First day out in London for 6-year-old
Discussion
Depending on where you are in Somerset, I'd get the train from Crewkerne or Yeovil up into Waterloo. If you want extra comfort, it's a tenner per adult and a fiver per kid to upgrade to First on the train at weekends, and far more civilised than driving.
Once there, if your lad is at all into speed, then I'd be another vote for getting the Thames Clipper from the Southbank down to the Thames Barrier. The barrier itself is pretty impressive, but when the boat reaches the end of the speed limit zone and puts the hammer down it's great fun! You can pay with Oyster or contactless cards just like a tube too, but bear in mind you'll need one each; you can't tap multiple people through on a single card.
The Emirates cable car in Docklands is pretty cool too, and again takes Oyster/contactless, and is a tiny fraction of the cost of the London Eye.
If you don't want to stray that far, I took my boys of 11 & 9 up last week (half term in Surrey) and we did a six mile Pokemon Go walk from Waterloo along the Southbank past the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the Golden Hinde, Borough Market and HMS Belfast to get to Tower Bridge, which went up just after we'd crossed it. I've lived near London for 30 years, and it was the first time I'd seen it. Well worth checking the times for it, as it's pretty cool. From there, we came back down the other side of the river past the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral and Cleopatra's Needle, which made for a great day out with plenty of exercise that cost nothing bar the train fare and lunch.
The London Transport museum in Covent Garden would definitely be another good attraction for a 6yr old.
I would avoid Hamleys like the plague! Very unpleasant, very expensive, totally superseded by Amazon and the like, and you're either going to end up with a disappointed sprog because you've not bought him anything (which you could've got much cheaper online), or you're going to buy him stuff and then have to lug it round London with you!
Once there, if your lad is at all into speed, then I'd be another vote for getting the Thames Clipper from the Southbank down to the Thames Barrier. The barrier itself is pretty impressive, but when the boat reaches the end of the speed limit zone and puts the hammer down it's great fun! You can pay with Oyster or contactless cards just like a tube too, but bear in mind you'll need one each; you can't tap multiple people through on a single card.
The Emirates cable car in Docklands is pretty cool too, and again takes Oyster/contactless, and is a tiny fraction of the cost of the London Eye.
If you don't want to stray that far, I took my boys of 11 & 9 up last week (half term in Surrey) and we did a six mile Pokemon Go walk from Waterloo along the Southbank past the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the Golden Hinde, Borough Market and HMS Belfast to get to Tower Bridge, which went up just after we'd crossed it. I've lived near London for 30 years, and it was the first time I'd seen it. Well worth checking the times for it, as it's pretty cool. From there, we came back down the other side of the river past the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral and Cleopatra's Needle, which made for a great day out with plenty of exercise that cost nothing bar the train fare and lunch.
The London Transport museum in Covent Garden would definitely be another good attraction for a 6yr old.
I would avoid Hamleys like the plague! Very unpleasant, very expensive, totally superseded by Amazon and the like, and you're either going to end up with a disappointed sprog because you've not bought him anything (which you could've got much cheaper online), or you're going to buy him stuff and then have to lug it round London with you!
As you are travelling by train, you qualify for these discounts https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london includes the London Eye.
DLR - sit them right at the front, they love it.
I get on at Bank, go all the way to Woolwich, the swap train and come back again and get off a west silvertown walk to the cable car over to the o2, then jubilee line to houses of parliament - everything else is within walking distance from there.
I get on at Bank, go all the way to Woolwich, the swap train and come back again and get off a west silvertown walk to the cable car over to the o2, then jubilee line to houses of parliament - everything else is within walking distance from there.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Last time I did it was at Christmas schlepping all the way from my in-laws to Twickenham and back for the rugby with my youngest. We took the First Class upgrade on the way up as the train was rammed with people coming back from Christmas, and it's one of the best £15 I've spent in a long time! We didn't bother on the way back, as we were on a late train with not too many people on it, but there's certainly a significant difference.Definitely not the same seats, and if they've not got one fewer seat across (I rather thought they had), they've definitely got more room between the seats, and they're more comfortable.
You're right that there's no free food, but it's not exactly the longest journey in the world! It's not as bad as the bloody Virgin Pendolinos where you really need First to just feel very cramped rather than the recipient of cruel and unusual punishment, but if the train is at all busy, I'd say it's well worthwhile.
Gareth1974 said:
As you are travelling by train, you qualify for these discounts https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london includes the London Eye.
Just reading through this thread to see if this had been mentioned. Definitely worth doing. But...To summarise what others have said, at the weekend anything that is "indoors" (museums, aquarium etc) will be packed. I much prefer the more "outdoors" stuff with kids at the weekends (Buckingham Palace, the parks, the river, street entertainers) but you are reliant on the weather.
"Central" London isn't that big to walk around (especially if the weather is ok) so don't mess around with the Tube (which will be packed). Anywhere between Victoria - Waterloo - West End is worth walking, and you will see stuff on the way. If you go out to the east (Tower Bridge/Tower of London/Greenwich) then use the riverboat services rather than the tube.
Lastly, if you can, try to plan meals for non-peak times if you just want to be able to walk into a restaurant without waiting/queuing. I usually try to have brunch about 11ish then a large lunch/early dinner at 4 to miss the 1pm/5pm/7pm peaks.
Enjoy.
Must confess I'm a bit disappointed to hear these same old attractions trotted out, has our capital not moved on in 20 years, with regards to family days out??
Ok, so the cable car and sky garden sound like nice additions but a lot of it sounds a bit stale. The aquarium is not a patch on others across Europe, the eye was a bit underwhelming, Tussauds?? Hamleys??? No thanks!
I can still remember the wonder of the planetarium, something that really caught my imagination as a kid - oh, it's not there any more? But you can look at a wax work of Justin Bieber instead?? Yay!!
Ok, so the cable car and sky garden sound like nice additions but a lot of it sounds a bit stale. The aquarium is not a patch on others across Europe, the eye was a bit underwhelming, Tussauds?? Hamleys??? No thanks!
I can still remember the wonder of the planetarium, something that really caught my imagination as a kid - oh, it's not there any more? But you can look at a wax work of Justin Bieber instead?? Yay!!
Pretty sure you could say the same about any big city? There will be a lot of new additions but the big draws (museums etc) tend to stay. What are the main attractions in Paris? Eiffel Tower, Museums, Galleries etc...
Forgot to add that we went to the Ripley's Museum at Piccadilly a few years back which I would recommend for those of a curious mind. And that is relatively new...
Forgot to add that we went to the Ripley's Museum at Piccadilly a few years back which I would recommend for those of a curious mind. And that is relatively new...
In most cases, timing is the key to avoiding crowds.
I took my son to the science museum on Friday in half term. We arrived at 9:50, just before the doors opened at 10, and joined the back of a very long queue. However once the doors opened the queue moved quickly and we were inside and looking around by 10:10.
The same is also true of shops like Hamleys.
I realise this isn't huge help as you only have the one day though!
I took my son to the science museum on Friday in half term. We arrived at 9:50, just before the doors opened at 10, and joined the back of a very long queue. However once the doors opened the queue moved quickly and we were inside and looking around by 10:10.
The same is also true of shops like Hamleys.
I realise this isn't huge help as you only have the one day though!
frodo23 said:
- See Buckingham Palace (must)
Our two (4 & 6 at the time) were rather underwhelmed by the palace. Not helped by the walk down the Mall being longer than I remembered. They had far more fun clambering over the base of Nelsons Column and chucking a quid's worth of coppers into the fountains.We had a nice walk back through Green Park to Horseguards/Whitehall/Downing Street though.
Biggest hit of the weekend was the Thames Clipper, they loved that. Well, actually that was the second biggest hit, I think they enjoyed the Premier Inn unlimited breakfast the most going on how much of it they ate!!
DoubleSix said:
Must confess I'm a bit disappointed to hear these same old attractions trotted out, has our capital not moved on in 20 years, with regards to family days out??
Ok, so the cable car and sky garden sound like nice additions but a lot of it sounds a bit stale. The aquarium is not a patch on others across Europe, the eye was a bit underwhelming, Tussauds?? Hamleys??? No thanks!
I can still remember the wonder of the planetarium, something that really caught my imagination as a kid - oh, it's not there any more? But you can look at a wax work of Justin Bieber instead?? Yay!!
I know, it's unbelievable, isn't it!!! I mean, for God's sake, the Tower of London was started by William the bloody Conqueror! Surely they should've knocked that down by now and replaced it with something shiny???Ok, so the cable car and sky garden sound like nice additions but a lot of it sounds a bit stale. The aquarium is not a patch on others across Europe, the eye was a bit underwhelming, Tussauds?? Hamleys??? No thanks!
I can still remember the wonder of the planetarium, something that really caught my imagination as a kid - oh, it's not there any more? But you can look at a wax work of Justin Bieber instead?? Yay!!
Or then again, maybe it's just that London has so much amazing old stuff - much of which does actually do a very good job of consistently updating itself - that new attractions would struggle to establish themselves there, so people set those up in other towns and cities which don't offer them so much competition?
Remember as well that even if somewhere more or less stands still, if they're attracting a child audience, it doesn't really matter all that much, as there will be a conveyor belt of new kids coming in as older ones move on. As a parent taking children somewhere, sometimes it's really nice to discover that somewhere is exactly how you remember it from when you were a kid!
We live 30 minutes from Waterloo by train, so take the kids up frequently. I've never yet failed to find somewhere new to take them, although cost can sometimes drive you back to the same old traditional museums and the like too.
Yeah yeah I know...
I didn't mention the buildings etc (which I certainly enjoy) as I just don't think younger children are that captivated by the likes of ToL or Westminster - I wasn't suggesting they be bulldozed in favour of Peppa Pig World.
Trips on trains and boats are indeed great for young kids but you don't really need to go to London for that.
I guess having recently come back from Palma where the aquarium totally blew us away our effort sticks in my mind as being really rather s
te for a capital city of London's size.
I didn't mention the buildings etc (which I certainly enjoy) as I just don't think younger children are that captivated by the likes of ToL or Westminster - I wasn't suggesting they be bulldozed in favour of Peppa Pig World.
Trips on trains and boats are indeed great for young kids but you don't really need to go to London for that.
I guess having recently come back from Palma where the aquarium totally blew us away our effort sticks in my mind as being really rather s
te for a capital city of London's size.Took our 6yo to London last week, his first time there. We arrived Monday @ 10.30 and departed Wednesday @ 14:30, stopped in County Hall.
We did or attempted the following, not sure how much you'll achieve in one day:
Tower Bridge - was on the glass floor for a part lift and a full lift (German Naval vessel being tugged back out), worth the £19 entry fee.
Sky Garden - nice view, not much for a small person to do other than look around.
London Eye - he was really keen to go on it, got bored half way round. Personally I though it wasn't worth the £68 it cost us.
Lego Store @ Leicester Square - gave up standing outside in the queue after 30 minutes, they we're limiting access to the store even though the store was half empty.
Hamleys - not exceptionally busy, I had to resist spending.
Buckingham Palace - turned up at 10:20 and got great views for Changing of the Guard.
Science Museum - busy (it was half-term), but lots to see and do. Fecking expensive sandwiches in the basement cafe.
Downing Street - "That's where the Prime Minister lives." <pause> "Can we go now?"
City Hall - the cafe is open to the public, no tourist rip-off pricing.
Walked - lots.
We did or attempted the following, not sure how much you'll achieve in one day:
Tower Bridge - was on the glass floor for a part lift and a full lift (German Naval vessel being tugged back out), worth the £19 entry fee.
Sky Garden - nice view, not much for a small person to do other than look around.
London Eye - he was really keen to go on it, got bored half way round. Personally I though it wasn't worth the £68 it cost us.
Lego Store @ Leicester Square - gave up standing outside in the queue after 30 minutes, they we're limiting access to the store even though the store was half empty.
Hamleys - not exceptionally busy, I had to resist spending.
Buckingham Palace - turned up at 10:20 and got great views for Changing of the Guard.
Science Museum - busy (it was half-term), but lots to see and do. Fecking expensive sandwiches in the basement cafe.
Downing Street - "That's where the Prime Minister lives." <pause> "Can we go now?"
City Hall - the cafe is open to the public, no tourist rip-off pricing.
Walked - lots.
frodo23 said:
- Visit to Hamleys (must)
I thought this when I first took my daughter to London at about the same age - It was awful and nothing like how I remembered it as a kid - just a ToysRUs but over 7 floors.....So we quickly left there and ended up in the Toy Kingdom in Harrods and that was 100 times better, and funnily enough the hamster thing that runs in a clear plastic ball that she wanted was cheaper. The toys in there had much more of a wow factor for her (and me!), plus it had the added bonus of being able to have a quick look in the technology section next door on the way out.....Every time we go to London now she pesters me to go in the Toy Kingdom, she loves it.Last time we went we also popped in to Choccywoccydoodah on Carnaby Street, great chocolate cafe upstairs if you can get in, again, she loved it
Your Dad said:
Tower Bridge - was on the glass floor for a part lift and a full lift (German Naval vessel being tugged back out), worth the £19 entry fee.
If you know how tall the bridge is, then that's how far away from you I was, as we watched it go up from the edge of the barrier below. 
DoubleSix said:
I guess having recently come back from Palma where the aquarium totally blew us away our effort sticks in my mind as being really rather ste for a capital city of London's size.
In that case, I can thoroughly recommend the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. Not everything has to be in London, you know! te for a capital city of London's size.
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.
The plan is to head up in the car and then get the train in from Twickenham...will this still qualify for the 2-for-1 offers? Our local station (Castle Cary in Somerset) offers a speedy service into London but the cheapest compatible tickets, even a month before the day itself as we now are, are coming in at £200 for the three of us. Fuel, parking and day travel passes for us all come in at £75, and that £125 saving would pay for the Eye and all our food for the day.
My son is very much into speed and the Thames Clipper sounds like a great plan...I will have to look into times/prices/locations a bit more for this. He's also obsessed with sports cars and he'll see his fair share anyway. Buckingham Palace is a must for us as his school has a royal connection, and he wants to see where the Queen lives.
We'll probably give the planetarium a miss this time, and we'll maybe take him to Greenwich for a day later in the year.
The plan is to head up in the car and then get the train in from Twickenham...will this still qualify for the 2-for-1 offers? Our local station (Castle Cary in Somerset) offers a speedy service into London but the cheapest compatible tickets, even a month before the day itself as we now are, are coming in at £200 for the three of us. Fuel, parking and day travel passes for us all come in at £75, and that £125 saving would pay for the Eye and all our food for the day.
My son is very much into speed and the Thames Clipper sounds like a great plan...I will have to look into times/prices/locations a bit more for this. He's also obsessed with sports cars and he'll see his fair share anyway. Buckingham Palace is a must for us as his school has a royal connection, and he wants to see where the Queen lives.
We'll probably give the planetarium a miss this time, and we'll maybe take him to Greenwich for a day later in the year.
frodo23 said:
My son is very much into speed and the Thames Clipper sounds like a great plan...I will have to look into times/prices/locations a bit more for this.
You need to get it at least as far as the O2 so that you get a decent run at high speed, as there's a speed limit from the centre to half a mile past Tower Bridge, but personally I'd recommend going down to Woolwich and back, as that way you also get to go through the Thames Barrier, which is pretty impressive.Prices are here, and you want Central & East.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff