What to do in London this Saturday?

[Hulababy]

Off to London to visit friends this weekend. We will be staying very central and are plnning tospend Saturday in the city.

There is me and DH, 3.5yo DD and our friends (no children, she is a fair bit younger than us too)

Any suggestions of what to do, where neither DD or ours fruends will be bored!

We often go to the Natural History Museum on our visits, have been to Science Museum, and done the Duck Tours.

No diea on weather evn at moment.

TIA

Aqurium followed by lunch somewhere in Covent Garden (just across waterloo Bridge).

Never thought of the aquarium. What's it like - worth seeing? Have been to The Deep in Hull a couple of times, and to the big one in Boulogne, Northern France. Is it on these lines?

Haven't been to the other aquariums mentioned, but the London one is good. You probably know it's next to the London Eye. There is a playground there too, though when I was there about a month ago, several bits were in need of repair. There are also some sidewalk entertainers that might amuse your daughter. A minor word of caution - the Aquarium isn't cheap, and is likely to be crowded....but I suppose you're used to London crowds if you've ventured into the Science and Natural History museums!

Walking to Covent Garden to eat is a good idea. There is a McDonald's next to the Aquarium, and a Pizza Express in back of the National Theatre complex. The street behind the Aquarium (can't remember the name, but it's where you enter the Saatchi Gallery) is quiet and there are a few places to pick up a bite to eat - including a Starbucks. Have fun!

Thanks.

Thought about the London Eye, but will need to do other stuff as well.

Not sure we will be allowed McDonalds with out friends Starbucks is good though

If it is nice you could always go for an autumn stroll through one of the parks. How about a Wagamamas to eat - not tried them ourselves but friends think highly of it.

We're meeting friends in London at beginning of December so will follow this thread with interest.

Oh, went to Wagamamas last summer with same friends. DD loved it. Might suggest there for lunch again. Thanks for the timely reminder!

Heartily endorse ks' suggestion of Sofra in Tavistock St and by then there may be the gorgeous trad merrygoround in place on the Piazza. Another nice place in central London is Bodeans in Poland St. And Wagamama's is always a good destination for "mixed" parties!
I don't think the London Aquarium is as brilliant as Nausicaa, Hula but that's a personal view...the food is certainly pants in comparison to the Matelote run restaurant in Boulogne
It's still a good wet-weather destination though.
Bethnal Green is a lovely museum but slightly off the beaten track, as ks says.
You could also consider the Museum of London if a quieter but interesting space with bags of room to run about in is required.

Are the ice rinks open yet?

Somerset House, Broadgate, Canary Wharf, Kew, Ally Pally etc all have outdoor winter ice rinks

There is a gorgeous-looking one in preparation in the grounds of the Natural History Museum as well CD - the Broadgate one isn't open yet AFAIK.

I'm going to the Discover Dogs Exhibition at Earls Court this weekend! Lottie will either love it and burst with the excitment of the barking will terrify here.

No broadgate is open it says here

Hula it is in the City if you are going to be there (bugger all else to do in the City on a Sat tbh)

TC we are going to Discover Dogs too!

ooh I like the Zoo at this time of year

Watch out for all the loud people you'll meet though Better bring earplugs just in case.

and that fab kids park in Kensington Gardens

(now there is NOTHING like that down in Dorzet)

Yes the zoo is good when cold cos it doesn't stink of sh1t so much

yy and near christmas they have the out of work actors being shepherds looking freezing

CD, are you? hey well look out for me. We're going on Saturday. We'll be the ones who have a little girl who is either clinging to one of us, saying 'noo noooo, nooo' or she'll have her happy hands up by her ears grinning. Really not sure which yet.
And we'll have an E3 buggy but as a single, oh and I'll have a huge lump attached to the front of me

What is an E3 buggy?

I will have a small child with MAD blonde curly hair with me, will look out for you.

We will be going in the am prob.

The Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green is closed until Aug 2006 so please don't trek out there!

Broadgate Ice is now open until early April.

Broadgate Ice is a 22 metre outdoor ice rink found right in the heart of the City of London. The rink is near Liverpool Street Station and is surrounded by a variety of bars, restaurants and sandwich bars, where skaters can find comfort and refreshment after they come off the ice.

Main contact phone number is 020 7505 4068.

IIRC, on Saturday night there's going to be a big fireworks display on the river - something to do with celebrating the start of a new mayoral year - so a trip to the south bank might be fun for saturday evening

Oh sorry, just call it a 3 wheeler, long, buggy.

I really didn't imagine your little girl to be blonde and curly, blkess
You've got dark, long hair, right?????

Yes I have - it's v odd!