Short trip for 18th birthday ideas

[Erdy]

My son is 18 on 11th September, we want to do something memorable and special but have no idea what.

Friday to Sunday. He's not interested in nightclubs etc but enjoys food. We live in Dorset but don't mind traveling.

Any ideas?

London?

Bristol? Lots to see and loads of restaurants/food stalls.

See: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4317572-If-you-know-Bristol

We have never been to London, looking into it, it's very overwhelming. Any suggestions?

I was going say Bristol too.

If he's 18 and hasn't ever been to London then definitely London, but don't try to go everywhere

We would only have one whole day I suppose really. I'd like it all planned out so not to waste time. Any ideas for this?

Google 24 hours in London or one day in London and read some of them and ask your son if he likes the sound if any of them. Maybe he’d like to go to the Shard and buy his first pint, see St Paul’s Cathedral, walk along in the embankment, go on a Thames river mini cruise, see the red buses, go in a London cab?

What does he like?

If Bristol:
Friday night in one of the restaurants in shopping containers
Saturday morning - suspension bridge
Saturday afternoon - Banksy your (self guided or organised)
Saturday night - dinner in a riverside restaurant

If London, it really depends what he'd be interested in. Kings Cross area has a good vibe and loads of restaurants. South Bank always good for a wander and has lots of chain restaurants. Maybe the Wolseley for afternoon tea at a relatively sensible price.

Food - one of Rick Stein’s places in Padstow? Although I understand Padstow is packed.

Tour not your for Banksy!

Somewhere really special to eat but not that posh you would feel uncomfortable, relaxed, casual dress. I think he might like the science museum, he likes technology. Iike I've said we have never been to London before, it's quite overwhelming looking into it all