London inspiration needed...

[mamaduckbone]

We're spending 3 days in London over the holidays, staying with friends but will be left to our own devices to a degree during the day. Dcs are 13 and 9 - both boys.

We go to London 2 or 3 times a year and lived there when we were young and childless, so have a fair idea on what we can do, but wondered if anyone has inspiration for something different that might suit us all?

We'll do the South Bank one day, and wander along to Tate Modern, DS1 has requested Nike Town (yawn) and our friends live in Greenwich so we'll spend some time there.

We've done all the South Ken museums and most of the touristy sights. Ds1 has vetoed London Zoo because he doesn't agree with them (fair enough) I was thinking of going to the Olympic Park and maybe booking tickets for the Orbit but it means a bit of a trek out of town so is it worth it?

Any other ideas? We generally don't do loads of stuff you have to pay for but I don't mind paying for something really worthwhile.

There is lots to see and do around Greenwich - Cutty Sark, Naval Museum, the planetarium.

There is a big exhibition of Chihuly glass sculptures on at Kew.

if you are going on, or can wangle a train ticket then check out daysoutguide for loads of 241 offers on all sorts

I think i heard the slide thing was off limits for a couple of days a day or so ago, no idea why or if it is ongoing.

sky garden...ticketed, but free, I love it ....I like all the tall buildings and dh has vertigo.

Sky garden looks lovely but don't think it would appeal to the family (dh has vertigo and the boys wouldn't be very excited). We've booked to do the Orbit at the Olympic Park tomorrow - going to mooch around Greenwich in the morning and head to Stratford in the afternoon. Looking forward to it as we had a full on city day today.

if you are wondering near marylebone, just pop in to the Wallace Museum to see the armour collection. It is a small museum perfect for a 30 min visit. They also have a few very famous paintings by the classics in the first floor. then you have have a team/coffee in the courtyard.