Going to London, what to do?

[Blandmum]

Our kids are 6 and 10. Is the Tower of London good?

If not, what would you do (did Sci Museum last time)

Also considering a bus to see the sights....worth it or a rip off? (dh can't walk very far btw)

I went to the Tower in the summer - thought it was v good

If you are going by train check out 2for1entry lots of places give a discount with a rail or tube ticket

London Acquarium is brilliant
Or what about the London Eye?
Not sure about bus tour - would love to do it but haven't yet
Or you could take them to see the Lion King at the Lyceum - it's fab

I would need sedating for the London Eye....terrified of heights . Dd is going to the Lion King with the school week after next

Hi MB - this site is a great resource ! \link{http://www.familiesonline.co.uk/article/archive/126/here}

sorry

When are you coming? There is a fantastic exhibition on at Tate Modern with huge great slides etc which would be perfect for 6 and 10 year olds, but I think its ending soon.

Also def. do the London Eye, gentle easy walk along the river around the London Bridge area, Globe Theatre (all near Tate Modern), Borough Market, St Pauls if you can. The bus trips aren't a rip off but even better in my opinion is a boat trip along the river to Greenwich.

Tower of London = fascinating but absolutely heaving with tourists, and not particularly near anything else you might want to see.

If you can splash out a little, I'd suggest hailing a black cab. They are quite expensive but such an efficient way of getting around.

Hope you all have a great time.

I was going to recommend the aquarium. We have been twice. You do have to walk around it though.

MB - the Duck Tour! Tour London on amphibious vehicle then plunge into the river for a cruise!

Tower of London is excellent and well worth going - there was a thread about this earlier with tips.

Is Tower of London worth the money?

Thanks for that link...excellent stuff on it!

Sorry MB - just saw your post about London Eye!!

The Diana playground in Kensington gardens is fun, so is the natural history museum.

Sorry, haven't been to the Tower of London in years (DD is too young) and have never taken the sightseeing buses. Some of the normal bus routes are almost like sightseeing tours and would probably be a lot cheaper. Try the "explore london" section of the transport for london website - www.tfl.gov.uk

Took the kids to see Sound of Music which was a big hit - especially as they had been glued to How do you Solve a Problem like Maria? on tv.

London Eye followed by aquarium also a good bet.

If you're up for splashing some cash, I always find a trip to Hamleys goes down well!

Duck tours are wicked!!

Ooooh - just had to add a comment following this weekend. We went to the Museum of Childhood which has just been reopened by the V&A (Cambridge Heath Road, nr Bethnal Green tube). It is in the East End, reasonably close to the ToL (maybe a taxi drive away).

It was fab - full of vintage toys for the adults to look at. So many things for the children to do - there was a 'sensory pod', a weird climbing space thing, a puppet theatre for children to have their own turn, an interactive Miffy exhibition, dolls houses and construction toys for children to play with, pool full of cushions for children to jump into etc etc.

The cafe was too busy when we went (midday at the weekend), but it was lovely and spacious with high chairs and nice looking food. There was also a picnic lunch room.

I would think that for those doing a long day in London with small children, this would be perfect for a 'wind down' session where the kids get some free playing time to crawl or toddle around safely.

And it is free, so you could drop in for a little while.