London plans with 17yo grandchild

How much input has your 17-yo grandchild had in this plan? I think at that age most young people want to be in charge and make decisions. Of course, you know your grandchild; maybe they're the type that needs a lot of structure. My honest reaction, assuming it's a typical 17-yo, is that if you planned all of this yourself it is (since you asked ...) too dense. But there's no harm having these options in your back pocket if kiddo goes "um, what shall we do next?"

Ideally on your arrival day, it would be better if you tried to stay awake by doing more walking and getting some fresh air rather than eating a heavy afternoon tea then going to a pub.

You are arriving on a Sunday when shops are limited to opening for 6 hours, so if you need a Boots (Superdrug would be my choice not Boots) then check online as to their opening hours. Many places operate 10-4 or 11-5. Smaller shops, such as at train stations will be open longer but will have a reduced product range.

I am always still jet lagged day 2, so you may want a gentle start. A day for Kew Gardens?

Presumably your grandchild has had some input into the schedule?

With a teenager, perhaps let them have an afternoon to themselves as well? As much as kids (same age as your grandkids) enjoy traveling with us, they do appreciate the odd afternoon to walk around by themselves and explore. Other than that, it does look like a full agenda

Having taken a 17 year old granddaughter to London for a week 3 years ago, I’d say you have a lot of excellent possibilities they might be interested in. I went with lists that she’d help narrow down and then we still had to make choices, including the choice to just linger in a favorite place longer. Do any of London’s excellent, varied museums interest your grandchild? Ours picked two for the week we visited. Knowing my granddaughter, we didn’t schedule too many early, opening time activities. It was a wonderful trip and I hope yours will be too with your grandchild this fall.

Thank you for your help, good to know about limited shopping hours on Sunday, we will look for a super drug after we drop bags. Yes, grandchild’s input is included- BB tea bus, graffiti tunnel,Ripper tour, market shopping and Ted Lasso footsteps are their choices. I hope they will want to choose a play/musical for one night. They are interested in a drag show but I’m not sure how to go about that or if 17 is legal. Sunday seems the best day for the tea bus to minimize sitting in traffic, but I agree walking off the long flight will be best. Trying to balance planning and allowing for spontaneity, mostly want to keep from wasting time with needless/repeat travel- hoping my location choices make sense .

You might like to know that a 17 year old can drink beer cider or wine with a meal in a pub so long as its bought by you

Mona, early mornings ARE a problem……maybe I should schedule our Tower visit for end of day (key ceremony) then we’d be in the area for Ripper tour. Thank you for that reminder and the words of encouragement.

The 17yo has a mind of thier own. Listen to thier voice and take them to the pub, rather being all controling.

I took my 20 year old nephew to London in June. Due to the overwhelming number of choices, he only pre-picked one activity per day, then we planned on the fly the rest of the time (mostly his choices, but I did help with the focus). Most of the days you have noted are ambitious, but you definitely have too much on arrival day - I would not get on an afternoon bus, I'd be asleep in five seconds after a long flight and travel day (even if you do sleep on airplane). Since you mentioned your grandchild is not morning friendly, any of your "first thing" activities should be more flexible choices (e.g., do markets/walking in morning, make reservations for Tower of London/Westminster Abbey in the afternoon).

As for inspiring travel skills, it was pretty easy for my nephew to default to me for navigation/paying/logistics because he's used to being taken care of at home (he's not spoiled, just a late-teen). It took patience and prodding but eventually he did plan big chunks of several days and got us around to do those things. I wouldn't turn over navigation on day 1, but start out verbally explaining how you are getting around (e.g., how to read the tube maps). Cell phones make it so much easier with a good navigation app (I use City Mapper, he used iPhone). And even if you get turned around (we did, several times, plus had travel drama coming home) it's a chance to show how to get yourself on the right track again (an important lesson too).

As for pubs, are you primary caregiver for your grandchild? If not, make sure their parent(s) are on board with alcohol consumption if your grandchild is interested in that (of course they can visit pub without drinking). My nephew was excited he would be "legal" when we traveled and his parents were totally fine with that. He had a grand time ordering drinks and feeling grown up.

Lastly, if you're taking Eurostar to Paris, it can be quite a big jam at St. Pancras departures (long line for security plus two passport checks). Follow the advice to arrive at least 90 minutes before departure. The staff are helpful with signage about what trains are checking in - just ask if you're not sure.

Also remember we that your grandchild is still a minor so get proper documentation to travel with him/her overseas because of strict child trafficking laws and in case of illness. Also teenagers can be tricky to travel with in terms of sleep requirements. Let them plan with you and allow some down time.

I took an adult son to London in May and quickly learned that things needed to happen at his pace , not mine. I’ll be honest, I can pack a lot in a day and still be ready for more. This isn’t always the case for others and I had to quickly revise my expectations so that it seemed like a vacation for him instead of a death March.

I like your location for hotel. That should be very convenient for sightseeing, bus, and tube connections.

Yes, a bit too busy .
17 year olds like to shop....does yours?
If so, a walk along Oxford Street is good, and especially Primark for teen clothing.

Great comments, thanks! Jennifer, Kew G second day makes sense. Mona, going with lists and getting them to choose the day before might fit her personality perfectly…..and still allow me to ‘prepare’ somewhat. CL, ‘patience and prodding’-exactly, we are taking the Eurostar (2:30 departure) and will have a couple days in Paris before joining RS city tour. Mary, yes! Documents ready. Traveling with an almost 18yo may include a glass of cider/beer/wine occasionally but they and I are probably more excited about pastries,especially once in France. Carol, death March….yes if unchecked I could go there lol. I will try to remind myself of original goals, curiosity/courage/inspiration….you know. SJ, they do want to shop, and Primark may be a good fit, I guess I assumed Oxford st might be too posh. So, from your wonderful comments I’m considering: booking Westminster/Tower for afternoon visits, making lists by area for them to help choose/craft the day/evening. I still might have the landing day well planned as I don’t think fast on my feet while jet lagged. Has anyone been to the Royal Vauxhall Theater?

Ceremony of the Keys tickets are like hen's teeth. Do you have a plan to get them?

Daytime opening hours are shorter in the evening, the Tower of London opening hours in October are

Mondays and Sundays: 10.00-17.30. Last admission: 16.30.

Tuesday - Saturday: 09.00-17.30. Last admission: 16.30.

Last Yeoman Warder guided tour (included in your ticket): 15.30.

Tickets for Ceremony of the Keys future dates will be released periodically on their website, usually on the first working day of the month. On these dates, the next month’s worth of tickets will be released.

That is usually at mid-day UK time. 7am Eastern, etc.

At this minute tickets for July and August have been released -they are all sold out.

Thank you Nigel, looks like key ceremony would interfere with Ripper tour start time anyway. I appreciate the information about last Yeoman tour time, might have missed that and that’s (imho) the best part of a Tower visit.

Oxford Street is not "posh" shopping.
It's mainly chain stores, so lots to choose from for your teen: Zara, H and M, Primark, M and S., etc.