How does this sound for a plan of things to do wtih DS1 in London at half term?

[katierocket]

Tower of London
London Eye
Science Museum
Hamleys

We have 2 days.

Going to stay in a hotel. Shall I just choose a central one do you think?

I thought Hamley's was disappointing when I went recently. Harrods toy dept is very similar but you get the advantage of lots of places to eat inside the store.

ah ok, I have been to hamleys actually but not the other places. I wish there was a decent website that gave advice to people coming to london with kids (good hotels etc). I've found a couple but they're rubbish.

hamleys is very overpriced! the best things to do in london are free, a walk down the south bank to the tower is lovely. just walking around covent garden etc.

have you been to the london aquarium? it's right next to the london eye and i love dipping my hands in the ray tank

Yes, it's just that DS1 likes the idea of the biggest toy shop in the world. Like idea of walking around covent garden.

Natural history museum? Then you can see DINOSAURS! (I was more excited than dd when we went).

I did too.

of course, he loves dinosaurs

transport museum would be great but it's still closed

the hoxton hotel looks good,depends on how much you have to spend, i have stayed at the zetter with dd, if you want budget there are some very central holiday inns.if you have loads of dosh The Haymarket is lovely and has a pool, v central just around corner from trafalgar sq, charlotte st hotel and the soho hotel are fab.agree with hamleys, if you go to harrods theres loads of places to eat with kids, waggamama in harvey nicks, the cafe in HN is very child friendly and for a lovely venue but very overpriced pizza you can go to frankies.if you are in area of science museum you might as well do natural history aswell.

thanks hifi, that's really useful. I don't want budget (it's a treat for DS1) but equally don't have pots and pots of cash. Will have a look at some of those.

I would include natural history museum (for bad weather day) and possibily some time in one of the big parks - beware all of these place are jam packed during school holidays.

My dds loved seeing the the touristy sights, the ones that they had heard of - big ben, buckingham palace etc and wandering around parks etc.

I would definately choose a central hotel as getting around in London can be so time consuming and tedious.

I would also book the London eye in advance.

isn't the old glc building hotel supposed to be quite reasonable? right by the london eye

while your here log on to www.allinlondon.co.uk discounts on some good restaurants.

You can go by boat down the Thames from close to the Eye to the Tower of London.

It is a Travel inn or travlodge at County Hall - would be a great place to stay - you could then fit in an evening trip to the IMAX across the road.

There is also a premier Travel inn at Borough market / london bridge, which is at one end of a fantastic walk down the Thames, on the doorstep of The Clink Horror museum, the replica of The Golden Hinde (which you can go on) - you could then walk past the Globe, Tate Modern, the Millenium (aka wobbly) bridge with a great view of St Pauls, the South Bank and to the London Eye.

If you stayed at County Hall you could book on to the Eye fro v early in the day, straight after breakfast. It takes about 45 mins on the Eye.

yes the river
duck tours maybe
hamleys overrateed but opposite the apple store and youcan fiddle
how old is he what do you like to do?

If you go to hamleys, it may be on one of the open-topped sight-seeing buses that you can get on and off at differnt stops - not cheap, but you do get to see buckingham palace, Trafalgar Sq, Big Ben etc on your way to somewhere.

How old is he? There is a Star Wars exhibition on at County Hall. We have rearranged our whole half terms plans to go to London to see it!

oh yes the open top buses are good.

order yourself an oyster card over the internet so you don't have to worry about travel expenses - you just pay as you go on a top-up card.

Beware you can wait in line for hours during half term in London

OK all sound good. Pre-book as much as possible.

Definitely stay centrally. County Hall Travel Inn (or Lodge) seconded by me. basic but very central.

Thanks everyone, really helpful. He's 6 so still fairly young.

Bugger County Hall booked up, in fact loads of places are, I guess it's because it's half term.

Think I may have left it too late, everywhere seems booked up. Any mumsnetter a friendly hotel booker.