Advice?

[Jenncram]

Hi everyone,

We're booked on the ABD London and Paris Knights and Lights trip starting July 16, 2102. We have 2 boys aged 7 and 10. We're arriving in London on the am of the 14th. I've been excitedly reading any and all posts I can about this trip. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for sights to see over our 2-3 pre-days that are not included. We're thinking about going to see the Lion King (it's been removed from the current itenary) and maybe the Tower Bridge exhibition? Thanks in advice for any help!

 

[jlou]

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[jlou]

The British Museum is right near your hotel, I believe. Also, you can't go wrong just strolling around Covent Garden Market. We also had fun at an exhibition at the O2 Arena, you could see if there is anything going on there. Plus, it was fun riding the Metro (I let my 11 year old son navigate) to the O2. You can also probably use this time to use your tickets on the London Eye (when we went in 2008, the guides gave us the tickets to use on our own). There is a nice place for kids near there to walk around and have a snack. We also spent some time at Trafalgar Square, the kids just love being there.

You are going to have a great trip!! Happy planning!

 

[sayhello]

The Olympics start a week or so later. You should see if you can check out any of the Olympic venues!

Sayhello

 

[pxlbarrel]

If the weather is nice, you could take one of the Thames river boats to Greenwich. It's a nice boat ride and Greenwich is very beautiful (and green!)

Not sure if the kids will like it Kew Gardens is a nice place to walk around too. The kids can go into the man sized badger den! It's easily accessible by the Underground. (uh, Kew Gardens is accessible... not the badger home...) LOL

 

[beachcat]

I did the Knights and Lights Tour in May 2010. We really enjoyed riding the Thames Clipper boats up and down the river -- fast, clean and a great way to see the city skyline complete with bathroom and bar.

If your boys are into airplanes, the Royal Air Force Museum in Colindale via the Tube was well done.

 

[ennuiphobe]

Warwick Castle. My 10yo son and I went prior to our K&L tour in 2010 and he loved it (in fact, he said it and Disney Paris afterwards were the best part of the trip). I was worried that it was going to be cheesy (and it was a little), but for the most part it was entertaining and well done (and perfect for young boys).

You might also post your question over on Trip Advisor. There are a ton of people over there (as here) who are very helpful.

 

[sayhello]

You might also check out Madame Tussauds' Wax Museum.

http://www.madametussauds.com/London/

It's a world-famous Wax Museum. I didn't make it there this trip, but I remember loving it the last time I was in London.

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[sayhello]

Good heavens! I was just reminded. Are your boys Harry Potter fans? The Harry Potter Studio Tour opens this weekend! It's a tour of the Leavesden Studios (where the movies were all filmed) in Watford, about 20 miles North-West of London. It has tons of actual props, costumes and sets from the movies. I wish it had opened when I was there in September!

http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/en/

You need to purchase tickets in advance (it's a timed entrance). I checked, and they do have availability for July 14th, 15th & 16th!

If they are Harry Potter fans, they'd probably love it!

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[kmc33]

Good heavens! I was just reminded. Are your boys Harry Potter fans? The Harry Potter Studio Tour opens this weekend! It's a tour of the Leavesden Studios (where the movies were all filmed) in Watford, about 20 miles North-West of London. It has tons of actual props and sets from the movies. I wish it had opened when I was there in September!

http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/en/

You need to purchase tickets in advance (it's a timed entrance). I checked, and they do have availability for July 14th, 15th & 16th!

If they are Harry Potter fans, they'd probably love it!

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Oh my goodness! I didn't know about this. My son would love this. Do you know if this is a temporary sort of tour or something more permanent in nature?

Thank!

 

[sayhello]

Oh my goodness! I didn't know about this. My son would love this. Do you know if this is a temporary sort of tour or something more permanent in nature?

Thank!

As far as I know, it's a fairly permanent thing. They spent quite a bit of time & money building the area as an exhibit. They're currently selling tickets through the end of 2012. I imagine they'll keep it running as long as it makes money!

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[Gigi22]

You are arriving on the morning of the 14th and your ABD tour starts on the 16th? Based on what I recall of flying into London in the early a.m., you are going to experience jet lag for most of the first day, and likely into your second day there, so I wouldn't plan for anything overly ambitious on either day. I would plan something relatively quiet on the 14th--perhaps if you can get matinee theatre tickets for that day?

 

[sayhello]

You are arriving on the morning of the 14th and your ABD tour starts on the 16th? Based on what I recall of flying into London in the early a.m., you are going to experience jet lag for most of the first day, and likely into your second day there, so I wouldn't plan for anything overly ambitious on either day. I would plan something relatively quiet on the 14th--perhaps if you can get matinee theatre tickets for that day?

That's very true about the jet lag, but I can't imagine not falling asleep at a theater matinee! I'm not sure sitting still in a dark theater for a few hours would work for me as a way to get around jet lag!

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[kmc33]

That's very true about the jet lag, but I can't imagine not falling asleep at a theater matinee! I'm not sure sitting still in a dark theater for a few hours would work for me as a way to get around jet lag!

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LOL - me too. And thank you for the information about Harry Potter. I showed my son the website and he was really excited about it. We have been thinking about the Ireland ABD trip. I think we might have to go to London for several days before!