4.5 hours in London-what would you do?

[AuADHD]

We are arriving into Euston and have 4.5 hours behind an appointment. Dc are 11 and 17. Must do’s are the Lego store Leicester Square, and Fortnum and Mason although the later might be on the way home after the appointment. We’d like to try one of the ice cream places, and that massive cinnamon bun place in Covent Garden.
Where is a must see? Thank you.

Battersea Power Station really isn’t all that IMO. I’d go to the Wellcome Collection and then walk into Bloomsbury; a lovely part of town and quieter than many central areas. I’m sure you’ll find a nice ice cream place there.

I would avoid F&M like the plague. It's always RAMMED, intensely overstimulating and scary for children. Tourists going wild over tins of biscuits and mediocre chocolate - it's the pits.

Have you been to the Lego store before? If you've been once, it's not worth going back dor another visit imo.

With that time and your kids' ages I'd either do the British Museum/Zoology museum straight from the station, or do South Kensington and the National History Museum/Science museum.

@mrshohoif you Harry Potter there is a place called Mina Lima near Leicester Square. It is a shop come mini museum that has original artwork from films. It’s very very far from a Harry Potter tourist shop.

sone of these suggestions are crazy and would take a full weekend!! If you’re at Portland then of course go over to Regent’s Park, there’s plenty in there, walk up past the zoo to Primrose Hill then to Chalk Farm and to Camden Town market / lock etc, along the canal and back again. Plenty of lunch options, views, cool shops and sights en route.

If you’re going to Fortnums anyway book the icecream parlour there - it’s very good!

I would stay on foot and have a wander from Leicester Square to Trafalgar Square then duck into the National Gallery and catch up with one or two paintings. Or if that doesn’t appeal, National Portrait Gallery for a targeted visit - must be someone the family loves whose portrait is there - maybe from sport or music?

Then I’d head towards Covent Garden via Seven Dials, maybe have a look in at Neal’s Yard. I wouldn’t go to Forbidden Planet personally, but I have friends who would love it.

Seven Dials Market could be good to drop into if anyone needs the loo or to cool down, have a drink.

I think what you're doing is plenty. I would probably ditch Covent Garden if you want to do Fortnums, Green Park AND Regents Park. I would head from Lego towards Piccadilly and walk along to Fortnums (pop into Hatchards or Waterstones for a quick book browse - good kids sections. Probably some Lego books!)

There are ice cream places along Piccadilly (Venchi for eg) or inside Fortnums, where you could stop for an early ice cream lunch! They also have the new Biscuitorium which is kind of fun - lots of nice biscuity things to look at, some buttons to press. It's an easy tube from Green Park to Warren St for the hospital, or you could walk on and dip into Regents Park.

Regent’s Park would be lovely - you can rent a pedalo there. It sounds like you’ve already got lots to fill the time.
the British Museum and Coram’s Fields are nearby too.

You don’t have to face the scrum at Fortnums, they’ve got a shop in St Pancras station which is infinitely more civilised and a five minute walk from Euston.

But have they got a chocolate counter where I can choose a selection for my mum? I’ve found it really depends on what time you hit Fortnum’s as to whether or not it’s heaving. First thing is fine. Christmas time and late afternoon is a nightmare. It’s tradition to take my mum some chocolates back.

We’ve been to London a few times and I’m comfortable navigating my way to a few places. We only ever go for the day or on the way back from Legoland so have never had time to really do it justice. Before Ds was born I did an overnight with my DDs and mum just before Christmas. I was on crutches with SPD and it was challenging to say the least. We did Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Once was enough. We’ve been to Hamley’s a couple of times. Selfridges for the mochi, Victoria’s Secret for the amazing sale rail (poor Ds is still traumatised by that one), Diana Fountain and Playground, a boat trip in Hyde Park, a river boat trip, open top bus, the Lego Store, Haagen Dazs when it still existed, Japan Centre, F&M, Denmark Street as I’m a Strike fan, walked through China town, St. James’ Park, Green Park, Buckingham Palace, walked down the Mall and past the barracks, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, HoP, walked past the end of Downing Street, seen performers at I think Piccadilly Circus, we’ve passed Liberty’s but not been in, and probably a few things I’ve forgotten. It’s all been quick though. I’d like to go to the Tower of London, the Science Museum, and see HMS Belfast at some point. We might go another trip in the holidays. We are going on a Monday so at least it’s not a weekend day although I know it’s always full of tourists no matter what day of the week or time of year. We love London though and I’m
grateful for all your suggestions. It always fascinates me how different people are in their ideas.

I d go to the top of a very tall building of which there are several to choose from

I think we are going to go to the science museum for a couple of hours to get an idea of it’s somewhere we want to go back to. Ds is starting high school hook in September and the interactive gallery sounds good fun.