KyraS

With regards to the family member who may have an issue with crowds, I've tried to think back, to see what may be an issue. Wherever you are, I think that if you find yourself in a crowded situation and need assistance, any staff member or "official" would be happy to help you in whatever way possible. I do not mean to pry, and please ignore impertinent questions, but if the problem is claustrophobia, or sensory overload, or just feeling uncomfortable in crowds, will public transit be an issue? Do you need advice about transit options?

There is a lot of "breathing room" at Hampton Court Palace, and the grounds are huge, so I doubt if feeling squashed in the crowds would ever be a concern there.

I didn't recall feeling too hemmed in at Windsor, but we were lucky to visit on a day with almost no other visitors, and it could feel a little crammed if it were crowded. There were fewer places to sit down and you'd have to go farther to get outside.

I think if you visit the Tower of London early you may be able to avoid the worst of the crowds. Definitely go to the Crown Jewels first thing, to avoid the rush. There is a lot of outdoor space at the Tower, so whoever is feeling overwhelmed could always sit on a bench outdoors and not go inside somewhere, if they need a break. It can get a bit crowded inside the White Tower, but the displays are very good. I would probably ask the staff member at the door, before you enter the White Tower, about quick ways to exit if needed.

Westminster Abbey can get crowded as well, and that could be overwhelming in some parts of the Abbey. However, if you did a verger tour, and spoke to the verger just before the start of the tour, I imagine they would do their best to protect you from the crowds.

The very top level of the dome at St Paul's doesn't have a great deal of room, so if that were crowded (I'd send up an advance party from the second level, which has plenty of space) then I might not take the crowd-averse person up there. While I don't have an issue with crowds, I do have a major issue with heights, but I climbed to the top of the dome anyway and am very glad I did!

I've never been to the Changing of the Guard but understand the crowds can be large. You might want to skip this, find another place to stand and not watch the main ceremony, try for the ceremony at Windsor if you go, or see if you can catch the Guard Change at the Horse Guards Parade, or even just walk past there.

Janis is right, and I meant to mention, about the Impressionist art at the Courtald Gallery.

janisj

KyraS makes a great point re if public transit could be an issue. The tube can get quite crowded, and some station platforms as well. Parts of the day can be fine but during the morning and afternoon commutes -- ESPECIALLY in the late afternoon/early evening some stations can be like the photos you've seen of crowded subways in Tokyo with 'pushers', but without the pushers.

Some stations such as South Kensington (during hours the museums are open), Victoria, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and others can be really crowded any time of day.

In general, buses wil be less crowded (but again - not in the early afternoon commute).

Tulips

Regarding crowds on the underground; make sure you have a plan in case you get separated. I've seen families try to get on a train while the doors were starting to close, and get separated - don't get on the train once doors start to close. If you should get separated, get out at the next stop and wait there.

Kids usually like the bus - but it takes longer to get around.

I second the suggestion for afternoon tea at the Orangerie. Tea at the Wallace Collection is also very nice. Some of the teas at upscale hotels can be a bit long and boring for children.

Tulips

The Museum of London is good to visit on the first day of your trip. Gives a nice overview of the history of London.

sanibella

These are great points re: transportation and crowds. The crowds are a concern to our middle child, who gets anxious when she gets blanketed into a sea of people and then stuck there. Amusement parks and long, winding queues are not her thing. The result is an upset stomach (basically an abdominal migraine) and it affects all of us for at least the remainder of the day. For the most part I think she will be fine - we did go to Boston for a week with few issues. The only time she had a problem there was in a special exhibit at a museum where the entry was timed. As we waited we were in a large crowd (about 200 people) with little space to stand back or out of the way. We were about to leave just as they allowed our group to enter. She did fine on the T there even when it was very crowded. She has also been to New York City several times. But - take her to Disney World and she's a total wreck.

For this reason we do like to plan around the most crowded parts of the day and stay away from long winding lines. She is fine with long waits or large groups as long as she doesn't feel locked in and like she won't be moving along in short order.

The info above re: crowds and transportation is very helpful for our planning as we pull together an itenerary. You all are so thoughtful to have taken the time to think that through! I will definitely heed your advice as we are planning! Thank you!

stokebailey

The bus is way more fun anyway, as you probably know.

TDudette

Thinking about children, I too would choose Westminster before St. Paul's also.

Although my DH and I loved the National Gallery, there were more oohs and aahs at the British Museum.

If I had to skip anything (and I hope you don't), it would be Windsor.

Please report back and have a wonderful time.

BarbAnn

I second the idea of a trip to Greenwich. We took our then 12 year old son and he had a blast.

You might get some age appropriate books or videos of London and it's history. Let the kids have a voice on where they would like to visit. Our son was into Harry Potter, so we visited some of the sites. Our son actually wanted to visit Stonehenge. I arranged for an after hours visit inside the ropes. He wanted to visit Harrods. We let him buy one book at Harrods and it is still a prized possession. If the kids help decide some of the sites to see, they are more vested in the trip and seem to enjoy the trip better.

janisj

If you go to Greenwich -- I;d take a n=boat there, then walk <i>under</i> the river and take the (driverless) DLR back into the city. Kids generally love the boat, love the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory, think walking under the river is cool, and especially if sitting in the first car, are fascinated by the driverless train.

Then you get off the DLR almost across the street from the Tower of London.

Scootoir

We have been to Westminster Abbey when it is very crowded and might be difficult for your daughter. Although I think children might enjoy the Abbey more than St. Paul's it is something to consider. On our last visit to St. Paul's one of the docents gave a wonderful tour to a school class that we eavesdropped on for a bit. Unfortunately it looks like the restaurant in the crypt is closed for refurbishing. They used to serve tea there.

MarthaT

You have to think about the weather also. I have been to London twice in March and both times had cold rainy days during the week I was there.
You might want to plan museum days for times like this. You can always check the weekly weather before you leave and plan accordingly.

bilboburgler

I think there is a harry potter world uptowards Luton, might make a fun day out

maxima

When traveling in London keep in mind:

Children aged five to 10 can travel free at any time by Tube, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London (where pay as you go is accepted), as long as they travel with an adult who has a valid ticket (up to four children can travel free with one adult) or if they have a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard. They can travel unaccompanied and without a photocard on trams and buses. Find out more about 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard on the Transport for London website.

On MBNA Thames Clippers river bus services, kids aged five and under travel free. Families may purchase a Family River Roamer ticket, which allows unlimited hop-on hop-off river travel for two adults and three children, after 9am.

Children aged 11 to 15 years can travel free on buses and trams and at child rate on Tube, DLR and London Overground services, provided they have an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard. Find out more about the 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard on the Transport for London website.


The British Museum has activity backpacks for kids for visits during the week.

sanibella

Gosh, this is great! Thank you all. The transportation info is helpful.

My husband had suggested the British museum over the National Gallery. I thought the kids would enjoy seeing works by artists they are familiar with and have studied, but based on your recommendations now I am re-thinking that. If you had to choose only one, which would you choose?

stokebailey

Flip a coin! Both are wonderful. The Nat'l Gallery has the advantage of fronting the fun scene at Trafalgar Square.

janisj

For kids the ages of yours -- my top three sites would be the Tower of London, British Museum, and Natural History museums.

The next tier would be St Paul's or Westminster Abbey, National/National Portrait Galleries, V&A, Imperial War, Museum of London, and London Transport museum.

All the above are great - but the Tower, Br. Museum and Natural History are heaven for kids and would be the musts IMO.

maxima

I would do the British Museum, so that they can experience new things that they will not see elsewhere.

The British Library is free and has an exhibit that will be on while you are there on Alice in Wonderland. Also on display the magna carta, a Shakespeare folio, Gutenberg bible. The exhibit space isn't overwhelming and there are interactive displays where you can "turn" pages,


for Harry Potter lovers.. London locations can be found at

http://www.the-magician.co.uk/harry-...-locations.htm

St Pancras Station with the mock platform, is very close to the British Library.

you may also want to look on Fodors forum or other sites for info about using paper train tickets to get 2 for 1 admissions at various sites such as the Tower of London.

sanibella

I wanted to thank you all for your help planning our London trip. We had an amazing time, and I posted my trip report here. As usual you were all spot on!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-memories.cfm

bilboburgler

By heck have they moved the HP platform from Kings Cross to St Pancras? As the great Paul Danials would have said "that's magic".