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Original poster

Would you go to London

264 replies

limey234 · 14/10/2023 07:50

We have a tourist trip booked in half term. Lots of museums, the tube, shops, tourist destinations with our two kids (under 7).

Would you go? Given the situation in the world right now.

My husband barely watches or reads any news. He doesn't understand why I'm nervous.

I think we should postpone it. I'm a bit nervous of being caught up in a protest, or other activity.

OP posts:
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6
EnidSpyton · 14/10/2023 09:03

Plenty of us live in central London and never give a thought to our safety on a day to day basis.

There is always a risk of terrorism, sadly. It’s the world we live in. That risk isn’t going to change significantly within the next few months.

If your concern will stop you from
enjoying yourself, then don’t come. But the chances of anything happening to you are minuscule and it would be a shame not to have a nice break in our beautiful capital.

To help you plan your trip and feel more safe my advice to you would be:

  1. Avoid the tube. Plan walking routes to where you want to go in advance and download the black cab app so you can get taxis if walks are too long.
  2. Check the met police website for upcoming protests and their planned routes and avoid those areas. All protests have to be approved by the police in advance so they don’t just spring up out of nowhere.
  3. Avoid very busy tourist spots at peak times of day. Go early or late if you can to avoid being part of a large crowd.
Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket · 14/10/2023 09:03

I'm here now and everything seems fine, though I'll admit I haven't got out of bed yet.
No one can predict if something bad will happen, but I don't think it's vastly more likely that usual.
I always avoid the museums at half term though, they'll be rammed full of kids, especially the NHM.

StayorgoLDN · 14/10/2023 09:03

EatYourVegetables · 14/10/2023 08:47

Honestly, this “something bad is happening far away but I am spending hours ruminating about how it will affect my own arse which is in a safe place” is incredibly callous.

Yes, you can die in London. You can get hit by a bus, or mugged, or have a fall in the shower. You can also do that in your own sheltered bit of the world.

So go or don’t go, but don’t blame people dying very far away for your completely unwarranted anxiety.

@EatYourVegetables

The protest that was on the news was in High Street Kensington.

The protest march today is in central London.

The increased police presence is in central London.

Thepeopleversuswork · 14/10/2023 09:05

I actually find these posts quite offensive. This is the second one we've had on this topic.

When people in the Gaza Strip are being funnelled into a giant death trap and a week after over a thousand Jewish people were targeted, having someone living in a quiet, stable place hand-wringing about going to Big Bad London for some day trips is absolutely pathetic.

Millions of us actually live here, you know. And have done for decades, through the post 9/11 terror threats and 7/7 and going all the way back to the IRA driven terrorism of the 70s, 80s and 90s.

But no you and your family are so important that you have to be shielded from the vagues, merest threat of a terror alert. Grow up.

glassyglass · 14/10/2023 09:06

DH works in a job that deals with this type of thing and I am going to London today. He’s run through what I should do in case of an attack.

which is?!

HamstersAreMyLife · 14/10/2023 09:07

jc12689 · 14/10/2023 07:51

Of course I'd go. It's London not the West Bank.

This. We are off to Budapest and will be spending time in the Jewish Quarter. We will just be as sensible as if we were at home in London, looking and listening for protests and gatherings so we can avoid them.

ReservationDeclined · 14/10/2023 09:09

Good point about avoiding the tube. If you’re in Central London and it’s not raining, it’s always nicer to walk anyway. You see so much more, much more pleasant.

HatchlingDragon · 14/10/2023 09:10

As pp have said. If the protests will bother you look at where the planned was are going to be and avoid. Been to London several times when threat level is increased or after an incident. Only for tourist stuff don't live there but DH does have to go in for big company meetings sometimes. If threat is raised be prepared for a visibly increased police presence armed and unarmed especially in Westminster, and the busy tourist spaces.

However everyone gets on with it. Biggest disruption to us on any day trip is always trying to get home because someone has decided the way to solve their mental health issue is to involve a train. Absolute nightmare. Crowded stations, no trains and chaos. No predicting it so have to get on with the situation.

Half term will be rammed everywhere so if crowds bother you it won't be fun. Safety wise probably as good as anywhere else, if not better. If you do go stay vigilant - same in any city or large town, and plan where you are going and what you are doing. Avoid aimless wandering - that is annoying to anyone going about their business and is more stressful for you if you don't know the place.

Original poster
limey234 · 14/10/2023 09:19

@Thepeopleversuswork it doesn't work like that. I'm sure that other people have terrible issues throughout the whole world...illness, war, starvation.

Doesn't switch off my worrying. Even if they are minor in comparison.

Some things get put into perspective sure. But worrying about my kids is something I'll probably do until my own death

OP posts:
Bloomingmagnolia · 14/10/2023 09:19

I live and work in C London near the major museums. Nobody seems to have evacuated the capital out of fear of an attack. If you don’t feel safe, don’t go. Simple. Nobody can decide for you.

FebruaryOnMyMind · 14/10/2023 09:20

HermioneWeasley · 14/10/2023 07:51

Yes, absolutely unless you are visibly
jewish

This is so sad.

Jewish people should be safe in London sadly they are not.

Bloomingmagnolia · 14/10/2023 09:22

StayorgoLDN · 14/10/2023 09:03

@EatYourVegetables

The protest that was on the news was in High Street Kensington.

The protest march today is in central London.

The increased police presence is in central London.

Show quote history

There are protests and disruption of some sort every weekend in London. The protest today hasn’t been organised by renegades but has been carefully planned with the Met. Read their tweets. There will be 1k police present to ensure safety.

Thepeopleversuswork · 14/10/2023 09:28

limey234 · 14/10/2023 09:19

@Thepeopleversuswork it doesn't work like that. I'm sure that other people have terrible issues throughout the whole world...illness, war, starvation.

Doesn't switch off my worrying. Even if they are minor in comparison.

Some things get put into perspective sure. But worrying about my kids is something I'll probably do until my own death

Honestly if your anxiety is such that you think your family is at heightened risk of getting caught up in this you should be getting help for the anxiety as you probably find it difficult to function in normal life.

London is not really suitable for people who can't think rationally about probability and want to wrap their families in cotton wool.

Forgotmylogindetails · 14/10/2023 09:29

Why wouldn’t you go ?? Millions of people live here and are fine.

Original poster
limey234 · 14/10/2023 09:30

@Thepeopleversuswork you know nothing about my life. I function just fine thanks.

OP posts:
glassyglass · 14/10/2023 09:31

London is not really suitable for people who can't think rationally about probability and want to wrap their families in cotton wool.

this is a stupid thing to say.

Gnomegnomegnome · 14/10/2023 09:31

@limey234 there’s always protests about something but they are easy to avoid.
The extra police presence will help to make you feel safer.
Relax and enjoy.

mondaytosunday · 14/10/2023 09:36

What? I live here. My daughter goes in to central London every day for college. Best city in the world. Have a good time!

Thepeopleversuswork · 14/10/2023 09:36

limey234 · 14/10/2023 09:30

@Thepeopleversuswork you know nothing about my life. I function just fine thanks.

No but you've posted an absurdly hand-wringy post about the horrors of going to London for your family and implying that because there has been violence in the Middle East you are at much greater risk. Surely you understand that people who live with this highly theoretical risk on a daily basis are going to find this annoying tactless?

First it betrays an incredibly poor understanding of probability and a total lack of understanding of London's recent history and how routine this kind of thing is.

Second because its so "me, me, me". There are people dying in their millions in the ME but its all about me and my precious family (who live in an enviously stable place anyway and don't even have to go to London if they don't want).

If you really are as anxious and irrational as this don't go but please stop bellyaching about London and leave it to those of us who actually have to live here.

mildlydispeptic · 14/10/2023 09:37

EatYourVegetables · 14/10/2023 08:47

Honestly, this “something bad is happening far away but I am spending hours ruminating about how it will affect my own arse which is in a safe place” is incredibly callous.

Yes, you can die in London. You can get hit by a bus, or mugged, or have a fall in the shower. You can also do that in your own sheltered bit of the world.

So go or don’t go, but don’t blame people dying very far away for your completely unwarranted anxiety.

^ absolutely this

Original poster
limey234 · 14/10/2023 09:39

I wish I was more like my husband in a way because he is oblivious to it all. He doesn't read the news too much and lives in a little bubble. There seem to be quite a few like that here.

We balance each other out nicely most of the time. But my nervous nature isn't all bad.. it helps me be safe and helps me do well at school/work. So I wouldn't change it.

I can't change who I am though! And I don't want to!

OP posts:
glassyglass · 14/10/2023 09:40

No but you've posted an absurdly hand-wringy post about the horrors of going to London for your family and implying that because there has been violence in the Middle East you are at much greater risk.

Tbf there probably is a slight increase in risk. And and I say this as someone waking up in London right now although granted I can’t afford to live in z1.

Second because its so "me, me, me". There are people dying in their millions in the ME but its all about me and my precious family (who live in an enviously stable place anyway and don't even have to go to London if they don't want).

This is true but it’s human nature, most people are just concerned about how things will impact them personally.

hellohellothere · 14/10/2023 09:41

I've lived here 10 years and haven't perished yet. As do millions of others. Media always portrays the worst of an area.

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 14/10/2023 09:42

Yes of course

GCAcademic · 14/10/2023 09:47

I wish I was more like my husband in a way because he is oblivious to it all. He doesn't read the news too much and lives in a little bubble. There seem to be quite a few like that here.

Well, I follow the news pretty obsessively and I think you're being ridiculous.