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Teenagers

Day trip to London with teenager: what to do?

21 replies

Fiona24 · 23/08/2013 19:43

Any thoughts? I have some leave and want to take DS, 17, and his older brother to London for the day - we haven't been there for ages. Theatre prices seem high (Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time - tickets in the region of £30.00 each) and don't think, sadly, they would like the Proms ...

Any thoughts about reasonably priced shows for the very much older teenager - trips down the Thames (pricey?) - museums a possibility but might be looking for an exhibition that would interest the boys (younger DS studying sciences - older one, politics). As it is such a long time since I've been to London - and DCs were much younger (an itinerary was much easier to arrange then), I'd be grateful for any ideas. I've asked the boys to look out for things themselves but other than being up for going, they're not likely to look for anything specific.

Thought, too, of taking bikes on the train and cycling along tow paths (Thames) - we'd be coming from Sussex.

Thanks in advance!

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BIWI · 23/08/2013 19:44

River boat down the Thames (Thames Clipper from Embankment) and then the Emirates cable car over the river. If it's a nice day, it's fabulous!

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BIWI · 23/08/2013 19:46

I did this last year, just before the Olympics, with World Weary DS1 (then 20) and Gobshite DS2 (then 17) thought it was fab.

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Helpyourself · 23/08/2013 19:48

Imperial Museum is open again- but check!
One Man two guvnors is very funny and cheap- £18 including supper at planet Hollywood. Tickets very high but you don't miss anything.
Camden, south bank or covent garden for mooching.

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Helpyourself · 23/08/2013 19:49

£18 tickets were from lastminute.com.

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Fiona24 · 23/08/2013 19:50

Many thanks, BIWI - going to Brew and look this up -

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Fiona24 · 23/08/2013 19:51

Thanks, too, Helpyourself - looking forward to this evening checking out these great ideas - I was feeling so glum about possibilities and prices until responses started coming in!

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HamletsSister · 23/08/2013 19:53

Emirates Stadium Tour is fantastic, no matter whether or not you like football. Yay to boat trip.

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MortifiedAdams · 23/08/2013 19:57

Harry Potter studio tour?

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BIWI · 23/08/2013 20:12

Oh, and Chinatown for dim sum

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mysteryfairy · 23/08/2013 20:24

My 17 year old DS likes to wander round Spitalfields Market and surrounding shops and then along Brick Lane, but this is best done at the weekend when its busy. He likes bagels from the 24 hr bagel shop at the Shoreditch High Street end of Brick Lane (v cheap treat) and fruit salad etc from the street stores before that.

There is a vegetarian Indian place near Kings Cross called India Veg where all you can eat is approx £5 that he often asks to go to.

He has been dragged round loads of London museums by me but can't really think of one he would actively choose to go to at this stage in his life. I think he would like the summer opening of parliament (doing A level politics) but from memory this is about £15 so you may not want to if you are on a budget.

If you get the commuter boat from O2 arena or canary wharf type area all the way to Waterloo it's only about £4 for an adult if you have an Oyster card or travel pass. At 17 he should be able to pick out the landmarks himself. It's not v glamorous but all my DC have enjoyed.

DS has been dragged to Latitude ever year by DH and often parks himself in the comedy tent so I would be tempted to look for stand up somewhere if I was on a budget. He enjoyed War Horse 18 months ago, don't think tickets were much, and I think would like Othello at the National (there tend to be a few v cheap tickets for each shoe, some released on the day. DH got a standing ticket for £5 on impulse when he was working in London recently). DS not crazy about Shakespeare but Rory Kinnear looks amazing in this and the modern military setting looks quite accessible.

DS also quite likes to walk down the south bank. He will endure Tate Modern and likes being bought cake etc at Borough Market where again you can treat them for a couple of pounds. View back to St Paul's from the Millennium Bridge has had actual out loud vocal approval from him, though its hard to appreciate properly if very busy.

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cory · 24/08/2013 14:00

We had a week in London at Easter (13yo ds and 16yo dd). These were things that were really appreciated:

Camden street market

the Sherlock Holmes museum in Baker St- naff but funny; you really need to know the books well to get the details though

tour of the Wembley football stadium- only interesting if you are into football though

Chinatown for snacks and general mooching around

theatre part of the Albert & Victoria

Woman in Black - tickets not cheap but not desperately expensive either and it is far, far better than the film

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BIWI · 24/08/2013 17:36
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JustAboutCoping2013 · 26/08/2013 11:03

I live in London, DSs 16 and 14. We head to the parks to chill out...Greenwich, Hyde Park, Regents Park. There's a good cycle ride from the Greenwich foot tunnel, along the Thames, past the O2 and to the Thames barrier (10 miles there and back), Greenwich Maritime museum and park (plus the observatory, and any exhibitions there) are also favourites for boys.
I agree with the markets, Camden, Spittlefields (Boxpark container shops are worth a look there too).
Combining anything with food works for mine...The Red Dog Saloon in Hoxton Square is a favourite...huge burgers, a bit like Man vs Food!!.. But good quality, pulled pork etc...
The South Bank always has lots going on, the food market there is good for grazing around too, we have also been to exhibitions at Tate Moderm (Damien Hirst, Lichtenstein went down well, not sure what's on at the moment.
We walked over the top of the O2 last year, not vv expensive, but great fun. There's also a water sports park at Excel (wakeboarding etc i think), on my list to investigate as they do some courses for teenagers....a bit specific, but yours might be into trying that!
Enjoy!

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flow4 · 28/08/2013 21:24

Great thread! I'm bookmarking it for future trips! :)

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Travelledtheworld · 28/08/2013 22:18

The British Library has some fascinating stuff, for teenagers who are at all bookish....original Shakespeare manuscripts, early maps, Magna Carta etc.
And it is free !

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flow4 · 29/08/2013 08:15

My geeky 13yo LOVED the British Library! My more 'street' 18yo rolled his eyes at the very thought of it! Grin

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Mumzy · 29/08/2013 08:26

You can get g&t on Thames clipper as well as soft drinks. Lovely sitti g outside ESP if sunny with drink in hand enjoying the views. London dungeons always popular with teens judging from queues and close to borough market for food afterwards. There are loads of walking tours often led by blue badge guides or actors with themes such as film locations, history, literature, music. Rides on a high speed raft on the Thames also look fun, going up the shard, st Pauls, the monmument or walking across the O2.

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Mumzy · 29/08/2013 08:35

If anyone is going to the British Museum with Dcs in school holidays check out Coram fields playground (take bus up there as long walk) as they often have sports laid on for Dcs to join in.

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Sleepwhenidie · 29/08/2013 08:43

One Man two Guv'nors is hilarious, would highly recommend if you want light theatre.

I don't know if by any chance you are doing it today, but this is just fantastic if the weather is good, Camden market has loads of food stalls open, live music and an outdoor cinema, DH and I went to the first one, tonight is the last, it was so much fun sitting outside on beanbags with drinks and cones of chips, we watched Almost Famous, was great.

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CelticPromise · 29/08/2013 08:55

I've just booked tickets on the Thames River Boat Service from Westminster to Greenwich via Thames Barrier, half price online so only £7 each for 2hr trip.

Hampstead Heath if they are outdoorsy types, swimming in the ponds? Or a swim in the Serpentine?

Wellcome Collection or Hunterian Museum if they like medical/gruesome.

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CelticPromise · 29/08/2013 08:56

Curious Incident is bloody brilliant so if you can do it I would. War Horse also fantastic.

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