To think that sightseeing in London is incredibly stressful and not enjoyable

[EllebellyBeeblebrox]

We've just got back from a long weekend in London, using AirBNB. Kids are 5 and 9, and I'm 24weeks pregnant (which, I admit may be affecting my feelings on this matter)
We've had a lovely time, the kids thought the zoo was wonderful, enjoyed the tube, and the river taxi. I however am utterly shattered and drained and have the following gripes...

1. There was at any one time about 50 other people trying to walk in the same square metre as me. In all directions, like crazed and manic ants.
2. People just stopping in front of me randomly whilst walking to take a series of selfies in front of a lamppost.
3. Everything is horrendously expensive. £5 for a small gift shop key ring, aggravatingly underneath a sign which said "pocket money toys".
4. QUEUEING EVERYWHERE
5. Rude people pushing and barging and generally invading all personal space
6. The realisation (mainly at the Tower of London) that I have less than minimal knowledge of British history, and indeed the French family behind me in the queue knew more about various kings and queens than me. My children also seem only to be interested in historical things that are either gruesome and bloodthirsty (prisons/dungeons) or childishly amusing (Henry Viii's codpiece). Sadly the same could be said for me.
7. Big Ben looks like a building site and Westminster tube station smelled of piss.

Am I a total joyless bastard? Should I have been more enthralled at the historic and cultural sights? I'm so happy the DCs (mostly) enjoyed it but I'm utterly fucked, my feet and back are in agony after marching around for three days and not sleeping on a sofa bed. I'm so happy to be home

Ah I live near Westminster tube. You must have gone in the station underpass which yes smells like pee as some ppl live there - and wee there - plus there's grotty public loos there... but I still love London!

London's tourist areas are almost always busy. It's more a question of how bad they are on the scale of 1-busy to 10-f**ing horrendous. And you chose a bank holiday weekend (and not just a UK holiday, it's holiday in other countries too!) AND the start of half term AND with a decent weather forecast. It was never going to be pleasant.

London is an amazing world class city. Which means everyone wants to visit. And they all seem to visit at the same time. That's in addition to the almost 9 million people who live in London. I've lived in the centre for 20+ years and the crowds do get on your nerves. Especially if you're trying to run errands and there's a gaggle of tourists taking selfies always in the way. Or the people who walk so slowly that I don't understand how they maintain balance.

There is a definite worsening of manners, especially on public transport. But I think that's more due to the sheer volume of non-Brits who have different cultural perspectives of what's polite and what's not. Rush hour in the week is rammed but generally fairly polite (as long as you don't do anything silly like stop suddenly, get in people's way etc).

The Tower of London is my most favourite place in London. I never tire of it! I live walking distance from it (and get to visit for only £1 a time because I'm a local resident, yay!) so every so often I nip in when it first opens before the crowds descend. But by noon it's hell on earth and swarming with visitors, and it gets busier and busier. Argh!

I think you've done well to survive a bank holiday weekend OP. Maybe your next challenge is Oxford St shopping on the last Saturday before Christmas.

London is a dump

We did London last October with out 6 and 9 year old. Used Airbnb, did the sights, used the tube.

We all absolutely loved every minute, brilliant..... But then I'm not 24 weeks pregnant

It’s god awful. Especially with the kids. But sometimes it’s the absolute tits, although I have to say, mostly at night.

I’ve just been and really enjoyed it. I spent a lot of time walking between tourist attractions and found people on the tube to be very considerate and offering me a seat once they saw the bump.

Rush hour in the week is rammed but generally fairly polite (as long as you don't do anything silly like stop suddenly, get in people's way etc).

Or stand on the wrong side of the escalator (though I suspect most people only do that once...) Even in rush hour though, someone will always help carry a buggy or give directions if you’re lost.

Yanbu. I hate London.

I love London. I love going to London. I get excited when I arrive in London. I love the feeling of having it all there within reach. I love the sights and the tube.

But I can only stick it for about 48 hours before I’m desperate to come back to the sticks.

London is a dump

Off you trot, Farage.

Unfortunately I think there are similar scenarios in all major tourist destinations

We went with a 1.5 and 6 yr old. Loved it... 😬

I think being pregnant in shitty cramped places is very stressful. I hated it - GET AWAY FROM The BUMP!

*Off you trot, Farage.
*
😂

OP I feel your pain! Last time I went to London it was the hottest day of the year, with a 2.5yo and I was 36 weeks pregnant. I vowed never to go again, and so far haven't been (although it was only three years ago )

It’s always busy, obviously, it’s a capital city...

I took my three DC last year when they were 5, 6 and 7. Also was 12 weeks pregnant at the time so not feeling great. Loved every minute tbh, the DC had a blast. We spent one of the days doing sightseeing and the other days doing museums, art galleries, parks etc. Went during half term and the museums were rammed but I expected that because it’s London...

Maybe if you’re not used to a busy city it comes as a shock. I grew up in a big city and spent a lot of time in London too so it’s never been a big deal.

It’s always busy, obviously, it’s a capital city
It all capital cities are busy!
I avoid London because it is so busy but there are plenty of capitals in Europe that are much quieter.

London has so much more than other world cities - except the weather.

But animals don’t belong in zoos that’s for sure.

The mismatch between effort/expense and DC's experience can be maddening as well. I'm in Paris with DS2 at the moment, have plied him with oodles of culture, restaurants, parks, treats...highlight so far is apparently going on the swings (we have swings at home), having a happy meal when he had a complete hangry meltdown at the Jardin des Plantes (we have McDonalds at home) and sitting next to the window of the bus today (we also have buses at home)...

Agreed. Friend and I went sightseeing in London together- I’m amazed we are still friends we snapped at each other so much due to the stress of it all! Have been on more trips together since and all was well between us- definitely something about London!

We took our six year olds for 4 days over Easter and had a great time but we were all exhausted when we got back and that's without being 24 weeks pregnant! I lived on London for decades and still miss it.

All big cities are the same, New York City was dirty, utterly exhausting and expensive!

Does new York get your goat in the same way? If not then yabu.

Which ones notacooldad? Not Rome, Madrid, Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam or Berlin for starters.

I agree with 1,2,5 I had no children to buy toys juice snacks all day for though!

That is not to say that I didn't have a great time visiting and will definitely like to do more than the one night pack everything I can fit in visits Iv had time to do so far. 2 or 3 night stay not all during a holiday or weekend. So I get the best of my time spent there.

I can tell you actually aren't saying you hate the city just your just bloody knackered and could have done with a slightly less hectic holiday

My biggest annoyance with London is not knowing enough to know where would be a not extortionate price for somewhere to stay while visiting.

vulpine I've never been to New York, and not ever likely to

I'm going to binge watch some Horrible Histories for next time.

I don't know if to be impressed or think you must be crazy to think of doing it again one day. 😂 We took the kids to London sightseeing for a few days at similar ages. I hated every minute of it apart from the London Eye as it was a chance to just get away from most people. Never again....the kids know not to ask. The only thing I've hated more was visiting Blackpool in the Summer holidays.