I’m lost as to what to do in London. Any suggestions?

[theferry]

I’m visiting London in July with DDs (14&17) and DH for 5 nights I’m a bit lost as to what to do (ie should be a priority). We’re staying at the Doubletree in Kensington. Happy to use the tube. I’ve been to London, but only for work so haven’t seen very much of it. DDs haven’t been there. DD1 loves the hustle and bustle of big cities. DD2 doesn’t like crowds so any suggestions of things that would give her a bit of respite from the crowds (or strategies for avoiding crowds) would be welcome.

What I know we’ll want to do

• tower of London
• skygarden
• covent garden
• V & A
• we have tickets for a show
• some cool coffee shops

what we don’t want:

• boat rides
• London Eye

I know it could be boiling in July? (No choice on the dates due to my work). I do not cope well with the heat so I don’t want tons of walking around.

The Elizabeth line has AC too.

If you can get tickets for spirited away I highly recommend it was absolutely amazing and fun for all ages!

Going in August! 👏

It’s not a tube line though.

To all intents and purposes it is a tube line when it is doing its stuff in central London, it’s only when it is let loose in the untamed wilds that its other identity is revealed………

I'd send them teens off for a day without you. London is amazing to walk around.

My top tip for London is to try and group the bits you want to see together to avoid too much travelling and criss crossing across London, epecially if you have 5 days.

To add to possibilities- the Guildhall is interesting for art and the Roman amphitheatre underneath- free.

Eataly at Liverpool street for Italian food.

Imperial War museum, it's huge so maybe do a small part, I liked the spies exhibition.

Mooch around the Barbican., perhaps also walking the Roman walls.

Lots of self guided walks

Bloomsbury - Sir John Soames house.

Borough Market - just to eat lots of food.

Check here for Tower Bridge opening times (ie when the road lifts)
Quite something to see if you're in the area anyway.

F

As you're going to Tower of London have at look at the Gunpowder Plot Experience (colleagues went recently and enjoyed).

In Covent Garden there's a cake shop called Cream Dream which was set up by Unkrainian refugees, and is very pink and instagrammable if they like that sort of thing (v expensive cake). I also like Brigits Bakery which is also very "cute" and tasty food last time I went.

I'd go to China Town for a wander and food if they like Chinese.

I highly recommend to go to Regents Park, especially the part with the Queens Mary's rose garden, it's very beautiful.
Also, st. James Park, it's smaller than Regents Park, but very beautiful, there's a cafe inside.
I wish you a nice trip to London and I hope you'll have a great time.
Also Victoria and Albert museum.

I’m going with with DD in the summer and she’s done a list:
japanese stores, some dr who shop miles out, a Japanese garden somewhere (Holland park maybe), Harry Potter studios, Greenwich, some cake shop, a specialist art shop, some shops in Camden and uniquo.
need to work on a travel plan so we make the most of time.

HP studios are not in London so you will need to prebook a time to allow yourselves to get there.

Yes I’ve done that thanks. We’re staying near King’s Cross so we can get their easily.

RA Summer Exhibition
Hyde Park
German Gymnasium restaurant

Go to Borough market and eat around the stalls, it's that big there were no crowds or queues, great atmosphere.

You’re kidding, right? It’s absolutely rammed about 90% of the time.

Not when I went 2 weeks ago

You need to book Sky Garden in advance.

I see a PP has mentioned Dennis Sever's house in Spitalfields- I came on to suggest it! Quiet, interesting and quirky. I would recommend Hampton Court for teens in the summer holidays- it's a schlep to get to and will be full of tourists.
I'd do smaller, more unusual london museums or places of interest, like Dennis Sever's house, John Soames museum, Leighton house, Morris museum.

Equally, if your kids are interested in art, I'd agree to go serpentine but I would skip the summer exhibition- it gets very busy and salon hangs arent exactly relaxing! I'd suggest looking up Camden art centre/whitechapel, other places around the city and going to an exhibition.

Borough Market
Camden Market
Greenwich
The lift at Battesea Power Station.
Hampton Court.

AcelorMittal Orbit is such fun. In the olympic park. Westfield nearby for shopping

National Gallery
Borough Market (just not at lunchtime)
Fortnums
Hatchards
Kensington Gardens/Hyde Park
Ladies Pond for sure
Hampstead High St for post swimming coffee and buns at Ole & Steen
Soho/Covent Garden

Avoid:
Camden (it's a dump)
Oxford Street (as above, plus thieves)

Seriously!!!!