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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to ask lovely Londoners to tell me about Nottinghill, The Southbank, Carnaby St etc with 11 yo ds

51 replies

GentleJones · 21/03/2018 18:12

We’ve been to London quite a few times and have done the usual sites, museums etc

Never been to the thread title areas though. Are they worth visiting with a child? If so, any pointers? Love the look of The Churchill Pub (but that’s just for me) as a little stop off pint.

We’re heading off to a few more museums which we haven’t been to before but I really fancied going somewhere different too. Possibly Diana gardens too? Maybe.

So much to do, so little time.

Asked here as there’s lots of traffic

OP posts:
JT05 · 21/03/2018 18:49

The Southbank and Festival Hall is worth a visit. Carnaby St is just a tourist trap of cheap shops selling tourist tat. Notting Hill is an expensive housing area with a few expensive Delis and coffee shops.
Have you been to Kew Gardens, had a river trip to Westminster from Kew?
High st Kensington, a visit to the Design Museum and walk through Kensington Gardens to see the Diana Gardens, taking in the Albert Hall might be nice on a summer day.

GentleJones · 21/03/2018 20:10

Thanks JT.

We’ve been to Westminster, via The Thames. Haven’t been to Kew Gardens though, possibly another area to explore.

OP posts:
GonzoFlyingProducts · 21/03/2018 21:54

Notting Hill is a waste of time although Portobello Rd market is OK on Saturday mornings... It's all a very long walk from the tube though...
Ever seen Harry Enfield's "I saw you coming" sketches? They're set in Notting Hill.

Carnaby St is a short street with tourist shops - not much point.

Covent Garden is good fun - lots of buskers all day doing everything from close up magic to tumbling and the "escape from a straight jacket" thing. Lots of little alleys to wander in and out of, lots of over priced shops ! It's also got the London Transport museum which is very good and (I think) you get a free return within a year ticket (?)

HMS Belfast might interest an 11 yo boy but it'll cost you about twenty five quid - same with the Cutty Sark in Greenwich.

The buildings at Kew Gardens are amazing but I wouldn't say a great day out for 11 yo - it's a botanical collection essentially and way out West on the District line.

As mentioned Kensington is a good bet and Barkers has a HUGE roof garden (which is not always open to the public so worth checking before the off).

The Boat Race is on This weekend - could be fun to watch from a bridge (pub).

If you take the Jubilee line to North Greenwich you can jump on the "Air Line" which is a very high cable car across a wide stretch of the Thames - amazing views and quite an experience.

Crystal Palace has 30 full sized Dinosaurs placed around the park. Weird but different...

For my money the Golden Hind is one of the best kept secrets in central London. £5 adult / £3 child. It's Francis Drake's real life actual pirate ship so some real history and you've snuck in some educational value too. Right next door to the Clink Prison museum (which is great and again, quite reasonably priced).

There's the Imperial War museum of course which is housed in what used to be Bethlam Royal hospital ("Bedlam"). It's all guns and tanks and planes so you might not love it but he will !

If you look up the times you can sit outside the Tower of London on the river and watch Tower Bridge open and close to let tall boats through. Kept my lot entertained for hours.
LINK: www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times/
You can actually visit the bridge too and walk across the top but I've never done it so couldn't comment on entertainment value.

One last thing - if you write to your MP they will (must actually) arrange for you to climb up Queen Elizabeth tower (what everyone calls Big Ben). This is really worth doing but it can take weeks / months to arrange in advance. (Summer holidays are coming...)
You can also request lunch / tea on the terrace of the house of commons which is just cool...

Have fun !

PS:
Avoid the London Dungeon. Overpriced and will give 11yo nightmares for weeks.

GonzoFlyingProducts · 21/03/2018 21:57

Oh yeah - at 11am every day they change the guard at Buckingham Palace. Proper pageantary when it's Horse Guards... And free.

frasier · 21/03/2018 22:10

If you find yourselves on the Southbank, go to Leake St tunnel (AKA Banksy Tunnel) Its a free space for graffiti artists, a minutes walk (across York Road) from the London Eye. It is a GREAT place for selfies! Your 11 year old will love it!

(Looks spooky but it's perfectly safe, there are businesses down there.)

www.google.co.uk/search?q=leake+st+tunnel&client=firefox-b&dcr=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwii-aaCt_7ZAhUnLMAKHTAQAOMQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1280&bih=645

Notcontent · 21/03/2018 22:17

As a Londoner, I would agree that the Southbank will be fun for an 11 year old, but definitely avoid Notting Hill!! How about London Eye? Not that exciting but he might enjoy it...

MsAR · 21/03/2018 22:22

The tate modern’s on the south bank and has an exhibition in the turbine hall with loads of different swings that kids can go on- interactive installation art! You could go to the top of the Tate and see the fantastic views before walking over the millennium bridge towards stPauls. If you look down on the bridge you might still see some miniature pieces of graffiti inked onto discarded chewing gum. They’re kind of cool and go unnoticed by most people.

OutsideContextProblem · 21/03/2018 22:24

I hate to break it to you but the Golden Hinde on the South Bank is a modern replica. Still cool though.

A walk from the Tower of London, across Tower Bridge, dancing in the fountains at More London, past HMS Belfast (or doing a full visit if you’re that way inclined), into Hayes Galleria to check out the ship sculpture, dropping in for a bite to eat at Borough Market, looking at the Golden Hinde (or doing a visit), checking out the fascinating shops at the Oxo Tower, briefly visiting the Tate, looking at the buskers, admiring the sand sculptures on the beach (possibly not at this time of year) or going down to the beach yourself to write “Bum!” as large as possible (just me then?), climbing all over the sculpture outside the National which is catnip for kids for some reason, looking at more buskers and then having cakes from the food market behind the RFH is my idea of a day out. There’s quite a good playground at the Eye if they still have any energy.

JoJoManon · 21/03/2018 22:28

NH is just an expensive residential area. Lovely, but pointless for an 11 year old. I do quite like the market at the weekend but it's overpriced rubbish and a few "antiques".

I recommend the science and Nat History museums in South Ken.
The horniman is great too and they have a mini aquarium.
If your 11 yo is into transport, I love the London Transport Museum but he might be too old.
South Bank is always worth a wander, check and see if there are any good exhibitions at the Tate Modern that he might enjoy.

Second the chewing gum graffiti on the millennium bridge, it's pretty amazing when you think of it.

mamaduckbone · 21/03/2018 22:30

Our 12 and 8yo love the south bank - we watch the skateboarders under the south bank centre, visit Tate modern, wander over the millennium bridge for the views, Shakespeare’s Globe is worth a look (I went on the tour years ago but haven’t done it with the kids - I remember it being very entertaining). We haven’t been under Banksy tunnel though frasier - that sounds awesome!

MojoMoon · 21/03/2018 22:30

Check out what it on at the south bank centre. They have some child and teen aimed activities but may need to book in advance. Underbelly at the southbank has lots of good stuff on.

Would also suggest Camden market or brick lane (two markets there) for browsing the stalls, some pocket money spending. Also lots of place to get cool snacks like bubble waffles, freak shakes and other stuff youngsters seem to love.

Tate modern can be fun if they have some weird exhibits in the main turbine hall.

The museum of childhood or imperial war museum might suit depending on what they are in tom

frasier · 21/03/2018 22:32

Oh yes, go into the "singing lift" at the Royal Festival Hall (lift on side furthest away from London Eye) It's brill!

DunnoWhy · 21/03/2018 22:33

www.londonducktours.co.uk this could be interesting for him. Departs from a place not too far from London Eye and does a nice detour on land and water. It has novelty value.

Near London Eye there are lots of street entertainers so easy to fill the time.

Merrylegs · 21/03/2018 22:38

I actually think Carnaby street is pretty cool now - I mean he may be a little young, but it's got vibrant street art and lighting and some pretty cool shops (especially if you like trainers!) It's got a good vibe and the shops are high end. Loads of good food places. It's fun to walk down if you make it part of your day (rather than your destination).

bruffin · 21/03/2018 22:39

Carnaby St is just a tourist trap of cheap shops
No it isnt. Its all designer brand shops now, ie Vans, Doc Martins, Mojo none of it cheap tourist tat,but not edgy like it was in the 60s and 70s.

frasier · 21/03/2018 22:40

London Eye is expensive (isn't everything) but if you do it, worth considering getting the double ticket and going into the Aquarium at its base too. Sharks!

How long are you there for? Southbank is definitely the place to be if it is one day.

GabsAlot · 21/03/2018 22:41

dont bother with carnaby st overpriced and tourist shops nothing special

id agree about southbank generally lots to do and see

IanRushesInadequateFlushes · 21/03/2018 22:42

If you're doing the south bank, I can't recommend one of these highly enough - loads of history on the slow trip down to Houses of Parliament and then back up to wapping - where they put their foot down... takes about 45 mins and is superb for your DS' age:

www.thamesribexperience.com

GabsAlot · 21/03/2018 22:43

oh camden definitely if not too far out of your way great market there

0nemorenight · 21/03/2018 22:43

How about China Town and Camden Lock the indoor market and food stalls are great

Merrylegs · 21/03/2018 22:45

Camden Market is a scrum, especially for little ones, also really difficult to get out at the tube there atm. I wouldn't recommend.

If you want cool/different, All Star Lanes bowling in Shoreditch and then the Cereal Killer cafe where you sit on beds and eat fruit loops or whatevs is quirky and has kid-appeal (yes it's ridiculously hipster but OK for a day!). Nice area to walk around and lots of great photo ops with all the street art.

Merrylegs · 21/03/2018 22:47
Lovejoyfull · 21/03/2018 22:49

The Duck tours are no more or are due to cease very soon I’m afraid. The South Bank is good fun, lots of places to eat too.

Choccywoccyhooha · 21/03/2018 22:51

Carnaby Street hasn't been full of tacky tourist shops for about 20 years! It's all trendy brands and cool restaurants these days, and of course has Liberty at the end. www.carnaby.co.uk/fashion-and-lifestyle. There is a cool little centre between it and Kingly Street called Kingly Court which is independent shops and little bars and cafes.

Southbank is fun. I think I would walk from the Royal Festival Hall (take a ride in the singing lift on the eastern side of the building), down to Gabriel's Wharf, then on to Tate Modern. The Turbine Hall has a huge swing installation at the moment until 2nd April.

After that get THE RV1 bus back asking the Southbank to the wheel or stay on and cross the River to Covent Garden to the ice cream place Milk Train (be prepared to queue). www.milktraincafe.com