I'm thinking of taking the whole family to London next weekend, along with visiting American. Thought we might even stay one night to get the most out of it.

So here are my questions, if you can help please:

1. Premier Inn seems like a safe bet for accommodation - clean and quiet. We can get a family room for 4 for 67 pounds, which seems quite good, in Docklands. For another 30 pounds we can go more central, eg Hampstead, Kings Cross, City Tower Hill. Is Docklands a daft place to stay? (It's business-y I think, isn't it?)

2. We are open to all the most tourist-y things, and dcs are 6 and 8. I'm thinking Natural History Museum for them, but also want to do more grown-up stuff for visitor. Tower of London/London Eye? Visitor is not a culture-vulture and I suspect would not be all that interested in high brow galleries, museums etc. However, tour in London bus would be just the ticket!

3. If you have any tips about how much is feasible in a day, given public transport etc, that would really help!

Any advice/info appreciated.

I wouldn't stay in Docklands. You'll waste time/money travelling to central London - so why not just stay there.

Can't remember the name, but many M'netters have recommended a hotel near the London Eye (I think) that is clean and reasonably priced. Check archives for 'days out' and I'm sure you'll find it.

Science museum is a must. The kids will love it. You probably need three/four hours there and once you're in go to Launch Pad first - straight there, or you'll have to queue. They have an IMAX cinema there too - look at the website and book as soon as you get in there. Well worth it - about £8 each I think.

I thought it would be dull as dishwater but I loved it.

Science Museum is more hands-on, Natural History - more looking! They have rockets and aeroplanes and ... and !!! LOL

Yes yes yes to Science Museum and Natural History Museum. NHM has an outdoor skating rink and Christmas fair.

oh and a late afternoon bus tour of the Christmas lights!!!

Think you have to reserve in advance to skate at NHM. Not sure you can just turn up.

Think the affordable hotel might be a Travel Lodge?? <distant, hazy memory>

not from london, but there a christmas thing on at hyde park, sleigh rides, big wheel, ice rink, german xmas market stalls etc etc

here is the xmas thing at hyde park

Hmmm... have searched Days Out for London accommodation without success. Any clues?

As between Hampstead, Kings Cross, City Tower Hill, any views? I really have NO idea about London and its geography.

Where would I find out about bus tours?

London Aquarium on the South Bank is good and opp Houses of Parliament

Great suggestions - thank you! (Please keep them coming...)

There is no family room available in any Travel Lodge in central London for next weekend. So looks like Docklands may be necessary for affordability...

Docklands is fine - you can get Jubilee line from Canary Wharf to London Bridge in 11 mins or DLR to Bank which takes a bit longer. You could hop over to Greenwich market on Sunday morning on the DLR too and have a wander along the river, past the Maritime Museum, the remainsof the Cutty Sark etc.

Bloss - where are you coming from?

Also, if it's a nice day, start at Trafalgar Square, walk down the Mall to Buckingham Palace, great photos!, through St James Park, feed the ducks, up to Parliament Square, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament - great photos again, up Whitehall, past Downing Street, GREAT photo opportunity for the London Eye there. That walk will probably take an hour at a stroll with kids.

That takes in lots of the big sights without it being too exhausting and gets you off the roads and into the park too so the kids can have a run. It's my standard walk round London when I have visitors from out of town.

pickup a 2 for 1 voucher book if coming in by network south east - loads of special deals. Take the boat down from waterloo towards greenwich and O2 - either just for the journey as city looks fab from water, especially at dusk, or get off at tower of london/greenwich (both are in the voucher book). you can buy a pass that means you can get on and off it all day. Fab way of getting around that side of the city.

And if you need a guide, I am available!!!

if you tay in docklands you can get the water bus in from there

From Winchester - it's only an hour and a quarter by train, but it's enough faffing around at either end of the day to make me think that staying a night is worth it.

The train gets in at Waterloo. If it made a difference, we could catch a bus to Victoria.

The South Bank Centre has a Christmas market at the moment and it's worth checking for other free events.

London Aquarium often has cheap deals on tickets if you travel there by public transport.

The bus tours have people selling tickets on every pavement in Westminster! Duck tours look like huge fun but likely to be very cold at this time of year!

Oxford St, Regent St and St Christopher's Place normally all have lovely lights and window displays.

Ooooh, you are giving me great ideas!!

Water bus? That sounds very exciting and child-friendly.

Kbear - guide? What do you mean?!! <<she says hopefully>>

Tour guide. I will walk in front of you with a big umbrella pointing skywards saying "ARE WE TOGETHER?" in a loudhailer voice, pointing out various monuments and buildings "CLARENCE HOUSE - EYES RIGHT".

that sort of thing.

Me and Maureenmlove do a comedy duo tour of London and once made lots of it up if we didn't exactly who lived where. I have since learnt more about my home town ha ha

"EYES LEFT - MI5 headquarters, keep your heads down"

LOL

keep your rail tickets to qualify for the 2 for one vouchers - you have to show them at the different attractions - go onto network south east and you'll find their days out guide online, you can download vouchers for pretty much everything.

this is one of the boat companies but there's another and can't remember name, boat isn't as flash but they domildly amusing commentary http://www.thamesclippers.com/

www.daysoutguide.co.uk/offers.aspx

info here

Don't forget the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace - think it's 11am but check as it might be different at weekends.

This is the much-mentioned once Travel Inn now Premier Inn at County Hall - a fantastic location. Right by London Eye and Acquarium, across the river from Houses of Parliament.