Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Tower of London...Is it worth the money??

22 replies

granarybeck · 25/01/2007 14:06

We are taking some friends and the children to London this weekend as their dcs (7 and 5)have never been. Our two are 8 and 9. We were going to go to the Science Museum and Nat History Museum (better than British Museum) one day then Buckingham Palace (their dcs really want to see it) and poss Tower of London the next. It just seemed quite expensive, but don't mind of worth it. Any views?

Also wondered about going to Harrods or Hamleys while we're there as our two really enjoyed looking round.

OP posts:
Marina · 25/01/2007 14:08

The Tower of London is fascinating IMO.
If you go by train you can usually pick up a 2-for-1 offer by showing your train ticket, which cuts the cost.
It is a whole day and much more interesting and varied in there than you might think.
Also very beautiful architecture.

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/01/2007 14:12

Oh thanks Marina, I'll have a look for offers. It will already cost our friends to get to us and then trains into town etc so didn't want it to end up too expensive for them. But I know their dd really wants to go and we've never been.

OP posts:
Iklboo · 25/01/2007 14:13

Tower of London -yes. Cos there's lots to see and the Beefeater tours are really really interesting.
I'd def recommend the Nat History musuem. We spent 3 hours there and STILL didn't see all of it

kittypants · 25/01/2007 14:13

i think worth it!!

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/01/2007 14:21

Oh cheers! Have had a look and isn't as expensive as I thought if get a family ticket. Yes, definitely want to tak ethem to Nat History museum as my two loved it.

OP posts:
Cloudhopper · 25/01/2007 14:24

I was pleasantly surprised by the Tower of London. It really was a good day out and worth seeing. We did the 2for1 offer with the transport tickets though. If you get a travelcard you also get free or lower priced THames ferry tickets, and you can get one from just outside Tower of London to Greenwich.

Hamleys is okay but Harrods is definitely worth seeing once. As long as you like shopping. Or Libertys is very near Hamleys if you fancy a bit of department store splendour along with the toyshop experience.

wurlywurly · 25/01/2007 14:28

dh friend is a security guard there, wave to him as you go passed.

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/01/2007 14:29

Which travelcard cloudhopper? Just like an oystercard? Like the sound of going on the thames ferry.

We'll be coming in on first capital connect train so not sure if will be able to get 2 for 1 at tower, will check if do with railcard though.

OP posts:
Cloudhopper · 25/01/2007 18:24

It's a bit hazy as it was a couple of years ago. And it wasn't an Oystercard, it was just a normal daily travelcard. As I remember the ferry cost was either considerably reduced or free with either the travelcard or the TOL ticket.

Sorry if that's not much use! I bet they will have details on the transport for london website about what the current offers are.

Cloudhopper · 25/01/2007 18:25

And by the way, we aren't on the tube network, but are in Zone 5. I am pretty sure as long as you travel by train from anywhere into London, you will qualify for the 2for1.

DumbledoresGirl · 25/01/2007 18:30

Absolutely worth it!

I am a history freak and once took my class of children to see it. One of the Beefeaters overheard me doing an impromptu guided tour of the place, telling stories about the inmates etc, and he told me to carry on the good work! I took that as a compliment from one who must be so expert on giving tours around the castle.

It is great - so much to see and learn there. Want a guide?!

southeastastra · 25/01/2007 18:32

my ds (13) loved seeing the jewels, but you have to go on a flat escalator and it's really quick! get there early to avoid the crowds.

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/01/2007 18:48

Oh thanks, am really excited now! Good advice to get there early, will do. Any other thoughts of parks or other things worth seeng between these places?

OP posts:
Original poster
granarybeck · 25/01/2007 18:49

Cloudhopper, I had a look and it is 2 for 1 with any train ticket - so thanks for that, it will save us quite a lot for 8 of us.

OP posts:
ParanoidAndroid · 25/01/2007 18:52

The Tower is fantastic, get a boat down the Thames to it which always adds to the thrill for kids! There is also a Wagamama's opposite the Tower (just up from the Ben & Jerry's shop) and you can sit there overlooking the Tower as well.

ParanoidAndroid · 25/01/2007 18:53

Southeastastra - you can go round and round on the moving walkway though! I left DS (aged 9) to it for 20 minutes while I carried on!

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/01/2007 18:55

Oh brilliant, my kids love wagamamas. Where do you get the boat on Thames from or can get anywhere?

OP posts:
ParanoidAndroid · 25/01/2007 18:56

I think it goes from near Westminster on that side, then to London Eye and then on to the Tower. Vice versa for the return journey. It's fab!

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/01/2007 19:00

thank you!

OP posts:
sis · 25/01/2007 19:05

If you look here there is a list of dates and times when Tower Bridge is scheduled to go up and it it going up this weekend! It only takes a few minutes to go up and is well worth watching in mine and my ds's opinion.

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/01/2007 19:08

Oh they'd love to see that sis, thanks. I'd never have thought of that. We could go and watch after the tower then to wagamamas for tea

OP posts:
sis · 25/01/2007 20:26

I hope you have good weather and really enjoy your weekend in London.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page