London Dungeon - is it actually scary?

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

We're having a few days in London in August and wondering whether to book London Dungeon. I have a fairly easily scared 9 year old so I'm not sure if we'll enjoy it. Has anyone been with a similar age child that can advise how they found it please?

Not been for a few years. Then 14 year old niece badgered mum into taking her on a trip. She wet the bed that night, first time in 8 or 9 years! (Niece, not mum )
If anything, it’s probably scarier now. I’d not take a nervous 9 year old.

Years ago i took a little boy about that age for his birthday and he cried and cried. (I should have taken him out immediately but was very young myself and thought it would get better.....)

I was just thinking this week I might book for my kids this summer - my youngest is 9. But he loves horrible histories and things like that and isn't easily scared. Then I rechecked the website and they advise 11+ so I am going to wait another year. (My 11 year old can sometimes be scared by things too.....so don't want to upset her either).

There are lots of other things to do in London instead.....

No, I wouldn’t take an easily scared child of that age.

Ah thanks both this confirms my fears. My son loves Horrible Histories and liked the look of this but he hated Hex at Alton Towets so I thought this might be a bit much@ I'll book a river cruise instead!

Hi me and my eldest did the london dungeons last time we went to London a few years ago. He would of been around 10/11 he loved it but his younger brother who is now 10 wouldn't enjoy it at all. It depends on the child really. The actors are brilliant.

Easily scared child. Not a chance. Tbh I wouldn’t take any child. I went as an adult and found it deeply disturbing. Each to their own I guess .

Haven't been to London one but went to the Amsterdam one 18 months ago and I was nearly crying!!!!

I went at 14/15 and I was scared sh**less 🙈

So perhaps now if he is easily scared

I went as 20y old wasn’t scary as such but no windows and long ways to exit and felt sick and v oppressive couldn’t wait to get out! I was interested in history but to much limbs pulling off and cutting off breast and screaming for me.

As an adult I lasted 60 seconds before leaving (no refund). It is disturbing. Think serial killers, serial rapists and torture and capital punishment all souped up for maximum entertainment.

I wouldnt take him, i thought it was brilliant though and the actors are very good

I HATED it.

Hmm that's a definite no then, thanks all we'll stick to Museums etc. If anyone has any must sees for that age instead that would be great - so far we've booked London Eye, Shreks Adventure, Madame Tussauds and the Natural History Museum. Also planning Tate Modern, Covent Garden and Borough Market. Restaurants booked so far are Dishoom, Ottolenghi Spitalfields and Gordon Ramsays Pizza place

Horrible histories are running a river cruise this summer - have a cruise and be told about the sites by a character(S) from history. It lasts about an hour.

My youngest loves the Imperial War Museum. But if you only have 3 days you have quite a packed schedule already. But it you want more....Museum of London and roman ruins in the surrounding area, not sure if it's open but a walk up the Monument. Sky gardens if you can get a booking give a good view over London and Tower of London. A walk away from the Natural History museum is the Diana Fountain in Hyde Park - if it's remotely sunny take a towel and swim trunks and the kids run and splash and get wet.

We went recently in half term. It was actually very psychologically dark and scary - Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd, a creepy operating theatre with a demented nurse to do with the plague. Quite graphic descriptions in the torture chamber. Don’t get me wrong - it was brilliant and very enjoyable. However, my 8 year old daughter was pretty terrified and I wondered if it would give her nightmares (fortunately it didn’t). My 6 year old is into more gore - love horrible histories - and he seemed to like it and not be phased.

Personally I was surprised how scary it was and would only recommend for teenagers and adults!

I took my cousin when he was about 9 or 10 . We had to leave early because he was freaked out , it was an expensive day !

@Mumdiva99 the Horrible Histories river cruise sounds fantastic I'll have a look. We have 4 days but its a pretty packed schedule - would you do the Imperial War Museum rather than Natural History?

I went as an adult (22ish) with a group of university friends. We were at the front of the queue so the first to see the actor open the gate. All he said was 'Hello.' My friend screamed and screamed. Hilarious. Not for young children, though.

Although you’ve already made your mind up just another voice warning against the London Dungeon in your situation. If your son didn’t like Hex he would be absolutely terrified by the Dungeon!

Tower of London might be fun if he likes horrible histories. Lots of gory tales but not told in a spooky way. Think also on the train 2 for 1 entry offer. Jealous of you going to Dishoom!

Only if your son is interested. The exhibition about the first world War is great and has a replica trench to walk through. I did have to do some of the reading and explaining. We never went in the holocaust exhibition. Then there are lots of vehicles to see (planes, tanks etc).

The natural history has the dinosaurs, minibuses and the human body - which are our favourites. It covers more generic interests I think.

Which reminds me Wonderlab at the science museum up the road is excellent - you have to pay for a ticket and book a timeslot but its great. The little shows they do are wonderful. We actually had an annual ticket and went twice because it's so good.

@Midgeymoo12

We went recently in half term. It was actually very psychologically dark and scary - Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd, a creepy operating theatre with a demented nurse to do with the plague. Quite graphic descriptions in the torture chamber. Don’t get me wrong - it was brilliant and very enjoyable. However, my 8 year old daughter was pretty terrified and I wondered if it would give her nightmares (fortunately it didn’t). My 6 year old is into more gore - love horrible histories - and he seemed to like it and not be phased.

Personally I was surprised how scary it was and would only recommend for teenagers and adults!

You thought the London dungeon was an appropriate place to take an eight year old and a six year old?!

Wonderlab looks like something he'd be interested in thanks for the tip. The Horrible Histories boat is definitely a winner, he'll absolutely love it.

The clink prison museum would be more for him I think. Definitely more a horrible histories vibe.
www.clink.co.uk/

Not suitable for a nervy child

I wouldn’t do Madame Tussaud’s or the Shrek thing if it’s not too late to change your plans . I also agree that the dungeons would probably be a mistake . When we went last my husband got put in a cage as part of one of the skits , it was quite near the start and he was not remotely amused but they wouldn’t take no for an answer .I would go down to Greenwich on the boat and do the Maritime museum , royal naval college etc .