I may go to London with just my 5 year old daughter or with my mother too. Do you have any Must Dos? I may stay a few weeks in England with about 4 days in the heart of London. I will go to Kidzania and hoping to see Downton Abbey but other than that want to just absorb the culture. Any recommendations? I know almost nothing about London. Welcoming any tips on favorite restaurants or activities as I see a lot of Bees have been or lived there.
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If you're at all a Harry Potter fan go to the studio tour at Leavesden. Full of props, costumes, and sets that they used for filming. It's incredible.
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@erinbaderin: I kind of like Harry Potter. There is a slim chance a friend who is a huge fan may go with us. So thanks!
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What time of year will you be going?
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Maybe not the most entertaining for a 5 year old, but the British Museum is amazing and FREE. The Rosetta Stone, an Easter Island statue, King Tut exhibit and literally millions of other cool things.
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@wheres_c: It's up in the air right now. Could be Oct, Apr or July.
@Raspberry: LO loves going to Science Centers..I'm sure I'll get a lot of interesting questions at the British museum. -
The British Museum is amazing! I remember seeing some kids with some sort of special kids guide to the museum.
Eta: here it is! http://www.britishmuseum.org/visiting/family_visits.aspx
I also though the Tower of London (which btw is not just a single tower) was really interesting. You can walk in and around the buildings and they have the Crown Jewels on display. Near this is the Tower Bridge and you can cross the River Thames on foot.
There were some antique markets and buskers in Covent Garden which I thought were really cool.
Hamley's toy shop might be fun. It's a giant store, kind of like the old FAO Schwartz stores.
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I've spent a lot of time in London and we just took lo (2) there for the first time for just a couple days (I had to go to a work trip in Oxford). Hyde park/Kensington gardens are amazing and we discovered that there's an amazing playground there- the Diana memorial playground. It's near Kensington palace which is lovely, though my favorite london area palace is Hampton Court, though it's a bit of a trek (though not as much of a trek as Highclere/where downton was filmed, but you have to book way in advance for that). I love borough market, st James park, fortnum and mason (esp for high tea!), museum of london. If you go during summer, I love the open air theatre in regents park
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@nana87: @sunny: Whoa! Thanks for all the help!! I'll be looking into those places. Highclere has an event that is still open this October. Would love to go then. That may be the deciding factor.
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OH I forgot another--we took lo to the Science Museum and really liked it! They had a couple areas really tailored to little ones that lo enjoyed. It's also free, so score
And it's right by the Natural History Museum and Victoria & Albert museum, which are also free. There's a great little courtyard and cafeteria at the V&A
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Also go wander around Harrods. It's amazing. I like to get a picnic from the food court and take it to the park to eat, although it might be a bit chilly for that in October.
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@erinbaderin: I really want to go in the summer (and leave HIghclere up in the air) so keep those warm weather ideas coming. I'm totally planning my itinerary research off the Bees' ideas. Thanks!
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I think my son would really like the changing of the guards at the palace...he's seen it in movies (Minions) and I think he'd get a kick out of it to see it happening live.
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I would recommend going in July if thats an option. British summertime is just so fun! and theres lots of stuff to do outside.
Like others have mentioned, I recommend the science museum and natural history museum - they are both free. The London Zoo is wonderful too. There are so many parks in london, you can just spend an afternoon in hyde park or green park feeding the ducks.
There is all kinds of childrens theatre - although this is more common at christmas. I'd look and see whats playing when you go. -
@wheres_c: Yes, that's my first choice given HIghclere will be open and I can wait that long. Weather really makes a huge difference when traveling.
And it's right by the Natural History Museum and Victoria & Albert museum, which are also free. There's a great little courtyard and cafeteria at the V&A
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