Museums in London for children

[Lemondrizzle13]

Will be going to London for two nights with 11yo ds. Thinking about visiting one of the museums.

Can anyone recommend which one they think is best for children that age.

I’m thinking either the science museum or the natural history museum as he loves dinosaurs. He also loves all things space related though so really torn.

Any advice or tips greatly appreciated.

Could you go to both? They are literally next to each other so could go see the dinosaurs at the natural history then go next door to the space stuff at the science museum.

Museum of childhood V&A and pump house museum (both east end), then you can do the slide in the Olympic park.

If they like ships Maritime Museum Greenwich.

Go to the bits of both that appeal.

As @beachbum12 says.
Do the dinos in the Natural History and then go next door to the Science Museum for the Space stuff.
They're both free and I don't think you have to have timed tickets anymore.

Don’t forget the fountains in v&A and Hyde park nearby is nice with Diana fountain water feature.

I’ve just googled how close they are and realised that they are literally next to eachother 🙄 should have checked before starting the thread.

Would still welcome any tips.

We are only staying for two nights and want to plan in as much as I can.

You could do the two together on one day and then depending on your sons interests go to a different part of London the next day.
Greenwich is good if he likes maritime history.
There's the Maritime Museum and Cutty Sark there.
Greenwich is just nice in general - cute little market, massive park and fantastic views if you go up the hill.
Tower of London is really interesting too.

Both, they are next door to each other, you used to be able to walk through, not sure if you still can.

I also recommend the maritime museum and take the river bus to get there, think they are uber these days. All 3 are free entry though there may be special extras you can pay for.

@Lemondrizzle13 Where are you staying. Greenwich is great but a great deal of effort if you are central or west London. I’d definitely recommend NH and Science museums. I also found my dc loved the Tower of London. That’s a bit of a journey if you are west but it’s iconic. We always got the clipper or sightseeing river trips back to Westminster. You see quite a lot along the River and it’s way less energy needed than the tube! Takes longer, but more fun.

Westminster Abbey is not cheap, but it’s iconic. As is seeing Big Ben tower. Obviously London is always busy so factor this into journey times.

If you say where you are staying, there might be other ideas. If you are East, then V@A east or London Docklands museum could work.

If you're traveling through Euston or kings cross it's worth popping into the treasures gallery at British library, only small - 30 mins maybe - but really amazing items such as the magna carta and Shakespeare's first folio. All sorts of other little bits too!

The Paradox museum opposite Harrods is fun.

Where are you staying?

I think Wimbledon. We haven’t booked yet but we want to drive in and park then get the tube to the different places. We have done it before and didn’t find it too bad as a lot of places are pretty spread out anyway.

Again though, if anyone can recommend anywhere with parking…

The Antoinette hotel in Wimbledon has parking but is on a first come first serve basis. Good hotel though, I’ve stayed there before.

@Lemondrizzle13 That’s a pretty slow line in though. It’s a branch of the District and not very frequent trains. Can you not just get a train and stay more centrally near a station and choice of underground lines? You are west really at Wimbledon (well SW!) but that’s a long way from The Tower or Greeenwich. Why not go from your nearest station? Hotels with parking are hard to find and will be some way out. Where would a train take you to? You don’t need a car in London.

https://mathsworld.com/

The premier inn Southwark Tate modern seems quite central and close to Southwark station, if ee were to catch the train in.

Otherwise premier inn Waterloo is available, but it’s a 15 minute walk to the station.

The wonder lab at the science museum is brilliant fir kids

The Twist Museum at Oxford Circus is very entertaining and they explain the science behind the optical illusions.

You can't beat the NH museum and the science museum. Even the buildings are amazing!
Mine loved the Transport museum, in Covent Garden
Tower of. London definitely worth a visit.
If you're in Docklands, the branch of the museum if London there is interesting. Unfortunately the main museum is still relocating and shut at the moment - that was really great so hopefully will remain so.

@Lemondrizzle13 Must you park at Wimbledon/Colliers wood? On your other thread you are travelling from Birmingham? So why are you going to SW London at all? I’m confused!

To be honest it was just somewhere we’d stayed before. If I remember correctly we were travelling from somewhere else which might have been why.

London Docklands museum is good, as well as the NHM, maritime museum and science museum. If he enjoys science it may be worth checking if any theatres have science shows on - we’ve seen the brainiac live one before.

The postal museum is interesting, and you can ride in a tiny underground mail train.

The Tower of London is great for all ages, and the Tate modern.

Where are you travelling in from? I’d always say leave the car at home and come by train. If travelling from the north or midlands j 4 of rh M1 ans park at Stanmore tube.
Re hotels - the Westminster park plaza is a great choice - has family rooms and access to very good transport. Join the reward scheme and you’ll get a discount. They also sometimes give and upgrade. Re museums - you can’t go wrong with your plan of natural history and science museums. Also try to do a river trip. If you want to do another museum I’d say the Tower of London.