Help with London trip

[fusspot23]

Planning a trip to London with my dc and I'm really nervous! I'll be going alone with him and I've never been before. Never used the tube etc. Im pretty scared but it's something I want to do and we both really want to see a west end show together.

Plan is to get the train directly into King's Cross. We'd like to see the natural history museum and a few landmarks during the day then go see a show in the evening. We'll be staying overnight. I'm thinking of booking accommodation in Covent Garden's and it's close to the big theatres.

Firstly, if we get off the train in King's Cross is the natural history museum walkable from there? And are there any other worthwhile spots in the same area? Does anyone have any good accommodation tips for Covent Garden's or nearby? Travelodge is always an option I guess.

Are there any other things you can advise or recommend for 24 hours in London? It sounds pathetic but I'm so nervous about it and really want to make it a fun trip for us both. I have a shit sense of direction and end up getting lost whenever I go anywhere new so that's not helping.

would also advise staying around Kings Cross - either travelodge type or there are a lot of private hotels in Bloomsbury, many on quiet streets - I'm sure of varying quality, so look on tripadvisor. Had a colleague that commuted to London and stayed a couple of nights weekly & had somewhere around there he always used.
see if you can get a travelcard added cheaply to your train ticket if not already booked. Other than that, you can use a credit or debit card and there's a daily fare cap - but I'm not certain how that works for children. TFL website worth a look.

TFL Go is a good app to download - always seems better at any sudden diversions or closures.

British Museum is close to Kings X.

Also recommend a boat trip on the Thames.
If you don't book in advance, look at today tix or the kiosk in Leicester Square for cheap theatre tickets. I think I've had emails about "theatre week for children" - will try and find a link.

As for shows see what they have on at the National Theatre or the Young Vic - it can be cheaper than the West End and more comfortable.

New shows in Kids Week 2023 | Official London Theatre

Don’t be scared! People have given great advice here. I’d just reiterate that if you’re going to the natural history museum, the queues get absolutely massive in the school holidays. You need to allow loads of time and tbh I’d treat that as a day out of its own, maybe with a stroll around Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens which are very close by.

Kings Cross to the science/natural history museum (South Kensington station) is a 30 minute tube ride on the Piccadilly line (dark blue). That same line takes 20 minutes from the museums to Covent Garden.

If you're not used to London and haven't been on the tube before, you may find it overwhelming to try to do two museums and a show in one day. I'd recommend choosing just one of the museums and taking your time to enjoy it, take sandwiches with you and when you're finished, walk towards the Albert Hall and catch the number 9 bus from the side of the road near the Albert memorial (very shiny, gold). Sit upstairs - it'll take you past a number of landmarks including Trafalgar Square and if you stay on until near the end of the route, you'll be at Drury Lane (near lots of theatres and the Royal Courts of Justice).

There is currently a Morph art trail with lots of Morphs to be found in the area around St Paul's cathedral and on the opposite side of the river. I've always found these trails to be a brilliant way of seeing different parts of Central London and they give something of a purpose to otherwise potentially mindless wandering which isn't always appreciated by children.

If you did go to the St Paul's area and were to head towards the Millennium Bridge, you'll find Astromorph but also pavement playground equipment and seating opposite The Centre Page before reaching the brilliant Salvation Army cafe (lower ground floor). They're very welcoming and if you need somewhere to regroup or gather your thoughts, it's a nice place to do so.

We live in London so have the luxury of visiting a single museum in a day but even though we're used to the busyness and tube travel etc., I wouldn't usually have a busy day and then try to see a show too, hence suggesting a wander around.

@fusspot23 we do lots of trips to London - natural history is great, majority of it is free however you do have to pay for some exhibitions. Staff are very helpful if it’s your first time. NHM is a vast vast place! Can’t all be done in a day! I’d go on the website and have a look at the collections, see what he’s be most interested in and aim for that.

when are you travelling OP? We are here now and there’s lots of families at the main attractions, be prepared to queue!

Download the London tube app and put in your train rides beforehand - it will show you the route to take. You can screenshot this if nervous and you want it to hand. You can use apple pay/google pay at the actual barriers at the tube stations, TFL then work out your cheapest option and charge your card that day. There is no need to faff around with tickets or Oyster cards.

China town I would imagine would be a cool experience for a 12 yr old if they liked Chinese food! Lots of bubble tea places that seem quite popular with kids.

the London black cab drivers are extremely friendly and have extensive knowledge of routes - the prices are also what I’d call reasonable! I wouldn’t recommend using them at rush hour though as traffic gets really thick. Our DS had extremely tired legs this afternoon after all day walking around, a black can from soho to Westminster was £10.

Have a great time! Xx

Thank you this is all so helpful.

We are thinking of Matilda as we both enjoyed the movie. The Cambridge theatre is very close to Covent Garden's which is why I thought we'd stay there. I don't really want to be walking around London at 10pm with ds if possible.

He will want to see Buckingham palace I think. And the NHM. I have always wanted to visit Camden market but I don't know if we're going to have time for all this.

Go on google maps
It shows distance and if you put directions to and from it tells ypu how long it takes on foot or public transport

My top London tip is that you can leave bags in lockers at the British library for free. British library is very close to Kings Cross (5 mins walk). You can then get the tube around London and go back and collect them later before checking in at your hotel.

Take the Piccadilly purple line from King's Cross underground straight to Kensington Station and the NHM is there.
Afterwards you could return to the underground station but take the circle yellow line which can take you to Westminster....here you can get off and see Westminster, London Eye, Thames and there is a Thames clipper boat which you can board all the way to Tower Bridge and the tower of london which will show you London Bridge, St Paul's cathedral, shard etc. If you get off at Tower Bridge you can make your way to the underground station right next to the main road and take the circle line again back to King's Cross.
Or you could walk from Westminster through trafalgar Square to covent garden. Its not far. Best to use Google maps so you can out in your location and destination to walk there and notget lost.

The area around Cambridge Circus will be fine at 10pm - it will be busy but there will be lots of families and theatre goers. Leicester Sq station is virtually opposite and you can get the tube back to Kings X.

Seriously Central London is very safe, particualrly in mid to late evening. There will be lots of people about.

Looking on Google maps I see that Buckingham palace and Covent Garden's are actually only a mile or so apart. And the national gallery and transport museum are also nearby. Might have to scrap the NHM especially if there's going to be huge queues.

This is good advice but only for small bags - nothing bigger than a rucksack. And obviously the library shuts at 8pm / 5pm (depending on day) so you have to collect before then

Accommodation in Covent Garden is going to be £££££

I suspect you are trying to plan too many things in one 24 hour period. And none of them are near each other.

Just going to South Kensington, going round the Natural History Museum and/or Science Museum is going to be a whole day.

Am not convinced that you and your DS will still be wanting to go to Covent Garden, Matilda and then back to your hotel, and then up for Buckingham Palace the next day.

Also Camden Market is near none of these things and is shit if you are over 21 years old

If Matilda is a must do, then plan a matinee with one of your museum choices the following day.

Another vote for Matilda, it's very good! And the walk from Buckingham Palace to Covent Garden is nice, down the Mall and past Trafalgar Squeare.I would suggest avoiding Camden Market, it's just a vast tourist trap these days, lots of tat for sale, millions of people.

Op have you got a budget? And when are you going Tickets for the big shows like Matilda sell out quite far in advance but you can try this website on the day
https://officiallondontheatre.com/tkts/

Just wanted to say, walking around at 10pm is fine, especially near the theatres when they’re all chucking out. There will be loads of people around, including families with children.

I don't really want to be walking around London at 10pm with ds if possible.

It will be fine. There'll be loads of people around, not just tourists and visitors but commuters on their way home after an after work drink or meal. Stroll around and take it all in.

He will want to see Buckingham palace I think. I have always wanted to visit Camden market but I don't know if we're going to have time for all this.

St James's Park is across the road from B. Palace. It's nice to walk through, or have a sit down in. Look out for the pelicans!

If you decide to attempt Camden Market, you can walk there along the canal from KX.

You won't have time for everything, and if you try to do too much you just get tired and overwhelmed and don't take anything in. But hopefully this trip will whet your appetites and you and DS will be back many more times.

What about if...

We get off the train at King's Cross and either walk or get a tube (which one please?!) to see Buckingham palace/Trafalgar square? Then walk back in the direction of Covent Garden's stopping at any shops, parks, galleries on the way (national gallery looks close by and we both love art). Go back to the hotel in or around Covent Garden's to refresh and drop off bags then back out for food before a 7pm show. We will be ok with our bags during the day as we'll only take light rucksacks.

Then the next morning head to Camden market which looks to be in the opposite direction. And if it's full of tat ds will absolutely love it, he loves wasting his money on brightly coloured shite. Then from there back to King's Cross for our train home. Does this sound sensible? And are there any other must-do's on this kind of route?

Sounds great. National Gallery is wonderful and around a 10-15 minute walk to Covent Garden

Hi OP,

I think you've got a great itinerary, except I'd avoid Camden Market on a limited trip like this - save it for another time maybe. It's not what it was 'back in the day' and I think likely to be a disappointment with a kid in toe.

Also just to say you don't not to worry about planning meals- there are gazillions of places to eat everywhere so you'll find something wherever you are.

Oops sorry OP I take the Camden Market stuff back - if your kid likes tat they'll be in heaven hahahah!! (I was just being a snobby twit)

That sounds perfect OP. I would get the tube (either Piccadilly or Victoria line) from Kings Cross to Green Park which is next to Buckingham Palace - otherwise it's about an hours walk.

If you can't get tickets for Matilda, you could try Back to the Future or Mrs Doubtfire. Also my ds12 loved The Play That Goes Wrong.

You can get tube from KC to Green Park (either Victoria blue or Piccadilly dark blue lines) and then walk through that park to buck palace

For work I’ve stayed at the Copthorne Tara in Kensington- which is basic but fine and safe. Quite close to the museums but without the price tag.

You can get the circle line from KX to South Kensington - it takes longer but for a novice might be easier.

Theres lots of London that is walkable and nice to soak up the sights. My kids usually enjoy Covent garden, Southbank and the bit of china town you walk through to get to Soho. They also like watching changing of the guards on horse guards parade. Wear comfortable shoes- don’t be afraid to pack light and rest in coffee shops to regroup as you need to. Be prepared to buy elaborately expensive ice creams.