Trip to London with Teens
 

Just started planning a trip to London (Aug 1 - Aug 9), with husband and 2 teens (14 and 16).
I know we don't have a tremndous amount of time there, only 9 days, but want to make it memorable. We are interested in a little bit of city (museums, sights, art, shopping), little bit of countryside, and a healthy dose of adventure. I would also like to go someplace outside of the city, in the countryside , to see some beautiful landscape and stay at a wonderful inn or something. We are budget minded but want clean rooms (like most people). It was recommended that we take a train to Cambridge for the day and one to Edinburgh too- which we might do.While in London we will be house-sitting for friends in South London - off the tube route it seems.
Would anyone recommend a nice day or overnight trip outside of London? Do you think Stonehenge would be worth it? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I like Oxford and Cambridge for day trips from London. The buildings are beautiful, and your teens may enjoy visiting some of the Harry Potter movie locations. Bath is also, rightfully, a popular place to visit. I do like Edinburgh but if you will take the time to go that far North, you could consider any place in England (or Wales too, for that matter). I wouldn't talk you out of Edinburgh, it's just that you'd pass a lot of fabulous paces along the way and you'll spend the better part of a day traveling each way.

What time is your flight on Aug 1 and 9? If you are flying in during the middle of the day, don't count that day as a sightseeing day. That might leave you with only 7 days.
Consider one of the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours. They are a bit expensive but can give a nice overview of the city.
Also look into markets. Portobello, Camden, Spitalfields, Borough... Most of them are better on Fridays and weekends though they might be very crowded in August. I think it's always better to go earlier in the morning.
For museums, London has it all. And most of them are free, which is even better. Look for V&A, British Museums, Tate Modern, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, and so on.
You might want to look at walks.com. This company, London Walks, has a whole variety of walks throughout the city. Definitely worth a look.
I don't think I would consider Edinburgh as a day trip, unless you want to spend your day on the train. Cambridge would probably be great. Bath might also be interesting. One or 2 day trips would be great with the time you have.
And finally, just a few other things I might suggest: Greenwich (maybe take the boat there?), Hampton Court Palace, the British Library (the Treasure Rooms especially), Covent Garden, the Wallace Collection, Somerset House, Tate Britain, National Portrait Gallery, Hampstead...

I hope this helped a little!
Keep us updated!

Teen girls or guys? What are they into--history, art, theater, literature (Tolkein/Lewis/Dickens/Shakespeare/Rowling)? Hiking? Shopping?

I'd say definitely the Tower and the British Museum, no matter what they're "into." But beyond that the sexes and interests of the kids might help posters steer you. (My daughter at 16 loved the Globe, walking all over London, seeing a play, Hampton Court, the Tower, shopping, and the British Museum. High notes outside of London were Stonehenge and Oxford, because of our CSLewis love.)

Maybe a day trip or overnight to Bath and Stonehenge by car one day would be best. You'd get to see some countryside, the Roman Baths etc.
Edinburgh really is too far for a meaningful day trip.

I suggest doing just one day trip or overnight outside London.

My daughter was 12 and 17 our two trips to London. The Tower is her favorite place on the planet. You have only a week, really, unless you are really travelling July 31 and August 10. The distances look small on the map, but it really is a looong way to Edinburgh, and there's no way to do justice to London, which is enormous and fascinating, if you travel that far from it.

We spent a weekend in Bath and, from there, did a Mad Max tour of Stonehenge, Avebury and the Cotswolds that was a great overview of part of England and included Harry Potter filming sites and a little village where some of our Jane Austen film sites.

But we spent two full weeks in London the first time and all but two nights of two weeks the second and still feel as though there's much more to see. I think a day to Cambridge or Oxford-search here and get in on the debate between the two-might be an efficient way to get out of the city a bit. I second the recommendation of London Walks-www.walks.com.

We took the train from Kings Cross to Waverly Station...Great! We booked online before we left USA and picked up tickets a day ahead at station. It was a nice trip. My kids...21, 19 and 16 enjoyed Edinburgh. I would reccomend staying at least 2 nights. The city itself is very pretty and lots to do and see just walking. WE took a bus tour to St Andrews which everyone enjoyed. Those are great value for the money...I think you might want to consider that option. We left at 9 and returned about 6...wonderful day.

We did all the main sights in London....very crowded...The bus tour and the changing of the guard were our favorites. The musuems were nice but tons of people even on the week days.

When we went to London with tween/teen (11 and 14 daughters) they LOVED the V&A - but they're both really into fashion, the British Museum, and the Theater/TV Museum (which is interactive). Also liked the Tower and Westminster Abbey.

But their favorite was an afternoon hanging out at Covent Garden - which has tons of little shops and restaurants, and meeting some English kids their own age - plus a chance for the adults to have time for some gallery hopping - which the kids weren't that interested in.

Definitely make sure you leave time for activities that are separate so you're not ready to kill each other by the end of the trip - 24/7 togetherness can be just TOO much after a week or so.

As for Edinburgh - I've been several times and love it - but it's not a day trip from London - I would want at least 2 nights there - which would be cutting London short. I would focus on a day trip that is closer - and since you're not right in the center would suggest you do it by car - so you can cover more territory.

Took my 14 yr old son to London. He liked the British Museum and the Tower of London best.
Best sidetrips were to Bath( not just for the Roman ruins/baths, but I really like the Costume Museum in Bath and I am sure a teen or tween girl would too!), and Brighton( we went on sunny day and walked along the beach, allowed son to check out tacky penny arcades, the beach the seafood carts, etc.

Best all day fun side trip was to Warwick Castle, there was a great jousting show, at least 10-15 horses and "knights" full show regalia , amusing commentary, and a catapault show, plus the castle itself, we were driven there by friends, but it seemed only about 1 hr from London.

The last time we were in London I took my teens on a boat ride down the Thames river. It was cool as it gave an overview of everything on the Thames. We went from London to Greenwich and had lunch and looked a the Cutty Sark. We took the commuter train back to London to Charing Cross! It was an awesome afternoon.

Greenwich is 0 degrees longitude and latitude!

Thanks to the outpouring of advice and support from everybody who replied to my post! My computer has been broken and I felt bereft, not being able to read your posts until just now. My apologies for not replying sooner.

The Walks website is a great source of info - so thanks to Susan and Nessa for that. Texas asked what the kids are into - my daughter is a Shakespeare and Austen nut - so we should do the Globe and Austen's house, my son (14) is into castles and dungeons and dragons kind of thing. Bozama's advice about Warwick castle sounds good. Both kids say they will go to Kings Cross, find platform 9 and 3/4 and try to run into the wall.. so we will have to watch for that.Harry Potter is a big draw.

Joebear was the only one who thought Edingurgh was a good destination for a day trip. We could always stay overnight too, since we won't be paying for lodging we may splurge on an overnight. Maybe, it seems from everyone's suggestions, that an overnight may be a better idea.Can anyone recommend a place to stay, or give suggestions for the day trip? What to see, do?

Nessa asked when we arrive. We land in London/Gatwick on August 1, and leave August 10 - so that is 9 full days, and we may have the time and may want to get out of London a bit. Would anyone recommend more than one overnight? I know that London has so much to see and do, but we may crave a little green space and more laid back ambiance. Is London as frenetic as New York City? Will we need a timeout?

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions for Greenwich, Oxford and Cambridge - those seem to be favorites so we will certainly follow your advice, and Covent Garden too.

Another thing - is it expensive to rent a car and is it hard to drive in the city? Is the hassle worth it? I really love public transportation for the ease and no parking hassles but many of you recommended a car - so maybe that is the way to go.

You won't need a car in London, but if you plan to visit Jane Austen's house in Chawton, you probably will. If you go there, be sure to go to Winchester as well. The Cathedral is really interesting, and that's where Jane Austen is buried. It could be a nice day trip.

You can see pictures from our time in England and Wales, including some of the sites you want to visit, at
http://tinyurl.com/25xs9t

Lee Ann

If you want to go to Edinburgh, you could catch the beginning of the Festivals, which I highly recommend. The kids would love it, I suspect. But you might not be able to get lodging now, at least the type you would like. We stayed here:
http://tinyurl.com/4clanu
These are single rooms in the University of Edinburgh residences that are let out for the summer. There may not be any left, because accommodation is at such a premium during the festivals. Ideally, your whole family could share a pod of four rooms, and then you'd have the advantage of a private kitchen and bathroom amongst yourselves.

Ideally flying into London and out of Edinburgh, or vice versa, would simplify your plans a bit if you choose to include Edinburgh.

I think Joebear recommended staying in Edinburgh for 2 nights. The train ride is around 4 hours or a bit more, and driving takes MUCH longer. IMO that is way too far for a day trip and too far for just one night as well. (I couldn't conceive of going and not stopping in York, which is about halfway, and then you're talking 3 days out of your 9!) Add in the factor that lodging in Edinburgh is quite scarce in August because of the festivals, and the sum is to wait to see Edinburgh.

Honestly, your time in London will just fly, especially if you add a day trip or two (to fairly close destinations). You've been given some great advice, and there are TONS of threads here about day trips from London.

You could consider York for a day or overnight - it's 2 hours on the train - no car needed to see a fabulous medieval city and the Minster is simply spectacular (including the undercroft which has ruins of previous buildings on the site - Roman and Romanesque). You can walk the original city walls, visit the railway museum, and the (possibly too hokey) Viking center.

London is not quite as frenetic as New York (and I grew up outside NYC) but has a similar flavor of having everything anyone could want (eg, my husband has spent many happy hours in a stone carving shop buying tools) and having a fabulous public transportation system that will take you anywhere. But London has the added dimension of centuries of history.

London has wonderful parks. If you get tired of "city," get some sandwiches for lunch and go sit in a park to people watch and smell the roses (literally).

Hi needsnow,

whereabouts in south london are you staying? - as you have already spotted, south london is not well served [or served at all] by the tube, but it does have a very good commuter train service [sometimes called the "over-ground"]. - see www.nationalrailenquiries.co.uk.

so you should be able to connect with the underground easily enough.

and don't forget the bus.

regards, ann

Edinburgh is absolutely wonderful. However - IMO it is not very practical for a day or even over night trip -- and especially not in August. Edinburgh literally doubles in size all of August. There are several world famous festivals and the Military Tattoo all running simultaneously. Everywhere will be booked up, will have higher rates, and will mostly have 2 or 3 night minimums, even IF you could find a place at this late date. I'd save Edinburgh/Scotland for your next visit.

Chawton is interesting but not worth the complications of renting a car for a day trip in and of itself. I'd rent a car for 2 days (3 days would be even better) and do a loop tour of Chawton, Winchester, Salisbury, Stonehenge and Avebury. You could stay the night in/near Winchester or Salisbury.

Hello,
I'm a Londoner (by residence, not by birth - I'm from northwest England) and I'm very sensible and practical.
So, my suggestions are that you slooooooow down.
London is more frenetic than NYC. There are more people in a smaller place. Manhattan stretches for miles. Central London is smaller and, despite the parks, there is a lot of congestion on the roads and the pavements. The Tubes and buses can get very crowded, and the people can get quite tense.
I'd do much research on what you like before you come. There really is something for everyone here.
As for trips out of town, I would suggest York, which is just 2 hours away from London by train. Book ahead (National Express East Coast online for a 10% discount). It's historic, 'quaint' and is far removed from London. Or you could try Rye, if you want real chocolate box tweeness. Likewise, the Cotswolds will give you that feel. You could hop on a train to Windsor for a day trip, or try Henley on Thames.
August will be warm and possibly humid. There will be a lot of tourists and fewer Londoners, who will be on their holidays.
Don't miss the Tower, St Paul's, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum and the V and A.

"Is London as frentic as New York City?"....that's a good question. Well, if you're comparing city centre to city center, they're both pretty intense. I think the physical layout of London makes it LESS intense: more diversity of buildings, more ancient history, less tall building and rectangular blocks, easier to walk around.

But your idea of getting out of the city is a good one. You don't need to travel far to take a break from the city though. Day trips to Windsor/Eton, Richmond, Hampton Court, Greenwich are all easy by train--none are over 45 minutes or so from central London. If you are planning to add an overnight trip from London, I'd suggest York (2 hrs by train) and/or Bath (1+ hour). Either could be a longish daytrip, but both small cities are worth an overnight.

Have a good trip!

Dave

If you go there, be sure to go to Winchester as well. The Cathedral is really interesting, and that's where Jane Austen is buried.>>>

Grrr. Froth. grrrr. rant. Grrrr.

There is also a Jane Bloody Austen house in Winchester - it's at the end of College St (through the cathedral close and turn left when you exit). You can't go in - it's still a private house. There's a plaque on the wall.

Winchester's a nice day trip from London too.

Jane Bloody Austen. Grrrr. Grrrr.

Whereabout in Sarf London are you staying? - it makes a big difference to how you go about doing things.

>>Jane Bloody Austen. Grrrr. Grrrr.<<

My work here is done.

Lee Ann

At the risk of prompting more Grr's , I thought I'd mention that Bath is a good destination for a Jane Austen fan. (There is a Jane Austen Centre,) It is a beautiful city and would be a nice place for an overnight trip
http://www.visitbath.co.uk/site/home

Have you considered a trip to a castle? I think Warwick Castle outside stratford is the be-all end-all of castles -- appeals to both boys (all kinds of crossbows, dungeons, parapets etc) and girls (they have Tussauds waxworks mock-ups of actual Royal Family weekends from 1900 there!)

We did a train to Stratford, afernoon at Warwick castle, evening performance at Shakespear theatre,stayed at a cheap B & B, took bus next day to Bath-- fabulous FREE Mayor's tour (starts outside city Hall 9 am), stayed overnight, train back to London.

Lots of good advice here. With 9 days I would not consider Edinburgh. You'd need at least two nights to make that journey worth it. It's four hours to Edinburgh, it makes more sense to do a daytrip to Paris! Not that I'm trying to give you more crazy ideas! With 9 days I'd either plan on two single day trips or one overnight. Places for daytrips that I'd recommend are Bath, Stonehenge, Cambridge, Hampton Court, Windsor or Greenwich. We did Bath and Stonehenge in one day via coach tour. York is also doable in a very long day if you leave early and return late. You could also overnight there. Bath would also be a fun place to overnight. Our favorite overnight trip out of London was up in Warwickshire. We left early for Stratford and spent the entire day there, then spent the night in a charming B&B in Stratford, then headed to Warwick Castle the next morning and returned to London in the early evening after a full day at Warwick Castle. Have a great trip!

I thought I'd mention that Bath is a good destination for a Jane Austen fan. >>>>


Grrr. Froth. Grrr. Twitch. Grrr.....

>>>>they have Tussauds waxworks mock-ups of actual Royal Family weekends from 1900 there!) >>>>

One of those waxworks is my great great uncle. This is as close to famous as I get.

And I thought Lloyd George knew your father...

And I thought Lloyd George knew your father...

And my father knew Lloyd George.

you've probably already seen this thread ("London Dayz( but in case you haven't it has some great info
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35129469

We did a daytrip from London to Oxford/Blenheim. In my opinion, this is best done by taking the "Oxford Tube" bus around 7ish, which will put you in Oxford before you can even leave London on a cheap day return train ticket (can't buy those for a departure time earlier than 9:30). When you arrive at the Gloucester Green bus station in Oxford, you simply step over a few spaces to the 20 or 20A bus which goes to Woodstock and stops right outside the palace gates. You get to see what is the finest non-royal residence in the UK in the morning, then you can tour Oxford in the afternoon.

Hi needsnow--
You've gotten a lot of great advice so far. Just wanted to add that you might want to check out this thread on saving in London (and the rest of England). There are a ton of good tips there.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35118693

Hmm.. I seem to have hit a nerve by mentioning Jane Austen - a little cliche I admit, but it's not such a bad thing for a teenage girl (my daughter)to love Jane Austen (at least she's reading), but I won't mention it anymore for fear of turning off all you people who are giving me such good advice -thanks to all for being so generous with your time.

Chol. asked where we are staying in South London- it is a neighborhood called Peckham Rye - and from what I hear very far from the thick of things - and kind of dodgy at night. Just to get into the city each day will be pricey, so we need to plan really well. I am happy to get tips on budget traveling and links to these great websites - they have been very helpful. I am a bit overwhelmed - there is so much information and so many choices.

Sam's recommendation of Warwickshire sounds really great and doable. As does "twk's" of Oxford/Blenheim. Obviously I'll need to come back to England again and again in order to do every great thing I've read.

It's really only me that gets the ab-dabs about Jane Bloody Austen. I'm from winchester and was made to read those god-awful books at school. They are alright for sensitive girls but no good for spotty boys with raging hormones. I used to dance on her grave when we were dragged to services in the Cathedral. Serve the daft bint right.

Peckham Rye is indeed dodgy in parts (in fact it's downright horrid in parts) but it does have some nicer bits (this is relative to the rest of Peckham).

I wouldn't let your teens out on their own at night. They'll get targetted. It's not a great place to be young i'm afraid.

It's not "expensive" to travel in. A weekly travel card for everything you're likely to want to see is £27 for adults.

There's a cracking museum nearby - the Horniman.

http://www.horniman.ac.uk/

I'd skip Edinburgh. Was there during August 6 yrs ago. It's too far for a one day trip, and there are soooo many other wonderful places that are closer.

I prefer Cambridge to Oxford, for whta that's worth. The kids would love punting on the river, by the "backs" of teh universities. Your family can relax while one of the local guys "drives " the canoe.

My dtr at age 15 loved Ceremony of the Keys at Tower of London. I read about it right here on Fodors!! Is it worth the additonal night time trip to the Tower? YES!!! You get tix from Her Majesty's office of something or other. Google for info.

If you go to Greenwich, skip the Tube; take the boat along the Thames. It leaves often, from Westminster Pier if i recall correctly.

Re: the Tube, i noticed the "Mind the Gap" messge is recorded by several different people now, depending on the Tube line. Your kids and you will get a kick out of it, and you can buy them "Mind the Gap" tee shirts that those in the know will smile at, while others wonder about that gap!! Only in London!!!!.

As mentioned in another response, dont forget the public busses as transport within the city. Nothing beats the front seat on top! I've lived in, and visited London many times, and still get a thrill when that seat is empty!

Yes to Covent Garden, as NY Traveler writes.!!! Was there a few days ago. Street performers (acrobat) magicians, opera singers, etc. Old fashioned market (Jubilee) and newer poshe stores. Again, the kids will love it.

Expect visitor crowds in August. But, as a born and bred NYer, i'd say that London is much LESS frenetic than NYC. And as writiten above by Carolyn, there are amazingly grogeous parks and expanses of green throughout the city to stroll though or sit in when you need a break.

If you're near the SW area of Hyde Park, check out the orangerie at Kensington Palace for an "oficial" afternon tea. Much less $, and at least as atmospheric (but less food) as the famous hotel teas like the ones at the Ritz.

if you want ot go to a London Theater show, do NOT buy tix from the theater. there are LOADS of discount booths nr Leicester Sq which sell tix for same-day performance, with tix at half-price. We saw "Grease" last week, 5th row Orchestra, for half the theater's price.

Have a great time. I just returned and oh, how i love London, and the towns and villages of England that I've seen! There's something about the place and the people there that always feels welcoming!

Needsnow, since you will be in London in August....consider a tour of Buckingham Palace! We did the tour last year and my teen still talks about it! Along with the tower of London and the British museum, THAT was the highlight for her! We managed a side trip to the Cotswolds which was really fun too and even got in some horseback riding!

NE - the Cotswolds and horse back riding sound great for us. Who did you use for the horses? Was it a certain outfit, can you make a recommendation?

And Chol., I forgive you your visceral reaction to Jane Bloody A. - understandable considering what you've had to hear your whole life. My son and husband leave the house when my daughter and I watch another of those JA film adaptations. Must be a girl thing. When you mentioned in your last post the weekly travel card for 27 pounds, is that the same as an OysterCard I hear everyone talking about? Someone warned me against the weekly passes and steered me toward OysterCards.
CaliNurse - thanks for the tips about Cambridge and having tea outside of Hyde Park, and for the theatre advice too.Would love to be able to do all that.
I'm officially over Edinburgh this trip - obviously not a good choice at this time. Can anyone recommend a nice place to stay in Bath or the Cotswolds? we don't require luxury - no spas or fancy hair products - just nice people, clean, and local flavor.