Hi There...
We are heading to the UK to see my husband's ill mother and then some old friends- we are traveling with our kids 6 and 8. We get in at 12:30 pm on a Wed. and then have All day Thursday in London but head to Lincoln on Friday morning to see 'family'. I am wondering what tour service to take in London. I see the Original Tour.com people and Bigbus.com. We are staying at the Mad Hatter (I just got tired of looking and my husband liked the name and the pub downstairs). I am just lost at how to best occupy the day and a half. Also, any suggestions on where to rent a car out of the city for our drive to Lincoln? My husband's friend suggested the Stansted Airport- I really have no idea what I am doing!!! The only thing I am pretty sure of if that we hear the London Eye is a must-do for the kids. But not sure where the best prices for that would be.
Any help you can give would be SO, SO very appreciated.
Oh, also, do most people find that American kids have difficulty finding things to eat in restaurants in the UK? My husband WILL NOT hear of the girls misbehaving while we are with his parents but I am just dying when I look at menus and see 'fish pie' and Bangers and mash...
Can you tell I am a bit apprehensive? I better calm down or it's likely to be a pretty unpleasant trip!
I appreciated the posts on jet lag!
Thanks ahead of time.
Amy

OK - just relax. You will be fine

First of all the number of places that DO NOT serve fish pie and bangers & mash far out number those that do. So don't fret. And if they are just horribly picky - there are BK, Mickey D's and pizza places all over town (but please try to get them to try other things).

renting a car at Stansted could be an option - but would involve taking the train to get there. I would just take the train all the way to Lincoln and rent a car there. Especially if the family (and very especially if the driver) is stressed

There really isn't much difference between Big Bus and Original - they are both hop-on-hop-off tours that let you get all the way around central London and get off at whichever sites interest you. But I would not take them if it is raining. They are open top (you really can't see much if you sit inside downstairs) so if the weather is miserable - the family will probably be miserable too.

The Mad hatter is very close to the Eye so you can walk over there in a few minutes - really not a site that discounts tickets though. And once you are to the Eye you are right across the river from Big Ben and Westminster Pier. the kids would probably enjoy a river boat trip from there.

Look over the London destcity guide here on Fodors for other ideas. Most kids really LOVE the Natural History and/or the Science Museums which are just next door to each other in South Kensington.

Regarding food, mine was picky eater at age 8 and her favorite option in UK restaurants and pubs was a baked potato topped with cheese and broccoli. At the risk of incurring the wrath of the chain haters, the food at Pizza Express and Nando's (chicken) is good and those places accommodate kids well. Plenty of good Chinese food to be found too.

In addition to the History and Science museums, for the kids I'd add a trip to Hamleys Toy Store on Regent Street (4 floors of toy paradise) and a visit to the Diana Memorial Playground at Kensington Gardens.

You sound pretty stressed out. Hope all goes well and good luck on this trip.

Gee, most kids I know LOVE hot dogs and mashed potatoes. And many of the bangers are just that -- hot dogs or very close to it. Meanwhile there must be a lot of handicapped chickens running around the UK who can no longer play handball, because chicken fingers are on menus everywhere!

If the weather is good the Big Bus Tour is great. With our bus ticket we also had a free river boat tour. The bus will take you to the place to get on the boat and then when finished you get back on the bus. It really is a good way to see all of the best places in London in a short period of time. I really liked Travalgar Squaare. London is trully a wonderful city. Being from a small town with no public transportation I found the subways and trains an adventure too. As for the food there is pretty good slecetions in all the pubs. Don't make the mistake we did last month when we were in London and try Mexican food There are also all kinds of sandwitch shops all over London. You didn't say what airport you are flying into, but Stansted Airport is a good ways from London. I would catch a train to Lincoln and then rent a car there. Don't worry you will find lots to do in a day and a half.

I'll second Pizza Express with kids. Also Belgo near Covent Gardens is quite kid friendly and they have grilled chicken on the kids' menu which is a nice change from the fried stuff. My picky eater is always happy with bread and ham, which you can get at most pubs at lunchtime.

If you get a nice day the playground in Kensington and the one in Holland park are both great for kids that age. If you should get to Holland Park there is an excellent kids book store nearby on Kensington High St.

Check out the London Eye on the internet. In the past tickets purchased online were less expensive, you pick them up at the will call booth at your reservation time. It is great with kids and there is a good playground right by it. My kids are about the same age and they love to stroll the Thames, going over the bridges.

The best places for kids that age are (not in any particular order): Tower of London, London Eye, and Hamley's toy store. An evening trip to the theatre where there are a number of shows geared to kids would also be fun.

The best kids food that is entirely edible for grown ups as well is Pizza Express. It's a lot better than it sounds.