Day out in london/ any recommendations

[Helenmh]

we are planning a long day out in london in jan. Firstly we would like to go on the london eye. Can we book and what is the best time to go? Also can anyone recommend a good place to book a meal either lunch or early evening in central london. We will be going to Earls court and near the London Eye. Our boys are 8 and 10
thanks alot

[Ems]

Anyone have a restaurant recommendation in the Victoria area of London?

A friend and I are treating ourselves in February and going to the theatre, but could do with some advice as to current yummy places! Thankyou

[helenmh]

We had a great day out. We had a wonderful breakfast at Giraffe and a great meal at cafe fish. We enjoyed the area around county hall, tate modern etc. Even though the eye was close we found plenty to do.
thanksfor all the help everyone

[Janus]

Just found a listing of free museums on the 'london4kids' website, go in to it and then click on museums and then free museums. Have forgotten all about this website and am now rediscovering it and it's excellent for ideas in London.

[helenmh]

thanks for all you help. We should have a good day. Just one more question. Does any one know a good place for breakfast? We arrive at kings cross at 8am and are off to the boat show at earls court but it doesnt open till 10. Thanks again

[KMG]

Yes free from 1 December. They haven't exactly advertised it, have they? But it does say on their website. You have to pay for IMAX and other extras, but the museum is free.

Natural History Museum is free too. And apparently 16 others, but I've been looking out in the Press, and haven't seen a list anywhere of what these are. Can anyone help?

[emmagee]

Kmg, is the Science Museum free already, I went about a month ago and it was still v.pricey

[Tigermoth]

If you fancy a walk past the south bank towards London Bridge station there is lots to see - and most of it is free!!

Your boys may catch the skateboarders - there is an established patch about 5 minutes walk away from the London Aquariuam.

You could pop into the massively impressive Tate Modern for a walk around, and you'll see the Millennium Bridge. Then you walk past the new Globe theatre, a faithful reproduction of the original. The Oxo tower is good fun, too. Often free exhibitions as well as a lift that takes you right to the top for a great view of London (unless you've seen it already from the top floor of the Tate Modern).

There's Gabriel's wharf - a collection of interesting shops and cafes with outdoor seating and lots of hand-carved rocking animals to sit on. The next thing of interest is probably the pirate ship, 'The Golden Hinde', moored near-ish London Bridge station. You can pay to walk around it. The Clink Prison, 2 minutes walk away, is another possibilty if your boys want to see some old fashioned blood and gore.

Finally,the very futuristic Cynthia's Bar is worth a visit. I visited it last year with a group of boys ranging in age from 18 months to 13 years. Cynthia is a real, life size robot who stands behind the bar mixing your chosen drink. Children are made very welcome ( but check this again if you intend to go - I went on a quiet Sunday afternoon) and there is a large list of non-alcoholic 'cocktails' for them.

For food, I'd second the suggestion of the nearby Cafe Fish.

[Ems]

Helenmh, your boys are at the age when they would also enjoy the Frog Tour. It leaves from opposite the eye. www.frogtours.com

You need to book your tour time, it takes over an hour, half on the road and then whoooosh into the Thames for the next bit. (you could always keep that part a surprise!) We really enjoyed it.

[Helenmh]

Thanks for all your help. the aquarium sounds like a good idea as the boys love them.

[Chanelno5]

Yes Batters, I'll definitely be going there again!

[Rhiannon]

We love Cafe Fish, on Rupert Street right by Leicester Square. R.

[Chanelno5]

Another vote for the Rainforest Cafe - mine were a bit scared by all the goings-on and sat really still for the whole meal - great!! (Do I sound like a wicked mother? - I think they enjoyed it really!)

[Pat]

If you still want to see the Eye close up, don't forget the London Aquarium is right next to it. The sharks might appeal to your boys. You could then still take in the eating recommendations that have been suggested!

[Ems]

Helenmh, have you thought about what you might do instead?

[Helenmh]

Hi T hanks for your help everyone.Unfortunately we found out that the eye is closed in jan. Hopefully we will get to go another time. Those recommendations for restaurants are very helpful

[Kmg]

Helenmh - we went on the Eye last Tuesday, and it was really quiet. We had booked in advance, but it wasn't necessary, there were no queues at all (2.30 pm in the afternoon).

The Science Museum and National History Museums are well worth a visit. Now they are free you can just pop in for an hour or so, rather than getting completely exhausted.

[Katyw]

definitely book the Eye - also last year it was shut for about 4 weeks in Jan/Feb for essential maintenance, and I think they are planning to shut it again this year. Fingers crossed it's not the same time as your trip as it's brilliant!!

[Bossykate]

there is a branch of fish! very near the london eye in part of the county hall complex which i think would be fairly child friendly. or you could try the gourmet pizza company which is at gabriel's wharf (a shortish walk along the river from the eye). either would be fine for lunch or early evening. if you wanted to go a little farther, and take in a few more sights, why not walk along the river a bit further (or i think you can get a boat service) to the tate modern? as well as the artistic attractions there are two excellent cafes there. it is also next door to the globe theatre. i can look up details for you quite easily if any of the above sound interesting. BTW - you would definitely need to book the eye in advance to be sure of getting on.

hope you enjoy your day out.

[Viv]

Helenmh, Depends what type of thing you are looking for but the place my daughter and niece (who is 9) adore to eat in London is the rainforest cafe on Shaftsbury avenue. Its great, decorated like a rainforest with 'animatronic' elephants, monkeys etc, that spring to life every so often. The food is American style, good but not exactly 'cordon bleu'. Sadly you cannot book at weekends, but we find that if you get there at 11.30am and get your name down for a table there is usually no problem. See their website @ www.therainforestcafe.com

[Ems]

Helenmh, try and go on the London Eye first thing, before all the queues start and it gets really busy. I would advise you to book, definitely. As its January you may prefer to see 'London at Night' and see it from tea time onwards when its dark?