Just back from 10 days in London with kids
 

Just wanted to thank everyone who helped us with our trip. We have just returned from London, having rented a flat and "lived like a Londoner" for 10 days. I definitely would recommend renting an apartment if you are traveling with children, as there is more room and the option of having kid friendly meals at home rather than always having to go out for a meal. We rented through "A Place Like Home" and were very happy. They had a driver meet us at the airport which was wonderful and he gave us lots of helpful information about the area that we were staying (Earls Court). A greeter was at the apartment when we arrived and spent time showing us how to work the various appliances and answering question after question. The apartment was smaller than we are used to, but definitely roomy enough for us - a family of five. Best of all (according to the kids) it had Sky TV with all their favorite programs on it, which was very helpful after a long day of sightseeing when parents just want to have a drink and veg out for awhile!

Anyway, we had a wonderful time visiting museums and various other attractions. I would recommend the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the London Eye and the British Museum. Our boys also loved the Yeoman Tour at the Tower of London which really made them much more interested in history. We made a trip out to Hampton Court which was a real highlight of the whole trip for all of us. Included in the price of admission is a audio tour that focuses on 6 areas/time periods. Our boys were fascinated about all the history that went on there and at one point two of them started to cry because we were moving too fast through the rooms! The gardens are also beautiful and the boys loved trying to figure out the maze. It helped that the weather that day was picture perfect - it was really a great day.

We took the boys to "Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang" which was fantastic - and our seats were half price and 4 rows from the stage. I would really recommend it - we liked it more than the play we had seen the previous night, "The Far Pavilions". We bought a family travel pass each day and tried as much as possible to ride the buses as this gave us all a better sense of the city. We didn't get out to eat much - our kids are really picky - although we did have some Indian Food one night and a pub lunch another day. For us, it was better to go to Marks and Spensers or Waitrose and buy a prepared dinner to eat at home. Even so, be prepared that the prices are astronomical - a dinner at a pizza place (Pizza Express) would easily run us $75.00! So, in the end we often made the kids sandwiches at the flat and brought them with us on our travels. My husband and I would then buy takeout or have lunch in the cafeteria in a museum and the kids would be perfectly happy eating their meal there too with some crisps or chips bought there.

I had a hard time leaving and am already planning a trip back there in my mind. Be prepared for the high cost of being there. Even though I had heard from others of how costly it was, it didn't sink in until I was there. The experience for all of us, however, made it worth any price. For 10 days we were citizens of London, buying our food at the markets, walking all over the city and just being a part of it all. I believe that it was invaluable to my children and I was thrilled to be back where I had met my husband some 20+ years ago! I say, take the kids - it's worth it!

Thanks for the report; just wondered how old your kids are; we'll be bringing our 6-year old in October and I've been debating Windsor Castle (which I've been to) vs. Hampton Court which looks intriguing--glad to hear you had fun. We are less likely to do museums since we live in D.C. and that's a regular thing for us (although I do know they are wonderful in London), but appreciate knowing what else was a hit for you.

Thanks!

Mary

You might like to try

www.kidslovelondon.com
www.kidstolondon.com

Hi,
thanks for your report, but as marymarra I am wondering how old your kids are. I am considering taking my (then) nearly five year old daughter to London in December, but am wondering if she is too young...
thanks anyway, lots of good ideas...

Having spent half a lifetime in London with kids, there's an attraction that I never see mentioned in these messages, but which is facinating and now very child friendly; the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. This is a vast site, not just gardens but hothouses and exhibitions, some of the hothouses being huge wonders of Victorian engineering. Even if, like me, you are not particularly interested in plants and trees, this place is a good, full day out at any time of year, easily reached by District Line tube from central london. There has been a recent effort to provide excellent fun/education facillities for children, and a little "road train" will save your legs and give you a guided tour -which you will need if you want to see anything like the whole site! Anyhow, I could go on about the place - I would certainly rank it alongside "obvious" sites, like the Tower and the London Eye - but either take my word for it or check out the website. Oh yes, catering is a bit upmarket and overpriced - but it is a good place for a picnic.

ttt

We have three boys, age 12, 10 and 7. Last year I took them to visit a friend and her family in Paris and there was definitely a reluctance on the part of my youngest to do very much walking around, so we tended to do metro and buses. This year he was much more amenable to walking and didn't complain as much. I don't know if it was his age or not, but it was a lot easier this year. Hope that helps - I would still say to take the kids - they really do get a lot out of it!