Visiting London for 6 days with children 6 and 9. Need Help with Iteninary.
May 8th, 2011, 12:34 PM
#1
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Visiting London for 6 days with children 6 and 9. Need Help with Iteninary.
We are family of 4 (2kids) (2adults) traveling in July to London. Staying in a flat in Knightsbridge. S. Kensington station is closest I believe. Will take Heathrow Express to Paddington from airport.
We like to do the usual:
London Eye, Thames Cruise, Tower ,
1-2 museums, double decker Bus, etc.
But I would also like to visit The Tate Modern and wanted to know if it is advisable with the kids. My girls are well behaved (most part
)
We were also thinking of doing a day trip to the Windsor Castle.
And maybe a show with kids??? We LOVE theater....but not sure if we'll have time
My husband and I are total foodies and have already made reservations at Amaya (indian) but would like to hit a few other notable joints. Shopping is also on the list for some fun boutique's. Would love to know what everyone thinks and if anyone can guide us thru..as to what to do when....or what NOT do with the kiddos. Also please advice on the Tube passes. We were planning on getting passes for zone 1&2. Day Pass? Thanks in Advance....
We like to do the usual:
London Eye, Thames Cruise, Tower ,
1-2 museums, double decker Bus, etc.
But I would also like to visit The Tate Modern and wanted to know if it is advisable with the kids. My girls are well behaved (most part
) We were also thinking of doing a day trip to the Windsor Castle.
And maybe a show with kids??? We LOVE theater....but not sure if we'll have time
My husband and I are total foodies and have already made reservations at Amaya (indian) but would like to hit a few other notable joints. Shopping is also on the list for some fun boutique's. Would love to know what everyone thinks and if anyone can guide us thru..as to what to do when....or what NOT do with the kiddos. Also please advice on the Tube passes. We were planning on getting passes for zone 1&2. Day Pass? Thanks in Advance....
May 8th, 2011, 01:24 PM
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If I recall correctly, there are children's activities at Tate Modern. I seem to recall children carrying around laminated cards, trying to find the artwork that matched their cards. Required a little parental guidance but it seemed that the kids were enjoying the treasure hunt-like game.
May 8th, 2011, 01:48 PM
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No one has commented on your remark about taking the HEX, it's a long way from Paddington to South Kensington, if you can manage to carry your luggage it would make more sense to use the Underground from Heathrow, you only have a cross platform change at Hammersmith, from the Piccadilly line from Heathrow to the District line and it's a lot cheaper.
May 8th, 2011, 05:54 PM
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Thank you Gh21 for your input. You are absolutely right about the Chiildrens activities at Tate....I will look into it further.
CaliNurse- great point thank you very much!! and will definitely check out the Ceremony of the Keys....
CaliNurse- great point thank you very much!! and will definitely check out the Ceremony of the Keys....
May 8th, 2011, 06:24 PM
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We took our then 10 year old niece to Tate Modern and had a fabulous time. A lively discussion on what constitutes art was a great highlight. I had to drag her and my husband away from a Dali so we could catch our train. I think it depends on you and your children though.
May 8th, 2011, 06:47 PM
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We loved both Billy Elliot and Wicked, as did the various kids we took with us. Loved going to the Theatre District as well.
If you're foodies you might try to get to The Hind's Head (http://www.hindsheadbray.com) in Bray. It's Heston Blumenthal's (owner of the three michelin star Fat Duck) pub and is also the 2011 pub of the year. It's only about 7 miles or so from Windsor. Definitely get reservations.
While in Windsor you might consider also checking out the Royal Farm shop - http://www.windsorfarmshop.co.uk/page3548/home.aspx
hth
Heather
If you're foodies you might try to get to The Hind's Head (http://www.hindsheadbray.com) in Bray. It's Heston Blumenthal's (owner of the three michelin star Fat Duck) pub and is also the 2011 pub of the year. It's only about 7 miles or so from Windsor. Definitely get reservations.
While in Windsor you might consider also checking out the Royal Farm shop - http://www.windsorfarmshop.co.uk/page3548/home.aspx
hth
Heather
May 8th, 2011, 08:48 PM
#11
To add to tipsygus' post --there are several ways to get into London from LHR. In your situation (and for most other visitors too) the Heathrow Express is the very <u>worst</u> option.
It is VERY expensive, and only gets you to Paddington station which is not near your flat. From Paddington you'd have to schlepp to the taxi rank and queue for cab --which would also be expensive. Or you'd have and even worse schlepp down into the tube station and a tube trip w/ nasty line transfer.
How old are the kids? The two best options would be 1) a pre-booked cars service like justairports.com It would be door-to-door and cost less than just the HEX, let alone the HEX plus a taxi -- or -- 2) the tube if you can all handle your luggage. Cheap and no line changes -- get on at LHR/get off at South Kensington.
It is VERY expensive, and only gets you to Paddington station which is not near your flat. From Paddington you'd have to schlepp to the taxi rank and queue for cab --which would also be expensive. Or you'd have and even worse schlepp down into the tube station and a tube trip w/ nasty line transfer.
How old are the kids? The two best options would be 1) a pre-booked cars service like justairports.com It would be door-to-door and cost less than just the HEX, let alone the HEX plus a taxi -- or -- 2) the tube if you can all handle your luggage. Cheap and no line changes -- get on at LHR/get off at South Kensington.
May 9th, 2011, 05:14 AM
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Your girls might enjoy Queen Mary's Dollhouse at Windsor. It has fascinated me every time I have visited. Two nephews (10 and 12) were with me on one of the visits and they were equally enchanted.
I am sure that it will be a fun trip!
I am sure that it will be a fun trip!
May 9th, 2011, 05:14 AM
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Your girls might enjoy Queen Mary's Dollhouse at Windsor. It has fascinated me every time I have visited. Two nephews (10 and 12) were with me on one of the visits and they were equally enchanted.
I am sure that it will be a fun trip!
I am sure that it will be a fun trip!
May 9th, 2011, 05:58 AM
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A slight correction to Tipsygus - You actually don't even need to change tubes from Heathrow as the Picaddilly line will take you right to South Ken tube. It's definitely the best way to go in terms of cost and time and quite easy to figure out. The actual time on the tube is about 45 minutes.
May 9th, 2011, 06:22 AM
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Yes, I loved that doll house at Windsor. It has electricity and running water! I also loved the dolls given to Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret by the French, complete with wardrobes designed by French couturiers.
However, children in general prefer Hampton Court Palace, especially the maze and the kitchens. You can do this excursion one way by boat. Perfect for a hot day.
Another boat trip you can do in London is on the Regent's Canal from Little Venice to the zoo. Here's a link to one such boat company: www.londonwaterbus.com
In fact, taking the train from Heathrow might be a real treat for the girls, train travel being relatively rare in the rest of the English-speaking world.
However, children in general prefer Hampton Court Palace, especially the maze and the kitchens. You can do this excursion one way by boat. Perfect for a hot day.
Another boat trip you can do in London is on the Regent's Canal from Little Venice to the zoo. Here's a link to one such boat company: www.londonwaterbus.com
In fact, taking the train from Heathrow might be a real treat for the girls, train travel being relatively rare in the rest of the English-speaking world.
May 9th, 2011, 01:23 PM
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We went to London with our kids (ages 5 and 7 at the time) in August 2006. You are going to have so much fun!
Like you, we rented an apartment for a week, which was wonderful.
Some of the highlights of the trip was the Hop on Hop off bus - our ticket for that also came with a free walk (we did the changing of the guards walk at Buckingham Palace) and a boat trip from Tower of London to Westminster. We found that the kids loved all the different methods of transportation. they loved riding the tube, sitting on the top of a double decker bus, etc.
We did two castles in one day - Tower of London in the morning, then Hampton Court in the afternoon. While it was an incredibly busy day, we missed the worst of the crowds at the Tower of London b/c we got there right as it opened. That minimized wait time. We took the train to Hampton Court - another method of transport that the kids enjoyed, and a little down time. The kids really enjoyed Hampton Court.
We took the tube from Green Park (where our apartment was) to Heathrow to pick up our rental car for the second half of our trip - I think south ken is a few stops closer. It was very easy, though a pain to carry all our luggage to the tube stop. The kids were troopers though - they each had a back pack with their stuff, and were responsible for it for the trip.
We got 7 day travel cards for the tube, I think, that were zone 1 and 2 only. I don't think they worked during peak times (rush hour before 9am, etc.), but don't remember. There are quite a few helpful topics on Fodors about the cheapest way to do the tube. It's quite confusing, particularly for children. I think I looked into getting them Oyster cards, but pictures were needed or something. Sorry I can't help more.
We'll be back in England next month, but are staying in Windsor this time. I've never been there, but from what I've read, kids really enjoy the castle there, too.
Like you, we rented an apartment for a week, which was wonderful.
Some of the highlights of the trip was the Hop on Hop off bus - our ticket for that also came with a free walk (we did the changing of the guards walk at Buckingham Palace) and a boat trip from Tower of London to Westminster. We found that the kids loved all the different methods of transportation. they loved riding the tube, sitting on the top of a double decker bus, etc.
We did two castles in one day - Tower of London in the morning, then Hampton Court in the afternoon. While it was an incredibly busy day, we missed the worst of the crowds at the Tower of London b/c we got there right as it opened. That minimized wait time. We took the train to Hampton Court - another method of transport that the kids enjoyed, and a little down time. The kids really enjoyed Hampton Court.
We took the tube from Green Park (where our apartment was) to Heathrow to pick up our rental car for the second half of our trip - I think south ken is a few stops closer. It was very easy, though a pain to carry all our luggage to the tube stop. The kids were troopers though - they each had a back pack with their stuff, and were responsible for it for the trip.
We got 7 day travel cards for the tube, I think, that were zone 1 and 2 only. I don't think they worked during peak times (rush hour before 9am, etc.), but don't remember. There are quite a few helpful topics on Fodors about the cheapest way to do the tube. It's quite confusing, particularly for children. I think I looked into getting them Oyster cards, but pictures were needed or something. Sorry I can't help more.
We'll be back in England next month, but are staying in Windsor this time. I've never been there, but from what I've read, kids really enjoy the castle there, too.
May 10th, 2012, 05:48 PM
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Sorry - I don;t see anywhere how old your kids are. There are huge differences between a 3 year old or a 7 year old or a 12 year old. Also - what specific interests do the kids have. (I remember my 6 year old brother being fascinated by the Egyptian dept at the Met - he kept trying to open the sarcophagi to get his own mummy. And he also loved the arms & armor.)
the Tower, Greenwich, boat ride on the thames should be fascinating for all kids. Other things depend on ages and interests. (Although I think the Natural Hist Museum in South Ken would be a big hit.)
the Tower, Greenwich, boat ride on the thames should be fascinating for all kids. Other things depend on ages and interests. (Although I think the Natural Hist Museum in South Ken would be a big hit.)
May 10th, 2012, 07:07 PM
#20
<B>nytraveler:</B> The thread is a year old and the trip was last July.
<B>Stephen_Buttigieg:</B> You might want to start a new thread of your own - many folks will think they are answering the OP and your post may get lost in the shuffle.
Also there are <u>MANY</u> threads about flats in London (hundreds actually) so a quick search will get you lots of suggestions. When you re-post, include info like your budget, how many bdrms you want, etc.
<B>Stephen_Buttigieg:</B> You might want to start a new thread of your own - many folks will think they are answering the OP and your post may get lost in the shuffle.
Also there are <u>MANY</u> threads about flats in London (hundreds actually) so a quick search will get you lots of suggestions. When you re-post, include info like your budget, how many bdrms you want, etc.
