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Holidays

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

Original poster

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

60 replies

katierocket · 26/09/2007 15:35

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
katierocket · 26/09/2007 20:08

think I;m talking to myself here but anyone ever used the 'secret hotel' option on last minute.com?

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hifi · 26/09/2007 20:09

go on to laterooms a day or 2 before you go, any unsold rooms get off loaded, plus some people cancel so keep trying.

lionheart · 26/09/2007 20:10

I was just going to suggest laterooms. Don't know about the secret room option, though.

Original poster
katierocket · 26/09/2007 20:11

Isn't it risky waiting until right before we go , especially with it being half term?

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cardy · 26/09/2007 20:46

Have you tried all the Holiday Inn? There is one in Hammersmith that is massive?

Original poster
katierocket · 26/09/2007 20:59

Yes tried that one but it was £400 for 2 nights which is a bit much. However, have changed dates and think I can get into Tower Bridge Premeier Inn which is good. Are the boat trips down the Thames good? (annoying tourist alert).

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MrsMuddle · 26/09/2007 21:20

Bit of a hijack here - when you say "half term", what are the exact dates? I think our Scottish October week is 14 - 19th Oct, and I was planning to bring the DSs down to see Les Mis. Is that when you're saying all the hotels are busy?

MillieMummy · 26/09/2007 21:28

The best way to see the thames is by using one of the clipper services. our favourite is the one which goes from the O2 (what used to be the dome) to the london eye. . it takes 30 mins and is only about £5. it is fast (great fun) but you get to see lots of great things on the way. there is another clipper which goes 'tate to tate' (tate modern to tate britain). tate modern is a great building - good views from the cafe of st pauls. take an A to Z on the boat and on the eye to help identify buildings. hope you have lots of fun.

Sunshinemummy · 27/09/2007 08:49

I second the boat trips - they're great. You can get one from St Katherines Pier (next to Tower Birdge) down to Greenwich, which is lovely. You can also go the other way towards Kew (and get off at the Eye) which is also great.

Blu · 27/09/2007 10:18

Try laterooms.com
Or Tower Bridge premier would be v good.

cardy · 27/09/2007 11:53

Half term here is 22-26 Oct. Not sure about London though.

Original poster
katierocket · 27/09/2007 12:43

our half term is week after that - they break up on Friday 26th. All the premiers are full - nearest is Hammersmith. Will keep looking. Boat trip sounds good.

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laura3ap · 02/10/2007 11:18

All great ideas. You might want to buy the book,
Katie in London by James Mayhew
Gorgeous story about a little girl's trip around the London sights on the back of one of the Trafalgar Square lions. You could almost replicate their route just spread it over 2 days and use a bus rather than a lion! Heightened anticipation always a good thing!

ScaryScaryNight · 02/10/2007 11:22

Boat trips boring. And Cold.

Do you have boys or girls?
Last october half term I took my son to The Tower of London, which he loved, and the HMS Belfast which he also loved. He is very keen on the London Eye.

Original poster
katierocket · 22/10/2007 12:48

Thanks for the book recommendation - sounds great. I think DS would like the boat but not if too cold.
Blu - you said, "You can go by boat down the Thames from close to the Eye to the Tower of London." Is it fairly obvious where you get the boat from? Is it a particular operator?

Also, any recommendations for somewhere special to eat? Obviously we'll be doing the usual pizza express but someone else recommended the Rainforest cafe and then I did a search on here and mostly people say, don't bother. Anywhere else?

And is the diana memorial park (with pirate ship) worth a visit if the weather is warmish?

(we're going on Sunday)

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Original poster
katierocket · 22/10/2007 13:14

bump

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JJ · 22/10/2007 13:43

We use the public transport boats:
www.tfl.gov.uk/modalpages/2648.aspx

The boys (I have two) both like them and they're a good way to get somewhere as well, if that makes any sense!

We generally enjoy just walking around and feeling like we've discovered places. Covent Garden and South Bank are good for that as people have already suggested. I just wanted to link to that interactive map, really.

Don't have any suggestions on restaurants in that area, sorry. And I'm not a huge fan of the Diana Memorial park, but I know lots of people love it - think it really depends on you and your son. It can be very crowded and a bit much for us.

We're doing the Ice Station Antarctica exhibition at the Nat History Museum tomorrow and have booked tickets at 10am so it's not insane. I hope.

Hope you have fun!

Original poster
katierocket · 22/10/2007 13:44

Thanks JJ, really useful. I saw the ce Station Antarctica exhibition on the Nat History Museum's website - looks interesting.

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JJ · 22/10/2007 13:46

Oh and the Tate Modern is good - they have great headphone tours for kids. And it's in a nice area with the Golden Hinde. You might want to ring to make sure it's open, though. You could walk there and then boat it back or vice versa.

Original poster
katierocket · 22/10/2007 13:47

how old are yours JJ?

And do you know what age group the Ice station exhibition is aimed at? What do they actually do?

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Original poster
katierocket · 22/10/2007 13:50

Sorry, questions, questions...for anyone whose taken children to the Tower - how long were you there?

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EmsMum · 22/10/2007 13:57

We had a week in london last year, stayed in Hammersmith novotel. Great brekkers, good tube links in to town - the joys of oystercards!

How olds the DS? DD was 7 and the Natural History museum was huge hit. So good in fact that we didn't get to the science museum (I'd been told that isn't as good as it used to be, don't know if thats true...)

HMS Belfast was suprise hit also. River boat trip is good to do at the point where feet are worn out and you want to sit down!

The Eye is good but make sure you prebook, so you only have the queue to get on not to get ticket too.

Depending on age and courage, going right to the top of St Pauls Cathedral is quite an experience too, with the Whispering Gallery on the way up.

sugarmatches · 22/10/2007 14:02

I would say skip Tower of London. The Dungeon is much more popular with mine, especially around Halloween.
The Eye is great and do go to Hamley's even if it is just for the experience. We were there last week and even though it is overpriced...it is HAMLEY'S.
History museum hands down. Dinosaur bones and loads more exciting stuff. We find so much at the science museum over kids heads.
Do take the water taxi, but avoid rush hour because many people use it for work travel.

As for hotels, stay at a Holiday Inn. There is a Holiday Inn Express on Finchley Road and it is across the road from the tube station/mainline train and right in front of a bus stop. Also, across the road is the 02 centre which has a lovely cinema and restaurants.

Hope you don't get this too late

sugarmatches · 22/10/2007 14:05

Oh and you can walk to the Belfast from the Dungeon. It is a nice little walk on the riverbank.

wheelsonthebus · 22/10/2007 14:10

i think harrods xmas floor is fun. there are loads of nice places to eat for kids in there, and all the toys are being demonstrated. there's lots to look at; you really don't need to buy. we never have. (tell a lie; we bought those fab interlocking wheels you stick on the fridge but they were only 9.99)