AIBU unreasonable to ask for a suggestion for a fun activity to do with DS on 9 November in London for a couple of hours early afternoon.

[LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood]

I am taking DS (13) to London to go to the Harry Potter at Warner Brother Studios on Saturday 9 November.

We live in the SW and do not get up to London that often, but I used to live there so am OK getting around. I am out of touch though with what is in the capital that might be fun for young people.

Our train arrives in Paddington at 11.30am and the studio tour is booked for 4pm. It is an unhelpful amount of time in between I know that as it's not long enough to get really stuck into something but I do not want to waste the opportunity to do something in addition to Harry Potter.

I am thinking of something fairly close either to Paddington or Euston to as to minimise travel time. But all ideas are welcome.

DS likes motor sport, lego, Horby trains, music, gaming, history, art. But he is easy to please really. He gets hungry, so I need to build in an opportunity for lunch too! He has a wide range of food tastes. Lunch suggestions also welcome. No additional needs for either of us and I am willing to spend a bit as it is a treat. I feel there is so much choice I do not know where to begin!

Many thanks

South bank for street theatre, Thames walk, London eye, Westminster and big Ben .

Wellcome Collection is on Euston Road and often has really interesting exhibitions.

Thank you. London Eye is a good shout. He was very little when he went on it and does not really remember it.

I shall have a look at the Wellcome Collection. I have not been.

How are you getting to Warner Bros? Coach?

Try the House of MinaLima which is central london

What time do you have to get on the bus to the Warner Studios and where are you boarding? It must take at least an hour on the bus so you have to plan for travel time.

The British Library sometimes has a Silk Road exhibition for history lovers. Tim Burton experience in Kensington, although it may be a bit of a squeeze time-wise. A tube ride to Camden for a mooch and lunch? Takes about 15 min to get there from Paddington and there is plenty of gaming paraphernalia to look at. My teen quite enjoys a trip to Camden and Little Venice (weather-permitting)
Alexander Flemming Laboratory is also nearby.

I’m not sure you’ll have time to do much besides grabbing a bite to eat somewhere fast TBH.

I was going to get the train from Euston to Watford junction then a taxi. Planning to get there at 3.40pm so thought to finish whatever activity we decide on between 2 and 2.15pm depending on where it is. If anyone has a better suggestion on travel I’m happy to hear that too. We can eat lunch on the go if necessary.

Thanks all. You are confirming what I suspect to an extent; that there might not be time really to do anything at all. Though it’s a bit more time than we need to get there. The British Museum is a good idea. DS has never been. We could just drop in for 30 mins if there is time.

Sorry I meant British Library.

you have enough time to go to the house of Minalima. it's not big

Lord Mayor's show is on in the city.
https://lordmayorsshow.london/

Sherlock Holmes museum (entrance fee) or the Wellcome Collection (free) are both enroute. Or lunch around Paddington Basin

Head to Coal Drops Yard behind Kings Cross for a wander and lunch (I recommend Morty and Bobs for a grilled cheese - you can / should book. But there are plenty of other places, Lina Stores for pasta, Dishoom). There's a Samsung exhibit space upstairs that has some interactive stuff for kids.
That way you are walking distance to Euston.
https://www.kingscross.co.uk/whats-on

The free exhibition rooms at the British Library are excellent. I think there may also be things for visitors at the new Crick institute near there too.

Or if you just want to spend your time having an interesting lunch then near there you have Roti King (be prepared to queue), Chillicool, Murger Han…

I don't think you'll have much time tbh. Minalima has queues to get in as it's so tiddly.

There is a transfer bus outside Watford junction station to the studios. Can be busy.

Tell us your kids food dreams and let us give you a lunch plan. You don’t really have time for much more than a good lunch.

Make sure when you are getting the train from Euston to Watford that you get the fast train (London Northwestern) which is 20-25 mins. Rather than the slow train (Overground) which is more like 45-50mins!

Yabu

Marble Arch for Frameless interactive art. It's stunning.

I'd get to Kings Cross for lunch and to see Platform 9 3/4 (probably eat in the Coal Drops Yard area), once you've lunched then drop into the British Library five minutes walk away to see the Treasures Gallery, (Magna Carta and so much more) then it's ten minutes walk to Euston.

We were there 14th October during the October break and went to London Science Museum 10.15am for an hour and half then travelled to Harry Potter Studio Tour from midday. Our tickets for the tour were 4.30pm but we got there 2pm ish. Allowed time to eat at the restaurant before starting the tour. Didn't leave until after 8pm. Hope your DS had an amazing time!

We avoided the HP shuttle bus and just got a regular bus back to Watford Junction as it was just too packed.

Haha, we learned that the hard way😂