London with a 6 year old
Discussion
So it's may daughter 6th Birthday. She doesnt want anything for a gift but does need new clothes and will do pretty much anything to wear a pretty dress so have decided on a Mother Daughter shopping day in London (read Oxford Street,Primark)
I do want to show her a little of London though and thought taking her to Buckingham Palace (little girls love a princess etc) Does anyone know the best tube station nearest to walk to Buckingham Palace as she isnt going to want to walk very far.
Is Changing of the Guard worth watching/waiting for or will she pretty much not be able to see?
Also can anyone else recomend things to see/do that are very cheap and dont involve alot of walking?
I do want to show her a little of London though and thought taking her to Buckingham Palace (little girls love a princess etc) Does anyone know the best tube station nearest to walk to Buckingham Palace as she isnt going to want to walk very far.
Is Changing of the Guard worth watching/waiting for or will she pretty much not be able to see?
Also can anyone else recomend things to see/do that are very cheap and dont involve alot of walking?
The view from Waterloo Road bridge up and down the thames is the best in London, nearest Tube Embankment !
Oxford Street - fair enough - very hectic.
Buckingham Palace, Victoria tube or from Charing Cross Tube and then walk through St James park, it's about a mile up along side the Mall.
Natural History museum at South Ken is free and brilliant, but a bit further out...
Oxford Street - fair enough - very hectic.
Buckingham Palace, Victoria tube or from Charing Cross Tube and then walk through St James park, it's about a mile up along side the Mall.
Natural History museum at South Ken is free and brilliant, but a bit further out...
Thanks guys really helpful.
Was only planning on Primark to buy her some clothes as opposed to walking the length of it! I can fill loads of bags for her for next to nothing really. Will make it the last place to go so im not carrying everything everywhere.
She is very excited to be visiting "London" but I do wonder if she wont be slightly disapointed its not all Mary Poppinsesque....
Was only planning on Primark to buy her some clothes as opposed to walking the length of it! I can fill loads of bags for her for next to nothing really. Will make it the last place to go so im not carrying everything everywhere.
She is very excited to be visiting "London" but I do wonder if she wont be slightly disapointed its not all Mary Poppinsesque....
I've done London with my daughter a few times (she's 6) tacked onto the back of meetings.
I'm not sure I'd worry too much about the walking - the last trip we walked about 3.5 miles and she complained not once. Things she likes.
Big Ben.
Trafalgar Square (the Lions)
River Cruise
Covent Garden (lots of entertainment in the school holidays don't know about outside these.
Bus tour (very expensive and I'm not as convinced).
Play area near London Eye (check on this as I think it looked to be under construction from the train).
We've never managed to get the time to walk to Buckingham Palace, although we did taxi past on the way to the station.
Dinosaurs at the Natural History museum also seem to be of interest.
Personally not a fan of Oxford Street. Too busy. Also would suggest avoiding Hamley's - its an over hyped expensive toy shop thats designed to put parents in conflict with their children...
Change of clothes as she decided to chuck a smoothie all over herself, shortly after leaving her backpack in the taxi (that was murder to get back!)
I'm not sure I'd worry too much about the walking - the last trip we walked about 3.5 miles and she complained not once. Things she likes.
Big Ben.
Trafalgar Square (the Lions)
River Cruise
Covent Garden (lots of entertainment in the school holidays don't know about outside these.
Bus tour (very expensive and I'm not as convinced).
Play area near London Eye (check on this as I think it looked to be under construction from the train).
We've never managed to get the time to walk to Buckingham Palace, although we did taxi past on the way to the station.
Dinosaurs at the Natural History museum also seem to be of interest.
Personally not a fan of Oxford Street. Too busy. Also would suggest avoiding Hamley's - its an over hyped expensive toy shop thats designed to put parents in conflict with their children...
Change of clothes as she decided to chuck a smoothie all over herself, shortly after leaving her backpack in the taxi (that was murder to get back!)
Beautiful girl!
Ooh it's got me all excited! Personally we only live in Crawley so London not exactly a mystery to me but because she is so excited its rubbing off! Big Ben is great idea.
Just trying to see if i can buy the train tickets in advance to save a few quid, who thought could be so difficult!
Ooh it's got me all excited! Personally we only live in Crawley so London not exactly a mystery to me but because she is so excited its rubbing off! Big Ben is great idea.
Just trying to see if i can buy the train tickets in advance to save a few quid, who thought could be so difficult!
Depending on how fit you and your little one are and how much of the smoke you wish to see...
I would get the tube to Green Park. It is right next to the Ritz so you can point that out to her, then you can walk through Green Park (not far at all, 300m tops) to Buckingham Palace. You can then either walk through St James' Park or up the Mall to Trafalgar Square and show her the outside of the British museum and Nelson. Then you turn down towards Westminster, past 10 Downing Street and down to the Houses of Parliament. Cross the bridge there and take a trip on the eye to see it all from above! All easily done in about 2 hours with the exception of the Eye trip which might push it on a bit longer.
I would get the tube to Green Park. It is right next to the Ritz so you can point that out to her, then you can walk through Green Park (not far at all, 300m tops) to Buckingham Palace. You can then either walk through St James' Park or up the Mall to Trafalgar Square and show her the outside of the British museum and Nelson. Then you turn down towards Westminster, past 10 Downing Street and down to the Houses of Parliament. Cross the bridge there and take a trip on the eye to see it all from above! All easily done in about 2 hours with the exception of the Eye trip which might push it on a bit longer.
Oops, just saw the dislike of walking bit!
Not sure you would fit all of my idea in without the walking as it would take so much longer to see by tube and be a lot more expensive. Whilst it would be nice to have a shopping day and visit a few of the attractions I would avoid trying to do both in one day. I'd plan on the trip to London and make your minds up on the day which you are going there for. If it is raining do the shopping, if it is dry do the sightseeing.
Echo about Hamleys and Harrods - would avoid other than on the strict understanding that it is look but no buying. Both are magical places to visit if you have millions or don't plan on spending anything but really are nothing more than a big toy shop and a big department store. An opinion I have had since I was about 12
Not sure you would fit all of my idea in without the walking as it would take so much longer to see by tube and be a lot more expensive. Whilst it would be nice to have a shopping day and visit a few of the attractions I would avoid trying to do both in one day. I'd plan on the trip to London and make your minds up on the day which you are going there for. If it is raining do the shopping, if it is dry do the sightseeing.
Echo about Hamleys and Harrods - would avoid other than on the strict understanding that it is look but no buying. Both are magical places to visit if you have millions or don't plan on spending anything but really are nothing more than a big toy shop and a big department store. An opinion I have had since I was about 12
Rude-boy said:
Depending on how fit you and your little one are and how much of the smoke you wish to see...
I would get the tube to Green Park. It is right next to the Ritz so you can point that out to her, then you can walk through Green Park (not far at all, 300m tops) to Buckingham Palace. You can then either walk through St James' Park or up the Mall to Trafalgar Square and show her the outside of the British museum and Nelson. Then you turn down towards Westminster, past 10 Downing Street and down to the Houses of Parliament. Cross the bridge there and take a trip on the eye to see it all from above! All easily done in about 2 hours with the exception of the Eye trip which might push it on a bit longer.
That's not the British Museum in Trafalgar Sq ! It's the National Portrait Gallery. Good suggestion though. I would get the tube to Green Park. It is right next to the Ritz so you can point that out to her, then you can walk through Green Park (not far at all, 300m tops) to Buckingham Palace. You can then either walk through St James' Park or up the Mall to Trafalgar Square and show her the outside of the British museum and Nelson. Then you turn down towards Westminster, past 10 Downing Street and down to the Houses of Parliament. Cross the bridge there and take a trip on the eye to see it all from above! All easily done in about 2 hours with the exception of the Eye trip which might push it on a bit longer.
So I guess you doing Buckingham Palace first then walk through Green Park to Green Park tube station...you can then hop on the Jubilee Line for one stop to Bond St which is close to Primark. You could perhaps take her into Selfridges before Primark for a bit of OTT glamour....that whole ground floor is pretty much Handbags,Perfume and "The Wonder Room" i.e. all the waches and Jewellery etc...might make her eyes pop out a bit ? I am sure some of the assistants would make a fuss of her if it's not busy.
There's the Aquarium too ? Not cheap at £40 for the two of you though...that does a long way in Primark I am sure.
What about a sightseeing bus tour ? Might take too long but yu can hop on and off.
There's the Aquarium too ? Not cheap at £40 for the two of you though...that does a long way in Primark I am sure.
What about a sightseeing bus tour ? Might take too long but yu can hop on and off.
Another vote for NHM, you don't have to go round all of it but the animals are particulary good. My dad took me to there and Hyde Park when I was 5 and I've never forgotten the feeling, I still get that same feeling when I go to those parts of London today. (I live 10 miles from the centre now)
Green Park is probably the best tube station for Buckingham Palace - it's a short walk, but quite a nice one down through the park. Absolutely, absolutely do your very best do avoid the Piccadilly Line eastbound through there between about half five and seven in the evening, though... not only do you get the usual rush hour traffic but you also have a huge quantity of tourists who spend the day shopping in Knightsbridge and then head east to catch a show.
Another good thing to do near there is the museums at South Kensington; there's a ridiculous density (V&A, Science and Natural History a stone's throw from each other) so good if you've got a kid who doesn't like walking.
Another good thing to do near there is the museums at South Kensington; there's a ridiculous density (V&A, Science and Natural History a stone's throw from each other) so good if you've got a kid who doesn't like walking.
DoctorX said:
I've got London with a 5 year old in a couple weeks, I know most of the usual attractions but can anyone advise whether the Olympic Park area is open to wander around? Can we have a look around the outside of the stadium etc?
Can't help re: Olympic Park, sorry, but make sure you check on tube engineering works if going on a weekend. There's tons and it could make your chosen journey a nightmare if not impossible.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff