London with kids

Old Feb 9th, 2016, 11:40 AM
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London with kids

Hello,

I am planning to visit England this August for the first time with my family (3 kids - 5,7,9). Can you suggest a two week itenary starting in London. We are thinking of staying in London for 6 nights and then renting a car to drive out into the countryside or perhaps even Scotland. Any suggestions / ideas would be appreciated. My kids would love to stay in a castle if possible.
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Old Feb 9th, 2016, 11:51 AM
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Do you have any guide books or have any specific places you want to visit? There are (quite literally) hundreds of options so sure, we could propose an itinerary (or many different itineraries really) but it usually works better if you come up w/ at least a basic plan. Then we can help you refine/improve it.

What sorts of things do you want to see/do?
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Old Feb 9th, 2016, 04:31 PM
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If you look in the various guide books there are tons of lists of things to do with kids.

One day trip from London I would not miss is Hampton Court Palace. You can go one way by boat and the other by train. Besides the palace itself there are quite a few costumed docents demonstrating how people lived in Tudor times. Never mind the grounds and famous maze.
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Old Feb 9th, 2016, 05:43 PM
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re my post -- It was about what to do after London.

IN London the basic first timer family list usually includes some or all of these: The Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, a musical or play, the parks (especially Hyde Park /Kensington Gardens and St James's Park), Westminster Abbey and/or St Paul's, a river or canal boat ride, watching buskers in Covent Garden, riding the Eye, a ride on a double decker bus (not the H-o-H-o), the Museum of London, Imperial war Museum, Greenwich, London Transport Museum, Horse Guards, Trafalgar Square, Hamley's, an Afternoon tea, and possibly Windsor Castle/Legoland . . . and others -- this list is very family-friendly.
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Old Feb 9th, 2016, 11:26 PM
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Just to add to the London overload - don't forget Coram's Fields and maybe the option of a city farm:

www.coramsfields.org/
http://www.timeout.com/london/things...arms-in-london
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Old Feb 10th, 2016, 01:27 AM
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A good (if not cheap) castle stay is possible at Warwick castle, roughly a two-hour drive from London.

I took my children (and wife) to stay there a couple of years ago when they were 5 and 2 and they loved it. We stayed in a huge tent (can't bring myself to call it glamping) with proper beds, lighting and even a wooden floor in the grounds of the castle and it was really, really good fun.

The camping area has activities (archery, jester 'school' etc.) for the children and allows access to the castle proper an hour or so before the doors open to the great unwashed every morning of your stay.

Having had a look at their website, they seem to have increased the type and number of accommodations that they offer, including the possibility of staying in the castle proper;

https://www.warwick-castle.com/accom...ck-castle.aspx

It may be pricey, but I found it to be worth every penny.
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Old Feb 16th, 2016, 06:17 AM
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Thank you so much for all the advice and especially for the list of things to do around London.

A few follow up questions :
My tentative itenary would be stay in LONDON x 6 nights and do most of the things mentioned by JanisJ then go to Warwick and glamp for either 1 or 2 nights. I then have 3 nights that I need to fill in ___ and was planning on finishing off by staying in the Cotswolds for final 3 nights.

1. Any recommendations on where to go after Warwick?
2. Is it worth going down to Brighton?
3. Should I rent a car after London to drive to Warwick and the Cotswolds?

Jay -G : I love the idea of glamping at Warwick . Would you recommend staying for one or two nights?
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Old Feb 16th, 2016, 08:22 AM
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nadak - for us, one night was sufficient as it allowed us to fully explore the castle without rushing, make the most of the evening activities (including picnicking on the banks of the Avon) and spend some time strolling around Warwick on the following day.

Then again, I spent a good portion of my youth living within spitting distance of the castle so know the area well.

There'd be plenty for you to do in the vicinity you stayed for two nights, particularly if you rented a car. Stratford on Avon is only 20 minutes or so drive away and there are plenty of other places worth visiting nearby as well.

I think that there would definitely be enough for you to do for three full days and the novelty factor of staying in the castle grounds would definitely make two nights worth it, particularly if it's something you're unlikely to do again.

As for your question regarding Brighton, I'd suggest that if you didn't include it in your itinerary, you wouldn't be missing much. Other than being able to see the sea and have a few games on the pier, it really is like pretty much any other small, English town.

It's also become expensive to spend a day there as parking prices are exorbitant, lots of the shops and attractions are aimed at day-trippers / tourists and it attracts lots of stag and hen parties, so you can pretty much guarantee you'll be dodging puddles of puke as you stroll about. Honestly (and somewhat sadly) I'd suggest your time could be wiser spent elsewhere.

Hope this helps.
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Old Feb 16th, 2016, 08:49 AM
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You can decide about Brighton after you are in London -- it is an easy train ride away. My guess is you won't even consider it because you will have soooooo much to do IN London.

Two night camping at Warwick would be great fun - There is so much to do in the area - one day you can devote to the Castle and the town of Warwick itself, St Mary's church/the Beauchamp Chapel (have the kids look for the bears in the chapel), the Lord Leycester Hospital (its not a 'hospital').

The other day you can go to Stratford -- especially Mary Arden's House has fun things for kids. And the ruins at Kenilworth Castle.

Then leave for the Cotswolds and stay in any of what flanner calls the microtowns (Burford Chipping Campden, Stow on the Wold, others). Visit Minster Lovell and the very interesting doocot (dovecote)



https://www.google.com/search?q=mins...HcBpBmoQsAQIMg

http://www.mediastorehouse.com/p/106...272-442509.jpg

https://www.google.com/search?q=keni...xJAfgQ_AUIBigB

http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit-...dens-farm.html
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Old Feb 23rd, 2016, 06:12 AM
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Hello all,

Many thanks for all the advice. I think the trip planning is coming along nicely thanks to all your input. One other question : for week 2, I would like to book a villa / cottage to relax in but also to do day trips into the surrounding areas with our kids.
I am debating between two properties : one is near Bath in the Cotswolds (specifically in Castle Combe) while the other is Shipton Gorge, Dorset near Weymouth.
Which of the two areas would you recommend for things to see and do with the kids?
Thanks
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Old Feb 23rd, 2016, 07:17 AM
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Both are absolutely chock a block with things to see/do within a reasonable drive..

You'll likely love either location. I'd pick based on whether you want to be near the sea or not.
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Old Feb 25th, 2016, 02:46 AM
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Interesting!1 its nice to hear that you are planning summer holidays in London with your kids. London in august is great place to visit where you can numerous things to do and enjoy your trip. some highlights in august are carnival at Notting hill and music festival at somerset house,Shrek's adventure London and many more. For more check out
http://www.timeout.com/london/kids/t...-kids-hot-list

http://www.timeout.com/london/things...ents-in-august
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