London with Kids - part 2
by Geri Wagner
Day One
Leicester Square
Bus Tour
River Cruise
Walking Tour
OK, this is Orientation Day. You're going to check out
some of the main places that one hears about when someone mentions
London. Wherever you're staying, take the tube (buy yourself a weeklong
pass at the tube station) and take the Piccadilly Line to Leicester
Square.
At Leicester Square, follow the crowds up to the street
past buskers who will entertain you along the way. Buskers are the
musicians/actors you'll see and hear serenading you with all forms
of instruments, including voice. Although it looks pretty laid back,
busking is well organized in London. A busker has a certain area and
that area is not to be infringed upon by another busker. It's all
pretty interesting and neat. Toss a few pence into their instrument
cases and head out onto the square.
Look around at the various statues of Charlie Chaplin
and others, and go around the corner to the huge Swiss cuckoo clock
that plays music and has movement like the cuckoo clock back home
on your wall. You can also check out the Half price ticket booth to
see what's on at London theatres. Maybe you can pick up tickets for
a show tonight.
It's always good to expose the kids to theatre and you're
sure to find something that they'll enjoy. We took our kids to "Peter
Pan" and it was a real thrill for all of us. In London, the audience
isn't bashful - they'll hiss at the villains like Captain Hook. At
intermissions, you can buy ice creams right in the aisles and just
have a good time!
While at Leicester Square, you can find all kinds of
"take away" foods to eat as you stroll around. Too bad, my favourite
espresso bar is no longer there. I enjoyed sipping a cappuccino at
the big plateglass window and simply watching the goings on in Leicester
Square from my vantage point.
Now get back on the tube, Piccadilly Line and go one
stop over to Piccadilly Circus. One of the first things folks
recommended that we do when we arrived in London was to simply take
a double-decker bus tour around to the various main attractions. Your
tour guide will give you information about the city that you might
not otherwise know and you'll have a quick orientation to this "city
of a hundred small cities" for future reference.
Expect to see things like Big Ben, Houses of Parliament,
Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace
- you know, the typical haunts. With a Big Bus Company Tour
Ticket you get a Live Commentary. With this company, your ticket is
valid for 24 hours and you get a free river cruise and walking tours.
Adult Ticket £14.00 ($21 USD). Book on line and save £1 (normal price
£15) Child Ticket £6.00 ($9 USD).
They have a really cool site, too. It's fun just to
go there even if you don't buy any tickets! You'll be able to cruise
the Thames and also get a free walking tour such as a Rock
'N Roll Tour. See where the Rolling Stones rehearsed and where the
Beatles performed live for the very last time. From Piccadilly Circus,
daily 1:30 and 4 p.m.
If you're not totally blown out by all the day's activities,
you might take the kids up into British Airways London Eye
located at Jubilee Gardens South Bank, London, SE1 Phone: 0870 5000
600.
At 445 feet high, this is the world's highest observation
Wheel (Ferris wheel). It provides a 30-minute, slow-moving 'flight'
over London. Designed to reflect the elements - air, water, earth
and time - the central theme is a circle of white light from within
the rim which sweeps the skyline at 445 feet. The passenger capsule
signifying 'time', is lit internally at the point of embarkation.
Take the Jubilee Line (gray on your map) south toward
Waterloo station. The Jubilee Line meets up with Piccadilly Line at
Green Park. Get a good night's rest! Hope the ghosts don't keep you
up!
See also
Orientation to London with Kids here
Day Two itinerary here
Day Three Itineray here
Day Four Itinerary here
Day Five Itinerary here
article by Geri Wagner
geri@starshiptravel.com
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