Going to london

[Slowies]

But worried about going to London with Husband and two teenage daughters. Husband and eldest want to go on the eye, me and the youngest are very scared. What can we do nearby?

What are you scared of?

Scared of what, and why?

Go on it, it's very un scary. You will feel safe as houses. It's very slow and smooth

Also you are totally enclosed. If you can handle going in a lift, you will be fine

How old is youngest? London Aquarium, Shrek Adventure, Tate Modern, Southbank centre, National Theatre , BFI?

I’m little worried about how busy London is.

and the Eye, I’d just panic quietly inside. I was fine with heights my whole life till I got older ….

When are you going? It is not that busy at the moment.

girls are 18 and 15

The London Eye is not a rollercoaster, it is a very gentle full circle in a large enclosed cabin.

I would be scared of the prices though.

Easter holidays

So essentially 4 adults. Please don't let your worry affect them. Driving a car anywhere in the UK is higher risk than being in London.

Presumably you only have 40 minutes or so to fill while the others are on the wheel. There are often food stalls nearby so if it is nice get a drink and watch the view across towards Westminster and Somerset House.

Don't go on the London Eye though, massive waste of money. Get free tickets to the Sky Garden. Sky Garden - London's Highest Public Garden

There’s the Aquarium nearby and also the Florence Nightingale Museum at St Thomas’s hospital, also Leake Street arches if you’re into graffiti art. Tate Modern isn’t too far either. Or you could just walk along South Bank and back.

Depending on your youngest’s age and weather, there’s a big playground right by the Eye.

You get 30 minutes on the Eye, maybe another 30 minutes queuing, so it’s not a huge amount of time to kill.

@Slowies I love London but wild horses wouldn't get me going on the Eye. They won't be on it for long will they? You are within walking distance of both the Tates, but honestly you can just wander over the bridge and see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and by the time you've done that and walked back they'll probably be down. You're also very very near Waterloo station which is chock full of cheap places to eat (Pret, Leon, all that kind of thing and more) so if it's raining I'd do that - it's still full of London atmosphere and personally I love a good large London station!
Have a fabulous time!

I agree that there are hundreds of options for interest in London beyond the Eye but it is nothing at all to be apprehensive about.What else are you doing while you are there? If you fan's want to go up have a coffee and wait.

London will be busy during the holidays,iday, not much you can do except try and avoid people if you can. Where are you staying. Near the London Eye there is plenty to see, Southwark Centre, walk around the market, get a uber boat trip on the Thames, Covent garden. How many days are you staying.

Millions of people live there
Thousands and thousands visit every year
Very little shit happens
Relax and enjoy!

You could stroll over Westminster Bridge, around Parliament Square and have a look at HoP and Big Ben, then up Whitehall past Downing Street, have a look at Trafalgar Square, back down Whitehall and back across the bridge - should take you about an hour.

What’s with all the ‘terrified of London’ posts atm… it’s a large city, it’s busy, but if you’ve ever been to Manchester/Birmingham/Glasgow/Dublin etc etc then it’s not that different.

We are staying near Cannary Wharf for 3 nights. Planning on also doing Madame Tussaud’s, Tower of London and Bridge, hop on hop off bus, river cruise, Camden Market and eldest wants to go to China Town and big shopping area - which is where? Bond Street?
thanks for all your comments- its the first time if using this. I wish I discovered it when the girls were much younger.

Don't do the eye - you'll be paying a lot of money for an anxious ride by the sound of things as the top of it is high (you are enclosed obviously but if you have a panic you can't get out and will need to wait til it comes down again).

I would head over Waterloo bridge to Covent Garden and have a wander around - seeing street performers and a bit shopping with your youngest. Get your OH and other daughter to join you afterwards.

Yes London is v busy but nothing out of control

Bond Street is for Oxford Street/Regent Street, or Kensington High Street/Kings Road, or Westfield. Madame Tussauds is not worth it tbh.

As you're staying at CW I would go shopping at Westfield Stratford. There's also lots of restaurants there too.

There's the Orbital slide in the Olympic park (next to Stratford station) which has good views and is fun to do. Not sure about Madame Tussauds as I haven't been.

A Londoner's take on your itinerary...

Skip the Eye. It's overpriced. The top of St Paul's is cheaper and you get a great view of London.

Definitely don't waste your £££ on Madam Tussauds 🙀

Tower and TB - yes !!

No need for hop on bus - just take normal buses. #11 is a good route, also #15 and #9.

China Town....... okay for a Chinese meal but little else.

Camden Market..... I've not been for ages. Didn't it burn down at some point? Borough Market has some great food, and it's a nice walk from the South Bank to Tower Bridge.

I wouldn't bother with any other shopping. Maybe snoop around Liberty's. Some nice shops on b Regents Street......... but do avoid Oxford Street. Bond Street is good for window shopping.

Have a look at walking tours!