UK with Kids
 

Hi All,

We are contemplating a visit to the UK (3rd June to 14th June) coming from Dubai. We are a family of Four (wife and two kids aged 3.5 years and 6 months). I am a little apprehensive whether we should take the risk of travelling with the toddlers. We visited Austria and Switzerland in 2013 when my older one was 18 months old and he thoroughly enjoyed it.

However, our daughter is too young and we are considering whether we shall postpone the trip for a year. Our plan is to stay 5 days in London and 4 days in Edinburgh. We're planning on traveling slowly. We won't see a great deal, but hope to have a decent experience in each place. We plan to stay at Premier inn County hall as it is close to major attractions however, am also open to apartments nearby. Here are the questions:

1) Any recommendation on travelling with infant or Shall we postpone the trip?
2) Suggestions for London apartments that are close to sights, public transport? Budget - average 250 USD per night
3) Should we go to Edinburgh or some other part of the countryside near London

Ideally, we would like to see some countryside. All suggestions appreciated

Well, it sort of depends on whether this is primarily a break for you from Dubai in the summer or a real sightseeing trip.

If the latter, I personally would wait a year or two. If it is a family break, I might add a day to London to slow the pace a bit, then spend the last three days in the countryside near London. The Cotswolds, East Anglia, and the Sussex-Hampshire border area are all beautiful in a quiet way and very, very green.

If the children were just a bit older, they might enjoy staying on a farm.

Traveling w/ an infant presents issues of course . . . But as long as you pace yourselves there is really no reason one shouldn't visit the UK.

The Premier Inn County Hall is an excellent choice -- great location.

But Edinburgh is a bit more problematic -- the historic Old Town/Castle area has cobbles and uneven sidewalks and is difficult w/ a stroller. And the entire city has steep hills. So even the 3 year old would be difficult. I LOVE Edinburgh -- but don't think I'd visit it w/ a toddler and infant.

I might consider just visiting London this trip. With the buses it is easy to get around even w/ two small children. Plus there are lots of Parks/playgrounds.

Maybe just go for a week and concentrate on London . . . OR wait a couple of years.

A six-month old is a potted plant. If that's the baby's current age, then she'll be 9 months in June and that's still do-able for travel - she's still mostly potted plant and can sit up by herself. But Edinburgh is very hilly and somehow all hills go up.

we found that the hardest ages for travelling were between about 12 months and 3 years - as BigRuss says a child of up to 12 months doesn't do a lot, and goes where it's put, and 3 year olds are beginning to be more biddable and interested in new things rather than stuck on a rigid routine. [obviously these are wide generalisations and may not apply to your kids at all]

your kids will be outside this very difficult period so within reason you ought to be able to have a decent holiday but you need to adapt - pick a reasonably level city [forget Edinburgh] rent an apartment so you have a "home" base, and research some day trips - there will be plenty of day light that time of year so there are plenty of places you can go.

Thanks everyone for your valuable inputs. Certainly encouraging.

We've concluded to reduce the trip to one week focussing on London only.

Big Russ -

Sorry - babies can sit up at 6/7 months, crawl a month or 2 later and start to toddle from 9 months up to 12/14 months. They are not potted plants at that age. They are certainly not tourists or sightseers - but by 9 or 10 months many won't want to sit in a stroller - but will want to be out. And they are very well able to make it known (loudly) when they are tired or bored.

Agree that Edinburgh with a child in a stroller - it would have to be mostly carrying the baby and probably also the 3/4 year old - is not a great idea. I would stick to places with sidewalks that are not very hilly.

London has a gazillion things kids will love - as well as adults. Check out in destination above for child-friendly activities.