Expert: David Stewart White - 8/9/2006

Question
I have a family of 5 who will be in London for 2 full days.  We've
never been,but would like to make the most of our time there.  
Could you reccomend a brief itinerary?  Our kids are 8, 11, & 13
and we will be staying at the Marriot County Hall near
Westminster Bridge.  We arrive on Tuesday, August 15th at 9am
from Paris and leave the next day at 7pm from Victoria Station.  

Answer
Hi,

You are staying at a very good hotel--both very centrally located and quite nice.  It is located within walking distance of several important sights:  the London Eye (ferris wheel) is virtually next door; a short walk across Westminster Bridge and you are at Parliament/Big Ben; a little bit further and you reach Westminster Abbey; a couple of blocks more and you are at St. James's Park and the Cabinet War Rooms/Churchill Museum.

Unfortunately, you don't have much time to explore London.  But here are some ideas:

Day 1 (good weather):  

Objective is to reach Horse Guards Parade by 11:00 a.m. to see the changing of the mounted guards:  Walk from your hotel, across the bridge, passing Big Ben on the left.  Continue on Bridge Street, which becomes Great George Street (Parliament Square is on your left).  Go another block and turn right on Horse Guards Road (passing Cabinet War Rooms) and Horse Guards Parade ground is on your right.  Ceremony starts at 11.00 a.m.

After the ceremony, cross over Horse Guards Road and stroll through St. James's Park--one of the most beautiful in London--there are all kinds of exotic wildfowl here, including pelicans and black swans.  You can get a bite to eat at a park snack cart, or at Inn the Park (a restaurant) in the park.

Return to the southeast corner of St.James's Park and take a tour of the Cabinet War Rooms/Churchill Museum.  This is Churchill's underground wartime bunker.  My kids enjoyed it at similar ages.  Plan to spend 1-2 hours.  (This is also a good alternative starting point on this day if the weather is bad).

Coming out of the War Rooms, turn left on Horse Guards Rd., cross Great George Street, left again for a couple of feet, then right on Storey's Gate.  This street leads to Westminister Abbey.  I recommend the abbey not because it will be a bit hit with your kids, but because it is one of the most historic spots in London and you should see it, even if at a fast "kids' pace."

By now, your group is probably tired of walking, so just head back across Westminster Bridge to your hotel and collapse.  Send someone down to the London Eye ticket office (which is just below your hotel) and try to book tickets on the Eye for near sunset, which is 8:24 p.m. on August 15th. If the weather is good, a 30 minute ride on the Eye at sunset is terrific.

Day 2:  Objective is the Tower of London:  You can take a boat from Waterloo Millenium Pier, which is next to your hotel, to the Tower of London.  Try for the 9:50 a.m. departure--arrives at the Tower at 10:10.  (If possible, purchase advance Tower of London tickets online at www.hrp.org.uk or from a London Underground station).  The Tower is great fun for kids...take a Yeoman Warder tour.  Expect to spend a couple of hours here.  There is an acceptable cafeteria on the grounds in the Armouries building.

After lunch you could:  

--Walk to Tower Bridge and take the behind the scenes tour.
--Go to the Globe Theatre and take a tour of the reconstructed Shakespearian site. (You can catch a boat from
Tower Pier to Bankside Pier...or walk the route in about 30 minutes).
--Go to the Museum of London (a good choice in poor weather) which is another 30 minute walk, or short taxi ride (or, if you can navigate the bus system take the 100 bus from Tower  Gateway stop in the direction of Elephant and Castle)
--Take the Underground and head elsewhere:
>>like to Picadilly Circus, followed by a walk up Regent Street towards Hamley's Toy Store OR
>>to South Kensington station and then to the world-class Science Museum, which most kids will love.

I hope this gives you some ideas.  Feel free to look at my website (www.KidsToLondon.com) for more info, or post a follow -up question on AllExperts.com

Dave White