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?

I don't like heights but the eye is very slow, you hardly know you are moving. It's really not scary. Once in a lifetime?

Thank you

I completely agree with@PaminaMozart . The eye and Madame Tussaud's are a waste of time and money, normal buses are just as good and what sort of shopping do you want to do?

Museum of London in Canary Wharf is definitely worth a visit.

I would do Camden Market though, teens love it and it has a good range of street foods. Borough Market has been a crowded, horrible nightmare the last couple of times I've been there.

If you don't like crowds then Oxford Street is best avoided. Covent Garden is definitely a good shout and you can walk there from the Eye, if you decide to do it (although Sky Garden is free though you need to book in advance or you could have a walk up Primrose Hill after Camden Market) and then on to China Town then you can window shop in the designer stores in around Bond Street.

Or Greenwich is fun. There's the market, museums if you like them, shopping in the 02 and then you can get the cable car across the river.

If you're doing the Eye, Madame Tussaud's etc then look at Merlin passes for the year. You can get your moneys worth out of them!

Also, nowt to be scared of.

Your teens will like Carnaby Street - it's a number of streets, not just Carnaby Street itself. Lots of places to eat and drink, and shop

Carnaby London | Shopping & Dining in Carnaby Street

Eldest wants to checkout the big shopping chains and likes hippy shops

What is it with people being worried/scared about London? Millions of people live there. It’s really not that busy or scary!

Battersea Power station is now amazing for shops and cafes. But yes, for you probably Westfield Stratford - actually Canary Wharf itself is not short on shops!
Tate Modern and a stroll along the south bank to Westminster bridge would probably be more fun than M Tussauds.
Welcome! We’re not that scary.

If someone in the family likes high up views, then do the cable car over the Eye - it's much cheaper. But not good if you're scared of heights.
The museums etc at Greenwich are fab.
Trying to think where the current hippy shops type area is - I wonder if you'd be better off trying areas like Cambridge Heath or even Dalston, which are easy on the ginger line from Can Wharf.

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

I agree, but the No.11 route has changed, doesn't go all the way from Victoria to L'pool Street any more.

Top of a bus or on foot is the best way to see London.

One thing I'd advise is not to spend all your time rushing from one big tourist attraction to another, but take some time to actually see London itself. The City is good for a mooch around, lots of historic churches and little courts and alleyways.

Guildhall Art Gallery with Roman amphitheatre (and very nice loos!), and Temple of Mithras nearby.

Walk along the river. If you're going in April, the parks are likely to be looking good.

Agree with the Museum of London Docklands suggestion above.

Feeling very anxious now with the strike happening. How are we to get from Uxbridge to Canary Wharf. I don’t like crowds at the best of times…..😩 please help

When exactly are you going?

Is it not an overground strike, so underground and buses will still run. Get a cab if you are stressed, but it will be fine,

I thought you said you were going at Easter? You won’t be affected. You can always get a cab or other public transport if it is the case.

Have you not been to any large city before? It sounds like you have some anxiety, would staying at home and letting your husband take the children be an option, it doesn’t sound much fun for you. London can be as busy or quiet as you want it, there are so many other things to do in the capital.

I guarantee the Eye is not remotely scary. No different to looking out of a window a few floors up in a building. It moves imperceptibly. It’s not a “ride”.

I'm not great with heights - used to be fine as a kid, but developed inner ear issues. I went on the Eye years ago, was fine going up, and coming down, but the 'over the top', (so from 11 to 1 on a clock face) was Not Nice At All. I sat quietly on the middle seat with my eyes shut, and got the people I was with to tell me when we were coming down again. Apart from that, I did enjoy it - it moves slowly, and there's so much to look at!

8th April

Camden market is great, my teen dd loves it there, loads of hippy stalls.

Rather than waste money on the Eye or Madame Tussaud's maybe book a show? We saw Phantom of The Opera which we enjoyed.

We did the Tower of London but can't say I was that impressed tbh, it was okay but just okay.

We went to Covent Garden for breakfast which was nice and there's lots of free entertainment there.

I get anxious in enclosed spaces but have done the Eye, it was fine, it's not scary.

It’s really not that busy or scary!

London is no busier than Leeds, Newcastle or Manchester on a busy Saturday.

What are your concerns exactly @Slowies? One of your DC is an adult and the other not far off.

Yup- don't do Madam Tussaud's.

Why do you need to get from Uxbridge to Canary Wharf? But you can get the Piccadilly or Metropolitan Line and then the Jubilee line?
Don't be scared- my DCs have happily travelled around London on their own since they started Secondary School.

We are going on 8th April (belated mother's day trip) and as far as I can tell at the moment the tubes will be running. We are planning on going to the excel for the disney exhibition.

We went up for my birthday and did the eye and the dungeons on a combined ticket. I hate heights but managed very well on the eye. My eldest didn't like the top bit but just sat on the seat and looked straight out. I loved the dungeons - better than Taussauds for the money. There is lots to do and see on the ground if you don't really want to go on it.

I would go with a loose itinerary and don't push yourself to do too much. A lot of London is walkable and it's great to just wander and look at the sights and architecture and see where you end up.

Yes to Piccadilly or Metropolitan & then Jubilee - only one change needed, the station you change at will be well signposted so you know where to go, and you’ll be absolutely fine. Honestly.

I went to the o2 last week from Hillingdon which is same line as Uxbridge. Metropolitan Line is quicker than Piccadilly, get off at Finchley Road and straight on to Jubillee, so easy and you can’t go wrong.
Loads of outlet shops in o2 too.