Help - I need a cheap day out in London with two children and a friend in a wheel chair!!

[satine]

We were going to London Zoo but it is £45 to get in, so what with travel to London and food etc it will just be too expensive!
I'm wondering if the Science museum will be packed....
Children are 4 and 6, btw.
Any suggestions very gratefully received!

natural history museum? tons to do. I did it with a child in pushchair and it's v. accesible.

when are you going?

All museums likely to be packed but Science Museum does have some great hands-on stuff for small children. The snag may be that it's quite a long haul from South Ken tube - will that be a problem for your friend?

Hi! We're going on Tuesday. We have been to the Nat His a few times, and love it, but thought a change might be nice. I'm verysad about the zoo, I liked that idea but it's so expensive.....

If you're using the tube make sure you know which stations are wheelchair accessible - most aren't. A walk along the South Bank is wheels-friendly and free. Walk across Waterloo Bridge into Covent Garden. Obviously, this is crap if it's raining. But you can pop into the Tate Modern if it's drizzly.

My friend lives in London and will probably get a taxi, I think, as so few tube stations in central London are wheel chair accessible!

(He was injured in Iraq earlier in the year, and it's only since then that I'm realising just how few places are really wheelchair friendly)

Some London attractions - like the aquarium at County Hall - do 2 for 1 deals if you travel by public transport. Have you checked whether the zoo does anything similar?

Oooh, Tate Modern....there's an idea. I love it....wonder how the children will feel about it? They'll love the Millennium Bridge, though!

hmm Kew does that 2 for 1 thingy

more info on 2 for 1 here

oh, but i think you both have to have travelled by train to get it. hmmm.

Thanks, thisisyesterday - I've just been trying to work out if it's cheaper if only I have travelled by train...

On the London Zoo website, it says that wheelchair user's helpers get in free. As my friend is quite capable of getting around on his own in his chair, I wonder if I count as a helper?

oops incorrect apostrophe use there. Sorry, pedants.

I don't know about London Zoo, but generally - at the theatre and so on (as I understand it) - wheelchair users are entitled to take a helper with them. I don't think there's any requirement to demonstrate that they need a helper to get about, if you see what I mean.

Praps I'll email them to ask. I don't want to take the mick, if you see what I mean, when clearly some disabled people really need a helper.

yes yes you are a helper. Make the most of it! There are some advantages to having friends who use wheelchairs!

I admire your honesty, but if their rules say your friend would be entitled to a helper and if both you and he are happy for you to be his helper then I think no harm is done.

Museums/galleries definitely.

British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum. All the big museums must be wheelchair friedly. And best of all, all free I think?

most zoo's will allow a carer OR disbaled person a free entry.
Science muesum is fabby, but there is no lift at south Kens, and lloads of stairs (trust me I nearly dropped dd2s pram down them when some tosser banged into me)

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your help!

The Aquarium is great too Am sure you can get two for one deals there and they NEVER ask to see your rail ticket so travel whichever way suits best. Aquarium definitely do carer in free or at least v reduced rate.

Hi Kew is free for children. Has an inside soft play area - climbers and creepers and an outside one if its fine. Also an ice rink for the kids [ about £10] though. Theres a mobility bus for a tour of the whole Gdns. I know this is very late in the day - have a great day

Ps - if you do go the cafe is really dear. Bring your own drinks and snacks

... but unfortunately that's true of all cafes at London tourist atractions. Bring your own water, juice, biscuits, apples or other snacks of choice!

Probably too late but maybe useful for another trip - Canary Wharf is a great place for wheelchair and pushchair users to go. Every single set of steps has a lift by it and the two main transposrt links - Jubilee Line and DLR are both very disabled friendly with many or all (DLR) stations being wheelchair accessible.

As for things to do - Docklands Museum is great for kids plus lots of nice, car free areas to walk around with cafes, bars & restaurants of all price ranges. Also lots of shops like M&S & indoor shopping areas if you want to buy sarnies. Also some small parks. Its lovely in summer if you want to sit outside.

You can also get boat trip there along Thames which aren't too expensive if you have travel card.

museum of childhood is free and wheelchair accessible and there is lots to do for children.

museum of childhood