Early morning in London

[Ceebeegee]

Hello, I'm visiting London next weekend with my8 year old son. arriving around 8am. I've booked tickets to the natural history museum at half 10 so we have a couple of hours to kill in the morning - what are your recommendations to fill an early morning in London ?

Are you coming in on a train? Which station? I would probably have a nice (second!) breakfast and then, if possible, walk to the NHM through Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens. London isn't as big as many people think it is - but you could get a bus part way if you are coming in from (say) Liverpool Street.

I agree with pp - have a nice breakfast somewhere to people watch and soak up the atmosphere. Depending where you arrive just google.

Well personally I would see that as a good opportunity for a parkrun....
Lots of the shops won't be open at 8 so it's a nice time to walk around before the streets get too busy. I used to love walking along Oxford Street, through Leicester Square and down Regent Street at that sort of time, normally on the way to work, as it's such a different view of London. So just walking is another great option. Obviously it depends what station you're coming into but there are plenty of iconic sights near your likely route if you'd enjoy a few miles walking.

If you could get a booking, a quick half-hour visit to the Science Museum which is next door, or the V&A across the road (both open at 10.00)

Preceded by breakfast at one of the many outdoor cafes at the bottom of Exhibition Road, next to South Kensington tube, and a two minute walk from the museums.

Thank you, breakfast and people watching sounds a nice idea.
We're coming into King's Cross.
So a walk through Hyde Park heading in the direction of the museum with a cafe stop on the way is workable . Are cafes open from that time ?

Forgot to add, regarding South Kensington tube station - the Piccadilly Line is not currently stopping there, and at weekends the District & Circle line along that stretch is often not running due to long-term engineering works.

So do check on the TFL website!

Yes the cafes are open at that time.

If coming from Kings Cross I'd get the Piccadilly Line to Knightsbridge, then it's a five minute walk to Exhibition Road.

I'd look for breakfast around Kings Cross as there are more interesting restaurants and cafes than there are at South Ken

www.kingscross.co.uk/top-picks-for-breakfast-and-brunch

Breakfast in Kings Cross or St Pancras, then go direct to South Ken by tube if possible

Is he a Harry Potter fan?
Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross.

Go for a bus ride, not the tourist ones. If you plan your route carefully you can see quite a few landmarks and the buses cost almost nothing to use.