Just how safe is london to visit ?

Schizo

Schizo

Schizo

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Hi all,during the summer holidays i want to take my 6 year old daughter to London for the day.

I lived in London about 14 years ago and it was ok but not somewhere i would want to live again.

The thread title is perhaps a bit ott but i want a good day in London but not sure where to take her.

I have 2 things im defiantly going to do and that is the London eye and a museum (not sure what one yet).

Ill be using your replys as a guide to a day out,be it travel guides and places to go,we will be leaving ipswich about 8-8.30 am.

What would be the first thing to do once we get to london ?

Would like honest and open answers please and none of gd humour :D
 
We take our kids at least once a year, try to avoid travelling in rush hours as that is not pleasant even without having to watch you kids.

My 6 year old enjoyed the London Aquarium which I right next to the eye, a bit pricey though.
 
It depends on what she really likes but the science museum or natural history museum, most kids love interactive science stuff and dinosaurs :)
 
Thanks for the reply col,not worried about money as ill be saving for the trip.

the aquarium sounds good and will put it on my short list.
 
I think there is a deal where in a day you can do london dungeons, london eye and Madame Tussauds
 
A daughter might like Tussauds? Or Hamleys if you take your credit card :p

British Museum is also good but more suited towards a boy I'd say (war, mummies, etc).
 
Tourist attractions in London are as safe as any other attraction in any other city, pickpockets are around again as like any other city or tourist area, so you should keep an eye out for that, but in terms of am I going to get mugged and stabbed whilst I visit Trafalgar square, then id say it would be rather unlikely. as commented by Colbaker, try to avoid tube travel at rush hour as it is definitely something you do not want a small child to experience. obviously you don't want to be going down any shady looking alleys even in broad daylight :P but sticking to the attractions, you'll be fine :D Last time I was down, we went to the Zoo :P and the museums and it was really good, IWM is always a good visit.
 
How safe is London...?

Well it was safe enough to hold a rather large sporting event in the summer with the whole world looking on.

Where exactly did you live in London and what happened to you to make you worry about it being unsafe?
 
My shortlist for a first-time visit for your child:

Aquarium
Hamleys Toy Store
London Eye
Science Museum

That's probably all that you're going to fit in with a single day!
 
schizo said:
Would like honest and open answers please and none of gd humour :D
Click to expand...
How about some Alan Partridge humour instead?

Go to London! I guarantee you'll either be mugged or not appreciated. Catch the train to London, stopping at Rejection, Disappointment, Backstabbing Central and Shattered Dreams Parkway.
Click to expand...

A-ha!
 
Get your London eye ticket booked first, then take it from there. The tube will be quiet during the day so you should have a good time. London like any big city has pick pockets so just be careful with your belongings
 
As for safety, I have never had a problem but doesn't stop me being paranoid, keep you little one close to you, I make sure my boy holds one of our hands at all time, it's more to do with him getting lost in the crowds, when he was younger I used to just throw him on my shoulders but he is a bit big for that now.

Also when you pick a date to go and have plans on what to visit check the tubes to make sure the relevant ones have full service as I can be a bit of a pain, them again most of the attractions are with walking distance of many tube stations on various lines.
 
I live in the suburbs and without fail every time I take my four year old and two year old to a museum in London they have been murdered, sold drugs and interfered with.
 
Take her to st james park with some bird seed and peanuts, hand feeding squirrels and sparrows was one of the highlights of my child hood
 
Castiel said:
London is one of the safest major cities in the world. Take the normal precautions with your kids and you will be fine.
Click to expand...

This, regarding safety.

As for things to do, it depends on cost.

The Shard is opening in February (or March), no idea what that's like, but isn't cheap - I'm also not sure how easy it is getting tickets.
Madam Tussauds - Not cheap, but could be interesting
The Planetarium - If she likes space she'll love this.
Museum Wise, I'd say British or Science are the best, unless she particularly likes Dinosaurs, at which point the Natural History would be the one of choice - it might be worth seeing what each has got at the time you go, and base it on what she likes to be fair, as my views a more male perspective.
It might be nice to have a picnic in Hyde Park, if you're going for something nice.
Nothing is a real pain to get to if you use the Tube, and she should be fine on it. In fact, teaching her how to use the Tube may be a solid life skill.
More recently, the Cable Car over the Thames might be quite cool. I've heard from a few people it is quite good, although that's weather dependent. So if it's a bad day you won't be able to do it.
The other thing I really want to do is 'Up the O2' but I think she might be too young.
London Zoo - although frankly Colchester is better.

kd
 
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