My 11 year old daughter & I will have a morning in London just the two of us. I was thinking of maybe shopping at The Stables in Camden or biking in Notting Hill. And I have read that the Top Shop is a good spot to check out. Is the East End worth considering? We looked at horseback riding in Hyde Park, but the price...yikes. Any ideas?
Thanks!
London eye and hop on hop off bus tour would be my suggestions. There really is not much time for anything else and even doing one or both of those things will be tight.
You haven't said where you are staying and have given options in West, North and to the East of London that are 40+ minutes apart. If I only had a morning somewhere I'd be looking for something relatively close, so time was not used up travelling there or back.
Liz, I'm glad you think the London Eye & the bus tour are good ideas - we have those planned for time with my husband & son :)
Marco, good point, I hate wasting precious time! We're staying near the Lancaster Gate metro stop.
Thanks!
The Stables Market is a LOT of fun and I know when I was a tween I would have loved it. Tons of cool stalls, vintage shopping, inexpensive souvenirs, wildly-dressed shop assistants, fun fashions for cheap.... plus food stalls galore.
As Emma said, Notting Hill is a MOB SCENE most of the time.
Top Shop is cool - if your daughter likes H&M, etc., she'll like Top Shop, but I think you're better off at the Stables Market - for variety and for a very uniquely London vibe.
Agree with Kira, Camden Lock Market. 30 minute tube jaunt from Lancaster Gate. Get off ar Camden Town and let the adventure begin as you walk up Camden High Street toward The Stables. Lots of eye candy, good food, fun shopping AND you'll get to see the lovely Regent canal which many London visitors don't even know exist. A perfect morning for you two to enjoy!
Great info, I'm so glad I asked! She has just recently started getting comfortable riding her bike on the street, so I'm glad to know about the traffic in Notting Hill. Since we're staying close to Hyde Park we will definitely look into biking there instead. She lit up at that idea :) And my husband & son might want to join us for that too.
The shopping all sounds great too! I think we will check out The Stables, and see if we can hit Top Shop, Liberty and Carnaby Street too. We have a little unplanned time on another day, so it's great to know some fun options!
Thanks so much!
Susan
Oh Emma I forgot, thanks for the tip about the tube & the "metro." I'm planning for a visit to Paris too, so I think I keep mixing things up! I have to remember not to say "subway" too, right? I listened to some podcasts on French, I guess I should have looked for some British ones too :)
If you ask for the Subway in London, you would at one time be directed to a pedestrian underpass to cross the street. These days you would possibly be directed to the nearest branded sandwich shop.
Funny, Subway is my daughter's all-time favorite place for food. She'd be happy to go there :)
Hopefully instead of Subway sandwiches she'll enjoy the made fresh daily ones you'll find at the Pret a Manger shops. Stellar soups, salads, sandwiches. Perfect for a picnic in Hyde Park on your bike ride.
Just got back & had a great time! My daughter loved Camden :) She was a little intimidated by the busyness at first, but once she got into it she was shopping like a pro! We found some one of a kind things & a super sparkly London shirt, picked up lunch at Pret a Manger where she tried & liked some new foods, and she can now navigate the tube like a native. Outstanding Mom & daughter day...how will I ever top this one?!
Thanks for all the great advice :)
Susan
Great to hear you had a lovely sojourn with your daughter. Shopping was a success, as well as food from Pret A Manger. Nice! Trust the entire trip was as enjoyable as your day out.
Finally, some safety advice on this forum. Good show, Emma!
