What is open on Monday 19th Sept?

[mourningafter]

For those of us lucky enough to have the day off with our kids, who don't want to watch the funeral. I would love to hear anyone's idea of how to make the most of a bonus day off. In particular if you know of anything fun that's open.

I'd prefer not to spend the day in the local park, have done that enough in the past 2 years. The only thing I've seen that's open so far is Hawksmoor which is a bit fancy for a family day!

(Hardly needs saying that plenty of people have zero interest in the funeral and no respect for the royals with good reason. I had a nice first date on the day of Diana's funeral with a guy who lived on High St Ken - people were losing their minds about that too but my date was a more interesting moment of my history)

They aren't going to sit through what will be a good hour long service at 6 and 4. They are pretty good at doing that weekly on Sunday mornings with a bit of quiet play in the children's area and judicious application of snacks. They aren't going to be interested in watching it on TV when they have all their other toys around and will want to switch the TV to Netflix.

I'm a bit interested but I'll watch it on iplayer later.

Plan a walk, a picnic, a treasure hunt in your garden, a trip to a beach?

How old are the kids?

Because OPs hatred for the Queen is much stronger than allowing her children to learn. Allowing them to take such a good opportunity like this to watch history take place in real time.

This ^
I don’t expect my 9 year old to be glued to the TV but I do want him to dip in and out and see our politicians, royal family and other heads of state.

Comes across a rather bitter to me but that just my opinion. Hope you enjoy your bank holiday as much as you can. sorry it’s such an inconvenience that the Queen (our longest reigning monarch) finally passed.

I think it’s going to be like how Sundays used to be before the changes to Sunday trading laws. Bank holidays aren’t statutory but I kinda hope most businesses give ppl the day off if they’re in non-essential services, not cause I think we should watch the funeral but because the service industry gets the short end of the stick so often. As a result I think it’s DVDs/Netflix/cooking and walks rather than days out and activities.

How old are the dc?

Everyone’s kids are almost guaranteed to see another death of a monarch (and maybe two) - it won’t be such a momentous event in their life.

I probably won’t watch, the same way I didn’t watch the royal weddings and don’t feel I missed out their.

While I privately wish the family well, me watching the funeral will benefit neither them nor me.

""The day should be used to watch the Queens funeral. Nothing will/should be open in respect of the late Queen. I would recommend you stay home and watch the funeral and maybe go to the park after."*
This is nonsense. We don't live in a police state. There is no compulsion to stay home and watch a funeral! I certainly don't intend to. And certainly wouldn't expect young children to.
It's not disrespectful to go about your life normally.

I doubt my kids will be watching it and I wouldn't be feeling sorry for them! Mine would much rather be at the park!

We are going for a walk in the woods and then having some friends over for lunch.

My ds is 17 and will watch as he's interested in a unprecedented historical event taking place.. Lots of people of all ages will be watching and interested.

It’s not just any Monarch is it? It’s the longest reigning monarch and will most likely be the last female monarch any of our children will see.

WTF are you talking about? There is absolutely no moral obligation on anyone to watch the funeral of someone they have no connection to. There is no moral imperative to support the monarchy at all, and many people do not. I know MN is perpetually infested with the jam 'n' Jerusalem brigade, but it's fascinating to see such antediluvian views being professed in 2022 without a trace of irony.

I know, but if they can't get enough volunteers to come in then they can't operate and I don't believe anybody should feel compelled to either work/volunteer OR watch the funeral. It's an incredibly difficult situation for everyone to plan for.

I'm fortunate to live and work in central London so I'm hoping to join the queue for the lying in state and pay my respects in person later in the week if I'm able. If I was spending the day off with kids I think I'd expect to be creating my own entertainment, tbh (the hiking up proper hills mentioned by PP sounds fab) 😀

Despite what @LetMeSpeak thinks we will be avoiding the funeral and going on a bike ride with our 9 year old who has told me he doesn't want to watch it.
We also have avoided the news for the past few days also.
I am sad someone has died and I feel for the family who are mourning but I didn't know her so have nothing to mourn.

I think this has to be each to their own, if you want to watch it then watch it but don't judge others who don't.

Maybe over the past couple of years some people have had enough funerals without being forced to watch one for someone they don't know.

I've recently had a family bereavement, and I don't think I can cope with watching the funeral so I will be going out for a long walk I think.

I understand it's history etc but it's not something I want to watch right now so will be doing something else.

I have bought myself a new pair of black pyjamas and I will be sitting on the sofa all day watching it.

However, if I had children I would not be doing that as I don't think they would understand it and they'd get bored.

I equally don't have an issue with those that don't want to pay their respects or watch it, each to their own I say.

well there you have it OP and all the PPs who think they are above watching the funeral. Why don’t you do something useful and volunteer in a foodbank cover for those who are going to be off.

It was just a question! If the kids wanted to watch it I would let them. They might feel left out if all their friends are watching itm

Some of the answers on here...😳
I'm really sad the Queen has died, as I grew up with her as a 'figure-head'.
Frankly, my 4.5 year old twins don't understand about the monarchy, let alone give a toss about the death of someone they have never met.
So, no, I won't be watching the funeral with them, but will be out and about on a long walk/adventure which will, hopefully, make up for the fact that they will be missing their first 'full' day at school.

@LetMeSpeak why are you so offended at some people not wanting to watch a funeral?

I'm teaching my kids to emigrate at the earliest opportunity. Not everyone thinks Britain is anything to be proud of.

More incentive to watch it so when they see the next one they can say oooh of course back in my day when Queen Elizabeth II died we all had to watch on the TV no such thing as eye implants or whatever is going on in the future.