Best way to see London sights

[sparkerd]

We are planning a weekend in London to celebrate a birthday, never been before and would like to see the sights and visit the science museum. Looking into it all is a bit overwhelming and I'm worried about getting ripped off booking a tour we couldn't planned ourselves.

Any recommendations please?

An itinerary is key, so you don't just wonder round aimlessly and end up Criss crossing the city.

I like an open top bus tour, they're hop on, hop off too, but they're not cheap.

There was a thread the other day about quirky things to do in London that had some great ideas. I would like to go to the first operating theatre. That's on my to do list.

I'll see if I can find that thread and link.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4324449-Quirky-London-tourist-attractions

I'd recommend going on the Thames Clipper (commuter boat). You'll see the same sights as the tourist boats but for a fraction of the price.

If you like Italian food there's a small chain called Polpo which is very good, and casual.

Camden is good fun for shopping and people watching. Lots of eating and drinking places by the Canal.

Covent Garden and the South Bank are great for a wander, usually a few street performers around.

I recommend the official red/blue bus tours. If you've never been before it's a great way to have everything pointed out to you and the guides are usually really good.

I second the Thames Clippers. They're a river bus service and make lots of stops. eg you can get a boat from Waterloo (next to the London Eye) that goes all the way to Greenwich, past the Tower and under Tower Bridge.
Greenwich itself is fantastic. The Cutty Sark, the Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory. There's also a great market and lots of food options.

The Science Museum, The V&A and the Natural History Museum are all in a row at South Kensington tube station. There are a lot of places to eat in between the station and the museums.
There are a few branches of Bill's around town that are good value and nice food.
www.bills-website.co.uk/
If you're anywhere near Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus Chinatown is always a great place to eat.

My son will turn 18 whilst we are there, any recommendations for his first pint?

@sparkerd

My son will turn 18 whilst we are there, any recommendations for his first pint?

There are several contenders vying for oldest/most historic pub in London

You could try the George on Borough High Street

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_George_Inn,_Southwark

Or combine a Ripper tour with the Krays

www.theblindbeggar.com (though it's been tarted up and is nothing like how it was in their day)

Or might The Grenadier be more to your taste?

www.grenadierbelgravia.com

Or one with a view?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/uk/4339558-bars-in-london-with-a-view

Dishoom for food, be prepared to wait.

You could go to one of the pubs on the river, depends if you want south or north bank.

Best idea is to walk, see what takes your fancy. The tube map makes things seem a lot further than they are. Borough market is a fave, my kids love food, or you could go to Camden, or Notting hill, or a football stadium if that way inclined. I think you need to narrow down what you want a bit more!

You could go to one of the skyline bars at The Shard or would he prefer an old fashion pub

The science museum is easy to get to by tube. Tube is quick but you see more by bus, obviously. I get out at Waterloo and walk over the river and straight up to the British Museum, my absolute favourite place, which goes via Theatreland. On the way you can detour to Trafalgar Square and then Leicester Sq and Piccadilly Circus. Some nice cafes around there. Places like Camden are great but a bit far out - maybe for another time. Also, I'd give Tate Modern a swerve and concentrate on the Science Museum/Natural History/V&A .

You need to make of list of essential visits, have an itinerary, the traffic can be terrible, road closures and protests make traveeling by bus frustrating. Allow yourself double time for getting around. Some things you may have to book for in advance and you will need time to get back to the hotel to freshen up and change for the evening.

The m&Ms shop is a fun place to pop in, popular with teens.

The M&M shop is a horror show 😂

Go to science museum then walk through hyde park and onto st james for buck palace then walk to westminster and onto southbank.

Walking is the best way to get about imo and lots of autumnal trees and friendly animals on the way

The Lego store in Leicester square is really good, its definitely not just for kids

Flatiron for steak (Covent garden).

You can easily walk there from your hotel,you'll need to walk over the bridge

@PosiePerkinPootleFlump

Tube and bus just tap your debit card for contactless payment

Is there a cost effective way of doing this or will automatically charge no more than say the cost of a day rider if your journeys accumulate to that cost?

@Window1 it caps. And if you get two buses in an hour you only pay for one.

@SmidgenofaPigeon

The M&M shop is a horror show 😂

An expensive horror show!

[quote SmidgenofaPigeon]@Window1 it caps. And if you get two buses in an hour you only pay for one.[/quote]
That's great to know. Thank you

Best themed or quirky place to get a good burger? Looking for good food and an experience

Burger and Lobster? Near Leicester square.

I'd give Tate Modern a swerve and concentrate on the Science Museum/Natural History/V&A .

If you do go down that way, it's useful to know that Piccadilly line trains aren't stopping at South Kensington for the rest of this year. The most important thing to know about the tube, though, is standing on the right on the escalator.

Burger and Lobster is just a chain restaurant right branches all over London (UK?). If you want themed then try this place in Carbaby St www.kua-aina.co.uk/carnaby-street/

Definitely dump your bags then hop on the Thames Clipper at the South bank as soon as you arrive. Head up to Greenwich and have lunch there and visit the park / meridian line. Look at the wonderful view of the whole of london to get your bearings. Then head back and do the West End that evening - dinner shs a show.

Saturday could be science museum, Hyde park, and other west or west central places like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, st James ParkPiccadilly etc.

Evening you could head east to the City of London where you'll find amazing bars for your sons pint. Try Sky Garden, Duck and Waffle / Sushi Samba for incredible views. No need to dress up but no trainers.

Sunday take a walk around Camden Market and then Hampstead Heath or along the canal to Little Venice. Pub lunch.