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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think some London tourist attractions are a complete rip off?

80 replies

glasg0wmum · 03/04/2016 18:02

Taking the kids to London for a few days in the holidays. 3 kids aged between 8 and 14, 2 adults. Family ticket to the Tower of London which I estimate would take about 3 hours to go round = £52. Family ticket to Harry Potter thing at Watford which is at least 6 hours = £120.

Family ticket to London Eye, which takes 30 minutes = £96. REALLY????

OP posts:
BettyBusStop · 03/04/2016 18:38

I thought Harry Potter was well worth the money. Although the gift shop is breathtakingly expensive.

The London eye not so much. Luckily we had 241 train vouchers, but even then it was dear for what it was.

RoseDeWittBukater · 03/04/2016 18:40

Tower of London is definitely a whole day, it's brilliant and much bigger than you think.
That said, lots of the big attractions are overpriced shit. The shrek thing was, IMO, an absolute rip off, felt 'cheap' (except it cost a fortune) and a bit boring tbh. Even DS was underwhelmed and he loves that sort of thing usually.

Mrscog · 03/04/2016 18:47

You can get 2 for 1 on the Tower of London if you're going in by train too.

Zebratwo · 03/04/2016 18:53

The parks and museums are the best attractions in London for me and they are free.

HermioneWeasley · 03/04/2016 18:56

London eye was such a ripoff, I'm still smarting over it years and years later. Give it a miss!

Sandsnake · 03/04/2016 18:56

DH took me up the shard on our anniversary. Unforgettable experience...

RoseDeWittBukater · 03/04/2016 18:57

Sandsnake Grin

user5512343212 · 03/04/2016 18:58

Look for the adults go free vouchers with Kellogg's.

Toomanycats99 · 03/04/2016 18:59

Children go free at the shard in half terms so that's a Good saving.

Laidupwithabrokenleg · 03/04/2016 18:59

If you've got a few things to see, or are planning on going for a couple of days, you can get a London Pass www.londonpass.com/london-pass-prices.php which gives entry to lots of attractions and discounts on others. We're going to do the three day one when next go to London, but I'm afraid that my husband will see it as a challenge to complete them all!

AnneElliott · 03/04/2016 18:59

You can get 2fir1 tickets for London eye and the tower I think. As long as you travel by train then you can download a voucher.

MabelSideswipe · 03/04/2016 19:00

HMS Belfast is good value. Loads to see and a family ticket is £42. Team it with a walk along the Southbank and its a whole day out.

Coldtoeswarmheart · 03/04/2016 19:02

The cost of days out is why we have National Trust membership, TBH. Last week Chester Zoo cost us more than our annual NT subs.

VulcanWoman · 03/04/2016 19:05

My son when he was about 7 through to 10 yrs old enjoyed climbing to the top of St Paul's Cathedral, climbing all over the HMS Belfast, river boat on the Thames to Greenwich to see the The Planetarium The Natural History Museum.
Never been on The London Eye, doesn't appeal for some reason, we went to the top of the Shard but as said on a thread the other day, you can buy a soft drink and go up to the 32 floor bar for free.

WicksEnd · 03/04/2016 19:07

We got a 3 attractions family pass last time we went and it worked out much cheaper. Always book your time slot in advance though.

VulcanWoman · 03/04/2016 19:08

Oh yes and the parks.

LittleBearPad · 03/04/2016 19:08

Tower of London will take more than three hours. There's loads to see. Train discounts can be good for it.

London eye is meh.

NotCitrus · 03/04/2016 19:10

Most attractions are OK value if you use a 2for1 voucher of some kind. If you don't, you're essentially paying a tourist tax.

SouthWestmom · 03/04/2016 19:11

How do I find a harry potter deal?

SellFridges · 03/04/2016 19:15

We were in the Tower of London 5 hours this week with a five year old so pretty good value.

The Shrek thing looked awful, but the playground by County Hall is great. DD played for an hour there.

We mainly wander in London - lots to see.

MadisonAvenue · 03/04/2016 19:22

I went in The Shard with my son one half term, I think it cost around £25 for both of us as there was a deal with it being school holidays. I'd have felt ripped off if I'd had to pay for him as well though.

The cable car is very reasonable though, and we enjoyed the Thames Clipper.

Crinkle77 · 03/04/2016 19:40

I think all tourist attractions anywhere in the country seem to be a rip off these days. Everything seems so expensive these days.

ivykaty44 · 03/04/2016 20:04

www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/SecretLondon/ if you like history then this gives some great places to visit

Excited101 · 03/04/2016 20:09

Go to sky garden instead of London Eye then. It's free and you can spend as long as you like there. I think you need to book your time slot online though.

jay55 · 03/04/2016 20:13

The sky garden is free and getting easier to book tickets. It's a great alternative to the London eye.

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