Kandace_York

Hello, and thanks in advance for your help. I'm refining the London plans for our upcoming trip, and sometimes I think they look OK while other times I think they're a hot mess. Could you lend your wisdom?

We are a family of four (mom, dad, two teens). We'll be arriving in London after a few days in Manchester. We've all been to London before so we've hit many of the big touristy things. This time around, the kiddos are old enough that they can split off on their own, while husband and I take it easier and enjoy some markets, parks and a museum or two. He had knee surgery in the fall, and while he's doing great, some days it bothers him and he's not up to a lot of walking.

I'm thinking, then, that this is really two itineraries. Other than meeting up with the kiddos for meals, they're on their own and are free to do what's here (based on what they've already researched) or discover other things that they think are cool. They're both good at staying in touch and checking in at predesignated times, though I admit, I'm still a little nervous about this.

Day 1: Arrival (barely a half-day, so I don't really count it)
- arrive ~3:30pm, Euston
- get Oyster cards
- check into hostel (right by KGX and only a few minutes from Euston)
- would time be too snug to visit Sky Garden at 5:15pm? (with reservations, of course)
- after Sky Garden, kiddos split off to do their thing
- Mom & Dad relax in South Bank/London Eye area

Day 2
- kiddos go to Cereal Killer Cafe for breakfast, then Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium (w/reservations)
- Mom & Dad visit Natural History Museum, then relax/walk through Kensington Gardens, St. James' Park, etc.
- all 4 meet up mid-day at Hyde Park for a special event there
- all 4 go to Madame Tussauds ("3 of 4 Yorks requested")
- all 4 go to Borough Market for an early supper
- Mom & Dad will probably rest up in the hostel; kiddos will probably want to head out to Soho

Day 3
- kiddos off on their own 'til supper time
- morning: Mom & Dad visit Highgate Cemetery, then Abbey Road Beatles' crosswalk (touristy, I know, but fun for us)
- afternoon: Mom & Dad go to Victoria & Albert Museum
- all 4 meet up in Covent Garden for supper (including freak shakes at Maxwell's)

Day 4
- morning departure to the next stop

I've tried to build some flexibility into the schedule for myself and husband in case he wants to rest up through the day. I'm hopeful that we'll be able to do more than this, including maybe just maybe a canal boat ride at Little Venice, but am trying not to micromanage.

Your feedback is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

janisj

>>- would time be too snug to visit Sky Garden at 5:15pm? (with reservations, of course)<<

Is this a weekday? The Sky Garden closes at 6PM. Instead of rushing to get there for the 'view', why not book an early dinner in the Brasserie and get the same view. It serves dinner from 5:30.

IMO day 2 doesn't make sense -- traveling from Mme Tussauds to Borough mkt. The Market closes at 5PM and you would be very lucky/fast to go to 'some event' then up to Marylebone for the wax works and then all the way down to Southwark (and THEN all the way back to Kings Cross). Zig zagging all over the place. If you do Mme Tussauds you need to allow at least 2 hours. Find somewhere else closer to eat . . .

On Day 3 Mom and Dad will be bouncing around on the tube for sure. Kings Cross > Archway/Highgate > St John's Wood > South Kens > Covent Garden.

Kandace_York

Thanks, janisj. How's this?

Day 2
- kiddos go to Cereal Killer Cafe for breakfast, then Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium (w/reservations)
- Mom & Dad visit Natural History Museum, then relax/walk through Kensington Gardens, St. James' Park, etc.
- all 4 meet up mid-day at Hyde Park for a special event there
- all 4 go to Madame Tussauds ("3 of 4 Yorks requested")
- Mom & Dad will probably rest up in the hostel before going to Victoria & Albert Museum in evening (Friday, so it's open late); kiddos will probably want to head out to Soho

Day 3
- all 4 have breakfast at Borough Market, then kiddos are off on their own 'til supper time
- morning: Mom & Dad visit Highgate Cemetery, then Abbey Road Beatles' crosswalk (touristy, I know, but fun for us)
- all 4 meet up in Covent Garden for supper (including freak shakes at Maxwell's)

Yes, this visit comes during the week, and I agree, it would be nice to have a meal at the Sky Garden, but the Darwin Brasserie is pretty far beyond our food budget. I guess we could afford tea or coffee, but would it be an insult to make a reservation and then just order inexpensive drinks?

jamikins

Day 2 - borough market closes at 5pm. Market stalls will be closing up shortly before that so you are looking at a very early dinner. And some may have run out of stuff. Markets are best done for lunch.

Kandace_York

Got it, thanks -- I've changed the Borough Market trip to late breakfast/early lunch the next day instead.

nytraveler

No need for any concern for kids on their own. Our DDs (then 11 and 14) did some things on their one on our first trip to London and Paris and by our second trip (they were 14 and 17) they were doing things on their own in the evenings as well. As long as teens are sensible and used to public transit this is really a no brainer - and makes a better trip for everyone.

Kandace_York

Thanks, this is reassuring!

kawh

it's been a while, but isn't borough market closer to the london eye... or at least on the same side of the river. maybe do the market and then the eye on that first day...??

janisj

kawh: They don't arrive at Euston until 3:30. By the time they get their Oysters, check in to the hostel, unpack and get out it will probably be 5PM-ish. Too late to be going to the market.

Kandace_York

Good points, janisj and kawh. We've already done the London Eye, so although it was fun we don't need a do-over there. But sunset drinks at the Sky Garden, and Borough Market the next day for a late breakfast/early lunch sounds amazing. We love love LOVE Borough Market!