Calling London Mummies- Help please!

indy and lara · Jul 23rd, 2010, 08:26 AM

Hiya

DH is working in London for 3 days just before we go to Norfolk on holiday so we have decided that Emma and I will go too as there is no point in him coming home for us to drive down the next day.

So I am going to have 3 days in London with Emma and I am looking for advice and suggestions of what to do. I've been to London loads of times before but never with a toddler! I also always have my car at home so never have to think about public transport!

- How would I go about using the Tube? Should I carry Em? Do you keep the buggy up? Is it a nightmare?
- What about using buses?
- Any ideas for great things to do with a 14 month old in London? Good places to go? Any great Central London parks not to miss?
- Was thinking about a visit to the Rainforest Cafe- good idea?
- Any other hints or tips would be great. Do you have a secret favourite place to go/ thing to do?

Thanks you!

Lesley
x

joeyjo · Jul 23rd, 2010, 14:04 PM

I love the aquarium on the south bank near the London eye. As for buggies on the tube, I've yet to brave it I use my sling but I think most people use lightweight buggies and balance them on escalators etc

indy and lara · Jul 24th, 2010, 02:01 AM

Thanks! I did wonder about the buggies because not every station has a lift. Guess I will take the light one with me and give it a go!

Lou1234 · Jul 24th, 2010, 05:33 AM

Hi. I don't have a LO myself but do live and work in London so can tell you what I see on public transport!!!

The buses have enough space to keep your buggy up. The double deckers seem to have room for 2 up at a time (as do the bendy buses).

Most people keep theirs up on the tube as well but as already said, you'll have to contend with escalators and sometimes there are stairs. The tickets barriers pretty much all now have a wide barrier for you to go through with your buggy (unlike New York where our friend had to put the buggy down each time they went in and out of a subway station!).

staycutee · Jul 24th, 2010, 06:28 AM

Hi hun

I just keep the buggy up when going on the tube, then again I find it really easy go up and down escalators with a pram, and I know a lot of people find it hard. Depending on the amount of stairs I will bump it up/down, but 9/10 someone offers to help me carry it as everywhere is so busy to it's not like there won't be anyone to help.

As someone else said about buses, 2 prams can fit in each buggy bit, the bendy buses have 2 buggy bits.

My LO is younger than yours but what about London Zoo?

x

indy and lara · Jul 24th, 2010, 11:17 AM

Thanks girls! Food for thought! Need to work on those buggy lfting arms....might help to tighten up the bingo wings;-)

CatStorey · Jul 24th, 2010, 14:07 PM

I take Chloe on public transport everyday. Most busses have room for 2 prams. Sometimes you might have to wait for another if its full up, or get off if a wheelchair person gets on (keeps happening to me

) But the buses are pretty regular so you should be fine.

Some stations don't have step free exits but if you pick a tube map it has a symbol to show which ones do so if you don't fancy stairs you can always try to plan your journey so you don't have to. Although 9 times out of 10 someone will help you carry the pram up or down.

I like taking Chloe to the Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Hyde Park. There is a sandpit, water fountains and some fun equipment to play on.

Will have a little think if there are any other fun things to do that I can remember and let you know. My brain is starting to switch off now!!

Laura2919 · Jul 24th, 2010, 16:05 PM

The aquarium near the london eye would probably be really good for Emma and yourself.
I dont know much about the tube as I drive but I would say take a buggy, people will make room for it and if your travelling after around 10am the tube should be pretty quiet.

Hope you have a nice few days down in London.

indy and lara · Jul 25th, 2010, 05:30 AM

Thank you everyone- you have all be a great help. Lots of ideas now- am looking forward to it...a wee traipse around while DH is stuck working in the office for a few days! Will be good to see London from a different perspective!

Jul 23rd, 2010, 08:26 AM	#1
indy and lara Other BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 4,230	Calling London Mummies- Help please! Hiya DH is working in London for 3 days just before we go to Norfolk on holiday so we have decided that Emma and I will go too as there is no point in him coming home for us to drive down the next day. So I am going to have 3 days in London with Emma and I am looking for advice and suggestions of what to do. I've been to London loads of times before but never with a toddler! I also always have my car at home so never have to think about public transport! - How would I go about using the Tube? Should I carry Em? Do you keep the buggy up? Is it a nightmare? - What about using buses? - Any ideas for great things to do with a 14 month old in London? Good places to go? Any great Central London parks not to miss? - Was thinking about a visit to the Rainforest Cafe- good idea? - Any other hints or tips would be great. Do you have a secret favourite place to go/ thing to do? Thanks you! Lesley x

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Jul 23rd, 2010, 14:04 PM	#2
joeyjo Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Herts Posts: 4,461	I love the aquarium on the south bank near the London eye. As for buggies on the tube, I've yet to brave it I use my sling but I think most people use lightweight buggies and balance them on escalators etc

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Jul 24th, 2010, 02:01 AM	#3
indy and lara Other BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 4,230	Thanks! I did wonder about the buggies because not every station has a lift. Guess I will take the light one with me and give it a go!

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Jul 24th, 2010, 05:33 AM	#4
Lou1234 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: London Posts: 1,081	Hi. I don't have a LO myself but do live and work in London so can tell you what I see on public transport!!! The buses have enough space to keep your buggy up. The double deckers seem to have room for 2 up at a time (as do the bendy buses). Most people keep theirs up on the tube as well but as already said, you'll have to contend with escalators and sometimes there are stairs. The tickets barriers pretty much all now have a wide barrier for you to go through with your buggy (unlike New York where our friend had to put the buggy down each time they went in and out of a subway station!).

Status: Offline

Jul 24th, 2010, 06:28 AM	#5
staycutee Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: London Posts: 2,231	Hi hun I just keep the buggy up when going on the tube, then again I find it really easy go up and down escalators with a pram, and I know a lot of people find it hard. Depending on the amount of stairs I will bump it up/down, but 9/10 someone offers to help me carry it as everywhere is so busy to it's not like there won't be anyone to help. As someone else said about buses, 2 prams can fit in each buggy bit, the bendy buses have 2 buggy bits. My LO is younger than yours but what about London Zoo? x

Status: Offline

Jul 24th, 2010, 11:17 AM	#6
indy and lara Other BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 4,230	Thanks girls! Food for thought! Need to work on those buggy lfting arms....might help to tighten up the bingo wings;-)

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Jul 24th, 2010, 14:07 PM	#7
CatStorey Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Winchester Posts: 1,370	I take Chloe on public transport everyday. Most busses have room for 2 prams. Sometimes you might have to wait for another if its full up, or get off if a wheelchair person gets on (keeps happening to me ) But the buses are pretty regular so you should be fine. Some stations don't have step free exits but if you pick a tube map it has a symbol to show which ones do so if you don't fancy stairs you can always try to plan your journey so you don't have to. Although 9 times out of 10 someone will help you carry the pram up or down. I like taking Chloe to the Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Hyde Park. There is a sandpit, water fountains and some fun equipment to play on. Will have a little think if there are any other fun things to do that I can remember and let you know. My brain is starting to switch off now!!

Status: Offline

Jul 24th, 2010, 16:05 PM	#8
Laura2919 Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 15,770	The aquarium near the london eye would probably be really good for Emma and yourself. I dont know much about the tube as I drive but I would say take a buggy, people will make room for it and if your travelling after around 10am the tube should be pretty quiet. Hope you have a nice few days down in London.

Status: Offline

Jul 25th, 2010, 05:30 AM	#9
indy and lara Other BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 4,230	Thank you everyone- you have all be a great help. Lots of ideas now- am looking forward to it...a wee traipse around while DH is stuck working in the office for a few days! Will be good to see London from a different perspective!

Status: Offline

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