To not want my dd to go to London on the train?

[Haxdret]

Its a 2 hour journey on the train then the tube to where they want to go. Would you let yours do this? She's 13. Travelling with one other then meeting two friends en route.

I wouldn't. Think I was about 14 when I started unaccompanied train journeys (although usually in the group of friends).

I'd only be comfortable with a 13 year old going to Camden Market if they lived in or close to London and were very used to the crowds and fully confident on the London transport system.

For someone who is just an occasional visitor then age 15 to 16 is probably a better age.

Could an adult travel with them and get them to the market? They could look around and then meet up with the adult again to get home. The adult would also be close by incase they had any difficulties.

Camden Market is great (although I've not been for quite a few years) but is a pretty full on place to visit ie busy, loud, crowded and potentially a bit overwhelming if you are not really used to that.

Ok. So dh has bought us a train ticket! Me, dd17 and dd13. We are going up on the same train as her mates but then we are going to Spitalfields instaed of Camden. Dd13 is fine with this . Thanks all.

Brilliant OP! And there’s loads to see/do round there. Go over to Brick Lane, the vibe is similar to Camden, but not really touristy. Have a great day x

I used to live near Camden Market, I still live in London and have DC. DS2 is 12 and often goes to the park and local shops with his friends.

There is no way on earth that I would let DS2 travel to Camden Market with his friends alone in the next couple of years. There is a huge amount of drugs and drug paraphernalia around, some very interesting local characters and it’s the only place I had my purse stolen in over 20 years in London.

No is definitely the right answer.

I haven't been there for about 25 years so I'm looking forward to it!

That's great. Hope she has a good time (and the rest of you do too!)

Don't spoil it for her by saying Camden is shit, either!

I'd be inclined to let her do it, subject to some rules re checking in regularly with you etc. Otherwise you run the risk that she'll sneak off and go without you knowing/not ask in future, which is far more dangerous

Spitalfields/brick lane that is. Any suggestions of things to see places for lunch very welcome

An excellent compromise - Spitalfields is pretty bland but should nevertheless be great fun for a 13 year old. Plus it's in a compact area

YABU. Do you not realise that in London kids travel to school on their own as soon as they start secondary school? I have an August birthday so was taking the tube into town by myself a month after turning 11.

Spitalfields market itself has a whole row of food places / shacks where you buy your food and sit at tables and benches - that's quite fun and spontaneous

Camden Market hasn't changed since i first visited in 1992, however it is still as popular with young DC as it always was. My niece lives in north london and used to go there alot from the age of 13. My DS is now an adult , my DD aged 15 and her younger brother now 12 have been using public transport for secondary school. However its the city they were born, all three have been mugged, they are hyper vigilant and very aware of there surroundings and know what they need to do if there are any issues. I have a tracker on there phones to ensure I know where they are and can disable there phone if it is stolen. I would be worried about a 'visitor' to London turning up at age 13, would she be able to suss out her surroundings, be aware of the dangers... we have a muggers alert whats app groups where I live and we live in what some would perceive is the 'posh' part of London. So I understand you and your DH concerns....

You could go to the publicly accessible roof garden at one of those new skyscrapers nearby. I think it's called Sky Gardens. You must book in advance

Brick Lane only comes to its own on a Sunday . Spitalfields is open every day other than a Saturday

What day of the week are you going to London?

XPost

Much better idea.
Go to the food trucks
www.spitalfields.co.uk/food-and-drink/spitalfields-gourmet-street-food/

Or the Beigal bakery in Brick Lane

I allowed my 12 year old... but it was to meet an adult at the RAH and go to a prom... not very rock and roll.

I wouldn't allow it until 15 ish if it's not to meet an adult at the other end.

Omg i love the beigel bakery. The food stalls sound great.

Going tomorrow!

if your all going why cant you still all go to camden? Spitalfield is nothing like camden and if her friends are all there why cant you let her go with her friends round camden and you and our 17yr old hang out close by?

Camden Market attracts a lot of n'er do wells. I wouldn't allow my 13 year old to go there, particularly as London is not their home city.

They won't find what they're looking for in Camden any more, Portabello Rd would be better. My main worry though is that 4 excited 13 year old girls with that new to the city vibe will be a magnet for predators and creeps, and it doesn't sound like any of them know their way around well enough to navigate if anything goes wrong. Plus if DD is from a small market town she's probably going to be a bit freaked out by the drunks and the homeless people, I loved Camden when I was a few years older than her but it's always been grimy and a bit dodgy in some areas.

Give it about a year or two for her to mature a bit and the whole situation in the city to mellow out and then I'd let her go.

Could you go? Different train carriage, visit same area but different attraction in London? Then she gets her Independence but you're 'there' if needed.

Two hours on the train is like Doncaster to London. No from me, mother of a once 13 year old DD.

I really should RTFT!! Have fun!