Walks in London with Kids
 

Has anyone done the walking tours called Ancient London or Haunted London? They sound great on the web site, but wondered if anyone has been on them and if so, if a smart, curious 12 year old and 10 year old would enjoy them. If not those walks, does anyone recommend any that kids would enjoy -- happy kids = happy parents = happy trip.

The London walks are not very long and 10 or 12 year olds would do just fine on them. I've also done a private treasure hunt walk with London walks. The adults got the history of the area while the kids hunts for the next clue. A lot of fun for a group! Don;t forget that if you;ve signed up for a walk ( £5-6 per person ) and you don;t like it you can leave.

London eye...make reservations online and you cut out half of your wait in line. There is a playground right next to the line for boarding that you can watch the kids from line and the park is gated in.

A great restaurant for families is Belgro Centraal in Covent Garden area. Look it up online! It is a very cool, underground place that you will find food the kids will like! Early bird special... You pay the whatever the time is 5pm equals 5 pounds.

Also, the Thames river tour from either London Bridge or London Eye have lots of info, great views from the river and funny trivia. Not too long either. Tip...do the river tour 1 way or it will be too long with kids.

Last but not least Chitty Chitty Bang Bang the play in the west end will be great fun!

We were surprised to find only a very short line for the London Eye last August. Perhaps the thrill has worn off. I had been planning on reserving online but then someone warned me that I wouldn't want to go if it was raining. It actually did rain part of the time we were there, so I was glad we hadn't pre-booked.
My children loved the verger's tour at Westminister Abbey. We signed up on the spot and the verger we toured with was delightful. The kids loved the fact that we got to go into areas the general public wasn't allowed in, including sitting where the queen sits when she visits.
Other highlights were doing brass rubbings in the crypt under St. Martin's in the Fields, the Tower of London yeoman warder's tour, attending the Mousetrap play and riding on the top of double-decker buses.

I'm glad to hear that your kids enjoyed Westminster Abbey -- I hope mine will as well. What else did your kids enjoy? We plan on doing all the basics during our 4 days there -- Westminster, St. Paul's, Tower of London, British Museum (my daughter studied the Elgin Marbles last year), Covent Garden, Tate Modern, brass rubbings, the Imperial War Museum (my son's request, the Eye if it's not too rainy, and just plain walking around and soaking up the sounds and smells and sights of London. We plan to skip Buckingham Palace. Thanks!

My kids love London! If your son is already interested in the Imperial War Museum, he might also like the Cabinet War Rooms, which are near Westminster Abbey.
Another favorite of ours is Hampton Court Palace with it's Yew Maze and costumed tour guides. It is easily at least a half-day activity.
Have a great trip!
Annette

Agquad -- what did your kids (and you) think of The Mousetrap? My sons (ages 13 and 15) both like Agatha Christie, and we were thinking about seeing this play when we visit London.

Unfortunately (for me), neither of them appreciate musicals. They think it's too "contrived" when someone suddenly starts singing in a show. We've already purchased tickets to see Romeo & Juliet at the Globe, which they're excited about.

Susan