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!

Rubicund

Day 2 Borough Market--the market closes at 5pm, 6pm on a Friday and stalls start to close earlier than that, so it's unlikely that you'll get an early dinner in the market. You'll probably get food in the pubs around and about.

Kandace_York

Thanks. I tagged this with Ukraine instead of United Kingdom by mistake so I reposted it correctly. Another person has mentioned the same great point you made and we've reworked the schedule for that day. Thank you!