What to do with a short time in London

[Newmum738]

I’m taking my DS 6 to London for a day on Thursday. We will arrive at 11 and I have tickets for Oliver at 2.30. I’ll need to get us lunch but in a budget. Looking for thoughts on how I can get the most out of this time. Any advice?

You probably won’t be far from Covent Garden? That’s good for a choice of places to eat and you could see some street performers. There’s also the transport museum if you need something else to do with the day - heaven to my DS at that age!

Grab a sandwich and sit down somewhere and watch life go by in London. I hope your 6 year old appreciates a musical...mine would rather be out larking about.

There are loads of places to eat nearby that are good.

My DC would choose the Big Easy, great menu, fun, think you can do lunch for around £10 each (maybe less, it’s been a while.)

I probably wouldn’t go to London Transport Museum, it’s one of the only museums that charges.

I would just walk around Covent Garden and see street performers.. you could also stop and get some ice cream at Venchi which is amazing and will have a short queue but it will go quickly.

All super close to the Oliver theatre.

@ayepeckingmy DS loves a show. He always says he doesn’t but he has been to a lot and so far loved them all 😂 I’m expecting he might grow out of it so I’m packing them in now while I can!

I probably wouldn’t go to London Transport Museum, it’s one of the only museums that charges.

tickets are valid for a year though so it’s quite good value if you go back a few times

You could easily walk down to Trafalgar Square and see the fountains / Nelson’s Column / Street entertainers etc. And I loved the lions at that age

Leicester Square is quite close to the theatre - if he’s into Lego then take him to the Lego shop and eat at one of the chain restaurants in that area (there’s a McDonalds right next door which is actually great for people-watching).

If you're going by train a lot of places do 2 for 1 entry so look into that if you're thinking of an attraction.

But I think for only a couple of hours or so in good weather I'd just get picnic food from M&S or a meal deal and wander through parks, watch street theatre, see Big Ben or whatever other landmark is on your way.

Which station are you arriving at?

Tbh with a 6 year old id be getting the Tesco meal deal instead as you can have the ice creams as a side dish and save £7 on the ice cream vans

For anyone interested, we found a play area near Buckingham Palace which was a great stop off on the way to Horse Guards Parade. We then saw the guards change and went to Mac Donald’s before the show. We walked back to the station and had a park stop again. Great day and not too expensive. Thanks for the tips all!