london with kids

7/28/2019 London With Kids

1/18

London with Kids - part 2

by Geri Wagner

Day One

Leicester SquareBus TourRiver CruiseWalking Tour

OK, this is Orientation Day. You're going to check out some of the main places that one hears aboutwhen someone mentions London. Wherever you're staying, take the tube (buy yourself a weeklong

pass at the tube station) and take the Piccadilly Line to Leicester Square.

At Leicester Square, follow the crowds up to the street past buskers who will entertain you along theway. Buskers are the musicians/actors you'll see and hear serenading you with all forms ofinstruments, including voice. Although it looks pretty laid back, busking is well organized in London.A busker has a certain area and that area is not to be infringed upon by another busker. It's all pretty

interesting and neat. Toss a few pence into their instrument cases and head out onto the square.

Look around at the various statues of Charlie Chaplin and others, and go around the corner to the hugeSwiss cuckoo clock that plays music and has movement like the cuckoo clock back home on yourwall. You can also check out the Half price ticket booth to see what's on at London theatres. Maybeyou can pick up tickets for a show tonight.

It's always good to expose the kids to theatre and you're sure to find something that they'll enjoy. Wetook our kids to "Peter Pan" and it was a real thrill for all of us. In London, the audience isn't bashful -they'll hiss at the villains like Captain Hook. At intermissions, you can buy ice creams right in theaisles and just have a good time!

While at Leicester Square, you can find all kinds of "take away" foods to eat as you stroll around. Toobad, my favourite espresso bar is no longer there. I enjoyed sipping a cappuccino at the big plateglasswindow and simply watching the goings on in Leicester Square from my vantage point.

Now get back on the tube, Piccadilly Line and go one stop over to Piccadilly Circus. One of the firstthings folks recommended that we do when we arrived in London was to simply take a double-decker

bus tour around to the various main attractions. Your tour guide will give you information about thecity that you might not otherwise know and you'll have a quick orientation to this "city of a hundredsmall cities" for future reference.

Expect to see things like Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, the

Tower of London, Buckingham Palace - you know, the typical haunts. With a Big Bus CompanyTour Ticket you get a Live Commentary. With this company, your ticket is valid for 24 hours and youget a free river cruise and walking tours. Adult Ticket 14.00 ($21 USD). Book on line and save 1(normal price 15) Child Ticket 6.00 ($9 USD).

They have a really cool site, too. It's fun just to go there even if you don't buy any tickets! You'll beable to cruise the Thames and also get a free walking tour such as a Rock 'N Roll Tour. See wherethe Rolling Stones rehearsed and where the Beatles performed live for the very last time. FromPiccadilly Circus, daily 1:30 and 4 p.m.

If you're not totally blown out by all the day's activities, you might take the kids up into BritishAirways London Eye located at Jubilee Gardens South Bank, London, SE1 Phone: 0870 5000 600.


2/18

At 445 feet high, this is the world's highest observation Wheel (Ferris wheel). It provides a 30-minute,slow-moving 'flight' over London. Designed to reflect the elements - air, water, earth and time - thecentral theme is a circle of white light from within the rim which sweeps the skyline at 445 feet. The

passenger capsule signifying 'time', is lit internally at the point of embarkation.

Take the Jubilee Line (gray on your map) south toward Waterloo station. The Jubilee Line meets upwith Piccadilly Line at Green Park. Get a good night's rest! Hope the ghosts don't keep you up!

London Guide

Going to London on vacation? London Pass offers FREE entry to the top attractions and a FREE 132page guidebook!
http://www.qksrv.net/click-679153-529136http://www.qksrv.net/click-679153-529136


3/18


by Geri Wagner

Day Two Itinerary

Victorian and AlbertHyde ParkHarrod's

Victoria and Albert "Polytechnicon", er- MuseumCromwell Road London SW7 2RLTel: +44 (0) 20 - 7942 2000

OK, let's get it over with early in the day when everyone is fresh and on their best behaviour - unless,of course, Sally has crushed a Weetabix in Michael's hair during breakfast.

On to one of the few - shhhhh - museums - we'll sneak into this itinerary.

The Victoria and Albert holds one of the world's largest and most diverse collections of the decorativearts. The 146 galleries contain unrivalled collections dating from 3000BC to the present day.Furniture, fashion, textiles, paintings, silver, glass, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, books, prints and

photographs illustrate the artistic life of many different cultures from around the world.

The museum's magnificent Victorian and Edwardian buildings also contain the National Art Libraryand some of Britain's best national collections including sculpture, glass, and watercolours. Open allyear, daily, 1000-1745, Wed, 1000-2130, last Fri of each month, 1800-2230. Closed 24-26 Dec.Admission: 5.00 (Adults) 0.00 (Children)

Here's the good news - it won't cost anything for the kids to get in, so you won't have wasted moneyon them if they refuse to look at anything! But I guarantee they'll find something to look at for at leastan hour. Be satisfied with about that amount of time in a museum. With 146 galleries, you need to besomewhat discriminating yourself.

If your kids are old enough, let them explore a bit on their own and plan a meeting place and time. Ifthey have to stay with adults, find some exhibits that will interest them as well. Remind them thatafterward, you are going to the Park, shopping, and to get their fortunes read! In other words, bribethem!

Hyde Park

OK, you got that over with. Victoria and Albert Museum is a stone's throw from Hyde Park, Harrods

and the shopping mecca of London. This Royal Park covers a large area to the south of the Bayswaterarea, 341 acres in total and is a popular recreational and resting haven for tourists and Londoners alike.Hyde Park originated as the hunting grounds of Henry V111 who swiped the land from the monks atWestminster.

In the summers you are able to go boating on the Serpentine, a large lake at the centre of Park, orsimply lounge on the grass near the lake and people watch, or play catch. On Sundays the Park iscrowded at Speakers Corner, a tradition in Hyde Park since 1855, for the famous 'tub-thumping' where

public orators on rostrums and soapboxes air their views to a group of listeners.

Heckling is a favourite sport, but as most of the speakers aren't really very interesting and the others

are rather rude you probably won't bother to heckle for long. (However this makes it one of theliveliest and funniest places to visit in London).


4/18

Harrod's Department StoreKnightsbridge, London SW1Tel: 011 44 171 730 1234

Harrod's is certainly the largest department store in the world. Take plenty of time to check out variousdepartments. In fact, your group might want to split up and shop around for say, an hour beforegathering together in Harrod's world famous Food Hall downstairs, to browse and sample the infiniteand various dishes available there. But don't get too full, because there's afternoon tea yet, starting at3:45 p.m!

London Guide



5/18


by Geri Wagner

Day Three Itinerary and options

Trafalgar SquareBuckingham PalaceChanging the GuardsHorse Riding StablesSt. James ParkSt. Martin-in-the-FieldsMake a Brass RubbingSkyline BalloonsChina Town

You'll want to get going early today as you're set to watch either the Change of the Guard atBuckingham Palace or the Horse Guards Parade around nearby St. James Park. I say either, because

the Change of the Guard does not take place every day. Some months, it occurs on odd days, somemonths on other days.

If it's not a day for the Change of the Guard, you can still watch the Horse Guards Parade, which isheld daily. You might want to call Buckingham Palace Visitor's Office (tel: 0171 839 1377) to inquireahead of time.

At Leicester Square, stop and watch the giant cuckoo clock at the Swiss Centre. Hopefully, it will bechiming the 9 o'clock (a.m.) hour. Then you can walk down toward Trafalgar Square, takingWhitcomb Street toward the Thames.

As you pass the statue of Charlie Chaplin in Leicester Square, have everyone try doing a little CharlieChaplin walk as you go (unless you are travelling with teenagers who will die from embarrassment ifyou do something like that when they are around.) With teens about, just give Charlie a teensy wavethat hardly anyone would notice except Charlie himself, and keep going.

Trafalgar Square

It is said that Trafalgar Square is the exact center of London. It's a great place to people watch and letchildren run about, chasing pigeons while you think (not too deeply, however, since you must watchthe children) about Lord Nelson, whose corpulum graces the square.

If you happen to be at Trafalgar Square on New Year's Eve, you're apt to get wet, as people like to

throw one another and perhaps even themselves, into the two pools which flank Nelson's column. Weavoided Trafalgar Square on New Year's Eve with our children.

Nelson's Column which is the centrepiece of Trafalgar Square was built to honour Lord Nelson for hisvictory in Spain in 1805. The column on which Lord Nelson stands is 185 feet high and Lord Nelsonhimself is a massive 18ft high although you wouldn't know it when you look at him from the ground.

The four massive Bronze panels which decorating the base of the column are cast from the guns ofFrench guns captured during the Napoleonic wars. A fir tree that is set up in the square each Christmasis an Annual gift from Norway to say thank you to the British for their help during World War II.

Trafalgar Square is probably most famous for its pigeons. Tourists are discouraged from feeding thepigeons although this does not seem to stop them. After all, what would Trafalgar Square be withoutpigeons? Some people's earliest memories as a child are of feeding the pigeons in Trafalgar Square.


6/18

Across the road is the National Gallery (Tel: (020) 7747 2885), which has excellent (free) trails forkids to follow, looking at paintings along the way. They open at 10 a.m. and admission is free.

Nearby is The Mall (leading to Buckingham Palace) and St James's Park, which, with its huge range ofwaterfowl, is a great place to bird watch (and feed.) But you need to go to Buckingham Palace first, ifyou want to see the Change of the Guard.

That occurs around 11:30 a.m., but you won't be able to see anything if you saunter over there at11:20. Know what I mean?

Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews

Not far from Buckingham Palace are the Royal Mews. No cats here that we can mention. Just horses.Unless you've arrived well before 11 a.m., you've missed the Changing of the Guard at BuckinghamPalace, which takes place daily at 11:27 a.m.

From a kid's perspective (I'll never grow up, never grow up) there's basically nothing to do around

Buck Palace otherwise except to stare through the gates at a big grey building.

Changing the Guard

The Queen's guard and a musical band leave Wellington Barracks and march to the Palace. If it's a wetday, the event may not take place. You need to arrive early so as to get a place to see. If it's an off dayfor whatever reason, you can still see the Horse Guards Parade, daily through Saturday at 11 a.m., andat 10 a.m. on Sunday.

In this parade, the Queen's Life Guard leaves Hyde Park Barracks and travels via Hyde Park Cornerand Constitution Hill to The Mall. The Guard consists of three officers and 40 men but is reduced

when the Queen is away. The musicians do not play in wet weather. The ceremony lastsapproximately 25 minutes.

The Changing takes place daily during the summer (May, June, July) and on alternate days in winter(August to April).

The Palace is the official residence of the Queen and has been since Queen Victoria ascended thethrone in 1837. Should you see the Royal Standard flying (that's a flag) you will know that Her RoyalHighness is 'at home'.

Buckingham Palace stands in about 40 acres of garden. The interior houses the Throne Room, MusicRoom, State Dining Room, many beautifully decorated apartments, and a gallery of paintings and

other works of art. The royal apartments are to be found in the north wing of the Palace. The StateRooms at the Palace are open to visitors during each August and September (Open 8 August-5October) 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tickets are available each day from the Ticket Office in Green Park. Pre-booking for individuals orgroups. Telephone 0171 839 1377 to book ahead.

You can also view HM The Queen's carriage horses, carriages and harnesses, including the CoronationCoach, built in 1762. Open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday all year, from 12-4:30 p.m.Admission: Adults--4.20, Children--2.00, Family Ticket--10.00. Tel: 011 44 171 839 1377.


7/18

Horse Riding Stables

If there's an equestrian in your midst, you may want to contact Westway Stables 20 Stable Way, W10(020 8964 2140) for a bit of an afternoon ride. To get there from St. James Park tube stop, take theDistrict Line to Paddington Station, then look for the Hammersmith and City Line, which you'll taketo the Latimer Road/Ladbroke Grove tube stop. Open 10am-6pm daily.

Riding lessons for all levels take place throughout the year, and during the holidays the centre runs an'own a pony' week where children can look after and care for a pony all week and ride twice a day(150 per week). There's also a day option for 35. Birthday parties are also catered for.

Feed the Birds in St. James Park

This is a great place to relax a bit and let the kids feed the birds. If you hold your hands out with a bitof seed or bread on them, birds will land on you (gently). There's sure to be an old hand at this aboutwho can demonstrate.

Head back toward Trafalgar Square and stop at St. Martin in the Fields for lunch, maybe some noontime musical entertainment and to create a brass rubbing.

St. Martin in the Fields

St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 4JJ, is located on the East side ofTrafalgar Square, where this wonderful monument to Nelson is erected. Originally surrounded byfields, the church now overlooks one of the busiest squares in London.

Enjoy a snack in the Caf in the Crypt (a great setting for tonight's ghost story back at the hotel!) Thisself-service cafe-restaurant is open from 10am until 8pm Mondays to Saturdays and from noon until

8pm on Sundays.You can enjoy a hot drink, a glass of wine, a full meal or a snack.

St Martin-in-the-Fields has welcomed talented musicians to perform in Lunchtime Concerts for over50 years - from highly acclaimed young soloists, to choirs from all over the world; from promisingnew ensembles, to established professionals.

These concerts, which take place every Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 1.05pm, and are free ofcharge. A special series of Lunchtime Concerts in 2000 celebrates the life and works of JS Bach, whodied 250 years.

A parallel series on the last Friday of each month gives the opportunity to hear some of his greatestchoral and instrumental music, including the Easter Oratorio, motets, unaccompanied 'cello suites,

extracts from The Well-Tempered Clavier and the Goldberg Variations. The final concert in this serieswill be on Friday 22 December 2000. For information about exact concerts and dates, call 020 - 79300089.

Make a Brass Rubbing

Follow up with a visit to the Brass Rubbing Centre located in the Crypt, St Martin-in-the-FieldsChurch (Telephone: (020) 7930 9306). Here's a unique opportunity for all the family to make pictures,with a simple technique, of Britain's royalty, medieval and Tudor characters and unusual Celticdesigns. The crypt workshop supplies specialist materials, a choice of 90 plaques and friendlyinstruction. Costs of making a brass rubbing range from 2.50 to 15.00.


8/18

Skyline Balloon

From St. James Park tube stop, take the District Line to the Tower Hill or London Bridge stop for afun balloon ride at the Skyline Balloon. A family ticket (2 adults, 2 kids) will run you about $47.00.Hey. Did I ever say London was cheap? When I was there, the exchange rate was about two for one, inBritain's favour.

A stroll along the Thames is always nice as you wander back to the tube stop and up to LeicesterSquare.

China Town

If you're looking for more to see and great places to get some dinner, try walking through London'sChina Town, just behind (or so it seems) Leicester Square. You can have a grand time just looking inwindows, ,people watching, and gnoshing on treats. You may even get lucky and spot a game ofChinese Chess going on. I defy you to figure the game out. My husband videotaped an entire game sohe could bring it back home to the states and study it. A few years later, we taped about twelve

episodes of "My So Called Life" over it..

London Guide



9/18


by Geri Wagner

Day Four Itinerary and options

Tower of LondonTower BridgeButler's WharfLondon Dungeon ORLivesey Museum for ChildrenSouthwark Pie and MashGlobe Theatre

Your fourth day in London and you're not broke yet?

Tell the kids that today's excursions will be better than any scary movie on TV.and all true! You'llhave some great ideas for ghost stories tonight at the hotel, believe me! One of the things we like to do

with story telling is put some sentences or phrases in a hat, related to the topic. Then, each participantpulls a slip of paper out of the hat and adds to the story, begun by the first person that uses his or herphrase! If you have little ones not yet reading, just give them a good punch line or phrase like ".therewas a bloodcurdling scream." They'll do wonders with it.

If you've brought along a tape recorder, be sure to turn it on to record while your story unfolds. Youmay be pleasantly surprised at the results! Our kids still remember our made-up stories from sessionsaround campfires and fireplaces!

Tower of London

From Leicester Square, take The Circle/District Line to Tower Hill, London, EC3N 4AB Tel: +44 (0)20 - 7709 0765 Admission: 11.00 (Adults) 7.30 (Children)

Now, the Tower of London is really a.you know. museum.but your kids will hardly realise it, nor willyou.

The Tower has been a palace, prison, treasury, arsenal and even a zoo! And Tower Hill, the areaoutside the walls was the scene of many executions and today the site of the scaffold is marked by amemorial. Some 125 Tower prisoners died here, most by beheading.

One of the most fortified buildings in the world, the Tower of London was begun in 1078 by Williamthe Conqueror. Castle building was an essential part of the Norman Conquest. Following Duke

William of Normandy's invasion of England in 1066, he and his supporters began building hundredsof castles, first to conquer, then subdue and finally to colonise the whole of England. Thesefortifications included the White Tower, the future Tower of London, one of the most fearsome castlesof all.

The Tower's history is certainly a bloody one. State prisoners such as Guy Fawkes, Sir Thomas Moreand the Scottish rebel William Wallace were all imprisoned and executed at the Tower. The doomedwould pass through Traitor's Gate from the Thames to await their fate. Many of the prisoners in theTower were members of the Royal Family. Lady Jane Grey, Queen for nine days in 1554, was both

proclaimed monarch and executed within the grounds of the tower. Edward IV imprisoned KingHenry VI after he seized power in 1465 during the Wars of the Roses.

Henry VIII had two of his wives beheaded at the tower - Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Theghost of Anne Boleyn is said to haunt the battlements of the tower even today. Perhaps the most tragic


10/18

murder to have taken place at the tower was during the Wars of the Roses. The Bloody Tower isthought to have been where Edward V and his brother Richard were smothered in their sleep on theorders of either Richard III or Henry VII.

Between 1190 and 1285 the White Tower was encircled by two towered curtain walls and a greatmoat. This was followed in the 14th century by the construction of the Wharf. During this period theTower provided the monarchy with a place of refuge against things like the 1381 Peasants Revoltwhich forced the 14-year-old King Richard II to shelter in the Tower with his family and householdwhile over 10,000 rebels plundered and burned the capital for two days.

Following the Reformation (when Henry VIII broke with the Church in Rome), the Tower took on anexpanded role as the home for a large number of religious and political prisoners. These included suchillustrious figures as Sir Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, two of Henry VIIIs wives: Anne Boleynand Catherine Howard, and his daughter, Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth I). A few, ifnot all of them, lost their heads at the Tower. Literally.

But there's a bit of comic relief, so to speak, by the Yeoman Warders, or "Beefeaters." These colourful

characters have been at the Tower of London since the 14th century. Today they combine theirtraditional ceremonial role with that of tourist guide, telling great tales on subjects such as prisoners ofthe Tower.

Legend has it that Charles II was told that if the Ravens left the Tower, the monarchy would fall; so heensured that a limited number would be kept here permanently. The Ravens are cared for by one of theYeoman Warders, with the title of Ravenmaster. Their lodgings, next to the Wakefield Tower, can bevisited.

Perhaps the most foreboding sight is the armour collection. The Royal Armouries derive from thegreat arsenal at the Tower, which supplied armor and weapons to the medieval English kings and theirarmies. The present collection took shape in the reign of Henry VIII (1509-1547) who restocked theTower and set up a workshop in Greenwich. The Royal Armouries' collection at the Tower of Londonis displayed in the White Tower.

Today the Tower also houses the priceless Crown Jewels. Also on view are the Medieval Palace, theinfamous Bloody Tower where Sir Walter Raleigh languished for 13 years and where two wives of theKind were beheaded and the inscriptions in the Beauchamp Tower. Free guided tours by the Warders.

New permanent exhibition, 'Crowns and Diamonds', charting the evolution of Royal Crowns in Britainand the important relationship which diamonds have with them. It is housed in the Martin Tower.

Open all year, Mar-31 Oct, Mon-Sat, 9-5, Sun, 10-5. Last admission 1 hour before closing time.Individual tickets available in advance from any London Underground station.

Now, it's break time.

There are three catering outlets at the Tower of London. The Caf on the Wharf has seating for up to250 and serves a wide range of sandwiches, cakes, snacks and hot and cold drinks. Two kiosks, alsoon the Wharf, serve a variety of sandwiches, snacks, ice creams and drinks.

Tower Bridge

Admission: 6.25 (Adults) 4.25 (Children) Open April-October daily, 10 -6:30.

After lunch, you'll want to take a closer look at Tower Bridge, that magnificent site spanning theThames near the Tower of London.


11/18

Enjoy panoramic views over both the City and Docklands from the high-level walkways. See themagnificent Victorian steam engine rooms and experiment with hands-on working models andinteractive computers. A stop at the well-stocked gift shop, which also boasts spectacular views of theriver, completes the visit to the bridge.

If you don't want to really visit the Bridge, just look at it, you can do so from Butler's Wharf.

Butler's Wharf

South end of Tower Bridge SE1

Once one of the busiest wharves in London receiving cargoes of tea, coffee and spices, the 19thcentury warehouses of Butler's Wharf have been beautifully restored. Now internationally known forits restaurants, the area also has several galleries and specialist shops. Stroll along the waterfront orrelax in one of the many bars, cafs and restaurants and take a look at Tower Bridge.

London Dungeon

28-34 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2SZ

If you haven't had enough gore, the kids will enjoy this attraction in London's Southwark region.

This is the world's first medieval fully interactive horror museum. Journey back to 1666 and relive theterrifying events of the 'Great Fire of London' in this new for 2000 feature. Visitors are plungedstraight into a raging inferno with the only escape route via a treacherous 'Gauntlet of Flames'! Also amedieval siege, torture chamber, Jack the Ripper experience and Judgement Day featuring a boat rideto Traitors Gate to face a firing squad! The Dungeon's unique mixture of costumed actors and chillingtableaux continues to serve up terror in a tongue-in-cheek style. This museum is not for the

squeamish!

Here's an alternative:

Livesey Museum for Children

If you think something milder is in order, try as an alternative to the London Dungeon, the LiveseyMuseum for Children. 682 Old Kent Road SE15. Tel: 020 7639 5604

This museum offers changing displays that are fun, educational and aimed at children under the age of12. The Livesey has a special recipe for exhibitions that uses two ingredients: hands-on, interactivedisplays and interesting educational themes. The best part: Admission free.

Southwark

While in the Southwark area of London, you might enjoy just strolling (running, climbing, crawlingand falling?) along the waterfront watching the boaters and looking at the likes of HMS Belfast, thelast remaining big gun cruiser. It has been preserved as a floating museum, but no one says you haveto actually go IN. Looking about on the outside might be enough for today.

There's also the Golden Hinde, a full size reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake's famous ship where onecan, if you've a mind to, look at life on board a 16th century ship, which was once home to 60 people!It was in The Golden Hinde that Drake circumnavigated the globe and claimed California for Queen

Elizabeth I.


12/18

Pie and Mash

Tower Bridge Road SE1 020

Getting hungry? If you didn't succumb to a toothsome treat on Butler's Wharf already, or if you've got

a little more room, try some traditional British food! Some of it actually tastes pretty good.or, it growson you. Even though I discontinued eating pork and beans with my breakfast, it was rather fun to do soin London. Just the names of some of the foods are fun in and of themselves.

Everyone's got to try British food! Make it a rule: no McDonald's unless someone is just hopelesslyhomesick and upset and needs something familiar.

Manze's is the oldest pie and mash shop in London. Pie and mash is a traditional London food, whichused to be sold by street sellers until the first dedicated shops appeared in the 1860s. Pies have been

baked at Manze's since 1892 when the shop was opened by Michael Manze, grandfather of the presentowners.

See if you and the kids can invent your own interesting names for otherwise everyday meals. Forexample, we like to call our fast food hamburgers "Gut Grenades." It's a leftover from the World WarII mentality that still seems to float around London. While eating our Gut Grenades in London, wealways chimed in with a rousing chorus of "We'll Meet Again."

Honest. My kids learned all the WWII songs in British school! A new one every day at assembly.

If you're all in fairly decent psychological and emotional condition, while you're in Southwarkwandering about. lots to see here, like Southwark Cathedral, the oldest Gothic church in London.where Chaucer's Pilgrims took off for Canterbury (you might like to read excerpts from theCanterbury Tales."gat-toothed she was." If you're in luck during the Spring, you may actually get to

see a re-enactment of the Pilgrims in full costume, ceremoniously leaving on their famous Pilgrimage.If you're so inclined, you can jump on a train at Victoria Station and head down to Canterburyyourself.

OK, so you're not so inclined today.

Globe Theatre

New Globe Walk SE1 020 London Bridge

What to do this evening? If you're in London and on the south side of the Thames on a balmy eveningbefore the end of September, you must visit Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

Southwark's long history of theatre started in the Bankside playhouses over 400 years ago.Shakespeare and Marlowe both had premieres of their plays in Southwark playhouses. TodaySouthwark's theatrical heritage continues with four theatres and occasional performances at specialvenues.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre is a replica of the original, built on a site very near the first GlobeTheatre. Here you can watch a first class performance of a Shakespeare play in its originalenvironment. You can stand up, or sit on one of the wooden seats (cushions are available!) and don'tforget that the theatre is open air!

If you don't find anything suitable at The Globe, check the London publication, "What's On" for anychildren's productions going on.


13/18

We have seen great performances of "The Wiz" and "Peter Pan" in London. And, they sell ice creamsright in the theatre aisles at London theatres, just like at the good old American ball games!

If there's a villain in the production, which there always is, the kids can vent by hissing and booingalong with the rest of the audience at the nasty Captain Hook-type character on stage.

It's all great fun!


14/18

Londen - Kinderpret

Kinderen zijn gek op Londen met haar grote parken, gratis musea en reusachtige

speelgoedwinkels.

Jonge Einsteins gaan naar het interactieve Science Museum, terwijl dinosaurusfans prehistorischetijden beleven in het Natural History Museum. De wassen beelden bij Madame Tussauds wekkenverbazing en het bloedstollende London Dungeon doet hun hart sneller kloppen.

Ga naar de South Bank en maak reuzenstappen over de hoofdstad in de City Hall, word een piraat opde Golden Hinde en vlieg boven de stad in de London Eye. Iets buiten de stad ligt het

bouwstenenparadijs Legoland Windsor.

Ga naar de herten kijken in het rustige Richmond Park, ontdek Hammersmith's Wetland Centre envoer de eenden in Battersea Park. Laat je vlieger los op Hampstead Heath, word wild enthousiast inde London Zoo en duik in de onderwaterwereld van het London Aquarium.

Het openbaar vervoer in Londen is ook leuk, van het doolhof van de metro (tube) tot de glanzend

zwarte taxis ( black cabs) en de rode dubbeldekkerse.

Volg het spoor van T-rex :Natural History Museum

Bibber voor T-rex en sta verstomd van een levensgroot model van een blauwe walvis in Londens topfamiliemuseum. De hoogtepunten zijn de dinosauriers (sommige vallen zelfs onschuldige bezoekersaan!), een fauna tuin en een virtuele aardbeving simulator. De kleinste bezoekers vinden fossielen inhet Earth Lab en glinsterende edelstenen in Earth's Treasury in dit fascinerende museum gehuisvest inde zilver-en-zandkleurige Waterhouse Building.

Metrostation South Kensington

Adres Cromwell Rd, London SW7 5BD

Tel. +44 (0) 20 7942 5000

Open Dagelijks

Inkom Gratis

Websitewww.nhm.ac.uk

Duikel in de grootste speelgoedkist ter wereld: Hamleys
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/http://www.nhm.ac.uk/http://www.nhm.ac.uk/


15/18

Ontdek een adembenemende speelgoedselectie in deze speelgoedwinkel met zeven verdiepingen, leernieuwe goocheltrucjes van de goochelaars ter plaatse en probeer het speelgoed uit vooraleer te kopen !Duik in de pastelkleurige wereld van de pluchen dieren op het gelijkvloers of ga rechtstreeks naar delevensgrote giraf. Actieve vingers worden beziggehouden beneden in het Sega Mega Park. Bewegendeetalages, sprekende boeken, spooktrappen en demonstraties creren een echte Toy Story.

Metrostation Piccadilly Circus of Oxford Circus

Adres 188-196 Regent Street, London W1

Tel. 0870 333 2455 (enkel UK)

Open Dagelijks

Inkom Gratis

Websitewww.hamleys.com

Wees bang ... heel bang: London Dungeon

Waag je in de sombere kamers en spookachtige torens van de London Dungeon. Interactievetentoonstellingen brengen de donkerste buurten van het Victoriaanse Londen tot leven tot de GroteBrand. Volg de voetsporen van de beruchte moordenaar Jack the Ripper of vaar op een beulbootjedoor Traitor's Gate waar een akelig einde wacht. Niets is wat het lijkt in de Torture Chamber, waar deslachtoffers steeds weer springlevend worden!

Metrostation London Bridge

Adres 28-34 Tooley Street, London SE1 2SZ

Tel. +44 (0) 20 7403 7221

Open Dagelijks

Inkom 14.95; leden 12.50; - 5 j. gratis

Websitewww.thedungeons.com

Trakteer je brein op een andere dimensie: Science Museum

Test de interactieve tentoonstellingen, uitvindingen en gadgets uit of maak een virtuele reis naar dewetenschap van de toekomst. Neem virtuele foto's, fluister met parabolische reflectors, ontdek hoesatellieten werken en start een oogstmachine. Ga naar de Pattern Pod en ontdek de patronen in dewereld of ervaar hoe virtuele 3D-werelden worden geschapen in Digitopolis. Jonge djs kunnen huneigen radioprogramma in elkaar steken in On Air.

Metrostation South Kensington

Adres Exhibition Road, London SW7 2DD

Tel. +44 (0) 20 7942 4455

Open Dagelijks
http://www.hamleys.com/http://www.hamleys.com/http://www.hamleys.com/http://www.thedungeons.com/http://www.thedungeons.com/http://www.thedungeons.com/http://www.hamleys.com/http://www.thedungeons.com/


16/18

Inkom Gratis

Websitewww.sciencemuseum.org.uk

Word helemaal wild: London Zoo

Maak kennis met de leeuwen, gorillas, giraffen, dwergnijlpaarden en spinaapjes in Londens RegentsPark. Raak een slang aan en de kaken van een krokodil in het reptielenhuis, zie hoe de pelikanen hunvisschotel verorberen en bezoek de apen voor ... de apenstreken. Het krioelt van de griezelige beestjesin B.U.G.S. en de kleuren van het koraalrif komen tot leven in het aquarium.

Metrostation Camden Town

Adres Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY

Tel. +44 (0) 20 7722 3333

Open Dagelijks

Inkom 14.50; leden 12.70; 3-15 j. 11.50

Websitewww.londonzoo.co.uk

Venue:

Natural History Museum,

Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD

Phone:020 7942 5000

Category:Exhibitions

Times:Mon-Thur, Sat 10am-5.50pm, Fri 10am-8.50pm, Sun 11am-5.50pm

Price:8, concs 5, under-threes free, family (up to five people including up to two adults) 21

Tube:South Kensington

Venue:

Lyceum Theatre,Wellington Street, London, WC2E 7RQ

Phone:0870 040 0046

Category:West End

Times:Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat Mats 2pm, Sun Mat 3pm

Price:
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/http://www.londonzoo.co.uk/http://www.londonzoo.co.uk/http://www.londonzoo.co.uk/http://www.timeout.com/london/venues/13096/natural_history_museum.htmlhttp://www.timeout.com/london/search.php?search=1&category_id=153http://www.timeout.com/london/venues/10186/lyceum_theatre.htmlhttp://www.timeout.com/london/search.php?search=1&category_id=81http://www.timeout.com/london/map.php?event_id=55818http://www.timeout.com/london/map.php?event_id=208947http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/http://www.londonzoo.co.uk/http://www.timeout.com/london/venues/13096/natural_history_museum.htmlhttp://www.timeout.com/london/search.php?search=1&category_id=153http://www.timeout.com/london/venues/10186/lyceum_theatre.htmlhttp://www.timeout.com/london/search.php?search=1&category_id=81


17/18

20-59 (2.10 booking fee); limited no of seats & standing room tickets available 12pm onday of perf from box office. Booking to Oct 7

Tube:Covent Garden/Charing Cross/Temple

Venue:London Palladium,Argyll Street, W1F 7TF

Phone:

0870 040 0046Category:

West EndTimes:

Wed-Sat & Mon 7.30pm, Tue 7pm, Wed & Sat Mats 2.30pmPrice:

25-55Tube:

Oxford Circus

BFI London IMAX Cinema MAP

The BFI London IMAX Cinema features the UK's biggest cinema screen, soaring more than 20 metreshigh - nearly the height of five double-decker buses - and stretching more than 26 metres wide; an11,600-watt digital surround-sound system and an IMAX projection system, the most sophisticated

motion-picture projection system in the world. Working together, these elements immerse viewers inlarger-than-life 2D and 3D images and ultra-realistic digital sound, making them feel as if they areliterally 'in the picture'.

Address:

1 Charlie Chaplin WalkSouth BankLondon SE1 8XR

Tel: +44 (0)20 7960 3120Email: [email protected]: www.bfi.org.uk/imax
http://www.timeout.com/london/venues/3788/london_palladium.htmlhttp://www.timeout.com/london/venues/3788/london_palladium.htmlhttp://www.timeout.com/london/search.php?search=1&category_id=81http://eu.visitlondon.com/city_guide/detail/284861#mapmailto:[email protected]://www.bfi.org.uk/imaxhttp://www.timeout.com/london/map.php?event_id=285799http://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/events/print/285799/the_sound_of_music.html#imagePopuphttp://www.timeout.com/london/venues/3788/london_palladium.htmlhttp://www.timeout.com/london/search.php?search=1&category_id=81http://eu.visitlondon.com/city_guide/detail/284861#mapmailto:[email protected]://www.bfi.org.uk/imax


18/18

Childrens London

Bramah Museum of Tea & Coffee

Chelsea FC Stadium Tour

Chislehurst Caves

Cutty Sark

Firepower Royal Artillery Museum

Florence Nightingale Museum

Hampton Court Palace

Handel House Museum

Hard Rock Cafe

HMS Belfast

Kew Bridge Steam Museum

Kew Gardens

London Aquarium

London Bicycle Tour Company

London Brass Rubbing Centre

London Wetland Centre

London Zoo

Namco Station

Planet Hollywood

Pollocks Toy Museum

QUEENS Ice & Bowl

Royal Air Force Museum

Royal Mews

The Big Bus Company

The Tower Bridge Exhibition

The Tower of London

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum

Wimbledon Tour ExperienceWindsor Castle
http://www.londonpass.com/attBramahMuseum.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attChelseaFc.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attChislehurstCaves.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attCuttySark.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attFirepowerRoyalArtilleryMuseum.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attFlorenceNightingaleMuseum.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attHamptonCourtPalace.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attHandelHouseMuseum.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attHardRockCafe.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attHmsBelfast.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attKewBridge.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attKewGardens.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attLondonAquarium.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attLondonBicycleTour.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attBrassRubbing.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attLondonWetlandCentre.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attLondonZoo.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attNamcoStation.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attPlanetHollywood.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attPollocksToyMuseum.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attQueensIceskating.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attRoyalAirForceMuseum.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attRoyalMews.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attBigBusCompany.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attTowerBridgeExhibition.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attTowerOfLondon.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attWimbledonLawnTennis.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attWimbledonTourExperience.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attWindsorCastle.asphttp://eu.visitlondon.com/city_guide/detail/284861?offset-x=0&offset-y=0&zoom=truehttp://www.londonpass.com/attBramahMuseum.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attChelseaFc.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attChislehurstCaves.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attCuttySark.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attFirepowerRoyalArtilleryMuseum.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attFlorenceNightingaleMuseum.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attHamptonCourtPalace.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attHandelHouseMuseum.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attHardRockCafe.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attHmsBelfast.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attKewBridge.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attKewGardens.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attLondonAquarium.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attLondonBicycleTour.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attBrassRubbing.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attLondonWetlandCentre.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attLondonZoo.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attNamcoStation.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attPlanetHollywood.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attPollocksToyMuseum.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attQueensIceskating.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attRoyalAirForceMuseum.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attRoyalMews.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attBigBusCompany.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attTowerBridgeExhibition.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attTowerOfLondon.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attWimbledonLawnTennis.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attWimbledonTourExperience.asphttp://www.londonpass.com/attWindsorCastle.asp

london with kids

Documents