London hidden gems

[timeforachangeofseason]

We are off to London in a few weeks. Kids age 7 and 9.
Any hidden gems we need to know about? We are there Saturday and Sunday.
Kids want us to book kidzania, but where else are the absolute must sees?
We've done science museum, Houses of Parliament and natural history museum.
In the past (although they probably can't remember) we've done London Bridge, London eye, Madame Tussaud's, aquarium.
Also, good restaurants that will blow their minds if possible! The old rain forest cafe restaurant has awful reviews now.

Bumping for the evening crew!

Mudlarking session?
Boat up to Greenwich.
Brick Lane is great for restaurants.

Post office museum. Brilliant!

Oohhh mudlarking. My son would love that. Are there guided tour type things?

Something like this maybe? mudlarking

The Tower of London might be a good option, my DC liked it when they were a similar age.

You can book free tickets to Sky Garden which has good views - in the past we have looked for time slots which either have tower bridge opening (good views of that from the Sky Garden) or during sunset.

Also, in the same area is Leadenhall Market which would be good if your DC are Harry Potter fans.

If I was around that area, I would also go to Spitalfields and/or Borough market and Eataly (near Liv St Station) but your DC might not enjoy those so much.

We've also been to Bounce for table tennis and lunch (think it might be adults only in the evening) which was fun.

London Transport Museum?
Trip up the Thames to Greenwich?
Markets....Camden and Greenwich are always good

London museum
transport museum
Princess Diane memorial park

Katie in london
Lovebthis book - maybe go to the sites in it.

i-Spy books - get these for your kids also
I spy

Thank you. I've checked out a few mudlarking tours and nothing for the dates we are going. I'll keep checking.
Mine aren't into Harry Potter at all, although I like Harry Potter!
I'm thinking maybe Tower of London.

I want to do Camden market, but not sure they will.

Oh and we've done a boat tour previously.

There are some amazing city farms, the one at vauxhall is very sweet and quite central. You could look at kids theatre such as the unicorn which is subsidized so a lot cheaper than west end. Ride on the commuter river boat. Golden hind is good and reasonably affordable. Emirates airline is reasonable. These things are cheaper with kids visitors oyster which I think you can still get from the TFL information centre at Liverpool st, or you can get kids oysters in advance from TFL, you don't have to live in London straightforward if they have passports or just buy them an adult oyster.

Mine enjoyed the John Soane Museum, in Lincolns Inn Fields - although it required me to talk them through the exhibits - it's a scholarly museum rather than a blockbuster with lots of touchy-feely stuff. But they were intrigued by all the sarcophagi & the miniature gallery with all the Hogarths - you can get them telling the story.

St Paul’s Catherdral - climb right to the top - kids love it

I've remembered another one...the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green is brilliant!

Book down to Greenwich, then the Maritime museum or Cutty Sark. The walk through the tunnel to Mudchute Farm.

Something about walking under the Thames Kids seem to love.

Another suggestion from me ... the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green is great fun x

Sorry didn't mean to post that twice!

www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2022/07/va-childrens-museum-to-open-next-summer/#

Its great but shut until summer 2023

Im in London this weekend! Have booked theatre tickets (Frozen and Lion King), the Shrek Experience and Science Museum (DS is turning 10).
Have seen junkyard golf advertised and they have a 50% off code for January although I haven’t booked

Transport museum
HMS belfast
Climb the Monument /St Paul's and climb the dome

Don't bother with Camden Market, would not suggest it even if you were with only adults.

Agree with post office museum, check if there V+A has anything suitable for children, also the Geffrye Museum.

If you and the kids like steak, Flatiron is fab. Locations across the city. You get a mini cleaver to cut your food and a free ice cream to take away! Really good value!
For "hidden gems" one of my little one's favourite things last time we went was looking round Liberty's and choosing something to buy with her saved money

Aww that's a shame, it's a lovely place.

London Transport Museum in Covent.
A theatre trip.
Tower of London
Science Museum (even if you've done it before, there's always so much to see that there'll be plenty you didn't get to
Natural History Museum.