Help with navigating to London

[ErinAoife]

Despite being very anxious about travel, I have booked a 5 days overnight stay in London for me and my daughter to celebrate her birthday. I haven't been in London in years, could someone help me what do I need to book to go to City centre from Gatwick Airport, what travel pass do I need. It was a bit step for me to book it as I am very anxious so I want to try to be as stress free as possible to avoid having panic attach and ruin the trip. Thank you

What everyone else has said and I would second using buses in central London. They are cheap and easy to navigate and from the top deck you can get great views of iconic buildings without the ££££ of open top tourist buses!

And the best advice about travelling around London to make it feel fun and exciting rather than stressful is:

1. Try and avoid work am and pm rush hour
2. If you need to check your phone/map when in a tub station, go and tuck yourself into a corner somewhere
3. London Underground and train station staff are generally helpful and friendly so ask if you need help
4. Don’t stop “dead” at the top or bottom of stairs/escalators- keep moving with the flow.
5. Londoners look grumpy and unfriendly because you learn to navigate public transport and the crowds by going into a bit of a “zone”. But Londoners will help you gladly with directions or questions about whether this is the right bus stop etc!

Have fun!

The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea is expensive but absolutely worth it. If you enjoyed the film you’ll enjoy the novelty food. It’s something special!
For activities, really depends on what sorts of things she is interested in, and what she might have already seen. My personal recommendations would be the immersive Gunpowder Plot experience (really need to pre-book), and the Tower of London. The two are next to each other which makes for easy travel too.

Agree, the Charlie afternoon tea is great for a 12 year old who likes it.
I love going to the theatre too - would she like that?
Tower of London could be worth a visit, I mean it is classic, London history.

Don't forget many tube stations are actually really close to each other and you can walk more than you think.

Google maps works well for planning routes.

I took my 15 year old niece to London last weekend. We went to Greenwich, Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory, Queen's House (where the Very advert was filmed) and the Maritime Museum. We stayed in Travelodge Lewisham, Wetherspoons nearby. Next day Cable Car, Leadenhall Market which is Diagon Alley in Harry Potter Leicester Square to see the statues then Fortnum and Mason. She loved it and so did I.

i recommend the Natural History Museum, we went there last year and the zoo.

There are also lots of free museums like the V&A, Grants which is near Euston station, the British Museum and the Science Museum. There is also the Icon Gallery near Piccadilly Circus which was a delightful find.

The TFL (Transport for London) website is very good.

If she likes Harry Potter, then take her to Kings Cross station for Platform 9 3/4 and the merchandise shop.

Thank you so much. It will be her first time in London for her. For me, it was over 20 years ago i was in London last. Thank you for your advise regardingMadame Tussaud I won't bother with it., would definitively bring her to convent garden. She is a very girly girl who loves chlothes make up, total opposite of me . I can't thank you enough for your suggestion, it is really helping me.

@ErinAoife definitely Covent Garden.

I'm guessing from your name and your phrasing that you are coming over from Ireland.

Its all very easy once you start and people are very nice if you ask them to help. Station staff etc.

Definitely Covent Garden, esp. 7 Dials market for lunch and my DD loved a mooch around Carnaby st.

There's a shop that's v popular with the teens called 'Subdued'. Google the location in advance too.

Have a brilliant time!

Coming from Scotland, my father is Irish and Mom is Belgium. Thank you all so much for your recommendation.

Take her to Brandy Melville, Stradivarius, Pull & Bear - all good shops for that age