Scottish country bumpkins in London

[Weegiemum]

We have 2 days and 2 nights in London at the end of June. Our kids are 4, 6, 8.

We were thinking - Science museum, natural history, poss seeing some famous sights eg Big Ben.

Accomodation sorted. Does anyone have any ideas about central places to eat (we are staying nr St Paul's Cathedral) and also where should we take the kids?

hi, you could try an open top bus tour bus ticket. They have various routes which cover the main attractions. And you can get on and off as you like. See buckingham palace etc without having to actually go in.
If you are doing the museums then you could walk up to Kensington Gardens and to the lovely play ground themed on Peter Pan.

Staying at St Pauls most places will be closed after office hours as its the city. Are you at the youth hostel there? I live at the Angel which is a 20 minute ride on the 4 bus and well known as an eating out area, with too much choice along Upper St. Or China town is easily accessible if your kids are adventurous. If you want a smaller museum the Museum of London is very near St pauls [a short walk] park and in managable chunks. They often have story telling and excellent hands on stuff at the weekends. Nothing for the 2 year old especially though.Also very near is 'postmans park' a tiny green square with a wall full of plaques in memory of brave deeds in london.

Also from St Pauls you can walk across the millenium bridge and take a boat up the river either westminster to see big ben or the other direction to Greenwich to see the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory in lovely Greenwich Park. From Greenwich you can walk through the Thames foot tunnel which goes under the river and my son used to think that was really cool at that age.

Gosh I am getting carried away here.
If you think of any thing else then let us know, and enjoy your trip.

bus trip a good idea. I liked the London Eye and kids probably would too

Oh ! how about the imperial war museum if your boys like looking at planes and tanks? Its great, and a nice size. I always try and do the smaller museums than the two big ones you mentioned as they are so full and I get overwhelmed. Its south of the river but easy to get too, St Pauls is a really good location.

Kids are free on the buses not on tubes.

Sorry you dont have a two year old. I am confused.

You can do loads from St Pauls by crossing over to Tate Modern and doing stuff along the river

Do this it's fab. Plus London Eye or get on a boat on the river.

The open top buses are good for giving wee ones a rest and seeing a lot of stuf

DON'T DO: Tussauds or the London Dungeon - waste of a lot of money

PS Science Museum is great for that age.

Also the Zoo is good

Yes we are at the YH at St Pauls - it was less than £100 for 5 of us B&B which seems like a good deal for our own room

thanks for sugestions. Chinatown sounds good as they all love Chinese food. We'd love to go over to the Tate but wondered if kids would just find it boring! Greenwich I think would be nice (I lived in N kent age 6-11 and have cool memories of it) - and the open top bus I hadnt thought of but a great idea.

Thanks guys - keep em coming!