CaliNurse

Greetings, all!

First time taking grandsons (aged 10 and 14) with me on two week trip to London.They've never been to UK or elsewhere in Europe. One is more "bookish" the other more "gotta find the nearest place to work off energy" type kid.

The first five days, and then the weekend of June 2-5, are "firm" for London. Having lived and visited there, I have some good ideas for what will appeal to them (but am always open to further ideas).

I think School Holidays start June 1 in 2012. June 2-5 is Jubilee Weekend. Not sure these will affect getting accomodations outside London. Thoughts on this?

We have two day/nights, then four day/nights, periods to spend outside London traveling by public transport. Seeking ideas for these times. They love great beaches for swimming (eg Hawaii) but i doubt water would be comfortable in late May early June in UL.
Perhaps York for two days? Thoughts, experiences, on this destination?? Maybe Paris via Eurostar for three days? Ideas, feedback, ALL suggestions ,most welcome.
Thank you!!!!

CaliNurse

Sorry, i meant beaches in UK( not UL)

texasbookworm

Oxford might be great for your bookish one, and there's plenty of walking to do so energy required from other.

York might be terrific. Not too long train ride, great walls and Minster; heard some of the other museums, which we didn't get to, might appeal to kids, too.

There were lots of kid-friendly things going on along Hadrian's Wall when we were there but that might be too hard via public transport (we had car).

Stonehenge might appeal--not sure if trip combined with Salisbury or Bath might be too much travel for the need-energy-outlet one!

They'd both probably adore Dover Castle. And we loved our walks along the White Cliffs, although via public transport that takes some planning.

Might check out British Heritage website--don't know if they'd have schedule of kid events up yet. Kids were having a blast at Battle Abbey (Battle of Hastings site) and Bodiam Castle (which can be reached via train and steam engine I think--we had a car so didn't do that, but there is a steam engine that runs from some little town to the rail station near the castle) when we were at those places last summer.

qwovadis

Cotswolds StoneHenge Bath area castles and wildlife parks.

Brits conquered the world in search of

sunshine

a good beach

a good meal

so usually go for cultural experience

Wales has some castles on some decent beaches... water cold

Russel Crows recent Robin Hood was filmed there...

Miight alos consider shooting up to Lake Country perhaps

Edinburgh Castle Guest House... very Harry Potterish...

travelforkids.com good site with other good tips...

Happy Planning,

qwovadis

Castleview - Come and visit Edinburgh with its spectacular skyline, and stay at Castle View Guest House, less than 100 metres from Princes Street.
www.castleviewgh.co.uk

BKP

I thought Oxford, but maybe Cambridge instead -- if you go punting it might burn some energy of your busy child!

Mary24

My suggestions would be to look at Hampton Court - check the website for activities on any given day.

Take a boat trip from central London to Greenwich.

Also look at Warwick Castle - I know its cheesy, now owned by the Madame Tussauds people - but if you get your grandsons to check out the website to see if it interests them. An easy day trip from London.

Also would check out the London Walks website. Walks.com Some very child oriented - Beachcombing walks along the Thames, Harry Potter walks as well as their standard walks to Westminister Abbey and the like. But they do Explorer Days, which may fit in with your plans.

Mimar

I second York. Both kids and the adults should like it. The Railway Museum, the Castle Museum, and Jorvik Viking Center are all good. I haven't been to the York Dungeon but that also sounds like something kids would like. In addition to the old city walls and the Cathedral.

The Cotswolds are lovely but better for older people with a car. However, Warwick is reachable by train, and Warwick Castle has lots of kid-friendly stuff. Stratford-on-Avon isn't far from Warwick and is also reachable by train. In addition to the Shakespearean sites, there are boat trips on the river.

Closer to London is Hampton Court Palace. It has various degrees of enactments plus a maze.

Britain is really good for making sights kid-friendly. Almost every museum has some special activity.

janisj

two days in York and 3-4 days in Scotland would be great for both kids.

Several of the musts IN York have been described above The Railway Museum is terrific, the Jorvick centre is touristy but good for kids. And the York Castle Museum is one of the best in the country w/LOTS of kid-centric exhibits.

AND for Harry Potter fans--a ride on the Pickering to Whitby steam train stops at Goathland station . . . Which was Hogsmeade station in the films.

Then in Edinburgh -- you can see Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle(a short train ride from Edinburgh) and Linlithgow (an even shorter train ride from Edinburgh), climb Arthur's seat-just all sorts of great stuff . . .

If you don't want to go that far twice -- then 4 days in Edinburgh and 2 days in Kent (Dover Castle, beaches, animal park, etc)

irishface

Lots of great recommendations above. I took two nephews 12 and 10 to England (their choice for 15 days) and the next two (11 and 14) to Scotland.

I gave both sets a couple of guidebooks a while before and they were to choose some things they wanted to see.

We did have the advantage of a rental car so we could stop at will and take a walk when one was indicated.

In England we had five days in London--among their choices and highlights were Tower, Westminster Abbey, a boat trip down the thames to Greenwich. Greenwich was first choice for older one; he wanted to stand on the International Date Line.

Outside of London we visited Warwick Castle and Windsor Castle--my choice but enjoyed by both boys. Either of these two could be done as a day trip from London.

We went farther afield into Wales to see castles (their choice--well actually joint choice as I love castles as well). Most of these would be hard to do without car.

Stonehenge, younger one's top pick, was enjoyed by all. Also, to my surprise, they liked Salisbury cathedral as well.

Bodiam was also a favorite. Unplanned incident there has found its way into family lore and is still quoted 21 years later. We took a ride on the Dymchurch and Hythe little steam train.

Have fun and enjoy seeing things through the eyes of children.

irishface

The website for the little railroad is http://www.rhdr.org.uk
I had the names in wrong order as it is Romney,Hythe, and Dymchurch.

The website has pictures, time tables, fares, and directions for getting there via public transport.

At one of the ends of the trip is a wonderful model train set up! I loved it as did the boys. At the time (preinternet), I found this in a small article used as a filler in a travel mag and it was a surprise for the train addict in the bunch.

BigRuss

You're taking GRANDsons, that means you're old enough to be grandparents. For that reason, I'd skip Castle View Guest House in Edinburgh and find another in Princes Street area. Castle View is aptly named and close to the Castle, but it's also a 3-story walkup with no elevator and that will be less pleasant for you.

Walking the energetic one around Edinburgh, where all the hills only go UP, would work well. The Castle is a good visit and if he listens to the blood-and-guts versions of the history of The Palace of Holyrood House, he'll be in energetic monkey heaven.

CaliNurse

Wow, this feels like Christmas morning! Went to sleep with no replies, then woke, checked Fodors, and ....lots of gifts in the form of fantastic advice from all of you!

I have learned so much, including places i never heard of rom Irishface(Bodiam, the little steam train) Thanks for info on which places are easily reachable by public transport. (My one attempt to drive on the "other" side of the road was scarier than anything on a London Walk Ghost Tour.)

Great idea to have the kids peruse guidebook, ask the kids and have THEM choose (with a little grandmotherly guidance) When i mentioned the castles you all mentioned--I got great response from the kids!

Thank you all for replies about York, which make it easier to decide on it. Now have to book accommodation. As we will be in UK around TWO consecutive Monday bank holidays, many family oriented hotels are already completely booked!

Wonderful idea Janis about getting on that steam train in Yorkshire. Thank you and Mary for anticipation my question about Harry Potter related info. Thanks Mary, have searched "walks" site you recommended. They all sound great!

Re: Edinburgh--it'd be a great place for the kids to see, but as i recall, it's a kind of long train journey, and i wanted to avoid domestic plane rides. I know you love Edinburgh Janis cause you once wrote that there must be something wrong with anyone --in that case, me--who doesn't think its worth a long stay. (-; Serioulsy, I appreciate your advice and enthusiasm.

Big Russ, thanks for the realization that as a grandma, walking up lts of steps is NOT my fav activity. Qwo vadis, thanks as always for your concise info--and you have me laughing with the logic of what the Brits search for OUTSIDE their area--i.e why they are not known for beautiful beaches or sunshine (although the FOOD has definitely improved over the last 40 yrs)

Texas, thank your for rec of british Heritage site.

Thanks ALL for recs for London and day trips from it. Boat ride to Greenwhich--missed the time line when i was there. I also love its High Street look and the kind of places -that are fast disappearing, but hopefully a haven't since last time there in 2005)


Hampton Court YES.Tower, will get tix for Ceremony of the Keys there too have checked London Walks for their tours in London and day trip to Stratford?
\
Thanks for input re my :energetic monkey"(BigRuss, so true) from all. BKP idea of punting on river in Cambridge to work off energy I love Cambridge! Great idea!!! Will have to see if there is a minimum age limit for rowing.

Again, many "TA"s to you all!!!!!!!!!!!

janisj

"<i>it's a kind of long train journey, and i wanted to avoid domestic plane rides.</i>"

Not really. The day train takes just barely over 4 hours Kings Cross to the center of Edinburgh. And if that is too long - there is the option of the sleeper. Leave Euston station at around 11:30 PM and wake up looking up at Edinburgh Castle.The kids might really get a kick out of a sleeper train.

The day train is actually probably faster city centre to city centre than schlepping out to the airport, advance check in, etc.

CaliNurse

Wow, Janis, that is lots faster than i recalled (mind you, it was 2002) And funny, i was THINKING of how and where to we could book a sleeper. I will look into that

The long train journey is one reason, shortly after posting, that I nixed Paris via Eurostar...and was glad to see no one else here had suggested it either.

janisj

OK, to confuse you even more >><i>The long train journey is one reason, shortly after posting, that I nixed Paris via Eurostar...and was glad to see no one else here had suggested it either.</i><<

There ain't no long train ride. St Pancras to Gare du Nord takes only approx 2 hours. - a bit faster than the train to York . . .

CaliNurse

Jeez Louise (and JanisJ) i am waaayyy behind on these facts. Have been relying on 9 yr old memory of train times (last time to Edinburgh or Paris via train was 2002) . Evidently , memory is very inaccurate.
Hmm...now I AM confused, but pleasantly so. So Paris is back as a possibility, for last 4 days of trip.
Just booked Churchill Hotel in York, easy walk from train and to center. Can cancel later if needed, but for now, am thrilled about price for a family room in what looks to be the kind of hotel the grandkids haven't seen in the USA.
JanisJ, i checked into your suggestion of Yorkshire steam train from Pickerting via Goatsherd Stn, and on to Whitby. There's a bus from York to Pickering and vv, for the day trip. Brilliant idea--thank you!!!
On to research on the Fodorites' recommended Warwick Castle,either one of the walks from the suggested walks company, or gently persuading a friend that it would be a great day trip via her car, for her grandson and my guys!

janisj

You know how much I love LOVE Edinburgh, and IMO the city would be perfect for boys the ages/interests of your Grand kids. Literary connections (Walter Scott, JK Rowling, etc.), bloody history, Castles, Bagpipes etc.

But honestly, either Paris or Edinburgh would be a wonderful 4 day trip from London.

Mary24

I would go to Warwick Castle by train from Marylebone Station. From Warwick station its an easy walk to the castle. I know it was me who first recommended London Walks to you but I wouldn't do this trip using London walks as they combine it with Stratford and I dont think this is child friendly (bit too educational). I think you could easily spend longer at Warwick Castle than you would get with one of their combined day tours.

CaliNurse

Thank you , Mary!!

I looked at the Warwick Castle website (and will show to grandsons, per your recco) and it looks like great fun, lots of activities...and the kind of place they won't want to be pulled away from. We will go on our own, instead of the day trip, and if we have time and energy, see Stratford-upon-Avon. If they are bored, we can leav. e Going by train, you're right--much better idea !!

Meanwhile, i wrote to the london Walks and got a great detailed response from them about the London walks they think are good for kids. Even a pub walk--because the pubs have outdoor areas!! Pubs are mentioned so often in movies,etc, i'm sure they'd like to see what one looks like.