Things to do in London with teenagers
Mar 1st, 2009, 04:50 AM
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Things to do in London with teenagers
I am planning on taking my two girls, 12 and 17 to London for a week at the end of June. This is going to be a mom and daughters week before the older one heads into her senior year and then off to college. I am trying to get reservations at the Hilton Metropole (Hilton points). I know the Paddington would be better but point wise it doesn't work out. I am hoping this is a nice central and safe area. I read some reviews that it was convenient.
Also, please give me some ideas that would be fun for all of us. So far, we want to see Kensington Palace, ride the Eye (I hope I don't get sick on it), see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Harrods and just take the city in. We live near NYC so it would be cool to compare. We would also like to take a day tour to see Stonehenge. D17 might want to see Oxford, just for the heck of it. So if it's doable, we would take that in. At one point we thought about taking the train to Paris for an overnight but it seems to be too much to do in one week.
Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
Also, please give me some ideas that would be fun for all of us. So far, we want to see Kensington Palace, ride the Eye (I hope I don't get sick on it), see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Harrods and just take the city in. We live near NYC so it would be cool to compare. We would also like to take a day tour to see Stonehenge. D17 might want to see Oxford, just for the heck of it. So if it's doable, we would take that in. At one point we thought about taking the train to Paris for an overnight but it seems to be too much to do in one week.
Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
Mar 1st, 2009, 05:59 AM
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With one week I'd suggest one day trip or overnight and for me it would have to be an overnight to Paris. I think this would be easier to achieve and more enjoyable than a bus tour to Stonehenge. If you're prepared to drive yourselves then a trip to Stonehenge is OK if it's something you've always wanted to see but IMO it doesn't compare with a taste of Paris.
While in London I think you'll enjoy strolling through some of the wonderful parks in June and if you get some showery weather I'd plan to visit one or two museums or art galleries (nearly all free in London)... how about the British Museum or the V&A (my favourites). See links
http://www.britishmuseum.org/
http://www.vam.ac.uk/
enjoy!
While in London I think you'll enjoy strolling through some of the wonderful parks in June and if you get some showery weather I'd plan to visit one or two museums or art galleries (nearly all free in London)... how about the British Museum or the V&A (my favourites). See links
http://www.britishmuseum.org/
http://www.vam.ac.uk/
enjoy!
Mar 1st, 2009, 11:45 AM
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Sassy_cat,
It's been twenty years since my husband and I have been to London, but we are taking our two teenage girls (19 and 16) there this coming May on our way to Paris. One of the things on my list is to take them to the Tower of London where they house the crown jewels.
Beth
It's been twenty years since my husband and I have been to London, but we are taking our two teenage girls (19 and 16) there this coming May on our way to Paris. One of the things on my list is to take them to the Tower of London where they house the crown jewels.
Beth
Mar 1st, 2009, 12:11 PM
#5
"<i>I know the Paddington would be better"</I>
Not really. The location of this hotel is just about as convenient as Paddington. You'll be on 4 different tube lines. So if it is points - you will be fine there.
A trip to Paris is great --- BUT you only have a week altogether. Does that include your travel to/from London? If so you will barely have 5 days in London so not really long enough to spend the time/money to go to Paris for the day.
So for one day trip (which might be 1 too many but it is what your daughter mentioned) take the train from Paddington to Oxford. Or cheaper yet, take an express bus that leaves from Marble Arch.
You really will not have time for both Stonehenge and Oxford. So you may have to flip a coin (or skip both)
Don't worry about getting sick on the Eye - you will have no sensation of moving. Even my friends w/ <B>extreme</B> fear of heights have loved it.
W/ all the great shopping/markets like Portobello Rd and Camden, theatre, the Eye, V&A, Hampton Court Palace (a better use of time then Kensington Palace IMO (unless the girls are major Diana fans. But they are pretty young to even know that much about her), Tower and other museums/galleries --- you will have much more to see/do w/o taking multiple trips out of the city.
Not really. The location of this hotel is just about as convenient as Paddington. You'll be on 4 different tube lines. So if it is points - you will be fine there.
A trip to Paris is great --- BUT you only have a week altogether. Does that include your travel to/from London? If so you will barely have 5 days in London so not really long enough to spend the time/money to go to Paris for the day.
So for one day trip (which might be 1 too many but it is what your daughter mentioned) take the train from Paddington to Oxford. Or cheaper yet, take an express bus that leaves from Marble Arch.
You really will not have time for both Stonehenge and Oxford. So you may have to flip a coin (or skip both)
Don't worry about getting sick on the Eye - you will have no sensation of moving. Even my friends w/ <B>extreme</B> fear of heights have loved it.
W/ all the great shopping/markets like Portobello Rd and Camden, theatre, the Eye, V&A, Hampton Court Palace (a better use of time then Kensington Palace IMO (unless the girls are major Diana fans. But they are pretty young to even know that much about her), Tower and other museums/galleries --- you will have much more to see/do w/o taking multiple trips out of the city.
Mar 1st, 2009, 12:18 PM
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When we took my step-daughters, then 11 and 14, to London for the first time they loved it (but preferred Paris, I think since they got to use their French and it made them feel more grown-up).
Must do that you haven;t listed are Tower of LOndon, British Museum, Museum of London and the V&A. I think they would enjoy Covent Garden more than Harrods (an area with tons of small boutiques and stalls, some things definitely of interest to teens and in their price range - versus Harrods - which is VERY upscale and tends to things for the more mature. Ours loved coven Garden so much they went back alone one afternoon when we were seeing the exhibit at the Royal Academy (London subway is a cinch one you've looked at it for about 5 minutes). They actually met some local kids and had lunch with them there.
Must do that you haven;t listed are Tower of LOndon, British Museum, Museum of London and the V&A. I think they would enjoy Covent Garden more than Harrods (an area with tons of small boutiques and stalls, some things definitely of interest to teens and in their price range - versus Harrods - which is VERY upscale and tends to things for the more mature. Ours loved coven Garden so much they went back alone one afternoon when we were seeing the exhibit at the Royal Academy (London subway is a cinch one you've looked at it for about 5 minutes). They actually met some local kids and had lunch with them there.
Mar 1st, 2009, 02:50 PM
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lia, yes it's easy to take Eurostar to Paris directly from London. It takes about 2.5 hrs. If you book a non flex ticket in advance it will probably cost about $100 return (29GBP each way in June).
Trains are frequent and comfortable...arrive at the station about an hour before departure (I think the minimum time is 45mins to clear customs).
not sure if this posted... retry
In my opinion you could easily spend a week in London itself but for an overnight in Paris it's worth leaving London. It just depends on what you and your daughters would prefer to do with your time.
Trains are frequent and comfortable...arrive at the station about an hour before departure (I think the minimum time is 45mins to clear customs).
not sure if this posted... retry
In my opinion you could easily spend a week in London itself but for an overnight in Paris it's worth leaving London. It just depends on what you and your daughters would prefer to do with your time.
Mar 2nd, 2009, 03:57 AM
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Wow, thank you so much for all your replies. I think Convent Garden sounds great. We might be able to stretch the trip to 10 days, so maybe Paris is doable. I have heard before that Stonehenge is not that exciting. So.. we are still thinking about whether we want to give a day away to that. Now I am getting really excited about this.
Mar 2nd, 2009, 04:14 AM
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Stonehenge is what it is - stones. I'm always amazed by people who are "disappointed" by it. What were they expecting?
I would get hold of either the Time out city guide or the rough guide to London and get your kids to read it (I know that teenagers don't really "do" books, but hey ho). They are aimed at a younger audience and will fire their imagination.
Alternatively, get them to look at the Thorn Tree site on the lonely planet site. It's like this but for yoofs.
ps Kensington Palace is pants.
I would get hold of either the Time out city guide or the rough guide to London and get your kids to read it (I know that teenagers don't really "do" books, but hey ho). They are aimed at a younger audience and will fire their imagination.
Alternatively, get them to look at the Thorn Tree site on the lonely planet site. It's like this but for yoofs.
ps Kensington Palace is pants.
Mar 2nd, 2009, 04:58 AM
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Lia_b,
I'm reading the answers to your posts with interest because two of my daughters are the same ages as yours and we're visiting London at the end of March, beginning of April.
We are planning to visit Stonehenge and Salisbury as a day trip because my son (18) and other daughter (9) really want to visit. I'll be sure and let you know what all my kids think of it after we return-- especially the two middle girls. Maybe that will help your plans!
Are you planning on any shows? All three of my daughters love musicals, so that might be something to think of in the evenings for yours. I've already booked tickets to We Will Rock You and we're thinking of trying to get half price tickets to Joseph when we're there. (My son and my husband groan about the prospect, so its definitely not for everybody though!).
LauraG
I'm reading the answers to your posts with interest because two of my daughters are the same ages as yours and we're visiting London at the end of March, beginning of April.
We are planning to visit Stonehenge and Salisbury as a day trip because my son (18) and other daughter (9) really want to visit. I'll be sure and let you know what all my kids think of it after we return-- especially the two middle girls. Maybe that will help your plans!
Are you planning on any shows? All three of my daughters love musicals, so that might be something to think of in the evenings for yours. I've already booked tickets to We Will Rock You and we're thinking of trying to get half price tickets to Joseph when we're there. (My son and my husband groan about the prospect, so its definitely not for everybody though!).
LauraG
Mar 2nd, 2009, 05:34 AM
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I just wanted to mention that London hotels usually have beds for 2 people, so I hope you checked out how many rooms you'd need with points. Or maybe you've found rooms for 3 people.
We stayed at the Paddington Hilton and got 2 rooms for 4 people. The location was central, but the area around the station was not as nice as other areas we've stayed.
Have fun!
We stayed at the Paddington Hilton and got 2 rooms for 4 people. The location was central, but the area around the station was not as nice as other areas we've stayed.
Have fun!
Mar 2nd, 2009, 05:48 AM
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Took my youngest daughter & friend to London for a week a few years ago after high school graduation. You may get some ides from our phototravelogue at http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&x=0&y=-pfqcfg
Mar 2nd, 2009, 05:56 AM
#14
"<i>ps Kensington Palace is pants</i>"
Translation for the North American contingent
. . . to varying degrees, pants = lame / rubbish / s**t /
If you have 10 days you would definitely have time for Paris. If you can, fly open jaw into one city and home from the other. Saves having to backtrack to London to fly home.
Something like:
1 night flying to Paris
2 nights/3 days in Paris
late train to London
6 nights in London w/ a day trip to Oxford or Salisbury/Stonehenge
Day 10 spent flying home from London
Translation for the North American contingent
. . . to varying degrees, pants = lame / rubbish / s**t / If you have 10 days you would definitely have time for Paris. If you can, fly open jaw into one city and home from the other. Saves having to backtrack to London to fly home.
Something like:
1 night flying to Paris
2 nights/3 days in Paris
late train to London
6 nights in London w/ a day trip to Oxford or Salisbury/Stonehenge
Day 10 spent flying home from London
Mar 4th, 2009, 11:13 AM
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i'm 17 and live in london
i'd recommend the markets, in particular camden market, it's an interesting place to be (check out a shop called cyberdog) but may be a little overwhelming cos' it's very crowded and easy to get lost, not as edgy as it used to be but still a good vibe.
also the london dungeons, good for a bit of a scare and not all dull and educational, they talk about history but they've got actors that jump out at you and special effects. because you have teenagers i'd say do that rather than a museum.
south bank is a nice place to visit, a pretty area next to the river with some nice restaurants at gabriel's wharf in particular.
oxford street does have a lot of shops but probably most of them are in america as well, eg. topshop etc. covent garden has a nicer atmosphere and some more kitschy shops - they also have street performers on weekends.
DO NOT GO TO STONEHENGE, it really is just a load of rocks and i don't think your kids will be impressed.
check out buckingham palace too, you can see the soldiers in their little outfits outside.
if i think of anything else i'll post again
hope this helps
i'd recommend the markets, in particular camden market, it's an interesting place to be (check out a shop called cyberdog) but may be a little overwhelming cos' it's very crowded and easy to get lost, not as edgy as it used to be but still a good vibe.
also the london dungeons, good for a bit of a scare and not all dull and educational, they talk about history but they've got actors that jump out at you and special effects. because you have teenagers i'd say do that rather than a museum.
south bank is a nice place to visit, a pretty area next to the river with some nice restaurants at gabriel's wharf in particular.
oxford street does have a lot of shops but probably most of them are in america as well, eg. topshop etc. covent garden has a nicer atmosphere and some more kitschy shops - they also have street performers on weekends.
DO NOT GO TO STONEHENGE, it really is just a load of rocks and i don't think your kids will be impressed.
check out buckingham palace too, you can see the soldiers in their little outfits outside.
if i think of anything else i'll post again
hope this helps
Mar 4th, 2009, 04:38 PM
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Stonehenge is fantastic and overwhelming - IF you're interested in prehistory. If you're not - definitely don't waste the time. Instead, for a day trip do Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Palace (esp if they've been watching The Tudors series on TV). If they haven;t get them to watch it before you go - and get some fun aspects of English history.
Mar 4th, 2009, 05:37 PM
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Get yourself a good guidebook - one that has suggestions for self-guided tours. Let the girls study it come up with the thing THEY want to do. I would suggest leaving the first day for one of the hop-on-hop-off bus tours.
