London this weekend - ideas??

[Neeps2000]

Hi there, we have a long weekend booked for London this weekend - Me, DH and 3 kids (13,10,8) I have already booked Matilda on Friday night and Kew Gardens for Sunday evening. I had hoped to book Harry Potter studios for Monday but left it too late unfortunately. Can anyone recommend other wee hidden gems or things to do with the kids for Saturday and Monday - would rather not spend ££££££ at Winter Wonderland as my kids will want to go on every ride. Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Borough market at 0900 and leave by 1030 as it gets insanely busy

The no 9 bus top deck from the Aldwych to the v and a.

Middle temple is an excellent alternative to Hogwarts

The silver vaults

Battersea power station

The renaissance hotel at St Pancras just for a look around. V beautiful

Climb monument at pudding lane! Great and only about £3 each. Sky Garden is literally around the corner and free. It'll probably be booked up but I think there are often canx or more slots released so keep trying.

Science or natural history museum?

Watch tower bridge lift - times are online.

These were all favourites for my kids. And the premier inn breakfast, and riding on the tube especially hitting monopoly spots!

Thanks for all these suggestions. Sky garden is already booked up - was too late for that also but will keep trying (been trying with Harry Potter tickets for the last 3 months as occasionally get dates released nearer the time) would love to visit borough market but getting them up and dressed and there for 9am may be a challenge - they will be enjoying their premier inn breakfast too much! Will have a wee look at the other suggestions

There are tour buses to see the Christmas lights (the crowds were insane in Regent Street/Oxford Street last Saturday evening).

Hidden City is really fun! It's a treasure hunt style challenge where you get text clues and it takes you all over central London. It's suitable for all ages. You can also just buy 2 tickets vs 5 as it's all done via text

Seven Dials Market for food ☺️ if near Covent Garden

Spitalfields Market for food and a browse

Harry Potter shop and Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross station.
Top deck of a bus going from Piccadilly up Regent St now the Xmas lights are up.

Buy a Mystery Guide and do a treasure hunt around the city. We did one this past weekend and absolutely loved it, they're such a great way to see hidden parts of a place. We did the one that starts at Bank, and it was v quiet and calm around there.

There are lots of Harry Potter tours in London which would take you to locations from the films. Might be worth looking into?

You can do a Harry Potter afternoon tea bus tour. Think it's golden tours that you book with. You can occasionally get discount codes to bring it down.

With kids, the museums are a hit and most are free.

It’s quite fun to go to the natural history museum, have lunch then grab a double decker to Harrods and have a nose about.

If sky garden is booked then try this…. Free alternative

https://horizon22.co.uk/

And if you're in the city, Horizon22 has walk up tickets for their viewing platform. It's free and higher than the Skygarden.
https://tickets.horizon22.co.uk/events/d57407ef-05d2-b158-535f-9e6b87880b20

These are all fab - the treasure hunts are definitely up our street!

Have you got a Mastercard (debit or credit). If so Mastercard priceless release Harry pottery studio tickets a week in advance. Also keep checking in case of last minute returns

I got the Harry Potter tickets!!!!!! TheBolterdahling - I could give you the biggest hug!!! Thank you so much - I never knew about the Mastercard priceless thing and got them for Monday at the exact time we wanted - thank you thank you thank you!!!

That’s brilliant! Really pleased for you - you’ll have a fab time

Is Middle Temple somewhere you can visit? How does it work? (Another parent taking a Harry potter fan to London in the next few weeks!) Thanks

So pleased you got your HP tickets OP!!

We just visited London Zoo last weekend. Great fun. They’ve also got a small Christmas market opening there next weekend.

Another vote for an open top bus tour of the lights. You might be able to combine it with the “Grinchmas” afternoon tea bus tour (Bridget’s Bakery).

Skating at Somerset House? The weather forecast is okay for Sunday atm.