To take my kids to the natural history museum . . .

[littlem133]

. . . Next Monday? I've taken them in half term before and the queue to get in was so horrific one DS wet himself which was quite traumatic. But they want to go back - there or the science museum- and if I'm right most counties are on half term this week and not next. Am I right?

Am considering heading up to London on Friday - am I completely mad?! Could do Saturday instead? Hardly ever go to London last time went to NHM queued in the rain for 40 minutes - was not fun with Littluns
Have had V&A recommended as alternative - anyone been?

I'll let you all know how we get on tomorrow. The absolute earliest we will be at the museum is likely to be 11. Train only gets in to Euston at 10. I'm praying there's not a massive queue for the NHM, it's the only reason we are going down really. Will try science museum if nhm really really busy

if NHM museum queue at the main entrance is really big, try going in round the corner at the Earth Galleries entrance on Exhibition Rd. Usually much quieter. The Earth Galleries is the old Geological Museum (this is engraved in the stone above the door), but they are now one museum (Natural History - Life Galleries and Earth Galleries) and you can walk between them.

I'd recommend spending time in some of the quieter rooms, such as the one with the gemstones.

Aaaah.... nostalgia. I went to school in South Ken (my school entrance faces the main entrance to the NHM) and spent many hours gazing at the gems.... my big brother used to take me. I'm a Chartered Geologist now, and the NHM and Geological Museum were probably the most influential institutions on my career. And my big brother!

Geological Museum fact - If you look at the front of the museum, there are chunks missing out of the stone facade from where it was bombed in WW2. They were aiming for de Gaulle's offices on the other side of Cromwell Rd (now my old school).

Go in via the side entrance in Exhibition Road. Even if the museum itself is busy the queue here is minimal.

We were there at 10am today and didn't have to queue, the entrance on exhibition road is shorter and open! Also the rocks any mineral bit is always dead if it gets a bit too much inside and they have a new dining bit open called the T-Rex Grill which has moving dinosaurs in it.

Keep me update inthehighcastle. And good luck! Defo use the side entrance

Try the museum of London instead? Nearer the Shard and all other tall buildings too. No problems getting in today, it was busy but not uncomfortably so, it's got prehistory (skulls, spears, axes), Romans, medieval and modern london and a special exhibition (paying) on the fire of London plus free tours (ticketed but free) they were announcing regularly as the day went on. Quite a few hands-on exhibits (hogged today by visiting packs of cubs/scouts) and free activity sheets.

Just a quick update. We went today, got to the natural history museum at about half ten and queued probably 15 minutes. It was a long queue so looked worse than it was but moved pretty quick. That was the exhibition road entrance. We got off in South Kensington where there is normally a subway I think straight into the museums but there were signs up saying this was closed and to go up the stairs and just walk, which was fine.
I did hear one of the staff saying the other entrance had a smaller queue but we already had our place and don't really know the area so just stuck where we were.
Inside was busy but not horrendously so. We went straight to the dinosaurs which were the busiest but we still saw everything and the T. rex that moves is fab! Well worth the visit and I'm already planning my next day trip to London!

Glad you had fun!

we are going Monday as well - last minute plan based on bloody cheap train tickets

We have a plan ...NHM, Harrods, Buck House, Big Ben, London Eye (look at!) Drinks (for mummy) at Sea Containers, over the wobbly bridge, Covent Garden and home!

I'll bet we manage 3 of those!

The best day we spent at the NHM was 23rd December. It was lovely and quiet and the volunteers were saying that they love it at that time of the year. It's so nice we're planning it again this year.

Ghostyslovesheets - that's almost exactly what we did. NHM first thing then walked to harried and wandered around things I can't afford lol. Then walked to Buckingham palace down to trafalger square. Then headed to Houses of Parliament etc, crossed the river then walked along the river to London Bridge as that tube station has lifts. It was lovely actually just walking around lots.
I don't know how people manage the tube regularly though with a pushchair, I had a double and really struggled with all the stairs and escalators

Inthehighcastle I think the answer is people don't, generally. The tube is a nightmare! If I stick to buses / stations with lifts where possible (even if it takes double the time). If I had a double buggy I would definitely avoid the tube!

Strictly speaking you're meant to fold buggies for escalators but most of us ignore that. It is a risk though. I saw a tourist get her buggy wheel a bit stuck at the top of the escalator. She could have just lifted it up but she panicked and was flapping so I had to quickly reach over her and lift her buggy and baby off the escalator (no time to explain to her what to do!).

It could have been a disaster! I think of that every time I'm on an escalator with a buggy now.

We buy very light pushchairs! Dh has a good way of bracing it on the escalator, I fold and care the baby and make the toddler stand in front of me, but short journeys I always opt for the bus. I also have my tube stations which are more doable

Go to the British Museum instead. Our lads loved that a lot more than the Natural History one. In fact even now they beg to go there because they still haven't seen everything they want to.

Are there any dinosaurs at the museum of London?

Natural history museum yes

What about the museum of London by the shard)

Museum of London is about London, no dinosaurs. Have a few wooly mammoth bones

Little - the museum of London isn't by the shard btw, it's at the Barbican

No dinosaurs at the museum of London. It's a great music but more for year one and above. It's not by the shard!

Thanks to mumsnet I have a plan-train, tube to NHM early and using side entrance. Picnic. Bus to Hamleys. Bus to Buck Palace. Walk to Charing Cross via Downing Street etc!

Side entrance was just as busy yesterday but less than 15 mins wait to get in so you should be ok.

So we did go up to London on Friday and had a fab day! Went to the V and A which at 10.30 was practically empty. They had loads of stuff there for kids - lots of half term activities: giant construction, digital art, pop up theatre and activity back packs.

The subway from South Kensington tube to the museums was open. There looked to be lots more people heading to NH and Science museums but it was much quieter at 10:30 than when we left at 1.30 when the subway was packed.

Also went to Chinatown for lunch which was great fun for the kids, followed by the m and m world shop round the corner which was packed. Wanted to go to the Lego shop but it had a bouncer and an enormous queue like a club!