Any ideas for a day out in SE London with an 8 yo girl?

[turquoise]

Except the museum of childhood because we're going on friday when it's closed.

That's very definitely E London! You could go anywhere - South Bank including the Globe & Tate Modern, Imperial War Museum....what sort of 8 year old girl are we talking about?

Is it? I am a bumpkin, dropping ds off at my brother's in Rotherhithe for their trip to the Imperial War museum - so wanted something for me and dd to do together.
She's quite girly, and the childhood one would have been perfect - something with dollshouses or clothes and fashion - so the V&A would probably be good - but just wondered if there was anything wonderful that I've never heard about in the SE side.

We enjoy the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill (helps that it's free!). There are lots of good parks, but she'd probably want company for that. The Maritime Museum or Cutty Sark in Greenwich are good, and you can do some nice river trips from there. I think there is stuff to do in Dulwich at the Picture Gallery, although I've not been. We usually head up to Central London for our trips (I have 4&6 yr olds), but I'm sure there are loads of things to do. As aloha says the South Bank is great (especially in nice weather!).

Greenwich has lots to offer - there is a small market on a Friday and the shops are interesting. Good playground and boating lake in the Park. Also an indoor swimming pool nearby.

Nice cafes - including a new milk shake bar that does literally hundreds of flavours - they liquidise your choice of sweets and chocolate along with the milk. Even polos and (unbelievably) marmite. Also crafts workshops and hands on stuff at the maritime museum (free entrance too). You could arrive by river boat - lovely views.

Tigermoth is spot on. My stepdaughter absolutely loved all that at 8. It's perfect.

Mind you, she also really enjoyed the Imperial War Museum. It's not all guns!

Yes - that sounds ideal, thanks all. She would probably enjoy the Imperial War, but that's ds's special day - so I just want to do something fun and different just for her. The milk shake place sounds like her idea of heaven

The milk shake place IS heavenly. By coincidence, I am taking my army mad ds2 to the Imperial War Museum tomorrow. Haven't been for years and can hardly remember it. Heard is is very interesting - glad to see you think so too, Aloha.

Is the milkshake place near the market? I have mentioned it to dd and she is very excited - she's planning her flavours already! So I shall have to find it now - can you remember what it's called?
The IWM is fab - my ds loved it even before he was army mad - the WW1 trenches and WW2 house mock ups are fantastic.

The milk shake place is along the main parade of shops, between St Alfege's Church and The Cutty Sark Gardens. It is near a large clothes shop called 'The Observatory'. It has opened recently - we went in June. Assume it is still open. If for any reason it is closed, there are all sorts of cafes. For authentic pie and ash, and the most fantastic fruit crumble and custard, Goddard's Pie Shop, just near The Cutty Sark Gardens, is the place.

We really enjoyed the Imperial War Musuem, though ds was frightened when we went into the Blitz Experience. He likes armies without wanting to know about any of the nitty gritty. We are definitely going back soon. I was surprised just how child orientated the IWM is now, considering what it is all about.

Thanks

Just to say - thanks everyone, I took dd to the Cutty Sark which I would never have considered for her (not girly enough) and she loved.
Also pigged out on milkshakes, wandered the market, went round all the shops including a dolls house emporium, and had fish and chips.
Brilliant day, and ds loved the War Museum and is marching about with medals on.

Do you mond me asking where you live T? I'm a saarth London gal!