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London Itinerary Review

Hi all,

I'm trying to fine tune our itinerary as our trip is getting closer. I'd appreciate any feedback.

Travellers: Two adults, one child (4) and one infant (7.5 months)

Budget: as low as we can go but not cheap out :)

Pace: Slow. We would like to get at least one nap at the apartment for the baby per day

We are staying in an apartment near the Notting Hill tube station.

Flying in Monday, June 6 in the morning into Gatwick. Pick up Oyster Cards. Gatwick Express to Victoria Station. I need to collect our train tickets there. Tube to Notting Hill.

I'm hoping to check in early (check in is at 3) but if not we will probably settle into Hude Park and get a picnic/relax near the Memorial Playground.

Rest of day we want to unpack, get groceries, explore Hyde Park.

Tuesday, June 7
- changing of the guard- hoping to be at the playground to see them go by (23 minutes yellow line tube)
- Buckingham palace
- Picnic st James park
- Nap/Rest
- National History Museum and/or
- British Museum (30 minute walk)
- Afternoon Tea at the Orangery (should I pre book?)
- Diana Memorial Playground

Wednesday
- 148 Bus (45 minutes)
- London eye if weather is clear
- Duck tour (starts 10am)- 75 minutes
- Optional: museum of London
- Nap/Rest
- Holland Park (20 minute walk)

Thursday (June 9)
- HMS Belfast war boat
- Tower of London
- Borough Market
- 30 minute metro home
- open afternoon in South Kensington

Friday
- pack, check out and head for the train!

How does this look? We really only want to do one "big" trip per day with the kids, so I've tried to group things together.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Posted by
533 posts

Maybe you meant the Victoria & Albert Museum or the Science Museum rather than the British Museum? They're both right near the Natural History Museum. I think they're all great museums, although I can't speak to how good they are for very young children.

Be aware, since you mentioned the "yellow line tube," that London Underground lines are all referred to by their names, not their colors. The yellow line is the Circle Line. All (or at least most) of the relevant signs will include both the name and the color, but if you're listening for announcements, they'll only include the name, so it's good to train yourself to think in terms of names rather than colors.

Is also a good idea have a little trip visiting Little Venice, there are lots of waterside cafes, pubs and restaurants and, in summer season you can see it more alive. Is close to Rembrandt Gardens.

Posted by
130 posts

Emma-
Thank you for the reply- we don't plan to take a stroller, I will wear the baby and my oldest can be worn if she tires.
We really only want to do one big excursion per day, and the baby can nap in the carrier. However she takes two naps a day, so ideally one will be at the apartment.
And the British Museum is a typo- wrong one from my research :)

Posted by
7175 posts

Make sure your 'rest/nap' periods don't get squeezed out - perhaps set a 'must be back' time.
If you plan HMS Belfast, I very much doubt you will manage Borough Market after the Tower.
I would go ahead and book both the Eye and the Duck, just so you can co-ordinate times, and avoid possibly waiting around. The weather may or may not be brilliant sunshine, but you will probably want to go regardless.

Monday, June 6
- REST / NAP
- Hyde Park

Tuesday, June 7
- Tower of London
- HMS Belfast
- REST / NAP
- Natural History Museum

Wednesday, June 8
- Westminster
- Buckingham Palace (changing of the guard)
- REST / NAP
- Kensington Palace (Afternoon Tea at the Orangery, then Diana Memorial Playground)

Thursday, June 9
- London Eye
- Duck Tour
- REST / NAP
- V&A or Science Museum

Posted by
15794 posts

If you want to go to Borough Market, go early. It gets very crowded at lunch time.

Posted by
130 posts

Thank you djp!
I like how you've laid it out so simply :)
I was planning to get a travelcard and doing 2-4-1 at the Tower of London, HMS Belfast, and the London Eye so I wouldn't be able to pre book if I do that right?

Posted by
130 posts

Thank you Emma!
I'm thinking that I will play the 3 days by ear, and do the London Eye/Duck tour on the one that looks the nicest.
We plan to do the 2-4-1 so cannot reserve in advance anyways.
I think I will leave us the choice Thursday afternoon of doing the Science Museum or Holland Park... Both are pretty handy to the apartment.