What to do with a 14 year old girl in London?
May 17th, 2005, 05:07 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What to do with a 14 year old girl in London?
Hello Group,
I have already checked the archives for a topic similar to this with no luck.
I will be traveling to London in October with my 14-year-old (female) cousin and her mother (my aunt). We will be there 4 days. They have never been to London, while I have been once before. I am going to attend the 200th Anniversary of Trafalgar celebrations in Portsmouth. I am interested in military history and museums which would bore my cousin to death.
Does anyone here have any suggestions on what at 14-year-old girl would enjoy seeing in London? Besides Portsmouth, the only other thing I have to see is the Museum of London since I did not see it on my last visit.
I was thinking my cousin and aunt would like the Tower of London and the Ceremony of the Keys. Other than that I am drawing a blank. My cousin is very artsy and enjoys drawing and painting. My aunt is very literary (she is a librarian) and likes books, mainly children's books.
Any suggestions gratefully accepted!
-Joe
I have already checked the archives for a topic similar to this with no luck.
I will be traveling to London in October with my 14-year-old (female) cousin and her mother (my aunt). We will be there 4 days. They have never been to London, while I have been once before. I am going to attend the 200th Anniversary of Trafalgar celebrations in Portsmouth. I am interested in military history and museums which would bore my cousin to death.
Does anyone here have any suggestions on what at 14-year-old girl would enjoy seeing in London? Besides Portsmouth, the only other thing I have to see is the Museum of London since I did not see it on my last visit.
I was thinking my cousin and aunt would like the Tower of London and the Ceremony of the Keys. Other than that I am drawing a blank. My cousin is very artsy and enjoys drawing and painting. My aunt is very literary (she is a librarian) and likes books, mainly children's books.
Any suggestions gratefully accepted!
-Joe
May 17th, 2005, 05:15 PM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well - fro drawings and paintings, how about the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the Tate - or even a tour of some of the private commercial galleries? You can also see the art gallery in Buckingham Palace.
Separately the might enjoy a day trip to Windsor or Hampton Court Palace.
How about the British Museum and Library?
Or the V&A?
Also - for the 14 year old how aobut some trendy, inexpensive shopping?
Separately the might enjoy a day trip to Windsor or Hampton Court Palace.
How about the British Museum and Library?
Or the V&A?
Also - for the 14 year old how aobut some trendy, inexpensive shopping?
May 17th, 2005, 05:16 PM
#3
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Joe, my daughter is almost 14 and we have just started discussing this. We'll be able to give you a better idea after we actually go in August, of course, but here are a few ideas off the top of my head.
Camden Market, Portabello Road Market (maybe a few others) - most girls love shopping
Tate Modern - my daughter is into modern art
Dali Museum - ditto
National Gallery, the Tate - my daughter is also into "older" art
Several plays (from a huge list of choices)
Perhaps a musical performance of interest to her.
British Museum
Get a Time Out guidebook for London. This is somewhat youth-oriented. A Let's Go might be good too.
Camden Market, Portabello Road Market (maybe a few others) - most girls love shopping
Tate Modern - my daughter is into modern art
Dali Museum - ditto
National Gallery, the Tate - my daughter is also into "older" art
Several plays (from a huge list of choices)
Perhaps a musical performance of interest to her.
British Museum
Get a Time Out guidebook for London. This is somewhat youth-oriented. A Let's Go might be good too.
May 17th, 2005, 05:38 PM
#4
histfan71, Any of the sights listed above would potentially be interesting to anyone visiting the UK but without a litle more specific info, it'd be hard to say what your cousin would enjoy.
Not sure which archives you've checked but do a search here on teens, teenagers or kids and London and you'll find a lot of info to get you started on stuff to entertain your cousin and her mom.
For teens, I'd say nix on Portobello Road, and go for the Camden markets (Sat and Sun) or Spitalfields (Sun).
Not sure which archives you've checked but do a search here on teens, teenagers or kids and London and you'll find a lot of info to get you started on stuff to entertain your cousin and her mom.
For teens, I'd say nix on Portobello Road, and go for the Camden markets (Sat and Sun) or Spitalfields (Sun).
May 17th, 2005, 05:46 PM
#5
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your young cousin might also like doing the brass rubbings at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. I went with a friend and her children (ages 12, 14 and 16) and all of them liked doing the rubbings, plus they had nice souvenirs to bring home. Their mom had them all framed in the U.S. and they are beautiful memories of London.
All the kids also loved the London Walks Jack the Ripper tour (and so did the adults!).
All the kids also loved the London Walks Jack the Ripper tour (and so did the adults!).
May 17th, 2005, 06:20 PM
#6
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Museums are plentiful - you are in one of the most cultured and fantastic cities inthe world. Check the theatre schedules at Londontown.com: everything from "Momma Mia" to "Lion King". Hyde Park music concerts also. Did someone say markets? I will be there in June with my 14 year old and sure the markets will be a hit.
May 17th, 2005, 06:28 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,637
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How about Hampton Court. There are some great tours led by guides in period costume who stay in character. The tours are interactive and both educational and fun. Also you can visit the gardens and go into he maze.
May 17th, 2005, 06:49 PM
#8
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just went with a group of 15-17 year olds last September. Their favorites vary widely, but I think they'd all say the London Eye and the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour with the accompanying Thames cruise. The girls all love Jane Austen and so do I so we really enjoyed seeing her manuscripts at the British Library. There was also an exhibit of the costumes from Troy at the time and they liked seeing that too. The Tower of London was also a hit as was Westminster Abbey. We were only there 2.5 days so we didn't get to see everything, but these were their favorites.
May 17th, 2005, 07:14 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll admit it-- my daughter ( 15 at the time) really enjoyed Mme. Tussaud's Wax Museum, the Sherlock Holmes Museum ( a tiny place very close to Mme. Tussaud's) the London Dungeon Tour, the guided Beatles walk, the London Eye, and, of course, Carnaby Street, which still has some fun boutiques sprinkled in with the tourist-only stores, which can be fun in themselves for a 15-year-old.
She also really enjoyed the London version of MAMA MIA, even though she'd seen it in New York.
Good luck!
She also really enjoyed the London version of MAMA MIA, even though she'd seen it in New York.
Good luck!
May 18th, 2005, 01:45 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why not suggest that your cousin and aunt look at
www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/london/index.html
to see what takes their fancy - particularly for young people's activities (since your cousin likes painting and drawing). Try for example
http://www.vam.ac.uk/activ_events/index.html
www.tate.org.uk/learning/kids/
www.museumofchildhood.org.uk
Your aunt might be interested in whatever's on show at the British Library exhibition spaces: www.bl.uk
or, say, the Dickens House or Dr Johnson's House.
www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/london/index.html
to see what takes their fancy - particularly for young people's activities (since your cousin likes painting and drawing). Try for example
http://www.vam.ac.uk/activ_events/index.html
www.tate.org.uk/learning/kids/
www.museumofchildhood.org.uk
Your aunt might be interested in whatever's on show at the British Library exhibition spaces: www.bl.uk
or, say, the Dickens House or Dr Johnson's House.
May 18th, 2005, 04:30 AM
#12
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If she's a club/party-goer then let her go to the big clubs on a Saturday night, they're full of 14+ year olds then which is why they're best avoided on Saturday nights!
Topshop will be amusing for an hour or so perhaps. Better still take her to Portobello Rd. to pick some vintage pieces, and then wander on to Notting Hill for some more shopping. The Tate Modern will entertain and challenge with some of its more conceptualist pieces, but really it's pretty traditional in its contents, but sill worthwhile.
Tower of London i suppose is a must-see for a tourist, and then a trip over Tower Bridge or maybe even a tour of it if that appeals.
As for the aunt, send her to the British library!
Topshop will be amusing for an hour or so perhaps. Better still take her to Portobello Rd. to pick some vintage pieces, and then wander on to Notting Hill for some more shopping. The Tate Modern will entertain and challenge with some of its more conceptualist pieces, but really it's pretty traditional in its contents, but sill worthwhile.
Tower of London i suppose is a must-see for a tourist, and then a trip over Tower Bridge or maybe even a tour of it if that appeals.
As for the aunt, send her to the British library!
May 18th, 2005, 11:11 AM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I was a teenager and I went with my parents to London, I thought Warwick Castle was pretty cool, not to mention Stonehenge. We always used to go to see a play when we went.
By any chance, is your cousin into horses? I was, so my mom took me to the Tate, which has a collection of George Stubbs' work.
for your aunt...I was a literature major, and I loved going to Keats' House in Hampstead Heath, and Dickens House. There is a book called Literary London that might be useful to you.\
How about the London Eye? Unless she's afraid of heights, most kids like ferris wheels.
Hope that helps!
By any chance, is your cousin into horses? I was, so my mom took me to the Tate, which has a collection of George Stubbs' work.
for your aunt...I was a literature major, and I loved going to Keats' House in Hampstead Heath, and Dickens House. There is a book called Literary London that might be useful to you.\
How about the London Eye? Unless she's afraid of heights, most kids like ferris wheels.
Hope that helps!
May 18th, 2005, 11:18 AM
#14
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am taking 8 girls aged 14 to 16.
They have expressed interest in the London Eye, Madame Tussards, Tower of London, Harrods and shopping. There is at least limited interest in Westminster Abbey, The Globe and the Cabinet War Rooms.
There was no interset in museums!
They have expressed interest in the London Eye, Madame Tussards, Tower of London, Harrods and shopping. There is at least limited interest in Westminster Abbey, The Globe and the Cabinet War Rooms.
There was no interset in museums!
May 18th, 2005, 03:38 PM
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the great advice!
I didn't even think of other possible interpetations for my topic title, I am not a pedophile, I swear! but now it makes me laugh!
My couisn would like the brass rubbings I am sure. Since I want her trip to be educational as well as fun I think I will drag her kicking and screaming to the Maritime Musuem for the "Nelson and Bonaparte" exhibit. I would like to see it myself.
Thanks Again,
-Joe
I didn't even think of other possible interpetations for my topic title, I am not a pedophile, I swear! but now it makes me laugh!
My couisn would like the brass rubbings I am sure. Since I want her trip to be educational as well as fun I think I will drag her kicking and screaming to the Maritime Musuem for the "Nelson and Bonaparte" exhibit. I would like to see it myself.
Thanks Again,
-Joe
May 18th, 2005, 05:38 PM
#17
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I recently took my 13-year-old daughter to London for a spring break/birthday celebration. I warned her in advance that for every hour of shopping, there would be equal time for museums or other sights of cultural/historical interest. However...I don't think there's any way she would have gone along with the Nelson and Bonaparte exhibit that you mention.
She loved shopping, loved going to the theatre every night, and was a pretty good sport about most of the museums. Favorites were the Portrait Gallery and Victoria & Albert. She barely tolerated the British Museum, but that may have been because it was to crowded to get close to "a stupid rock."
She would have like Madame Tussaud's, but not enough to stand in line. On a previous trip, she enjoyed the London Eye and the Tower of London. I wanted to take her to Hampton Court this time, but she opted for more shopping. I would have pushed it harder, but we had been pretty tightly scheduled. Still wish we'd done Hampton Court, though.
Wandering through Covent Garden area was fun, too.
Have fun!
She loved shopping, loved going to the theatre every night, and was a pretty good sport about most of the museums. Favorites were the Portrait Gallery and Victoria & Albert. She barely tolerated the British Museum, but that may have been because it was to crowded to get close to "a stupid rock."
She would have like Madame Tussaud's, but not enough to stand in line. On a previous trip, she enjoyed the London Eye and the Tower of London. I wanted to take her to Hampton Court this time, but she opted for more shopping. I would have pushed it harder, but we had been pretty tightly scheduled. Still wish we'd done Hampton Court, though.
Wandering through Covent Garden area was fun, too.
Have fun!
May 19th, 2005, 02:09 AM
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Joe, like most museums, the National Maritime Museum has a whole range of activities oriented towards families and young people, if that helps:
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.15248
It's also set in a very nice park, near the Observatory - not that astronomy and clocks will be all that interesting, I imagine, but it has a camera obscura which is quite fun, and Greenwich has an interesting arts, crafts and antiques market on Sundays!
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.15248
It's also set in a very nice park, near the Observatory - not that astronomy and clocks will be all that interesting, I imagine, but it has a camera obscura which is quite fun, and Greenwich has an interesting arts, crafts and antiques market on Sundays!
May 19th, 2005, 03:39 AM
#19
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,848
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If she has a special interest, why not try to find a group she could join for a day? For example, if she is an art student, find a lesson for her. If she's into martial arts, find a dojo for her. If she bikes, try to turn up a cycling club that meets in London. If she is a Girl Scout, or a dancer---well, you get the idea.
If you are a member of a church, many of them have an "outpost" in London. If you are Episcopalian, England is the mothership, with many wonderful churches. Some London churches have active youth groups, and you miight want to check that out.
If you are a member of a church, many of them have an "outpost" in London. If you are Episcopalian, England is the mothership, with many wonderful churches. Some London churches have active youth groups, and you miight want to check that out.
May 19th, 2005, 04:53 AM
#20
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
kswl: forgive me but I can't not comment... I really can't imagine many 14 year old girls (though maybe I'm thinking of the godless heathen English girls) who'd want to go to London for 4 days and spend one of the days with a church group!!! There's SOOO much to see and do, she can (should she choose, bizarrely in MY opinion) do the church thing at home...
Camden Lock is an eye opener and great fun but VERY busy so try to get there early. Boat trip to Greenwich could be good, has something for everyone. Globe theatre could be combined with a trip to the Tate Modern (much better than Tate Britain). Top Shop she'll love, particularly the lower ground floor. Portobello Road. Covent Garden. Take in at least one show.
I really don't think you should bother with other museums unless she's really into something. Museums are the same the world over, you'd far better spend time taking in things that are really English/British than forgettable bits of old pottery - yawn.
Camden Lock is an eye opener and great fun but VERY busy so try to get there early. Boat trip to Greenwich could be good, has something for everyone. Globe theatre could be combined with a trip to the Tate Modern (much better than Tate Britain). Top Shop she'll love, particularly the lower ground floor. Portobello Road. Covent Garden. Take in at least one show.
I really don't think you should bother with other museums unless she's really into something. Museums are the same the world over, you'd far better spend time taking in things that are really English/British than forgettable bits of old pottery - yawn.
