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

Original poster

I want to take my 3 yr old to London - What's there to do?

28 replies

mumma2cjh · 13/01/2008 20:39

just wondered if anyone could advise...dont want to ot to London Zoo though. Also any recommendations on where to eat?

OP posts:
LyraSilvertongue · 13/01/2008 20:41

We went to the Science Museum today with DSs aged 3 and 5. They both loved it. On the third floor there's a section full of interactive things for the children to try. They have some nice cafes too.

TotalChaos · 13/01/2008 20:42

science museum- kids area in basement

giraffe or rainforest cafe to eat

harrods toy dept or hamleys

Spoo · 13/01/2008 20:42

Chasing pigeons in trafalger square?

LyraSilvertongue · 13/01/2008 20:43

Yes, Hamleys.
I didn't find the kids area in the basement. We went to The Launchpad on the 3rd floor. They adored it.

bookwormmum · 13/01/2008 20:49

Museums are good - Science and Natural History are next to each other. think the basement area in the Science museum is being updated.

pukkapatch · 13/01/2008 20:49

sod all
without a pushchair your chikld will be exhausted
with a pushchair you will be exhausted carting it up and down the tubes.

Original poster
mumma2cjh · 13/01/2008 20:50

yep I think I will wait till he's abit older!

OP posts:
southeastastra · 13/01/2008 20:51

i would take a 3 year old for a walk along the thames, lots to see, lots of bridges to cross.

pukkapatch · 13/01/2008 20:54

yes, but gettingto the thames.... that ist he nightmare istn it.

LyraSilvertongue · 13/01/2008 20:58

You don't need to go on the tube to get to the Thames. And most stations have lifts/escalators. I don't get what the problem is.

Countingthegreyhairs · 13/01/2008 20:59

London Aquarium - not too huge - therefore fairly easy to navigate

sis · 13/01/2008 20:59

go on the docklands light railway - you get great views.

JandDmom · 13/01/2008 21:02

Mumma2cjh,
Don't not go! London is a fabulous place for kids of all ages. There is so much to do. Children's theatres, parks, museums, art galleries, restaurants, shopping, markets and they all cater for small children. The best book I've found on London with kids is the Time Out London for Kids. Get it and plan your trip. We live in Northamptonshire and go to London about every 3 weeks. I have 2 DSs, aged 7 and 2.5 and they love it. DS1 even asks every Friday, if we're going to London this weekend!

mumemma · 13/01/2008 21:07

Not sure if you are still considering it but get the disabled access tube map - available online at www.tfl.gov.uk - this tells you where there is lift access. Which station would you come into? Access is best via the newer stations, particularly Jubilee Line, and this includes many stations near the main attractions. For example Southwark or Waterloo both have easy access and are close to the Aquarium, London Eye, Tate Modern, river, etc.

Science Museum's good but it's quite a long walk from the tube, better served by buses.

I think 3 is still quite young to appreciate the effort you've made. When we've had family or friends visiting with dcs that age, they still prefer a normal playground or duck in the park over anything else.

LyraSilvertongue · 13/01/2008 21:11

There's a tube station right next door to the Science museum.

mumemma · 13/01/2008 21:12

Sorry, maybe I'm forgetting but don't you have to walk right through the subway with stairs at the end?

mrsruffallo · 13/01/2008 21:13

Mumma- there is so much to do!!!! One of the reasons we are still here is our exhaustive list of things to do. To bring together a few suggestions- I think a good idea is Docklands Light Railway- perfect for a 3 year old boy as he can drive- to Canary Wharf then catch the thames clipper ( kind of river taxi) to London Aquarium. Maybe fit in a ride on the London Eye
we did that for dd's 3rd b'day and she loved it!!!!!!
Do you have a particular area in mind? Really, there is too much choice
Oh, and by the way DLR and Canary Wharf very buggy friendly

mrsruffallo · 13/01/2008 21:14

You could also go to the British Museum and see the mummies then go to Corams Fields and play/ feed the animals

bookwormmum · 13/01/2008 21:16

Science Museum takes about 10 mins to walk through the tunnel. My dd loves it - you go past the Natural History and the V & A on the way.

My parents used to take us into London for odd things like taking me to Paddington to see the statue of Paddington Bear . I was more entranced by the cat called Tiddles who lived in the ladies loo though! I wouldn't recommend the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green though. It's not really for children iyswim.

LyraSilvertongue · 13/01/2008 21:16

Hmm, not sure. We drove there today but walked right past a tube station on the way in.

LyraSilvertongue · 13/01/2008 21:18

bookwormmum, we were talking only today about taking dc to the Museum of Childhood. Is it not child friendly? last time i went was on a primary school trip.

bookwormmum · 13/01/2008 21:18

Greenwich is good as well - got the Maritime museum there and the telescope place up the hill forget the name of it now! The Cutty Sark was there as well but obviously not now it's burnt down. There's often loads of stuff on at the 02 - they had an artifical beach there last summer.

Golden Hinde on the South Bank is supposed to be pretty good.

mrsruffallo · 13/01/2008 21:19

I wouldn't let travel concerns put you off.
I have lived in London all my life and had a great childhood with all the museums, Parks etc
and I am doing the same with my dc, don't find it hard to get around

bookwormmum · 13/01/2008 21:21

The toys are behind glass and it's a little dry - mind it's free so you can't really grumble. I took my dd for her 3rd birthday but she wasn't too impressed. I think she thought it was going to be toys she could play with!

Older children (say 8-10 upwards) might like the museum of Docklands. You start at the top in pre-history days and go down through the ages to the 21st century seeing how London became built up around the river .

mrsruffallo · 13/01/2008 21:25

A 3 year old boy would probably love the London Transport Museum. Then you have the atmosphere of Covent Garden- buskers etc as well as somewhwew specific to go