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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what is the best thing you’ve done with you child in London

148 replies

Differentcorner · 31/05/2019 13:46

Tomorrow I am taking my 9 yr old son to the imperial war museum and then we have the rest of the day to do what we’d like... was thinking a walk by the river/Southbank and he wants to go to HamleysGrin but would love to hear your top suggestions

OP posts:
Anniegetyourgun · 31/05/2019 13:48

Mine always enjoyed the London Aquarium.

BigRedLondonBus · 31/05/2019 13:48

My kids like the London transport museum

Hellohah · 31/05/2019 13:52

When DS was 8 we went to London. He loved the street performers

Corndog · 31/05/2019 13:57

Science museum

Littlebird88 · 31/05/2019 13:59

Got back on the train to come home
sorry not helpful.

Myyearmytime · 31/05/2019 14:00

If wants to go to hamleys let him.
Regent st is nice and you can walk down from piccadilly circus.

Differentcorner · 31/05/2019 14:04

We will go to hamleys of course but wondering what people’s favourite things to do were... not sure we’ll do a second museum in one day

OP posts:
Nikhedonia · 31/05/2019 14:05

Transport museum. Really interesting and not very big if you've already gone to another museum.

Nikhedonia · 31/05/2019 14:06

X-post

dreamyflower · 31/05/2019 14:06

Feed the ducks and a walk round St James's park, you could then look at Buckingham palace and horse guard's parade.

NasiGoreng · 31/05/2019 14:06

IMO the best thing to do in London is Westminster Abbey. It's teaming with Kings and Queens and history. I was totally blown away. I'd walk him past the Houses of Parliament, got into Westminster Abbey for a couple of hours, then go to Buckingham Palace. Or take him on a river taxi/ boat with a guide down to Greenwich/ the Thames Barrier, walk around Greenwich market, planetarium and back or take him on the cable car by the O2.

Hamley's is utter rubbish. Don't waste your time.

Wear trainers.

Alwaysfrank · 31/05/2019 14:06

I may be in a minority but I cannot bear Hamleys - so disappointing! But then I'm not 9.

The Thames Clipper is fun - went recently from Westminster to the O2, and once past Tower Bridge it goes really fast, quite exhilarating if you sit outside at the back. You can then get tube back from the O2. Lots of places to eat at the O2 if you need food.

Egg · 31/05/2019 14:07

London Dungeon was by far the favourite place for my boys when they were 10 and 12. They’ve been begging me to take them again. I loved it too. It’s very well done.

SinjunRivers · 31/05/2019 14:07

Tower of London. That is all.

NasiGoreng · 31/05/2019 14:07

Also, does he like music. We took our DS's to The Hard Rock Cafe vault in the shop and it was full of guitars from famous people. My boys loved this.

loobyloo1234 · 31/05/2019 14:07

St James' Park is lovely OP. Good if he's into nature and wildlife Smile

Aebj · 31/05/2019 14:12

London Bridge
Piccadilly Circus - traf square - walk down past Downing St to Houses of Parliament, through the park to Buck Palace and then up the mall back to traf square. It’s a big walk but lots of stops to see sights so he’ll not get bored . I love London

DiscontinuedModelHusband · 31/05/2019 14:12

Another vote for Tower of London!
But probs not doable with Imperial War Museum in the same day.

The Duck tours are also very good (amphibious vehicle, part land, part river). You pick them up on the South Bank, just by the London Eye, and there's always loads going on in that area, and a nice walk by the river...

Twinkledontinkle · 31/05/2019 14:13

Megabus do open top sightseeing tours of London for £1 per person.

We had the best time seeing everything and the kids loved the open top.

TheOrigFV45 · 31/05/2019 14:16

HMS Belfast.

Though you can easily spend at day at the IWM. I took my son at the same age and as it was just the two of us, I got him the child guide and let him go wherever he wanted. He loved being in charge and it was interesting to see what interesting him rather than what I thought would interest him.

NasiGoreng · 31/05/2019 14:17

He'll get shattered walking everywhere so you need to add in some sort of transport - tube, boat or bus to take the edge off it. We were in London at the beginning of this week and my DH did 25,000 steps in one day so imagine what my 9-year old did.

Hollowvictory · 31/05/2019 14:19

Tower of London
School of Rock musical

tigerbear · 31/05/2019 14:20

I second the Transport Museum. My DD asks to go back again and again.
I’d say a def no to Hamley’s - the store is tired, dated, there’s nothing you can get there that’s any different to your average toy shop, and it’s about 3 x the price.
How about a walk along the South Bank, as you suggested, plus a ride on one of the high speed boats? Take a look at the Thames Rockets site. Not sure of the age limit, but it’s a lot of fun!

caseyjones · 31/05/2019 14:20

Canal boat from little Venice to Camden - you pass through the zoo. Walk around the market and then tube direct to Covent Garden.
Or GoBoat in Paddington Basin.

Hollowvictory · 31/05/2019 14:20

Ah OK so not the best tji g you've done, you want the best thing to combine with imperial War museum. St James Park and the South Bank a good shout.