I will be in London for one day with my 8 year old daughter (we are taking a day flight and have a layover on our way to Zurich). I am wondering what would be a good way to see something of London for just one day. I am also wondering if it is worth going to a matinee theater show.
Thanks!

London is great for children that age. Even with the day flight you will be jetlagged so may want to sleep in. I would plan 2 attractions at most with lots of reviving fresh air. The Tower of London or Westminster Abbey are 2 great places to take in the history of the city. There are lots of free museums like the British Museum and National Gallery. Check the destinations section of this site with your daughter and you will find lots of wonderful things to do.

I am not sure about sitting in a dark theatre after a long flight. I know that my first couple days need to be active or I would be falling asleep everywhere. If you do choose a show try the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for discounts.

Have a great time.

Since a matinee will use up more than half of the 'sightsee-able day', especially when you include a pre-theatre lunch, I don't think it would be that great a plan.

As for what else to see/do -- what sorts of things do you and your daughter enjoy? For many -- the Tower of London would be #1 on the list. Butt there are great parks, museums, etc too.

Take her on the London Eye

http://www.londoneye.com/

you'll see a lot of London!..then you 'll be pretty near Westminster and Trafalgar Square and can walk through the park to Buckingham Palace

How long is the layover? Don't forget to factor in the check-in and travelling times (you can subtract a good five-six hours from the gap between one flight's landing time and the next's departure time).

Take Patricklondon's advice as the travel times and check in times at the LON airports take the better part of a morning or afternoon in themselves!

If Heathrow is involved at all you may just want to spend a leisurely day at the convenient Windsor.(15-min by bus).

See the castle, take a boat ride, have a nice pub meal and shop.

open top bus tour if the weather is nice.

Thanks so much to all of you for your suggestions. We arrive on a Friday night and don't depart until Sunday afternoon so we have a good 24 hours to explore. trvlgirlmq your comment about the theater makes so much sense - of course it would be more helpful to us if we were out and about. The London Eye looks like such fun, I'm sure she will love it.

Sue Coan

There are also some lovely parks in central London - my favorite is St James' park by Buckingham Palace. Lots of birds and I think there is a playground area at one end.

I would personally recommend the South BAnk when you have only one day here. Perfect for a nice walk and sight seeing...
This guide is helpful in planning just a day: http://www.my-london-guide.com

Trying to see London from a child's point of view, I would recommend the London Eye - and there's a great aquarium just next door (and a MacDonalds next to that!!)

Another vote to avoid a show... good opportunity to fall asleep.

What does she like ? Is she into history ?

My kids (about that age) are very into Roald Dahl and have asked to go to his house/museum. It involves a train ride, but that is one thing they are very excited about. It will be a time eater though and I'm not sure makes sense given the short stay.

what about Tower of London ? Would she like the Crown Jewels ?

What time of year is this ? Hampton Court does some very kid-friendly things and appartently, their maze is very fun. Check their calendar for what's going on.

I know you want to accomplish a lot... but I'll share my theory. I'd rather do less and enjoy it than do overkill and be miserable. Give her just a taste so she'll want to come back and see more... don't stuff her!

My thoughts/suggestions for an 8-year-old:

1. Ride on double-deck bus - #11 is best from Westminister to St. Paul...or reverse...leading to...

2. The Tower - get there by taking the boat from Westminster to the Tower pier.

3. London Eye.

4. A stop in at Pollock's Toy Museum is nice...but not vital.

5. Eight is a little young for anything but a quick stop at the Nat. Gallery -- but it's free, so a quick stop is OK. Ditto The British Museum -- free -- a quick stop for the mummies and the Assyrian stuff -- unless she's seen that kind of thing before.

6. My park of choice would be St. James - fish in the pond, Buckingham Palace at the west end of it.

7. MY HUMBLE OPINION: Do NOT waste time on the theatre. My wife and I always go once when we're in London, but we stay for a week and have been there three times, so times is not as much of a factor. Unless you're going to see something very British (39 Steps, e.g., which is fantastic) it's a waste of good London time -- and anything very British (like the 39 Steps) is likely over the head of and inappropriate for an 8-year-old.

SS

You've gotten some good advice...especially the jet lag coping suggestions. But a bit similar to sitting in a theatre, a quiet museum or Westminster Abbey might also induce more grogginess. Other suggestions:

--a boat tour on the Thames
--the Science Museum or Natural History Museum (yes, museums, but they are more hands-on and kid-active than the National Gallery or British Museum)
--a stroll through Hamley's toy store
--a walk through St. James's Park, from Buckingham Palace, past Horse Guards/Whitehall, up to Trafalgar Square area

Tower of London would be high on my list too, as other have mentioned.

Enjoy your stopover.