Is London over-rated as a day out?

[londonstufftodo]

I don’t know if I’m being unimaginative

I’ve got two kids, a ten year old and a one year old. Today we went into London and it was alright but nothing special. We went to Kings Cross as it’s convenient for us, to have a mooch around. There is lots going on, outdoor cinema etc but it’s busy and I just felt like it was a lot of effort for not much gain…maybe I’m doing it wrong?

Kings Cross isn’t where you want to be. Take them to see Buckingham Palace, or Piccadilly Circus, or the dinosaur bones at the Natural History museum.

Yeah, I think you might be. I go into London with my DC and always have a fabulous time!

YABU. But you have to go to a specific place or event with children of such different ages for them both to enjoy it I would've thought.
Really only (some) adults are going to enjoy mooching about doing nothing, drinking coffee, watching the world go by.
Plan next time to go to an attraction.

London isn't magic just because it's a place. I love Kk G's X and Granary Square, but it could be any city. Did you go to any London-specific place- Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Natural History Museum, Tower of London?

Love London, so much to see when planned right.

Today we went into London and it was alright but nothing special.

What is “London” @londonstufftodo ? There are dozens of districts and villages and suburbs etc

We went to Kings Cross as it’s convenient for us, to have a mooch around.

That’s great.. Waterloo is convenient for me, but unless I crossed the road twice and walked to the South Bank, I’m not sure I’d have the greatest feeling about London if all I saw was the Cut and Mepham Street

There is lots going on, outdoor cinema etc but it’s busy

Which part of Central London did you think wouldn’t be busy?!

and I just felt like it was a lot of effort for not much gain…

What did you want out of London that you can’t get where you live? London works for me well when you go to a destination (a park, the South Bank, a shopping street) and you immerse yourself. Or, when you’re looking for specific arts and culture. King’s Cross has some great new areas especially north of the station, but you have to want to eat out in the new venues, or sample the street food, etc. There are buzzier destination streets like Seven Dials or even Chinatown which would have been more or a sensory experience than Kings Cross.

…maybe I’m doing it wrong?

No “maybe” about it. Use the Internet. Research what you want to see.

I can’t imagine an activity anywhere that is appropriate/fun for a 1yr old and a 10yr old at the same time.
London has a tonne of activities to do, things to see. Even if you just take a walk along, say, the south bank, or at hide park, you’ll be able to do few things.

YABU. London is probably the greatest city in the world! You could go on 100 days out, and still not see everything there is to see. Mooching around a bit of King's Cross is really not where I'd be taking children. OP, there are so many options to do with history, culture, sport, green spaces, art, museums, transport, architecture, the river...... it just baffles me that you seemingly can't find anything interesting to do!

’i went into a random part of London with no plans of what to do, there was lots going on/ to do. But it was more effort than it was worth’

make it make sense op.

You’re doing it wrong for sure OP

London is a fabulous day out but you need a plan to get you to some of the sites and places that make it what it is. Hanging round the station and mooching in the surrounding streets make it no different to Warwick or Sunderland or wherever. Have a look at the parks, museums and tourist attractions - and also how to get around - and that will help for next time!

Well, hanging around Kings Cross isn’t going to light anyone’s fire, far less an adult, a ten year old and a baby. When DS was one, he liked the DLR, the Transport Museum, the Princess Diana playground, and the fountains in Granary Yard. When he was ten, he liked skateboarding on the South Bank, the Imperial War Museum, one expensive Soho restaurant, and going to musicals. I like art and opera. There’s no single day out that works for everyone. Next time, let the ten year old research and plan.

I hate London but it is great for a day out!

Well, anywhere is the same if you just have a mooch around....

There are plenty of fun, free things to do in London and plenty more paid things to do.

Next time, make a plan.

Museums, experiences, venues...

But also, 10 and 1 is a very big age gap and there's going to be a big difference in what appeals and suits

Why did you go to Kings Cross for a mooch around?! What about the Tower of London or the London Dungeon, Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Madam Tussauds, SeaWorld, the London Eye, Science Museum, History Museum, St Pauls, the Houses of Parliament, a boat trip on the Thames...

I've lived in London for almost a quarter of a century and never, in all that time, has anyone ever said to me "let's go for a fun day out to Kings Cross".
If your nearest terminus is Kings Cross, you can get the Piccadilly line to South Kensington, and walk the short subway tunnel to natural history museum / science museum / the V&A (they're in a row on the same road) and all have some sort of free entry (check on line first).
You can walk from the museums into the south side of Hyde Park, in under 15 minutes for a picnic.
The north east corner of Hyde Park is at one end of Oxford St (if you want to do shopping), but the south east corner of the park is very close to the back-end of Buckingham Palace's gardens (not open to public), so you can reach Buckingham Palace by walking along Constitution Hill, with Green Park on your left. Lots of other things to do, but that's quite a pretty & interesting one. Hyde park has lots of different bits, so a spot of googling before will give you an idea of what you might want to see. Museum cafes are quite pricey, but can safe squids taking your own picnic and eating in the park.

Hahaha!!

these replies are amusing.

Okay Im clearly doing it wrong but please help me out.

We live near the northern line so I can do anywhere pushchair friendly on there. It has to be the steep free stations as I’m exhausted enough without more stress. So the step free stations are: Kings Cross, London Bridge, Tottenham Court Road and Battersea power station. Please give me ideas for these areas.

My kids have lots of fun together regardless of their age gap. There is plenty they can do together, we’ve found the best days out for them are swimming or an activity farm with trampolines, bouncy castles, animals, funfair etc…I guess Im looking for that kind of thing in London or at least fun easy days out

I love London! I work there and still enjoy going in every day

I don't think there's much of interest for a one year old in Central London. Wouldn't the one year old prefer local park / local soft play ?

What does the 10 year old like doing?

Ideas: London Transport Museum, Natural History Museum, London Zoo, big specialist shops that sell stuff they like, open top bus tour, West End show, ....

...just seen your update... personally I wouldn't bother taking children to any of those areas. If you could leave baby with childminder/babysitter and just take 10 year old, then you take use escalators and get to more places?

Op. Just Google. There are a million websites recommending things to do.

im impressed with your one year old on bouncy castles, funfair rides and trampolines though

I agree with @CherrySocks , although BPS might have some family events on for school holidays?

Can you take the pushchair on the bus? You can get to the museums easily that way

Yabu the key is in planning. And use an app like citimapper which halos with stations with stations with step free access

The Wellcome collection isn't too far from King's Cross if your dc are into science

Those places you list are of very little interest to children below the age of 13.

No point mooching about near the station. Imagine doing that wherever you're coming into London from!

You need to put some thought into it and find fun things to do for your children's ages.

London has it all.

I don't think central London is the best place for farms or swimming pools! If that's what you're looking for I'd look outside of London.

When they're bored of swimming and farms come to London for something that London specifically has to offer.

I just use buses for my 1 year old, or get a lightweight buggy so you can carry it up steps with the toddler in a sling. Seems crazy to restrict yourself so much!

But yeah, if you just fancy swimming then no need to come into the Big Smoke.

You’re doing it wrong.