I know I want to go on the London Eye, Ride a Double Decker Bus, visit Liberty, and eat some Fish and Chips. What am I missing?
photo credit: The London Eye by Mathew Field.
House Swap London
This week we are swapping apartments with a couple in London that we've never met. We have a mutual friend and I've spoken with them over the phone but other than that I don't know them. We got some cheap train tickets (its only two hours on the train!) so this whole trip will be very low budget. I'm a little nervous about letting someone stay in our apartment but excited that we are able to travel so cheaply, in fact we're not even taking work off. Plus sometimes I prefer staying in apartments to hotels because they feel more neighborhood-y. Do you think its crazy to swap with someone we've never met? Have you ever done it or would you ever do it? Also if you had four quick days in London with small kids what are your top three things to do?
I know I want to go on the London Eye, Ride a Double Decker Bus, visit Liberty, and eat some Fish and Chips. What am I missing?
photo credit: The London Eye by Mathew Field.
I know I want to go on the London Eye, Ride a Double Decker Bus, visit Liberty, and eat some Fish and Chips. What am I missing?
photo credit: The London Eye by Mathew Field.
Eat at Pizza Express and visit Covent Garden for shopping and Green Park for a picnic. My faves!
ReplyDeleteGo to Covent Garden! You'll love it. Picadilly, Portabello Road for SURE, Notting Hill, and if you're looking for a cool place to grab a bite near the river, Hays Galleria has Côte Brasserie as well as other restaurants. For nice shopping, there's Regent and Oxford streets!
ReplyDeleteVisit the Food Hall at Harrod's and then have a picnic at Hyde Park. I bet the kids would like the street performers at Covent Gardens and the lights at Picadilly Circus. And see a show, a West End show (if you can get a babysitter).
ReplyDeleteHere's a great walk that will lead you past a ton of landmarks: Start at Trafalgar Square and walk down Whitehall to Westminster Bridge, passing Downing St. on the way. See the Abbey and the Houses of Parliament before crossing the bridge to the South Bank. Walk along the South Bank to hit the London Eye, Tate Modern, and the Globe Theatre before walking across the Millennium Bridge to the foot of St. Paul's.
ReplyDeleteAlso: Go to Borough Market!
Good places to go (and free!) are the Science museum- full of loads of interactive stuff for kids (also loads of other free museums), Hamleys- giant toy store on Oxford Street or Harrods which is the posh department store. Covent Garden is a must with lovely markets; see visitlondon.com for loads more ideas! :)
ReplyDeleteThere is always too much to see and do, hope you enjoy!
I always prefer apartments to hotels. Visit London is good for info (http://www.visitlondon.com/attractions/family/) but some of my favourites are below (I lived in London for 12 years).
ReplyDeleteTo ride on an old style double decker bus try routes 9 (Albert Hall to Aldwych) and 15 (Aldwych to Tower Hill). They have heritage buses every 15 minutes. Make sure you have an oyster card for cheap public transport and under 15s travel for free.
The museums are mostly free, the Natural History and Science Museums (Exhibition Road, South Kensington tube) have some really good things for children. Tate Britain has some free art supply carts at weekends (http://www.tate.org.uk/families/events/britain/).
Oh my gosh I'd be totally thrilled to swap houses with someone we never met. A little scary but what an adventure--and to get to see life in London from their point of view--what fun! Enjoy your trip. :)
ReplyDeletekew gardens! so much open space for little boys to run and lots of ducks and birds that will almost eat from your hands. have fun, this is a lovely time to visit london!
ReplyDeleteEat at Wagamama and see the British Museum. Fortnum & Mason is the best grocer ever. Buy food there and picnic in Hyde Park.
ReplyDeleteWe swapped with another family in London (also friends of friends) in October and it was a great experience. We actually stayed one extra night in a hotel at the end so that my husband, who was working through the week in the London office, could have a bit of time to enjoy himself. I think that we spent more in that 24 hours than in the entire eight days preceding when we had swapped. And I totally agree with you that you get more of a neighborhood feel when you are there (and a friendly feeling for the lives of the other family even if you never meet in person). The only downsides for me is the added stress of living with other people's stuff (i.e. not wanting my children to destroy anything).
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
Jennifer
Very much second the Borough Market Suggestion - but aim for mornings because it gets crazy busy (especially when you have kids with you!!) Also if you can research the Fish and Chip shop - not all chippies are equal- and it would be awful if went to a rubbish one!
ReplyDeleteAlthough Harrods and Hamleys are quite good, they are really, really, really packed and the customers can be quite rude. Even as a young teen, I hated going there (I'm English and have always lived in London), so taking young children would probably be quite stressful. If you really want to go to a fancy shop (apart from Liberty), Fortnum and Mason is a lot better than Harrods. Trafalgar Square is a typical touristy thing to do, but it's quite nice all the same and it's right next to the National Gallery, which is free and has an amazing collection. My favourite museum, though, is the V&A, which always has amazing exhibits. If you are staying in South London, the Horniman museum is well worth visiting and very, very entertaining for children - I LOVED going there as a kid. AH! I'm sorry I wrote so much! Um, also St. James Park which is right next to Buckingham Palace! HAVE FUN!
ReplyDeleteI think that's an awesome idea! I have loved it ever since I watched 'Holiday.' What service did you use to find your swap?
ReplyDeleteIf you are there over the weekend, check out some of the street markets—Broadway Market on Saturdays has everything from food to vintage to handmade items and Columbia Road Flower Market on Sundays. Both markets are on streets lined with wonderfully unique shops as well.
ReplyDeleteGo to the Orangery at Kensington Gardens and have the full tea (you can swap hot chocolate for tea). And as tempting as the other desserts look, go for the Orangery cake. So good.
ReplyDeleteThe Borough Market near London Bridget. The crafts and the food are AMAZING. (Be sure to try the choco brownies and possibly an ostrich burger.) http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/
ReplyDeleteAnd be sure to hit up a gastro-pub!
Take a picnic to a park (Hyde or Green parks are my favs); visit Notting Hill on a weekend (that's when all the vendors are out; play on the Lion statues at Trafalgar square; the science museum is definitely cool, but the natural history has the dinosaurs!
ReplyDeleteEat some Chipotle in London for me! As for the swap- doesn't seem to bad... Gotta live it up while you can! Bon voyage!
ReplyDeleteI love a good stroll through Chelsea & Wagamama for fast, delicious, inexpensive eats. And do not miss a picnic in Hyde Park (weather permitting).
ReplyDeleteI would second the comment to avoid both Harrods and Hamleys. They're horrible. Always packed; nothing you can buy there makes up for the fact that they're not nice experiences. Fortnum's food hall is much nicer and they have an amazing ice-cream parlour on the first floor where my nieces and nephews have always managed to blag free ice-cream. Columbia Road flower market on Sunday morning is amazing (8am-2pm). Hackney City Farm is just next door and has nice animals for the children and nice food for everyone. Greenwich Park - you can jump from one side of the world to the other over the Meridian line and then wander along the river or through the markets of Greenwich. Hampstead Heath for lovely pubs and wild swimming outside in their pools. Moro on Exmouth Market for an amazing restaurant that's also incredibly friendly. Have fun!
ReplyDeletethe Victoria and Albert museum!!! it's very possibly my favorite thing in all of europe - head straight for the fashion section.
ReplyDeleteSquee! I'm going to be in London this week, too. Visiting friends, so I'm sure they have plenty of things planned but grateful for this list of things to check out from your in-the-know followers.
ReplyDeleteHello! I am London based with a young family and I second the comments made by Angsthase. Fortnum and Mason and Liberty are beautiful shops whereas Harrods is touristy! They are also in walking distance from each other. I also agree that the V&A is London's most lovely museum. Borough Market is worth the visit if you are in London on Sat but make sure you are there early. The walk from Borough along the river to the London Eye is also a must do. You will pass the Tate as well as lots of street entertainers etc. I would also recommend Columbia Road flower Market which is held on Sundays. It has a great vibe and is a slice of London Market life as well as little shops etc. London Parks are fab for picnics and kiddies. For food avoid anywhere that is called 'Garfunkles' ... I would recommend 'The rock and sole plaice' for fish and chips. It's on Endell St near Covent Garden. You can sit outside and it's pretty traditional. I am slightly obsessed by The Nordic Bakery on Golden Sq in Soho at the moment. It's cinnamon buns are soooo good plus you can get take out and sit in the square. Ummmmmmm, mail me if you have any questions. I'd also say avoid Oxford St for shopping and go somewhere smaller like Marylebone High St instead.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to London...but that photo of the London Eye is *seriously* beautiful!
ReplyDeleteamy @ glass confetti
Love it!! Sounds like a blast and a great way to travel. I totally agree with staying in apartments vs. hotels with little ones. It is nice to have the extra space and a kitchen, etc. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I'm dying to hear how it turns out! I hope you'll do a detailed post on the whole experience.
ReplyDeletexoxo Lauren
http://happylifeinnyc.blogspot.com/
I think the kids might enjoy the Zoo and Hamely's, the toy store!
ReplyDeleteThe tagline for the V&A is : the world's greatest museum of art and design. And that is true. Not super kid friendly (it is a museum), but try to make it if you can!
ReplyDeleteCovent Garden!!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete*sigh* The London Eye - my husband proposed to me there underneath a starry sky 5 years ago ......
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if high fashion is your thing but you have got to visit Dover Street Market if only for the inspiring layouts. It's such a wonderful space; yes, the clothes are amazing but the creative ways in which each designer has "set up stall", so to speak is truly a sight to behold! See http://www.doverstreetmarket.com/about/
In total contrast to that (but still fabulous nonetheless!), Hoxton, Hackney and Shoreditch have great galleries showcasing up-and-coming artists and lots of quirky independent shops, boutiques, etc. Oh, and the pubs and curry houses around there are fab! You can't come to the UK without having a curry - it's such a national past-time!!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!
Definitely go to exhibtion road in south kensington, the natural history museum is architecturally amazing and has great stuff for kids. The V and A is JUST next door and has the most amazing cafe - it's designed by william morris (or the wallcoverings are at least) and the shop is to die for. If your boys are into cars and science the science museum is ALSO next door.
ReplyDeleteI love wandering along the south bank from the royal festival hall to london bridge (amazing buildings, street performers and the river).
You'll love portobello road but it can be a nightmare (really busy). might be ok midweek, I like it on sundays (half the stalls are closed by it's sooo much quieter). Same with spitalfields/brick lane (clothes and other vintage).
Marks & Spencer is a chain store but I loved finding deals there and they actually have a wonderful "deli" section for take away picnic type food. Have so much fun!
ReplyDeletepicnic at green park with food from the basement of fortnum and mason (go to the deli, and you can get sandwiches made to order - including a sophisticated version of the BLT).
ReplyDeletealso go to borough market. if you love food, you'll love that place!
(skip someone's suggestion to visit pizza express...not that good. if you want a good burger, try byron.)
portbello road and the original topshop ;) victoria and albert museum (though i just realized all of these may not be exactly easy with kids - try, though!) happy travels. xx
ReplyDeleteYou MUST take the tube and go to Knotting Hill.....it is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI'd go to the Princess Diana Memorial playground for sure - its one of the best playground we've ever visited!
ReplyDeleteBe sure to spend lots of time on the double decker buses and the tube - my kids thought that was a highlight on every trip we've taken to London
The British Museum (and most other museums in London) is free, so you won't feel too bad if your kids only make it through a small portion. There's a rotunda in the middle where they can have a snack. My 5yo thought the early writing was interesting, and the Egyptian arts and African Masks are usually a great bet with kids
I have many other recommendations on my London With Kids travel guide, here: http://www.deliciousbaby.com/travel/england/london/
The Victoria and Albert Museum, or specifically the cafe at the V&A--the former William Morris rooms are spectacular. Late in the afternoon, near closing time, they discount the food items. But, go anytime as the food is lovely, and it's fun having your individual French press or tea pot.
ReplyDeleteBy the way--the admission is free so the V&A is an especially lovely spot to rest and recuperate between other adventures.
We also loved the Churchill War Rooms.
I lived close to Hyde Park when I was on a Study Abroad in London. It's definitely a great place to take a family. Plus it buts up to Kensington Gardens.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you find the statue of Peter Pan, get an ice cream, and feed the ducks and swans.
Ah. Beautiful. I want to go back!!
Ahhhh...I know the best Fish & Chips place...http://www.sherlockholmespub.com/
ReplyDeleteIt's good to go to a GOOD place...We ate about 3-4 fish & chips and they are not equal!
Have fun!
I LOVE the mummy section at teh British museum. Your kids may be too young to enjoy that, but if you like mummies, they have SO many it is really fun to see that. Also if you ever want to see the statues from the Parthenon, they are at the British museum.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I'm so excited for you! Welcome to my part of town Jordan :) I'm a kiwi, but I've lived in Central London for 8 years and have a zillion suggestions for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try and give you some slightly less touristy ones...
Dennis Sever's house. It's in my street and is a silent museum- you have to go there to truly understand or I'd give the game away. www.dennissevershouse.co.uk
Spitalfields on a Sunday is fantastic. Head to the main market for antiques, food and ephemera, head to the UP market in brick lane for young fashion designers and head over to Columbia Road for fabulous flowers. A Gold sells old fashioned english sweets if you'd like a hit of history and the kids fancy some sugar mice! www.agoldshop.com/
Hummingbird bakery sells the best cupcakes in town. lots of locations.
hummingbirdbakery.com/
take the kids to a matinee show- get half price tickets from the booth in leicester square.
visit the peter pan statue and ride a pedalo on the serpentine in regent's park
(if it's nice weather!)
For decent pizza, check out pizza east. (personally prefer it to pizza express)- pizzaeast.com
take the kids to the museum of childhood at the V&A or the science museum, and perhaps visit the tate (all good kiddy things)
http://www.tate.org.uk/families/events/modern/
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/agegroups/under_5s.aspx
'Awesome' touristy = the London Eye
'Bad' touristy = Leicester Square
remember to always stand on the right of escalators, people rush by on the left and get huffy if you are in their way.
Don't feed the pigeons at trafalgar sq. They're called flying rats for a reason.
Best ribbon store in London -http://www.vvrouleaux.com/
Best chocolatier EVER is Paul A Young. Try his hot chocolate if it's cold. HEAVEN. www.paulayoung.co.uk/
Soooo much more I could add hehe.
If I can help in suggestions in any way, please don't hesitate to email me. I hope you guys enjoy London as much as I do.
1. Borough Hall Market. 1,000 times better than Harrods, if you love food. Stalls with everything from baked goods to fresh veg to meat pie to take home, champagne by the glass, neal's yard cheesemongers. and flowers! from there you can walk out onto the jubilee walkway and down the river. http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/
ReplyDelete2. Kew Gardens. http://www.kew.org/
vast, fascinating, great for rainy or sunny days, fun programming, and so british! Beautiful historic greenhouses.
3. Museum of London http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/
fun and not often visited, a chronological walking tour through the city's history as a permanent exhibit and great temporary exhibits too. combines roman customs, medieval artefacts, through to the present day. GREAT for kids and so interesting for adults, too!
have so much fun!
oops sorry, I may be adding stuff. if you go to Fortnum & Mason's, head upstairs to the ice cream bar. Their ice cream sundaes are drool-worthy plus they use honey from the beehives on their rooftops.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought it would be so fun to do a house-swap! And extra jealous that you're going to London! :) Have fun!!
ReplyDeleteSaint Pauls Cathedral, and the British Library. Whatever you do, please don't miss those!
ReplyDeleteIf you have time to fit in a movie the Electric Cinema on Portobello Road in Notting Hill is the best movie theatre in all the land!!
ReplyDeleteI concur will all the comments suggesting Borough Market, but wouldn't be quick to recommend Pizza Express.
For cheap, healthy, and AMAZING eats, I'd go for Leon, it's a favorite! (http://www.leonrestaurants.co.uk/)
I just got back from London last night. My boyfriend who lives there took me to the Orangery behind Kensington Gardens--you must get the full tea--delicious and so special--go early, because we arrived about 2:00 and at 4:00 there was a huge wait. Portbello on Sat morning is ah-mazing. Hummingbird Bakery is SOHO is lovely. HYDE PARK & PICNIC. enof said! Riding the bus--sit at the top, first row--its an awesome experience--best fish & chips--Browns --London Eye was great--!! can't keep writing too sad...i miss everything already too much!!
ReplyDeleteGo see the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum (free), get cupcakes from the Hummingbird Bakery close by in Kensington..I second (or perhaps its' 20th as I haven't read all the comments) the walk along the south bank from the London Eye to Tower Bridge - there is a festival on the south bank at the moment - turned into an outdoor beach. Great parks to visit with kids.
ReplyDeleteBorough Market is a must must MUST. It puts the Ferry Plaza to shame, if that's even possible. Also, Wagamama for noodles is a London must-do. Have fun (and say hi to my sister for me!)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteVisit the Tate Museum!
ReplyDeleteYou must go to LEON! There's one in Spitalfields, amazing (and cheap) eats. You'll also find Brick Lane just around the corner where there are cool vintage shops (some sell by weight) and tons of curry houses. Enjoy!
ReplyDelete1) Borough Market for sure!! Go in the AM to avoid crowds and go hungry! (Get raclette!)
ReplyDelete2)Feed the geese at the pond in Hyde Park, right near Kensington Palace. Follow the paths through the park to the east. Get a snack at the Serpentine cafe and sit outside to watch the boaters on the Serpentine. Maybe rent a paddle boat. Or maybe not. :)
3)Take the tube/DLR out to Greenwich to see some great views of Canary Wharf (on the train) and then walk through the park and climb the hill at the Royal Observatory to see some great skyline views of London. There's also a cute market in Greenwich that is fun to visit.
covent garden
ReplyDeletehyde park
some "royalty" stuff
st. paul's
Just reading through some comments and have to add more! I completely agree that the V&A is worth the visit. They have a great courtyard where you can have coffee and let the kids play. The dining area is also really magnificent, if you can get a table in the main dining room, and the food is good (but pricey)!
ReplyDeleteI also really like Rock and Soul for fish & chips near Covent Garden.
However, the first thing I'd do if I went back to London is go eat lunch or dinner at Creme de la Crepe. There are lots of delicious savory crepes, and the apple crumble crepe is a must for dessert. I rate these crepes well above the ones I had while visiting Paris. (Strange, I know. Maybe I didn't get to the right crepe spots in Paris.)
Have fun!!
Camden Market, Primrose Hill & then (if you still have energy) at the bottom of the hill is London zoo.
ReplyDeleteAlso (for the kids) the Princess Diana Memorial playground in Kensington is amazing - we stayed in London with my (then) 5 year old and 3 year old & this was hands down their favorite place.
Have fun!
London Transport Museum. It's handy because it's next to Covent Garden Market and is so fun. The kids will love it and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful designs. Art deco tube posters etc.
ReplyDeletePortobello Road for sure, Notting Hill has the most beautiful homes! Also Covent Garden, Harrods, Picadilly Circus...so many fun things!
ReplyDeleteBourough Market is a great place to pick up stuff to keep in your apartment while you are staying there, or to get all kinds of unique food for a picnic lunch. I would also buy theater tickets the day of (you can get them really cheap) at one of the ticket booths in Leicester Square. You also HAVE to visit the food hall in Harrod's. Have a great trip!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you're into sparkly things, but I thought seeing the crown jewels and some of the world's largest diamonds set in them was well worth the line.
ReplyDeleteHigh tea at Harrods is a must, but what I liked even better was getting oysters and champagne at the food hall. You sit at the counter and an oyster guru tells you anything you want to know about the oysters as he shucks them in front of you. Yum!
Pop into a neighborhood Indian restaurant. We went into a hole in the wall place in Paddington and it was the best!
Definitely see a show, but plan this in advance. Go to one of the half price ticket counters first thing in the morning and snag a great deal.
Most of all, relax, have fun and keep your fingers crossed for good weather!
abbey road was my favorite part!
ReplyDeleteNot sure if anyone's mentioned this yet, but you can feed the squirrels in St. James's Park. It's hilarious. Go earlier in the day so they're not already full (because a lot of people like to feed the squirrels in St. James's Park). Here's a video of us feeding them:
ReplyDeletehttp://gallery.me.com/concertman#100223
The V&A museum is stunning. As for shopping? Well, Camden Market is {my mum says} the best. Lots of wacky stuff, and all kinds of fab. stalls. Selfridges is fantastic just for some lusting--they had some really good window displays when I went there at Christmas--and apparently Caravan {http://www.caravanstyle.com/} is a must!
ReplyDeleteYes!
ReplyDeleteWe swapped our NYC apartment just last month with a lovely couple from San Francisco. Each of our neighbors helped with the key exchange and we had a great time. I definitely agree with you about apartments being much comfier than hotels.
(If you ever want to swap for Manhattan, look us up! ;) )
We didn't love the London Eye, but it was after a very long day of walking and it might have been more appreciated at another time. For fish and chips, we went to the Golden Hind (http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/the-golden-hind-london) which was recommended by a friend who lives in London. It was great. And just FYI, it's BYOB. The double decker bus tour was the best, our tour guide was so funny and you get to see so much. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteBorough Market! And the V&A is great, but we also really loved the Natural History Museum -- which I kind of imagine is more fun for kids (dinosaurs!)...
ReplyDeleteGoogle "Diana Princess of Whales theme park in Kensington Park." It is a gated park where you can only get in if you have a kid. I took my daughter there and she loved it. They have really unique things kids can explore. There is a huge pirate ship on sand, musical instruments, lots of swings. The playground is Peter Pan themed with TP's and all. Your boys will love it!!
ReplyDeleteGo to Hamley's Toy Store. It is a 5-7 story toy store with lots of cool toys out for the kids to play with.
There is also the London Zoo that is fun.
Borough Market for sure. Masters Super Fish has very tasty and authentic fish and chips (get the mushy peas too!) if you are in the neighborhood. The British Museum is fantastic and free and has crazy stuff like entire building facades rebuilt inside the museum. Have a great time!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you would love Hyde Park and Covent Garden, but you really should do ONE touristy thing and take the Tower of London tour. It is hands down the best tour I've ever taken, anywhere. It's amazing, historical, and hilarious. And then you should peek in Westminster Abbey, which, if I remember correctly, is very nearby, and wonderful. Spend the rest of your time wandering outside in the parks. Have fun!
ReplyDeletewe live in the states, Charleston SC, to be exact and we swapped houses with a family in a little town in England called Shrivenham. It was an AMAZING experience and i can't wait to do it again! as far as london, covent garden a must. The tower of london is so much fun! and i think lots for the kids to look at and make sure you have tea, and maybe go sit outside of buckingham palace whilst doing so :) these suggestions all seem very touristy but well worth it, promise :)
ReplyDeleteOne more thing (hehe)- the museum of London is fantastic. They have the lord mayor's coach, an amazing recreation of Victorian London buildings with a street you can walk through and great kiddie stuff. If you have a smartphone, download streetmuseum (it's free). It takes old photos and art images and overlays them with augmented reality over modern day london. If you hold your phone up on carnaby st, you'll see the exact same street position in the 1960's ghosted over the present day scene. Loads of sites around London and really interesting if you're wandering around the city :)
ReplyDeleteI think house swapping is a great idea and I would do it (even more if I had a friend in common with the, eh, swapper).
ReplyDeleteOooh, the London Eye would be on my list too!
Good luck and have fun!
Houseswapping is the way to do it. It's so much more fun to experience a city that way.
ReplyDeleteHave fun in London!
So glad to hear you are on a home exchange in London. You have already had some great suggestions on things to do and places to see here (I have lived in London many years and don't think I'll ever run out of new places to see).
ReplyDeleteIf you have time, take in a show or two (check what's available on the day at cheaper rates at the ticket office in Leicester Square).
Take the commuter boat that you can get (cheaper than the tourist boats) right by the London Eye on the South Bank, to Greenwich. It's a relaxing way to get there and you pass many historic sights (and under Tower Bridge). If you can, go on a Fri or weekend when Greenwich market is open. Then have a stoll through the park to the Royal Observatory.
I hope that others will be interested in swapping homes with Londoners. My son and I run home Base Holidays, http://www.homebase-hols.com - a home exchange agency (and also one for the Guardian, a national newspaper), that I started 26 years ago. As both services are based in London, we have tons of attractive home exchange offers throughout the city.
The Southbank is definitely worth a walk and there's lots going on at the moment. http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/ http://www.southbanklondon.com/attraction/rfh/
ReplyDeleteBorough Market is so busy and touristy that it's more of a bun fight than a pleasurable experience these days. If you fancy a walk a bit further east, Maltby Street is worth a visit to eat some custard doughnuts from St John with a coffee from Monmouth. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/37ceca82-dbef-11df-af09-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1NCIiwdRV
Columbia Road flower market is definitely worth a visit on a Sunday morning. Also in that area is Leila's Shop for a great breakfast/brunch http://london.unchainedguide.com/shop/leilas-shop/ on Calvert Avenue - near Ally Capellino where you'll find the best handbags in town (they're also sold in Liberty).
St James's Park is one of the loveliest, I reckon. It also has resident pelicans! The Natural History Museum should also be a big hit with your boys. I went there recently with my four year old godson and his two year old brother and they absolutely loved it - the dinosaurs are apparently the most exciting thing :) but they get very busy so an early start is recommended. The National Gallery has lots going on for children at weekends and particularly this coming weekend as it is half term.
For restaurants, I'd always recommend Moro on Exmouth Market, 32 Great Queen Street, Yauatcha for dim sum or afternoon tea and also Koya on Frith Street in Soho for noodles, which is close to Liberty. Also close to Liberty is the Nordic Bakery on Golden Square which has recently opened another branch in Marylebone - I'd also second the comment about Marylebone Highstreet being much nicer for shopping than the west end... and the same re the comments about Harrods and Hamleys - they won't be a pleasant experience - and Covent Garden is very touristy with lots of street performers. Fortnums is definitely worth a look and the Selfridges food hall is excellent, although it's on Oxford Street which I'd avoid like the plague. It's much nicer to walk through the back streets of Mayfair to get to Liberty or Selfridges than negotiating the hordes on Oxford Street.
And then there are pubs.. London is full of pubs but there are a lot of bad ones. This article gives a good selection: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/may/06/top-10-london-best-pubs.
I guess it depends on how long you've got and where you're staying as there are tons of nice neighbourhood places - get in touch if you like and i'll happily give some other recommendations. Have a great holiday!
A friend of mine who lives in Sweden does house swaps all the time (with total strangers) and they love it! They have travelled all over Europe and The USA for very cheap because they always house-swap. As far as I know, they have never had a problem.
ReplyDeleteTry Carluccios, it's a great family friendly restaurant and there are several locations.
ReplyDeleteAlso Westbourne Grove (Portabello Road Market - Notting Hill)
Stop by Regent's Park and smell the gorgeous Roses (the zoo is also in Regent's Park) The cafe there is beautiful and has a great seasonal menu.
Have fun!
V & A - Fave London museum. Always loved but spent the day there today with four children and hey loved it as well!
ReplyDeleteLiberty of London -- paw at some gorgeous fabric for the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteTrafalgar Square! Buckingham Palace and Harrods! Have a fun weekend!
ReplyDeleteCovent garden: Orla Kiely flagship store is great, there is the infamous breast milk ice cream there. The Tate modern is a must (and pretty kid friendly)
ReplyDeleteThorntons Chocolates! My mouth waters for it now. Walking into a shop you'll be overwhelmed with the scent. Try at least one.
ReplyDeleteLondon is like walking through the pages of a live history book, there are so many things it's wonderful!
Go to the grocery store and buy a bag of unsalted peanuts-in-their-shells. Go to St. James' Park, and spend the afternoon feeding peanuts to squirrels and geese and such. The squirrels there are all over the place, and quite tame -- they'll come right up to you and take the peanut from your hand if you're patient. London squirrels are the best -- one hopped up on my lap last time I was there.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I don't know if you cemeteries squick you (I love going to cemeteries when I'm in Europe) but a walk through Highgate is a lovely way to spend an afternoon, in my opinion. Or, for one that is smaller and not as out-of-the-way, Brompton is really great and right around the corner from a tube station (and full of super-friendly squirrels, too).
Also, I've never swapped homes with anyone -- because I live in a tiny apartment -- but I did sublet an apartment from a total stranger in Milan for 5 weeks about 6 years ago, and took care of her two cats while she was away, and we never met first because I arrived the day after she left. And that worked out beautifully. So I wouldn't worry too much.
I am so happy you posted this! my husband & I will be there this week. great suggestions here! I've visited a few times before - be sure to check out the great (free!) museums - the british museum & natural history are great for kids. hype park is lovely. your oldest might enjoy doing the brass rubbings in the crypt at st. martin in the fields, too.
ReplyDeleteoh, and I'm totally going to the macaroon place you posted about - there's one in london!
cheers!
the british museum, the V&A gallery, the natural history museum (super good for kids, loads of dinosaurs).
ReplyDeleteokay, this going to be long! sorry!
ReplyDeleteI lived in london for a year while my daughter was 2, it's a great city to wander around with a little one in tow :)
We lived in Greenwich, where my husband got his masters degree l at Trinity College of Music; the campus being at the Old Royal Naval College http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Royal_Naval_College (designed by Christopher Wren of St Pauls Cathedral fame and used extensively for movie sets-- we met Emily Blunt and Jason Segel while they were filming Gulliver's Travels!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugar_magnolia/3589349655/ It's on the River Thames at the base of Greenwich Park. http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/Greenwich-Park.aspx Greenwich Park is a lovely place to visit, you can straddle Prime Meridian at the Observatory, check out the quaint museum there, wander around the beautiful gardens at the top, grab a banger from the Honest Sausage, see the grand oak trees that Elizabeth I used to play around, and let the kiddos play in the playground at the base of the park. Then grab a bite to-go for a picnic from Nevada Street deli http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d1533556-Reviews-Nevada_Street_Deli-London_England.html near the entrance to the park on a little side street. They have amazing salads (try the leek and squash salad, it's the best!) and high quality meat and cheese.
You can take the tube to Greenwich, but I would recommend a river tour http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/15544.aspx
you can board at number of locations, but if you get on at Westminster pier, you get a really nice (and cheap) tour of the city on the Thames. My daughter loved this, and it was so much less stressful than taking the tube. Some boats have snacks and tea on board as well. Roast chicken flavored "crisps" are definitely worth trying!
You definitely want to visit Borough Market http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/ by London Bridge. It's fabulous, and they have my favorite fish and chips stand in all of London http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/page/3029/Fish+Kitchen/39
My daughter absolutely loved the Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington_gardens/diana_playground.cfm It has a giant pirate ship, little huts and teepees, and is of course located in a gorgeous park near Kensington Palace. If you are looking for a place to have a classy english tea, you can't beat The Orangery, also in Kensington http://www.hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace/Foodanddrink/Orangery.aspx
As almost all the museums are free, it's great to just pop in until your kids lose patience.... then have a bite to eat at the museum cafes. The National Gallery in Trafalgar square has a great little bakery/cafe in the basement (gorgeous cupcakes). And the V & A has a lovely cafe/restaurant decorated in the arts & crafts style (with one of the dining rooms done by William Morris himself), awesome bathrooms (really!!) and a courtyard lawn to eat on, with a little fountain/pool that kids can wade in if they're feeling cheeky. :)
I think that's all... oh, and if you like cheese, definitely stop into a marks & spencer simply food for some Cornish Cruncher (award winning cheese) and some bottles of ginger beer!
Cheerio -
Barbara
www.barbarasmithwilke.com
The London Aquarium was pretty cool, and fun for littlies as well. It is just down the road from the London Eye which is also handy.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a bit of an exciting adventure!!!
yes to hummingbird bakery
ReplyDeleteMarylebone High St shopping
Carluccios hot chocolate
Folk and Oliver Spencer clothing stores on Lamb's Conduit and Coram's Field park with petting zoo and water at the end of Lamb's Conduit.
Oh, and the Whole Foods on Kensington High Street!
The orangery cake at the Orangery. Omg. Yummy!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Royal Mews is a fun museum. It is right behind Buckingham Palace and has all the royal coaches. Check out Prince William and Kate's carriage!
if you can find it, Fish and Chips in Soho is the best - a hole in the wall but so good! it's on berwick st. as is Flat White, yummy coffee. you can hit them up en route to Liberty. also, Selfridges is lovely and their food halls are less busy than Harrods but still has a pretty amazing selection. have fun, LOVE london!
ReplyDeleteThe Roof Gardens off Kensington High Street are gorgeous! I highly recommend making a visit to them -- they're small enough that you only need about 30 minutes. http://www.roofgardens.virgin.com/en/the_roof_gardens
ReplyDeleteI also highly recommend a walk around Hampstead Heath and the walk up Primrose Hill in Regent's Park. (I'm not sure it would be great with small children, but the views of the city from the top are stunning. If you don't want to make the hike up the hill, though, Regent's Park is still beautiful for roaming around aimlessly.)
First off, at the Eye, ther's great chalk art, the Dali museum and a FANTASTIC pub called "the Slug and Lettuce". There's a great roasted red pepper sandwich there.
ReplyDeleteFor the odd: go to the Natural History museum, and take the Darwin special tour. You have to make an appt......BUT, you get to see a preserved giant squid, in a tank (specially designed) in all its 30 ft. glory. So cool!
I love the idea of swapping houses, but the biggest thing I would worry about is getting bed bugs :-P Can't shake that fear...
ReplyDeleteI've never done a house/apartment swap, but I met someone who did. She said it's totally worth the risk, and if anyone ever messed up her place or stole anything, it wouldn't matter because the most important thing to her is her family :)
ReplyDeleteI've never been to London, but I would seek out some really cute coffee shops or breakfast places. That's my personal favorite thing to do when I travel!
Our kids thought Tower of London was fun. They did not like V&A museum or the endless taxi rides around the city (its true that taxis are easier to find than in Paris but things are MUCH further apart and you waste big chunks of time just getting from point A to point B. Even the parks are massive, although this is a good thing). We also were pleasantly surprised to see just how family friendly lots of pubs were. We met friends twice for lunch and there was always a high chair and plenty of space for parking the stroller, plus no one cared if the kids ran around, especially in the outside picnic table area. I would actually say that a lot of the shopping areas (Oxford Street and Portabello Road, for eg) are NOT great places to go with kids because the crowds are so thick and its hard to get a stroller around + there are few opportunities for kid friendly activities/breaks. I think the key is to not be too ambitious, ie don't try to spend the morning at Tower Hill, lunch at Liberty, and afternoon in Islington. Plan a few stops in the same area to maximize fun.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a brilliant idea! We have done it before and have always had great experiences! Let us know if you want to visit Copenhagen... we could always arrange another house swap if this one works out nicely for you! (you can check out my blog for some recent photos of our apartment.)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.timeout.com/london/kids/
ReplyDeleteLots of children's theatre/shows etc. on around half-term (school holidays).
Kids will love the Natural History museum or the science museum. Tower of London is great too.
Food markets like Billingsgate or Borough Market
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ReplyDeleteI was just there 2 weeks ago! The hits for me were the British Museum and the British Library. There is an amazing collection of things at the library including original pieces from the Beatles, Shakespeare, Alice in Wonderland, and the list goes on. It's also near the Brish Museum which has a cool collection of mummies. Too scary for the kids? :/ Have a great trip!
ReplyDeleteI've done an apartment swap before, and it turned out to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I swapped my apt on the UWS of Manhattan for a gorgeous apt in Monaco facing the harbor...sigh...I wish I was there right now!
ReplyDeleteA definite MUST is the Thames Clipper. I've been to London numerous times, but last time I took the clipper to Greenwich and it was my favorite adventure ever. You see all the great buildings. http://www.thamesclippers.com/
ReplyDeleteHampstead and Hampstead Heath is also a lovely excursion. It's very easy to get there on the Tube.
Wow, you have so many great comments I doubt you'll get to this one, but just in case I'll put in my two cents.
ReplyDelete1. Good choice on London Eye, great for kids
2. London Zoo (Reptile house is a Harry Potter move site) Also great for kids
3. Putz around St. James park and feed all the ducks. Maybe have a picnic?
4. One more for good measure. Go to Borough Market. Very fun market in London.
Borough Market and the Tate Modern
ReplyDeletei'll tell you what you're missing.
ReplyDeleteME!
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Designer's Guild on King's Street!
ReplyDeleteWilliam Morris Red House (out of town)
Spitalfields Market
The Victoria and Albert Museum and the Science museum for the boys.
You MUST go to Borough Market (open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays). Start with a cup of coffee from Monmouth (the best coffee I've ever had). Amazing just to wander and admire all the delicious food. Grab a quick, cheap lunch (I recommend the chorizo sandwich stall).
ReplyDeleteI don't know how many of these are repeats -- there were too many comments to read them all.
ReplyDeleteI live in London with my 2 1/2 year old and these are my favorite activities/places that I do with her:
Borough Market - be very hungry and taste anything that catches your eye (especially the coffee shop, easily spotted by the massive line out the door)
Science and Natural History Museum - both are free and worth any amount of time you want to put in there. The Natural History Museum has a special Dinosaur exhibit (costs extra) including life-like animated dinosaurs, my daughter LOVED it and has been asking to back ever since. If you go here, go to the near by pub The Queens Arms for lunch/snack/pint. http://www.thequeensarmskensington.co.uk/
Princess of Wales Memorial Playground -- bring a picnic and plenty of snacks/drinks and spend several hours here. Picnic outside the playground in Hyde Park. From here you can easily explore Notting Hill and surrounding areas. (You can walk here from the Science/History museums.
St. James Park - bring a loaf of bread and feed all of the amazing birds here. You can also walk through in order to see Buckingham Palace.
Hemley's is not worth the visit. If you can avoid the chain sandwich places (Pret, etc), do so. Pizza Express is not very good, though very child friendly. Fortnum and Mason is great.
Have a great great time!
Make sure you spend an afternoon around one of the parks, be it Regents Park, Hyde Park or Hampstead Heath where you can see the whole of London from Parliament Hill!
ReplyDeleteI second the idea of Borough Market :)
The V&A museum is my favorite place in London... & with kids aswell (there's so much to see & it's free!) Downstairs is the most beautiful room all tiled and stained glass windowed, where you can have tea and scones too... & sometimes there's even a pianist playing there. have fun!
ReplyDeleteYou really should go to an Ottolenghi- there are a few so you'll never be too far. By far the best food- you can even do take-out for a picnic. Also I second (or third?) the suggestion to go to Leon. Another fantastic eatery. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteYou've got lots and lots of top tips, so no need for any from me! But I am looking forward to seeing your photos - one of my favourite things is seeing my home country through the eyes of a visitor! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm American, lived in London with 1 child, now in Bath with 2...
ReplyDeletePrincess Diana Playground in Kensington Gardens
I love Ottolenghi- but not that kid friendly food. It is amazing though.
The Harrods/Hamleys thing--true, however, if you go to the toy dept of Harrod's during the week, it isn't as bad, AND the kids love it.
Natural History Museum--though I am bored by it, my 5 year old can't get enough. (There is a good gelato place Oddono nearby, across from French school on Bute St)
Have fun!!
also--from my blog:
http://cupcakesandcoffee.blogspot.com/2010/02/top-ten-london-with-kids.html
At Greenwich - walk under the Thames! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwich_foot_tunnel
ReplyDeleteMy kids loved the Natural History museum so much we had to go twice!! We all liked the Tate Modern. We ate at Wagamama three times!
ReplyDeleteI live in SF (Mission) in a crazy flat/ apartment and have house swapped in LA & Paris. When I took my 6 year old to Paris, we took the Chunnel to London to head over to LEGOLAND! It is so close to London and was great. Houseswap is the way to go!
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ReplyDelete