Things to do in London this summer with a 16 year old girl

[Earlybird]

DD and I will visit London this summer (July and August) after being away for a few years. I would love some suggestions about fun / interesting things to do while we're there. It could be anything from exhibitions to theatre to trendy new shops / restaurants, etc.

DD can be quite sophisticated with her tastes / interests, but also enjoys new experiences - so if there is something fab/fun that is a little young for a 16 year old, please suggest it anyway. Obviously would love to hear about things your own teens do and enjoy.

Also, we'd be prepared to do a day trip or two so if there is something outside London that shouldn't be missed, please let us know.

Thank you.

Harrods
West end show
Oxford st/regent st - shopping
Camden Town
Covent Garden
Rules - very old restaurant, but expensive
Afternoon tea - look for vouchers on Groupon
m and m store
London zoo

Outside London:
Harry Potter exhibition
Kew Gardens

Definitely the theatre. We usually just go to the Leicester Square ticket sales place and buy something for that night.

Nice afternoon tea?

V&A fashion bit, if she's into that.

Maybe Wahacca or Dishoom .

Harry Potter shop at Kings Cross. Studio tour at Watford.

Thanks for these ideas. There are some good suggestions here.

We've already done
Harry Potter World in Watford
Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross
Fancy afternoon tea

Can anyone recommend some good theatre?

We've seen the obvious ones (Wicked, Lion King, Les Mis, Mathilda), and some not so obvious (Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime), so if there is anything newer or less mainstream, that could be the way to go.

Would Kinky Boots be suitable?
Haven't done Phantom of the Opera - anyone been recently? Does it seem dated? All a bit too Sarah Brightman in the 80's, or worth seeing?
Did I dream that Cats is going to open again sometime soon?
As a general note: interested to see that Lion King is closing in October.

We have not been out to Kew, so that is something to put on the list.

It seems like an exaggeration but the www.thamesribexperience.com/ was one of the most fun few minutes I have had in my life, the first time I have understood why people enjoy speed.

SafetoCross - that looks like fun. However, when I click on the link, a banner appears that says it ends on June 4, so we'll miss it. Too bad.

Any other ideas?

www.geffrye-museum.org.uk

Someone posted about this on Mn ages ago. Never been, but looks good.

Go to something at the National Theatre or Trafalgar Studios if she likes something more grown up. You've done lots of the musicals, how about a 'proper' play? I'm not sure what's coming on those months but I find pretty much everything at those theatres is brilliant. (I didn't rate the Lion King, not as spectacular as it should have been)

www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/our-ladies-perpetual-succour-west-end

Heard about this on the radio. It was written by the person who wrote/adapted Billy Elliott, and looks good.

You could go to the sky garden. You book tickets online in advance but it's free.

I think the banner means that the reduced pricing for the Thames rib experience ends on the 4th June, that's how I read it anyway.

I love Colombia Road Flower Market if you can get up early on a Sunday!

Also sitting on Primrose Hill looking across the whole city

Notting hill/portobello road

My mum took me to Madame Tussaud's when I was 16 and I loved it! The portrait gallery and the serpentine always have good exhibitions and Hyde park is lovely in the summer.

My favourite thing is going along the Thames to Greenwich to see the Observatory.

Yes to Nottinghhill/Portobello Road - much nicer than Camden.

Highgate Cemetry, if she's at all historic or Gothic inclined.

Southbank for mocktails.

There are some great suggestions here - thanks to all who have replied.

Safetocross - you are correct. . Guess I should read more carefully, and not do a quick skim!

To those who are suggesting Camden / Portobello Road / Notting Hill - any places in particular we should be sure not to miss? Or is it fun to just wander and discover whatever appeals?

I think wandering round those places is the fun bit! No idea if it'd be your thing, but there's all stars bowling in bayswater nr notting hill. Fun American bowling/diner www.allstarlanes.co.uk/locations/bayswater.

Kensington Roof Gardens for lunch maybe? They have flamingos in the gardens (or they used to when I worked near there).

Museum of brands notting hill
The new design museum Kensington
Pedalos on serpentine or regents park
Around kings cross granary square

Walk over top of 02 centre
Cable car

DD went to see Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour with school. She said it was good but was a bit [shocked] by the content.

Carnaby Street, which was very naff and touristy for ages, is now rather nice surrounded by very cool shops. Also handy for Liberty's which is great for a girly shopping trip with mum. Seven Dials also good for gawping at unusual shops and don't forget Forbidden Planet.

Appearing Rooms fountain sculpture at the South Bank should be back on - no 16 year old is too cool for that.

Just walking along the South Bank, starting at the Tower of London, across Tower Bridge, then past GLA and the Scoop, HMS Belfast, lunch at Borough Market, Golden Hind, OXO Tower craft shops, Tate Modern buskers, looking at the sand sculptures on the beach by Gabriel's Wharf, and along to the RFH is a lovely day out - there's always lots to see.

The fountains at Granary Square and Somerset House are also good.

The Geffrye Museum is a great place and usually has some interesting temporary exhibition on as well as the permanent displays. If you go, don't miss the lovely gardens behind it. There are lots of Vietnamese restaurants nearby if you and your DD like that cuisine.

Another favourite place for me is the Museum of London in Docklands at West India Quay, and you could also do the newish sky garden at Crossrail Place in Canary Wharf.

Tate Modern - if you can go to one of the Tate Late events, last Friday of the month open till 10pm with special events - street food, trance DJs in Turbine Hall etc.

See a film at the BFI.

In fact, all of South Bank.

Saatchi Gallery

Brick Lane

Sky Garden

All favourites of DD (17)

Oh, and if afternoon tea is her thing the V&A do a Victorian Tea in the Morris Room (private room next to main cafe) on Sunday afternoons. A real event! Need to book in advance, details on website.