LONDON ITINERARY SUGGESTION
Apr 19th, 2006 | 08:04 PM
#1
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Joined: Apr 2006
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LONDON ITINERARY SUGGESTION
Planning a first time trip to London with wife + 7 yr old and staying near the Hyde Park area. I've planned the following itinerary. Any valuable suggestons on the feasibility?
Day 1 : Arrival 2 PM - Spend time at Hyde Park
Day 2 : Lords Cricket Stadium + zoo+ Regents Park
Day 3 : Oxford Street, British Museum
Day 4 : Buckingham Palace, Mews, Westminster Abbey,
Day 5 : Parliament, Big Ben, Aquarium, St. Pauls
Day 6 : Tower of London, Trafalgar SQ, City
Day 7: Windsor Castle + Eton
Day 8 : Hampton Court Palace
Day 9 : Greenwich
Day 10: Harrods + Natural History Museum
Is this too "light,ie can more things be done in this time? I am on a London Pass
Day 1 : Arrival 2 PM - Spend time at Hyde Park
Day 2 : Lords Cricket Stadium + zoo+ Regents Park
Day 3 : Oxford Street, British Museum
Day 4 : Buckingham Palace, Mews, Westminster Abbey,
Day 5 : Parliament, Big Ben, Aquarium, St. Pauls
Day 6 : Tower of London, Trafalgar SQ, City
Day 7: Windsor Castle + Eton
Day 8 : Hampton Court Palace
Day 9 : Greenwich
Day 10: Harrods + Natural History Museum
Is this too "light,ie can more things be done in this time? I am on a London Pass
Apr 19th, 2006 | 08:54 PM
#2
Joined: Feb 2003
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You might want to drop one of the day trips, and spend more time in central London. I don't know if your seven-year-old will really care about Hampton Court Palace, or even Windsor (probably not Eton). I recommend a visit to Covent Garden. Your child will probably love the street entertainment ("buskers"
there, as well as the London Transport Museum. Also, how about a Big Bus tour around the city? They include a river cruise as well. One of my favorite corners of London is Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath. (Take the tube to Belsize Park, and ask directions from there.) You can get a fine view of the city, and it's mostly locals. (P.S. If you're visiting Lord's Cricket Ground, you can walk down the street and see Abbey Road.)
there, as well as the London Transport Museum. Also, how about a Big Bus tour around the city? They include a river cruise as well. One of my favorite corners of London is Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath. (Take the tube to Belsize Park, and ask directions from there.) You can get a fine view of the city, and it's mostly locals. (P.S. If you're visiting Lord's Cricket Ground, you can walk down the street and see Abbey Road.)
Apr 19th, 2006 | 08:57 PM
#3
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 270
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We just returned from a week in London with an 8 and 10 year old.
We did not do nearly as much as you have planned. I don't think I would try to do more than what you have, and perhaps not even all of those. I've heard the zoo and aquarium in London are nothing special. So if you have good zoos and aquariums in your area, maybe you could eliminate those activities if need be.
I'd allow more time in parks, and go to Covent Garden for the street entertainers. The Princess Diana Memorial Playground is fantastic. It is in Kensington Park, so you should be able to get to it easily. We went there several times.
Two things that are not on your list and that our kids really enjoyed were the "Hop On-Hop Off" bus tours and the London Eye (their number 1 favorite!).
The Hop On/Off bus is a great introduction to the city. We did it on our arrival day, when we didn't have much energy for walking anyway. We didn't do much hopping off, but it was nice to get some history and get a feel for the lay out of the city. The ticket is good for 24 hours, so the next morning we did a short boat ride on the Thames, which was included in the ticket price.
Our kids really enjoyed Hampton Court Palace. They have a wonderful family audio tour, that is quite funny at times. We never made it to Windsor.
We opted to not do the London Pass, and instead capitalized on several 2-for-1 vouchers (<http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk>). I believe this offer is only good through the end of May, so it may not help you this time.
We did not do nearly as much as you have planned. I don't think I would try to do more than what you have, and perhaps not even all of those. I've heard the zoo and aquarium in London are nothing special. So if you have good zoos and aquariums in your area, maybe you could eliminate those activities if need be.
I'd allow more time in parks, and go to Covent Garden for the street entertainers. The Princess Diana Memorial Playground is fantastic. It is in Kensington Park, so you should be able to get to it easily. We went there several times.
Two things that are not on your list and that our kids really enjoyed were the "Hop On-Hop Off" bus tours and the London Eye (their number 1 favorite!).
The Hop On/Off bus is a great introduction to the city. We did it on our arrival day, when we didn't have much energy for walking anyway. We didn't do much hopping off, but it was nice to get some history and get a feel for the lay out of the city. The ticket is good for 24 hours, so the next morning we did a short boat ride on the Thames, which was included in the ticket price.
Our kids really enjoyed Hampton Court Palace. They have a wonderful family audio tour, that is quite funny at times. We never made it to Windsor.
We opted to not do the London Pass, and instead capitalized on several 2-for-1 vouchers (<http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk>). I believe this offer is only good through the end of May, so it may not help you this time.
Apr 19th, 2006 | 09:03 PM
#5
Joined: Feb 2003
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I see that you have planned Parliament and Big Ben on day 5 with Westminster Abbey on day 4. Unless you plan to enter Parliament (which will be in recess during the summer months) then you'll see them when you visit the Abbey.
I also feel that after 10 days in London and its environs, you'll be stir crazy and I would suggest you pick a couple of excursions outside the M25. A day trip to Bath by train perhaps?
I also feel that after 10 days in London and its environs, you'll be stir crazy and I would suggest you pick a couple of excursions outside the M25. A day trip to Bath by train perhaps?
Apr 19th, 2006 | 09:17 PM
#7
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,014
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Just a few comments. Big Ben and Parliament are simply "walk by's" and are directly across the street from Westminster Abbey so you can do them on Day 4.
Most of your days aren't really too full so I think you can manage everything. But I really don't think the zoo is a "must" even w/ a 7 yo in tow.
Also all of your out of town trips are on consecutive days. That will feel pretty hectic so I'd spread them out a bit and break up days 7, 8 and 9.
The day trips in order of a 7 year old's perspective would probably be 1) Hampton Court Palace (terrific medieval kitchens the kids LOVE, the maze, costumed docents, etc), 2) Windsor (there is a legoLand there) 3) Greenwich.
I would consider going to the London Transport Museum at Covent Garden. A REALLY fun place for kids and adults both
I personally would not bother w/ Oxford Street at all - but especially w/ a young child. It is an absolute zoo and usually too crowded to even walk comfortably.
Most of your days aren't really too full so I think you can manage everything. But I really don't think the zoo is a "must" even w/ a 7 yo in tow.
Also all of your out of town trips are on consecutive days. That will feel pretty hectic so I'd spread them out a bit and break up days 7, 8 and 9.
The day trips in order of a 7 year old's perspective would probably be 1) Hampton Court Palace (terrific medieval kitchens the kids LOVE, the maze, costumed docents, etc), 2) Windsor (there is a legoLand there) 3) Greenwich.
I would consider going to the London Transport Museum at Covent Garden. A REALLY fun place for kids and adults both
I personally would not bother w/ Oxford Street at all - but especially w/ a young child. It is an absolute zoo and usually too crowded to even walk comfortably.
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Apr 19th, 2006 | 09:24 PM
#9
Joined: Apr 2003
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We started taking our kids to London when they were 6 and 8. Some of their favorite things on that first trip were:
-- the London Eye
-- Hampton Court Palace -- particularly the maze
-- Making a brass rubbing in the basement of St. Martin in the Field
-- The National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, which have great kids' audio guides. My daughter (the 6 year old) especially loved picking out a painting and then listening to the description of it.
-- The Princess Diana playground in Kensington Gardens and the playground in St. James' Park (which has its own, kid-only restroom).
-- Riding a paddle boat on the Serpentine in Hyde Park.
-- The Royal Mews.
-- Covent Garden.
-- The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich has a great kids gallery with a lot of interactive exhibits and activities.
-- They also loved going to musicals.
London has a lot of events just for children. Buy a copy of Time Out for Children from a news agent when you get to London and look to see what's scheduled.
I agree that the zoo and the aquarium are fine, but basically comparable to zoos and aquariums anywhere. I'd skip them, unless you child is a huge Harry Potter fan and has a burning desire to see the snake house at the zoo.
Have a great trip!
Annette
-- the London Eye
-- Hampton Court Palace -- particularly the maze
-- Making a brass rubbing in the basement of St. Martin in the Field
-- The National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, which have great kids' audio guides. My daughter (the 6 year old) especially loved picking out a painting and then listening to the description of it.
-- The Princess Diana playground in Kensington Gardens and the playground in St. James' Park (which has its own, kid-only restroom).
-- Riding a paddle boat on the Serpentine in Hyde Park.
-- The Royal Mews.
-- Covent Garden.
-- The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich has a great kids gallery with a lot of interactive exhibits and activities.
-- They also loved going to musicals.
London has a lot of events just for children. Buy a copy of Time Out for Children from a news agent when you get to London and look to see what's scheduled.
I agree that the zoo and the aquarium are fine, but basically comparable to zoos and aquariums anywhere. I'd skip them, unless you child is a huge Harry Potter fan and has a burning desire to see the snake house at the zoo.
Have a great trip!
Annette
Apr 19th, 2006 | 09:26 PM
#10
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,258
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Definitely - Churchill's war rooms.
War Museum (one of my 10 year old's favorites).
See a show? We saw Mary Poppins. It was magical.
The big bus tour was a great intro.
I agree with other posters that you have a lot of day trips. There is a lot to see in London.
Hope you have fun!
War Museum (one of my 10 year old's favorites).
See a show? We saw Mary Poppins. It was magical.
The big bus tour was a great intro.
I agree with other posters that you have a lot of day trips. There is a lot to see in London.
Hope you have fun!
Apr 19th, 2006 | 09:26 PM
#11
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 422
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One more thing:
The London Transport Museum is great, but I see on the website that it's closed until spring 2007.
http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/
Annette
The London Transport Museum is great, but I see on the website that it's closed until spring 2007.
http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/
Annette
Apr 19th, 2006 | 09:28 PM
#12
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 886
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Parliament is not in session over the summer months so the galleries are closed. They get extraordinarily long holidays.
Some members give private tours to their constituents but due to security it is not something that is on a tour guide's list. They're even tightening up on MP's giving viewing tickets to constiuents after the singer Bryan Ferry's son entered the chamber to protest against the ban on hunting (set a rabid Beagle on him, I say. See how he likes it!!) and the "Fathers for justice" protestors threw purple powder over Blair from the gallery.
You could try picking an obscure MP from the list and writing to them. It may work. Don't bother with Lords as they will be in their country piles in Provence or in the cemetary during the summer months.
Some members give private tours to their constituents but due to security it is not something that is on a tour guide's list. They're even tightening up on MP's giving viewing tickets to constiuents after the singer Bryan Ferry's son entered the chamber to protest against the ban on hunting (set a rabid Beagle on him, I say. See how he likes it!!) and the "Fathers for justice" protestors threw purple powder over Blair from the gallery.
You could try picking an obscure MP from the list and writing to them. It may work. Don't bother with Lords as they will be in their country piles in Provence or in the cemetary during the summer months.
