OriginalSunshine

So, it's been a good 20 years since I went into the centre of London.

My kids are 7yrs and 8yrs old and want to see the Natural History museum, Science museum, Tower of London, London Dungeon, possibly London Zoo.

So - question no1: how many days would that lot take to do, comfortably, and not rushed?

Question no2: where to stay and travel in? proviso is that last day of holiday we have an 8am departure flight from Heathrow which may or may not impact the decision...

Question no3: what's the best way to pay for transport around London? given that it may be many years later that we return!

thanks in advance

flares

We stayed at Novotel London City South last summer for a few days and found that good for access to the sights. It's down the Southwark Bridge Rd and close to Borough Market. There's also a cheaper Ibis Styles there. Both very busy though with tourists.

Tube great for getting around but don't write off the busses or even water transport down the Thames.

Patsy Stoned

http://www.lastminute.com/trips/hotellist/datelessList?&city=London&startIndex=0&hotelMaxRet urnPerPage=25&neighborhoodId=102GB-0000|Top%20Secret%20Hotels%20in%20London&guestCode s=ADULT&guestCounts=1&numRooms=1&path=hotels&showH otelType=TSH

top secret hotels site has great bargains, read the descriptions properly and you can usually guess where the hotel is. Some friends of mine stayed at the Mayfair hotel for £80 a night.

Boomhauer

It's been a loong times since I went to the Science Museum ; I remember going there in the morning and leaving in the afternoon, so about 5 odd hours.

OriginalSunshine

Thanks Patsy!

Boomhauer - yeah, me too - suspect that it will take up most of one day!

Autonomy

For a hotel near the museums in South Ken - http://www.londonregency.com/contact.asp - Mrs Auto has stayed there and it's really nice in a great location - We are staying there in a few weeks and can let you know more then... decent prices.

Meow

To avoid over doing it you really need to do one per day. The Natural History and Science Museums are close but both in one day is overload. I wouldn't bother with the London Dungeon, unless you go on a day when Borough Market is operating fully as that's a treat in itself. For you at least.

Get a daily/weekly travel pass for best value to get around.

OriginalSunshine

thanks - is it worth getting one of these Oyster card things, given we will only be there for 3 or 4 days?

TheShed

London Dungeon has recently moved. It's now up by the London Eye. If you do walk down the south bank between Southwark and London Bridge I throughly recommend the Flounders arms for lunch. Child friendly, good food and great views across the Thames (weather dependant).

Don't forget HMS Belfast up by London Bridge ( access through Hays galleria). That is a quick hour or so at the end of the day, again child friendly and bloody interesting. Again great pics across the Thames of tower bridge and the old city.

My daughter lives 100m away from Borough Market and that is a destination in itself if you love food.

Hope it helps.

OriginalSunshine

thanks Shed

ADteacher

Last time I went to the Natural History Musuem on a british school holiday day, the queue to get in was ridiculous! Depends when you are going but if it is during english hols, get there early!!

Oyster card is definitely your best bet for getting around! Under 11's are free so won't need one either.

nonthaburi

Did all this last year with my similar aged kids. Definitely get an Oyster card as kids go free on tube and buses and travel on an Oyster is the cheapest way of getting around.

One place a day, possibly two max. Kids get tired traveling around and you don't want to do too much. Remember it's good to have chill out time in a park which London is great for. My wife and kids loved Regent's park.

airbnb is worth a look for places to stay. It has the advantage that you get a whole apartment to use rather than a hotel room. This worked for me as it meant we could do our own food and didn't get walletraped every time we went out the door.

nonthaburi

Forgot to say: take your kids on the Emirates cable car over the Thames. It's cheap and the kids should love it.

TheShed

One thing I would suggest is to plan the days out well in advance (probably before you leave). A quick search on the net of tourist London will reveal tons of offers where if you buy ticket a and b, c is effectively free. Many if the big attractions are run by a few companies and they all do advance deals.

flares

If you are up by South Ken and want to chill away from the hordes after or between museums visits check out the Serpentine Swimming Club on the lake in Hyde Park. You pay a few quid to get in

There's a hidden park where you can sunbathe accessed from the pavilion and also kids play bits...and the swimming lanes in the lake itself if you fancy it...I swam in the lake last summer...just because. Got to access it through the pavilion though.

Agree with Shed, Meow & Co about Borough Market