London with kids

[RobinGoch]

London people give me some ideas.

We have had some real luck and are going to be house sitting a friend’s house in Central London for a week in August. It will be mainly me with DS (15) and DD (12). DH will be around for a couple of nights but then will have to go back to work.

We’re from up North and rural so this is very exciting. What should we be doing and seeing? We won’t have loads of spare cash so need to choose carefully and I’m particularly keen to know about free, cheap, unusual stuff. DS is into film, history, music, theatre and politics. DD is a bit more tricky and I want to make sure she gets something from the trip. She’s ASD with sensory issues and loves football, sport, outdoor activities, science stuff.

She’ll struggle with noise and crowds apart from in short bursts but as we are central I’m hoping we’ll be able to get back to the house for downtime as needed. I’m going to be alone with them a lot so need stuff they’ll both like. I’m happy to send DS off on his own a bit if we’re close by. We have done some of the museums before and will try to see a show if theatres are open.

How can I make this a week to remember? We’re unlikely to ever be able to stay so centrally for so long ever again…

So many good free museums and galleries! E.g British museum, Science museum, V&A, National gallery. Just check whether you now need to book ahead for any of them.

Otherwise, it is a fun place to walk around and explore the sights. Eg walk along the Thames, and up the Mall to Buckingham Palace.

Provided weather is okay, there are plenty of parks to chill out in with your DD.

Granary Square fountains if it is a nice day - lots of lovely places for lunch around there too

There's literally so much to do: South Ken museums, Kensington Gardens, the Serpentine, Leadenhall Market where they filmed some of Harry Potter, St Paul's, over one of the bridges and wander along the river up to Westminster if you are walkers.

Covent Garden and the Museum of Transport are good and a peaceful place is the Chelsea Physic Garden.

Then of course there are the galleries and shops. A nice walk along the river at night time is very pretty.

Your dd may find noise cancelling headphones helpful.

Also:-

Escape Room
One of these www.treasuretrails.co.uk/things-to-do/london
Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens/St James Park are all lovely to wander around
You can hire recumbent bikes at Battersea Park which are much easier to ride than the Boris bikes and there is a good playground and zoo there too
Wander down canal from Granary Square to Camden and have some food at Camden Market or the new Buck St Market
Museums are best as soon as they open then go before lunchtime to avoid the crowds
Southbank is a lovely walk - I start at the London Eye and walk to London Bridge then carry on to Tower Bridge so you can see that and HMS Belfast. You can pop into Tate Modern on the way through and Borough Market.
Museum of London
Clipper to Greenwich - lots to do there

I saw The Play That Went Wrong last week in Covent Garden and it is very funny and not too expensive. Definitely recommend.

It's kids' week for most of August so children go free at theatres. We used to go with the DC when they were young and it made trips to see shows affordable (well less ruinously expensive!).

www.theresident.co.uk/london-culture-events/ways-to-have-fun-outdoors-in-london-for-kids-grown-ups/

Some good outdoor stuff for your DD

Oooh great keep them coming, recumbent bikes sound fun and parks for chilling with DD are a good idea. She’ll have her headphones with her. I like the sound of the Play That Went Wrong too…are kids really free at the theatre in August? Even teenagers?. It’s years since I went on the Tube, do I need to get cards? Thanks for your help….

Kids week is up to 17 but you need to book now as they came out recently and tend to sell out quickly although they often release more tickets nearer the time. You can just use a debit/credit card for the tube but kids will need a ticket. There must be a deal for a weekly one if you are just using the tube/buses in zones 1 and 2 but not sure.

www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/family-activities/things-to-do-in-london-for-teenagers

Sky garden if it's open- brilliant views over London from the top but you have to book

Sorry meant to post link skygarden.london/

This is the Kids’ Week website. Tickets go fast, and a lot of them will be gone already, so sort it out ASAP.
officiallondontheatre.com/kids-week/

Sky garden is at the top of the walkie talkie is free and has beautiful views. For a family far more accessible than the Shard which is very expensive. But book ahead!!

You can use a contactless debit card on your phone but the DC will need children’s Oyster cards.

Definitely do the science museum with DD.

London Canal Museum and the Postal Museum are both really interesting though not free. Our go to museum when the kids were younger was museum of London Docklands - it's a bit less busy with more space than the main London museum and loads of interesting maritime and WWII stuff

The Ragged School Museum is a fascinating visit but not open very much. It's a bit off the beaten track

The old operating theatre museum is fascinating. It is quite cheap as well.
For sensory activities the Diana memorial fountain is great, you can walk through it (not sure if you are meant to but everyone else was) and in some parts the water is fast and rushing, in others it is still and peaceful.

Where abouts are you staying? I live in zone 1 and have a child similar to your dd so I’ll have a think for you..

But I’d avoid the southbank, unless you go early morning, it gets very busy and there’s quite a lot going on.

St James park is nice, you can feed the parakeets, right next to Buckingham palace, Big Ben and Houses of Parliament so you can do the sightseeing and escape into the park for some quiet time. Can also walk on to Hyde park from there.

River cruises from westminister up to Greenwich. If you get the sightseeing boat the tour guide gives a talk with some
History of the areas in it. Greenwich park is lovely and there’s the planetarium there.

The museum's do special openings for people with sensory issues. Have a look on their website. Less people, better lighting etc.

Spend a day mooching along the Southbank - you can watch the skaters, take in the sights along the river and go for free to Tate Modern, which has an amazing viewing tower now.
My kids are the same age as yours and it's their favourite part of london (and ours)

You can get the Thames clipper along the river. Much cheaper than a proper tour boat. Something that isn't that cheap but great fun are they rib rides in the river as well. The high speed ones are great.

If you are flexible on food there is a great app called too good to go. You can get reduced price food from loads of cafes and restaurant at the end of the day. We got a huge box of cakes from a place near Goodge Street for about £3 and lots of sushi for £4. My kids quite like the mystery of seeing what you will get!

Hi there - I've just published a blog post featuring over 90 activities for kids this summer which should hopefully give you some ideas. Lots are free too. museummum.com/2021/07/09/summer-holidays-london/

Check out Autism In Museums calendar to see which openings there are for people with autism. They're usually free or v cheap too. www.autisminmuseums.com/events/

The Royal Parks are lovely to spend time in, particularly St James Park and Kensington Gardens. Kew Gardens is worth the visit outside Zone 1, such a special place with art and history too.

The Southbank is great for a wander, don't miss the graffiti tunnel in Leake Street, Tate Modern and Borough Market. There are water play fountains at More London if it's a hot day. It's not cheap or free but the Rib speed boats tours are fantastic for all ages. They do play music loudly but my usually noise sensitive child loved it still.

Canary What is worth the 20 mins on the tube, it's got a summer lights display, Crossrail Place Roof Garden, a sci fi Street art tunnel, free mini golf and table tennis, plus Museum of London Docklands for the history lover. All free. And the streets are so quiet there too.

Let me know if you want any more tips and I'll have a think!