7 happy memories: our first family trip to London
For me, visiting the capital has always seemed like a special thing to do. I think it comes from being a bit of a country bumpkin. Over the years I’ve been to training courses and meetings in London but it’s been more than a decade since I was a tourist there.
Last month we had the chance to visit as a family. The excuse was Mr Tin Box running the London Marathon after drawing a place in the public ballot. A fun fact is that there’s more chance of winning a decent sized prize in the Lottery than a chance to run the Marathon (unless you grab one of the spots offered by a charity). So Mr Tin Box was over the moon.
After months of training, Marathon week finally came round at the end of April. Rather than stay in a hotel, we decided to hitch up our caravan and park at the Crystal Palace Caravan Club site – roughly an hour from the city centre by public transport (although this varied a lot). The idea was that as well as cheering on Mr Tin Box, we would turn it into a holiday and spend a few days sightseeing in the capital. We were also joined by Tin Box Grandma and Grandpa in their motorhome.
The seven days of our first family trip to London were wonderful, exhausting and memorable for so many reasons. I’ll be sharing some of the more stressful parts of being in London with a baby and toddler another time, but let’s start with the great memories we brought back with us:
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The pre-Marathon buzz
The day before the 2016 London Marathon we all went to the Excel London so that Mr Tin Box could register and pick up his Marathon number. There was a buzzing exhibition featuring the event sponsors and a lot of charities, all egging on the runners ahead of the big day. Tin Box Tot was very excited about posing with her Daddy in front of one of the many walls adorned with images of famous runners or good luck messages.
A very proud moment
On the day of the London Marathon Tin Box Tot, Grandpa and I went to cheer on Mr Tin Box. London was heaving with people and on more than one occasion I thanked our lucky stars that we’d decided to leave Tin Box Baby with Grandma back at the caravan. While the atmosphere was amazing, there was a lot of jostling for the best spectator spots.
Mr Tin Box ran the Marathon in a healthy four hours and 10 minutes. We managed to see him at two points during the run, first near Shadwell at the half way mark and then again at St James’ Park before The Mall and finish line. I can honestly say that seeing him still going strong (although later he admitted he was fighting terrible cramp) in the last few hundred meters was a proud moment. We were reunited with Mr Tin Box in Horse Guards Parade where Grandpa took this picture for us.
Hunting dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum
The next morning Mr Tin Box was feeling a little delicate so we had some quiet time at the caravan. However, by the afternoon he felt recuperated enough to venture back into the city centre. We decided that the Natural History Museum would be a good place to spend a few hours. It’s somewhere I haven’t been since I was a kid so was excited about visiting. Tin Box Tot was sold on the idea as soon as we mentioned dinosaurs. She particularly enjoyed the animatronic T-Rex once we had convinced her it wasn’t as hungry as it looked.
Unfortunately we didn’t leave ourselves nearly enough time and, after I forgot to bring any food or drinks, had two very ratty little people to handle when we were still out at dinner time. But on to happier memories again…
Dining high on the London Eye
Having learned my lesson from the day before, I made sure we had plenty of food for our next outing – the London Eye. While the rest of us enjoyed excellent views across the city, the Tin Box girls decided it was lunchtime and chomped through several ham and cheese wraps during our 30 minute flight.
Play time at the Science Museum
From the Eye we took the tube back to Exhibition Road and the Science Museum for the rest of the afternoon. The Garden and the Pattern Pod zones were a particular hit with the Tin Box girls. After getting their fill of interactive exhibits we were able to look around the Making the Modern World and Exploring Space exhibitions before it was time to head back to the campsite.
Chilling out at the Cutty Sark and Greenwich
A London attraction that I was particularly keen to see was the Cutty Sark at Greenwich. I’d read some helpful reviews by MummyTravels and Suitcase and Sandcastles, so knew it was family-friendly.
This was the most chilled out day of our holiday. Maybe it was the delicious piece of cake from the cafe when we arrived or the interactive displays and kids trail to occupy Tin Box Tot – who knows? Whatever it was, we felt we’d finally gotten into our London stride. After finding out lots of fascinating facts about this famous merchant ship we walked through the Royal Naval College and then Greenwich Village and market. The atmosphere here is very different to other areas of London I’ve visited. It certainly earns it’s ‘village’ title.
Spotting pre-historic beasts at Crystal Palace
On our final morning in London we had just enough time to wander from the campsite into nearby Crystal Palace Park. We’d walked across the tiered lawns at the top end several times, as this was the best route to the train station, but we hadn’t ventured further down the hill. This is where you can find the fun and fantastical Victorian dinosaurs of Crystal Palace.
These prehistoric beasts and lizards were created for the Great Exhibition in the 19th Century. The science behind the models may be slightly outdated but they are still a sight to behold. Spotting the sculptures around the lakes was a great way to end our week in London and allow Tin Box Tot to work off some steam before our journey back to Devon.
Have you been to London with your family? I’d love to hear your favourite memories.
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I had a ballot place too this year. Your hubby beat me by 18 mins and he looks a lot less delicate than I did the following day! I arrived in work on the Monday, sat down and hardly got up for the rest of the day 🙂 Glad you all managed to get some sightseeing in afterwards; we’re quite close to London so it’s a city I tend to take for granted, really must make more of an effort with some of the major sites.
Congratulations to your husband for running the marathon! I loved the Science and History museums when I went to London, but I haven’t made it to the Cutty Sark, but I’ll probably go back soon 🙂
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What an adventure! I love hearing about what people choose to do when they come to London and you chose all my favourite places. And yes, I have received weird looks from visiting friends and family before by suggesting when they should eat, drink (or not) and go to the toilet because it’s not always possible down the line.
Mandy recently posted…Bologna: An Unexpected Place
I absolutely adore London, but haven’t done the tourist thing since I was a child! Well done Mr tin box! That is an impressive time! Glad you had a fab time! The girls look like they loved it! #KCACOLS xx
Firstly, congratulations to Mr Tin Box for completing the marathon – a great excuse to have an extended trip to explore London! You certainly did lots of things I have never done…and I live there! STILL need to go on the London Eye. Glad you had a great time there and well done on navigating the marathon crowds with tot in tow! #citytripping
Elizabeth (Wander Mum) recently posted…10 Sights To See In Sicily With Kids
Well done on Mr Tin Box for running the marathon. I personally hate London, though I do like the museums.
#kcacols
Thanks for sharing! This looks like fun. I’ve never been to London but it seems there are a lot of family friendly attractions. Congrats to Mr Tinot Box for finishing the marathon. Looks like a lovely vacation. #KCACOLS
You must be so proud of your other half. A marathon is a massive achievement. Now we have lived in London for nearly 2 years I am beginning to get that jaded feeling but your post has livened me up a bit. We must get back to Greenwich soon. It is such a great place to visit for kids of all ages. #citytripping
So many things I’d love to do here (the Natural history museum, the science museum), but I love that you rounded off with one of my favourites – the Crystal Palace Park dinosaur figures! I used to live nearby, so we would visit the park a lot – I love all the signs that point out all the inaccuracies! Lovely post – it’s made me feeling almost optimistic about heading into London with a toddler – I’ve not braved the journey since the trip to show him off to my work colleagues when he was a couple of months old! #KCACOLS
Katy – Hot Pink Wellingtons recently posted…The Big Bedroom Reveal
What a fantastic week in London! I haven’t yet properly taken Charlie to London, even though it’s only an hour away! He’d desperate to see the National History Museum – Cbeebies Andy may have something to do with that! Huge congrats to Mr Tinbox for the marathon!
It sounds like a brilliant trip. Cities like London are all the more special when you don’t get the chance to go very often. The atmosphere during the Marathon is amazing! My other half has done it a few times but hasn’t won a place in the ballot for years so is getting desperate to take part again. So glad you got to go to Cutty Sark – it’s such a fantastic place for families – and thank you so much for linking to my post. I definitely feel the same way about Greenwich – it’s a particularly lovely part of London. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping.
Clare (Suitcases and Sandcastles) recently posted…City Tripping #29
No problem about the link! It was a really handy thing to read before our visit to London. Mr TB has put my name into the ballot for next year. I’m going to have to do some serious work if I get drawn!
I can’t wait to bring my kids to London: I have put it off, so far, thinking it might be a bit overwhelming for them, but reading your posts makes me reconsider. Well done to Mr Tin Box for the marathon: it is not something I would consider doing (running is definitely not my thing!) and have huge respect for anyone tackling such a big challenge!
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It was a really great experience but it wasn’t all rosy Marta – I have another post in mind about some of the stresses of visiting a big city with kids. However, a lot of it is down to planning and not over-stretching yourself. We’re so proud of Mr TB though – at least he was prepared 🙂
Looks fantastic! well done mr tin box too! #citytripping
Thanks!
What a great time you had! Well done to your hubby for getting around the London marathon too. I’m in awe of anyone who can run more than 100 yards! You did loads while you were there so made the most of it. Looks like good fun:)
Mainy
#kcacols
Mainy @myrealfairy recently posted…Trip to Bavaria and Chiemsee
I’m not much of a runner either! Scarily, Mr TB has entered me for the public draw in 2017. I’m thinking that I can’t be that lucky/unlucky so I haven’t polished off my trainers yet 😉
You know we live in London but I’ve never taken Rian to any of these places! I think he’d like Crystal Palace. Well done Mr TBT on a very respectable marathon time! Thank you for linking up with #KCACOLS and hope to see you next week!
Thank you! Crystal Palace is definitely a good morning out. There’s also a farm there but we didn’t have time to visit unfortunately.
Sounds like a lovely trip to the capital and we’ll done Mr Tin box on his marathon time. We keep meaning to go to London to do all the touristy things with Leo, just need to be organised and actually go. Glad you all had a lovely time xx #kcacols
Living in Devon now, we had to find a good excuse, which the Marathon provided. There is so much to do but we tired to keep it simple. There’s always so much more to go back and do!
What a great week – you fitted in a lot of my favourites too and thanks for linking to my Cutty Sark post.
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…The May round-up: My travel essentials
You’re very welcome! I might get round to doing my own full post at some point. It really was a lovely place to visit.
Would be really interested to see how you found it – and Mr Tin Box would have his own take, I suspect! #citytripping
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…City Tripping #29
Wow thank you for sharing such lovely photos of your trip. I have never been anywhere near and it looks like you had a lot of fun.
Thank you for visiting me, #KCACOLS
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It really was a good trip with lots of highlights 🙂