Train and Tube help please!

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We are hoping to take the DC to the natural history museum and science museum.
I've looked at the train and we will be going direct to London Paddington.
Then I believe we get the tube from there to Kensington?
Planning on just tapping in and out with debit cards.
Just seen that there's the option of 1st class on the train. Wondering if that's worth it as at least we could get breakfast/snacky tea on the train and we don't need to worry about feeding them.
Is it feasible to do both museums in one day?
Any other tips re where to do lunch etc?
Thank you!

First class worth it if not much for an upgrade. Yes it's possible to do both in a day although you'll have to be a little selective.
It may be cheaper to get a combined railcards to cover the tube too, but I'm not sure.
Enjoy!

I believe that first class aren't doing proper food at the moment, just supplying snack boxes.
So undecided. The upgrade isn't massively expensive as we are looking at a weekend, and the journey is less than 2 hours.
I don't think DC will want to see everything in both museums so happy to be selective.
They are both within walking distance to each other aren't they?
I'll look at combined tickets, thank you!

You need to book entry for both museums at the moment; it is possible to do both in a day. You need to decide what to concentrate on and there is normally a massive queue for the dinosaurs (not sure if that is bookable separately).

NHM has nice restaurant. I went to a Thai place nearby recently but not sure what it is like for kids. Look on Tripadvisor.

You could get the tube to South Kensington, but you might want to consider walking through Hyde Park at least one way. It only takes an extra 10 minutes or so compared to taking the tube.
Don’t know about your train line, but in my experience, First Class train snacks tend to be very long life processed salty snacks rather than fresh food these days, so I wouldn’t rely on them as meals without a back up plan.
Whether you do both museums in a day will depend on your children. My eldest has insane museum stamina and can do a whole day in one easily. My youngest lasts an hour or two at most before it’s all a bit much.

Oh and from Paddington it’s the circle line (yellow) to South Kensington. Check the TFL journey planner for any delays.

I was a bit surprised by the walk being only 10 minutes more, it's almost double according to google!! That said I'd definitely consider it if it wasnt my first time in the museum's or I wanted to do diana fountains at the end of the day. But I think if you're kids will probably find the two museums tiring enough first time.

I think if you can split them over 2 days your kids will probably get more from both, theres so much there!

Take a picnic and get something to eat in the evening. If you dont upgrade you can always grab something like a Macdonald's on the station

I've seen that you need to book.
I was surprised re the free entry. Although the science museum does have one part that we would like to see which you need to pay for, which is fine by me!
Just priced up train.
£80 return standard or £130 return first class. Dilemma!
I don't think we will risk the walk alongside the 2 museums. My DS is 4 and gets tired legs at the best of times!!!

You'll have a fabulous time. First Class on trains is fun, but usually very expensive for what you actually get. There's usually a buffet car (on GWR trains it's usually in coach G, near the back of the train) so I'd just book standard-class seats near that.

Have fun!

I think the circle & district line isn't stopping at South Kensington for the next few months so you might have to get a different line or get off at Kensington High Street or Knightsbridge.

Not sure if you’re aware, but you will need a separate debit/Oyster card for each person on the tube, you can’t tap in at the same station more than once. If the kids are both under 11 they are free so just get an under 11 day pass from the ticket machines for them.

Me and DH will have a card each, didn't realise the kids needed an under 11 pass. Was just going to shuffle them through with us, 1 per adult!
I'll look at how to get a pass thank you!
And thanks for the tip re some lines not running. I'll research this as I like to be prepared!!!

It’s the Piccadilly line that’s not running to South Ken.But you should check the TFL journey planner app as delays occur from time to time.

You might be able to shuffle the kids through with you, if you use the larger gates. I didn’t realise there would be two adults so yes this might work for you. I’ve certainly done that before with DD when she was under 11.

Are you coming on GWR? I've travelled with them a couple of times in the last few weeks and there seemed to be lots of cancellations on the line so the trains were very busy.

I would go first class, not for the snacks - they're ok but I wouldn't rely on them for feeding kids - more that you have more chance of getting a seat.

Science museum and NHM are right next door to each other so easy to do both.

South Ken is the tube station. Think about High St Kensington for restaurants for kid-friendly chains.

Also, no buffet cars on GWR at the moment, just a trolley.

My kids always come through gate with me, I didn't realise there was an under 11 pass (we live in central London, on the tube most days). Please make sure you use the wide gates though (which give you plenty of time to walk everyone through) and don't try and shuffle/squeeze them through with you on the single gates, if they swing shut on you it can really hurt!
You can do both museums in a day (they're right next door) but you will have to pick and choose what to see. Make sure you book tickets for Wonderlab in the Science Museum it's fantastic, especially the slides!

Oh and there are plenty of cafes near South Ken tube but I'd aim to do lunch in the museums otherwise you'll lose an hour or more of exhibit time schlepping back and forth. The museum cafes are a bit extortionate but do kids picnmix lunch boxes etc. Lots of picnic space in both museums.

Definitely going to do lunch in the NHM.
And the wonder lab is what we 100% wanted to do.
Yes travelling GWR.
Planning to go in 6 weeks. Going to book everything now though so we don't miss out!
If the train gets to Paddington for 9.30 then realistically what time would we be at the science museum, as we need to book slots. 10.30am maybe?

The Pullman dining service has started up again so it might be worth looking at whether any of the trains fit with your travel plans. Unfortunately, they aren't doing (the fantastic) breakfasts, dinner would be quite expensive for a family of 4. You can reserve a table if you have a first class ticket, it's first come, first served for standard ticket holders.

www.gwr.com/travelling-with-us/pullman-dining

I would take a picnic rather than rely on the food trolley or first class snack boxes. There is an M&S and Sainsbury's in Paddington and lots of takeaway places, there are even more options immediately outside the station. Alternatively, you could have dinner before you leave at one of the canalside restaurants in Paddington Basin at the back of the station.

I agree with walking back across the park and combining it with a trip to the Princess of Wales Memorial Playground (it's an amazing Peter Pan themed adventure playground), feeding the tame parakeets with monkey nuts, a pedalo ride, an ice cream or splashing in the fountain.

If you feel like splashing out, rather than spending the money on first class tickets for the free biscuits, I'd go for the science afternoon tea at the Ampersand Hotel, opposite the Science Museum.

ampersandhotel.com/eat-drink/the-drawing-rooms/kids-sci-fi-tea/

You just need to go to the side gate at the ticket barriers on the tube and the staff will let you and your DC through. If they don't look clearly under 11, it might be worth taking a passport with you.

An hour is plenty of time to get there at a leisurely pace with an allowance for tube delays, getting lost or a loo break! The tickets are a 30 minute entry slot anyway.

I would download Uber if you don't already have it as a back up plan. Paddington is so close to the museums, it might not be much more to take an Uber than the tube.

I would make a plan just to see the highlights as you are short on time. It will also stop you getting museum fatigue. Mine are at uni now so maybe someone with younger DC like tpmumtobe can give more up to date advice on the kids stuff.

Their favourite bits were:

Science Museum:
Wonderlab
The Garden (for infant age and pre-schoolers)
Pattern Pod
The "blue cafe", more for the lights than the food!
The old children's gallery exhibits (from when I was a kid)
The Apollo space stuff
The room full of planes
The moon rock
The escalator through the planet Earth in the geology museum entrance

NHM:
The dinosaurs (do they still have the animatronic T. rex?)
The blue whale and mammals
The volcano stuff

The special exhibitions were often excellent for DC too, so see what's on. The Imax and simulator rides at the Science Museum are also good for older DC but they aren't cheap.