Trip to London

Well done for keeping up the pace!
Sounds like a great day out in our lovely capital. Good weather a bonus.

Just an update on the trip to London on Wednesday.
We were blessed with the weather and had an amazing day.
Granddaughter loved the museums, all the interactive stuff. She also used google maps so I let her carry on and do as much as possible.
I dropped her home at 10.00pm.
A bit tiring for me at 70 but so enjoyed it:-)
Thanks for all the advice on here.

How was your day in London faringdon59 ?

I live in London and use Uber to get to medical appointments. No problem. However, Bolt is often cheaper. If desperate I use a black cab which is great but more expensive.

Take a Black Cab only, I found them cheaper than Uber, they are safe and the drivers are really knowlegable ( spelt wrong). They can advise you where to eat to get good food at a good price. Don’t use Uber it’s not safe up there.

Lala494

It's a lovely 30 minute walk across the park from Paddington Station to the natural History Museum. Your phone maps will show you the way!

Probably take longer in a cab😂

NotAGran55

It’s a very easy walk from Paddington to the museums across Hyde Park, past the Royal Albert Hall, where you can stop for a coffee and loo break on the way. Door 12.

The Citymapper app is brilliant for navigating, including walking routes.

Have a great time.

I was going to say the same, used to work in Paddington and it's a pleasant 25 -30 minute walk across to the South Kensington museums if the weather's good. (& the cab will take 10 minutes).

Look at what exhibitions the V&A have on, they are generally excellent although may be sold out by now.

Have a lovely dayFaringdon 🚂

If you’re getting your phone out for maps etc , get a lanyard to attach to your phone . I was in Barcelona last year where pick pockets are rife and had a neck one and one around my wrist. Also if I need to check my route , I duck into a shop doorway , rather than standing in the middle of the pavement.
In Barcelona I had a cross body bag with small carabiners on the zips , so I could secure the zips .
London is a great city but you need to be aware. It’s also very walkable, so wear comfy shoes .

As a person who lives in Yorkshire I use the tube when I go to London, tap on tap off with your card! BUT. I prefer to take the bus, see the sights or walk as it is great to find off beat streets etc
Two weeks ago I went to Coal Drops Yard which your GD would love! Or a trip on the river by Uber taxi boat
The museums can wear you out so head to Borough Market for fun and food
Ask GD to sort tubes/ buses as well! She is old enough to read a map
Good lyck

Just seen this Faringdon, good luck, should be a great day. Funnily enough, I had an NHist email today, talking about privilege guided tours to beat the crowds?!
I see that a cab fare, according to Mr Google and his new friend Arty Instein, will be some £15 to £20. Plus a tip of course?!

Possibly money is no object, though if you've paid a prime-time fare from Swindon or Didcot, your card(s) have already suffered a major blow?!

Padd'ton to Nat History is quite simple, by Tube (Circle - though it isn't a circle any more, most confusing?!) to South Ken works, but I always think that long long walk through a claustrophobic tunnel (often packed like sardines!!) is no fun?

You could instead go 2 stops to Notting Hill Gate, get out, walk east (towards Hyde Park), and find the bus stop for Bus 70 on the south side of the road. That bus comes down past Queensway, then turns left just before Nott Hill Gate station and drops down to the Musuem, stops right there. If you have a bus pass, that works in London too, but your GD has to be paid for (use your card). As folk have said, you can pay for the Tube by tapping your card (oldies do NOT have the bus pass equivalent, unless you live there), but with GD to pay for as well, you just need to co-ordinate that tapping. If in ANY doubt, just talk to the attendant, that's what they're there for, and usually delighted to help (especially with GD in tow?!).

Coming back, just reverse the journey, BUT, if by then you need a G&T (or 2?!) and a foot massage, maybe the black cab is the answer?!

It's a lovely 30 minute walk across the park from Paddington Station to the natural History Museum. Your phone maps will show you the way!

I've learned something else today from Gransnet. I used to be in London quite regularly but haven't been for around 5/6 years.. I had no idea you could use a debit card on the tube I always used an Oyster card. Neither did I know you had to book a slot to go to a museum, I really am behind the times.
Faringdon I do wonder if your GD actually would enjoy 2 museums in one day, perhaps a museum in the morning and maybe shopping or afternoon tea somewhere nice or a walk around Regents park in the afternoon?

I would definitely use transport for London website. You can put in places of interest and it will give options and times for walking, cycling or bus route. Play around with it before you leave.
You can use your bus pass on London buses and pay for granddaughter.
Also Google best routes for sightseeing.
You can get a bus from Westminster to Chelsea Kings Road for less crowded shopping experience. Peter Jones ( John Lewis) Marks & Spencer and lots of others.Lunch at Peter Jones perhaps.
Consult your granddaughter.
Try not to do too much in one day as you will both be exhausted!

Be mindful of your personal security. Hold your bag close to you and dont get your phone out in public and be mindful of expensive jewellery on display if you wesr it. We now see of so many opportunists preying on the unsuspecting in all big cities.

The observatory on Greenwich park is good, the Tower of London is a good day out and Covent Garden area is fun with street entertainers

ViceVersa

I'm confused - to me a black cab is a taxi? I would call the other private hires.

Private hires or minicabs - not usually recommended.
Yes, a black cab is what most Londoners would think of as a taxi.

Chestnut

I have no idea what apps are available but this live London bus map is fun. You just choose your route at the bottom. The buses are blue and red and the stops are yellow. You can zoom in and out.
traintimes.org.uk/map/london-buses/#211

I really like this! Never seen it before, but it would be really helpful if you're going to somewhere you don't know well.

I'd always use a bus in London, you see more and if you have a map you can show the children where you are.

I believe that there are several apps you can use to call a black cab, last time I hailed a cab they recommended one called "Gett". The blurb says it should be with you in four minutes.

you don't have to buy tickets - just tap your card or phone on the reader

I like the tube.
Always easy it seems to me - not a commuter though so not too squashed.

My thought about the tube is that you walk for miles. Londoners walk much more than in other cities and town….in my opinion!

Our kids loved going by bus in London.

The open topped bus is a great way to see the city, weather permitting. We did this in London and also in New York. You see most of the sights that way.