The ULTIMATE day out in London for an 8 year old and a 4 year old ... suggestions please ....

[ghosty]

If you had only ONE day in London and you didn't know when the next time would be as you lived on the other side of the planet, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

I am thinking that Museums (although fab and DS would like them) are not what we want as we have them in Australia () and also dinosaurs/science experiments/aquarium are not unique to London.

So, right now my thoughts are: The London Eye/Changing of the Guard at the palace/and a Double Decker Bus tour ...
With lunch somewhere fab but not too pricey ...
In June/July.

Can anyone think of anything else that would be the Ultimate Day out in London that was unique to London ... ?

you could also do a river cruise on the thames both mine enjoyed that. we also did london eye/buck palace/tube trip/theatre and hyde park/diana play area but we did 2 days and the kids were absolutely thrilled but shattered after their break in london.....but do want to go back

DUK tour Ghosty

It's an amphibious vehicle that trundles about the major west end sites then suddenly rolls down a launch ramp and chugs off down the Thames

Are you coming on a visit then

OMG ... DS would LOVE that ... that sounds brill ... will look it up ...
Yes, bit of a last minute decision ... my Dad isn't 100% and I really want to visit this year. It'll have been 3 years since last visit and too long ...
blimmin airfares so expensive can only afford one day in LunnonTown ...

If you're looking for unique then it is the historical side and the monarchy that would be it for me. I love Australia, but I did find the lack of historical buildings etc a bit soul-destroying.

Assuming that money is no object I would do a quick tour of the Tower of London:- you'll need to read up before you go so that you can explain the history on the way, or sign up for a Yeoman Tour. That way you also take in Tower Bridge.

Boat up the Thames to Big Ben and would do Westminster Abbey or Cathedral (probably Abbey if only time for one, but again check on the sites for what is best). Then Buck House.

If you want to do changing of the Guard then I guess you change the order of the day somewhat!

I'm just not sure how the 4yo would feel about it all? Perhaps a trip to Covent Garden Transport Museum might also be worthwhile?

If you only have a day the I would have a packed lunch in one of the royal parks - I know the Princess Di garden isn't unique for the right reasons but I think that fresh air and a run around may be in order!

Oh yes - Duck tour is fab, and not too long.

Ha, well if you need age-appropriate guides...sorry about your dad though, Ghosty, that must be a worry.

My boys 7 & 5 enjoyed the Rainforest Cafe - but then it's probably tame compared to real life NZ!

Where are you staying - where do you need to get to to visit your Dad?

Agree with LadyMuck re. Tower of London Yeoman Tour - they are fantastic, although they're quite long so you might be better ducking in and out.

If you're doing the Eye, I love Giraffe (there's one just near the Eye, under the Festival Hall) for lunch. I take DS there a lot and the food is nice and it's very child friendly.

London Zoo? River trip is fab idea too.

We will be spending most of the time with my parents near Chichester and then visting my DB and DSis in Surrey ... so not far from London ... 40 minutes on the Train.
DD is a bit of a legend with days out as long as she doesn't have too far to walk and has enough snacks ...
The website of the DUCK tours is great ... it had a 'virtual tour' and seemed really good value at 19 quid for an adult and 13 for a child ...
No, actually ... that's AU$90 ... eeeeekkkkk!
I'd love to do the Tower of London ... DS loves Henry VIII but I would have to really do the History lesson bit (no probs, have History Degree LOL) as they don't do English History in Australia these days ...

I know what you mean, LadyMuck, about the lack of History in NZ/Australia. Last time we came back I took the children to Arundel Castle and at one point I actually hugged a wall that was 900 years old ...

Oh yes - Giraffe restaurants ARE good - nicer food and less naff than Rainforest Cafe..

Mine loved going up The Monument. Comemorates The Fire of London, which they'd done at school and great view of London from the top. They get a certificate for climbing the 311 steps too, which DS1 was keen to show off at school. Much cheaper than London Eye, but I'm sure they'd love that too, although it worries me a bit that you're on for quite a while, if someone (me?) decides they're scared on heights and wants to get off.

TBH for the 4yo, going on the tube was the highlight, followed by standing on Tower Bridge (which you can walk to from Monument) with one foot either side of the opening!

Tower of London is very expensive and I'm not sure the little one would get much from it.

Mine were 4 & 6 when we went and we didn't actually "do" that much, it was more the experience of being in London IYSWIM. They loved seeing the river, buildings they recognised from the TV esp Big Ben and the Gerkin ,Soldiers at Buck House and Horse Guard's Parade, the Tube and the DLR - trains with no drivers!! . Actually we spent very little

Personally, I'd take a packed lunch. Food always seems very expensive and not that good in the tourist spots to me.