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London day-trip in March....with an 8 year old

Posted by (Tucson) on

Third visit to London coming up next month. Whoooo hoooooo!

Thinking about a day trip, but it being March, and the fact that my 8yo daughter is going to be with me, I thought I'd look for some advice before just deciding.

My qualifications are simple: out of London, beautiful green countryside to look at from the train, something interesting to look at when we get there. I'm leaving "interesting" open to your interpretation :)

I've day-tripped to Salisbury and to Stratford-Upon-Avon. Loved them both, and loved the train rides.

Really want to see the Cotswolds, but I'm thinking I should save that for a warmer trip with everything in bloom. Correct in that assumption?

Thanks for your help!

Posted by
3398 posts

Maybe a day trip out to Oxford and/or Blenheim Palace? Plenty of countryside and places she will love looking at. If she is a Harry Potter fan then Oxford might be fun for her...several filming locations she will know.

Posted by
1526 posts

Hampton Court is a great day trip. They have tours led by costumed guides. I think the Tudor tour is the best one for 1st time. You can take train one way and a Thames Boat the other way, or vice versa depending on tides and the railroad times. The boat takes a while but is fun. Or you could train both ways. You can also take water transport to Greenwich and the Observatory so you can stand on both sides of the World. Both of these trips are doable with enough time for down time, too. The British Museum is fun, too with all the antiquities of Egypt etc. One or More of the Street Markets: Notting Hill is on Saturday. Check the National Trust UK web site for ideas. They have Overseas Visitors Touring Passes for 7 or 14 days that covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They have a wonderful selection in Greater London. A lot of these have been in movies. Fenton House is one of my favorites.

Posted by
2252 posts

Yes! Kathleen has it! Hampton Court has been a huge hit for my grandkids for all our past trips to London. Nice train ride, a maze and all the rest of the sights and activities Kathleen lists. I bet your daughter will enjoy it and so will you. My other go-to when I have kids in tow is a day in Greenwich but maybe too chilly for a boat ride in the Thames in March.....or maybe not😄

Posted by
9263 posts

It’s a half hour rail ride from Marylebone to the Bekonscot Model Village and Railway. Google it and see if it’s something you think your 8 year old might enjoy.

Posted by
4071 posts

What does your 8 year old really enjoy? Big palaces? Railroads and trains? Garden mazes? Spooky looking crypts?

Posted by
20 posts

The first time I brought my daughter to England, she was 8 as well:)

Now, things may have changed, but when we went, Hampton Court had a GREAT kid's audio tour. They made it sort of Harry Potter-ish.

We also went to Warwick Castle, which a lot of people think is too Disney for their taste anymore. But in the eyes of an 8 year old, it was perfect. Make sure you visit the gardens, where we went to investigate the curious sound that ended up coming from a peacock:)

Have fun!

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