/2012 10:31

It's dark and very claustophobic (sp) and some of the noises are realistic in their potrayal of terror. If your DC is in any way sensitive then I wouldn't recommend.

If you like the history of London angle there is the Musuem of London, which I think is London Wall by Barbican or there is a history of surgery musuem, cant remember it's exact name which might be more suitable

squeakytoy · 04/12/2012 10:33

I have been there twice and would say it is aimed at older teens and adults really. It is quite graphic, and gory. I have seen kids aged about 8 or 9 in there at the time and they did not really look to be having much fun.

It is all about the history of murder and violence in the early days of London and goes into a lot of detail.

I think for an 8yo there are much more appropriate things to do. Natural History Museum maybe or the Science Museum.

SantaWearsGreen · 04/12/2012 10:34

I went when I was ten. I wasn't in the least bit scared. I must be 'ard.