London with 12 year old

[weebarra]

DD and I are going to London from Edinburgh in February for 4 days. I’ve searched MN and found some useful ideas but looking for other specifically ‘London’ things to do. She’s not very into crowds but I’m sure we’ll cope if we build in time for green spaces etc.
So far we have booked to see The Mousetrap and I’m planning to book Skygarden when the ticket slots open, but that’s pretty much it.
Obviously being 12 she wants to go to Sephora and the Jellycat cafe.
We’re staying near Liverpool St.
Thanks for any ideas!

I love the museum of childhood Bethnal Green, also the Maritime museum at Greenwich ( get the Thames clipper) wandering about Borough Market is always fun and the Tate Modern ( cross the blade of light bridge).

When mine were that age we did:
Tourist boat from Embankment to Greenwich and back. Great photo opportunities and funny commentary. In summer though…
Natural History Museum
Hyde Park
Notting Hill/Portobello Market
Camden(brilliant for shopping and food at the market but it gets very crowded sorry)
You could look up film and tv locations she’d recognise too. Wonka, I think was filmed in Borough Market.
Inatagram has useful accounts for secret London/free attractions.
Have a great time x

Bring AirPods or headphones for her to wear on the tube if she is a bit overwhelmed- it helped my dd a lot. She loves London now but was quite overwhelmed our first visit when she’d have also been 12.
we loved the Tower of London and got a years membership so that we could go back over two days in between other activities. Uber boat to Greenwich was fun. The museums are fab and free. The war museum was an unexpected hit.

Last time we went DC enjoyed a meal and wandering around the shops in China town.
Following with interest as we’re going back in Feb.

Does she like musical theatre? Look on TodayTix for tickets.
V&A is great if she’s into art and design. Lovely cafe too.
A walk round the National Gallery, through Trafalgar Square and around Covent Garden is always interesting.
Time Out for more ideas.

We go to London quite often as we're close and have family there. We normally go to one of the big museums - British museum, natural history or science museum. Make sure you book a (free) ticket to skip the queues.

My 13 year old always wants to go and mooch around the big forbidden planet shop at Tottenham Court Road.

National Portrait Gallery is always good. Museum of London if it's open. Liberty of London is just a nice space and they have a Lego model of the store