London - for any kind of family

[caption id="attachment_3648" align="alignnone" width="1200"] London! As seen from the London Eye (another London trip we would recommend!)[/caption]

We love London - and not only because we live here. We just think there is so much to do in this great city - for people of all ages and with all interests. Today Robert, who's 11, shares his recommendations for different kinds of families who visit London.

1.Thrill Seekers 

[caption id="attachment_3643" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Robert on a rib boat on the Thames,[/caption]

If you’re in London and love speed and excitement, then I would recommend going on the Canary Wharf Experience. This is a tour down the Thames on one of London’s fastest speedboats. In the 50 minute ride you speed up and down the river whilst listening to commentary from the driver (he was very funny). I found it really exhilarating and at some parts the boat was on its side! I found the actual tour very entertaining as well as interesting and I loved going so fast.

[caption id="attachment_3644" align="alignnone" width="1200"] You see London in a different way on this tour! This is under Tower Bridge[/caption]

Read more about London via rib boat

2. Foodies 

[caption id="attachment_3641" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Robert drinks bubble tea in Camden, London,[/caption]

If your family are all foodies and love trying weird and exciting foods then Camden Market is the place for you. The busy streets are packed with shops, many selling edible goods, while buying drinks is no problem as there are countless stalls where you can buy freshly made orange juice or lemonade, slushies or delicious bubbleteas. There are many ice-cream shops as well, and at one the ice-cream is moulded into a flower and at another it is made before your eyes. There are shops selling meat, wraps and even cereal, of course I always go to the one that sells Nutella doughnuts! There are so many wacky flavours and cuisines to try so if you love stuffing your face I would recommend stuffing your face at Camden.

[caption id="attachment_3640" align="alignnone" width="1200"] A doughnut stall in Camden![/caption]

3. Culture vultures 

[caption id="attachment_3646" align="alignnone" width="1200"] There is so much to see at the British Museum[/caption]

If you’re a person who goes on holiday and spends most of their days in museums then you’re in luck, London has loads. Although it is the most famous, I would recommend going to the British Museum as there is loads to learn and you can go back again and again. The museum is split up into different sections, each about a different era; my favourite has got to be the Egyptian part as I love looking at the mummies. It is a great place for kids and adults because I love going and so do mum and dad.

4. Young families 

[caption id="attachment_3645" align="alignnone" width="1200"] At Shrek's Adventure,[/caption]

In my opinion, the perfect place to take young kids in London is to Shrek’s Adventure in which you physically travel through a story. Although the queue is quite big it is worth it as the experience includes a 4D ride, mirror maze and loads of funny and cool characters. What is so great about Shrek’s adventure is that you get involved a lot and the whole thing is very interactive. I really enjoyed it when I went and I’m sure younger kids would like it even more.

Read more about Robert's thoughts on Shrek's Adventure

Overall I love London and would recommend it for all ages.

More on London by us!

Jess recommends five cool places to eat in London

Robert picks his favourite museums - for kids

The Monument to the Fire of London (by Robert)

Robert, who's ten, writes:

Last weekend in London when the sun was shining (that doesn't happen often!) Jess, Mum and I decided to walk up the Monument. If you didn't already know, it is a big stone sculpture, six and a half metres tall, with a viewing platform at the top and it was built in memory of The Great Fire of London in 1666.The Monument took 11 years to make and cost £13,450. It was made by Sir Christopher Wren, the person behind St Paul's Cathedral, and Dr Robert Hooke.

[caption id="attachment_1319" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Steps leading up to the top of The Monument[/caption]

The height of the monument is 202 feet exactly because if you pushed it over at a particular angle (that would be quite hard) it would land at exactly the spot where the fire started in Thomas Farriner's bakery on Pudding Lane.

There are text and drawings on the side of the Monument (at the bottom) which most people miss, but you should check them out because they are cool. The words are in Latin so if you don't know the language, then read the translation below. They tell you about what happened and why the Monument was put up.

Walking up and down 311 steps - 622 altogether - may be quite a strain but the view at the top is magnificent. You can see the whole of London and unlike the Shard it has a proper purpose other than just a good view.

[caption id="attachment_1322" align="aligncenter" width="940"] The view from the top[/caption]

I also found out a lot of information on our trip. As well as a Monument of the Great Fire, lots of people thought it could be used for science experiments. Some thought they could use it for gravity tests, while other wanted to use it as a giant telescope.

 Another interesting fact I learnt was that in 1814, a donkey was led up and down the Monument without tripping once. I think that's pretty impressive.Although quite a short experience, we thought our visit to the Monument was brilliant fun and cheap. It costs just £2 for children and £4 for adults and you can also buy an interesting leaflet for £2, it includes facts about the monument and the Great Fire of London as well as a 360 degree photo explaining the different things you can see from the top.

[caption id="attachment_1321" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Pudding Lane, where the Great Fire of London began[/caption]

After your visit (make sure you are given your certificate for making it up to the top), you should definitely go and walk up Pudding Lane (which sadly, we learnt, is not named after the yummy puddings we love to eat, but after the bits of meat would fall from the carts coming down the lane from the butchers' market to the Thames). It is only a short walk away and although it is not a great big thing like a museum, it is epic standing where the great fire started.

The Monument is situated right next Bank/Monument Station (Northern Line and District and Circle tube lines), and is at the junction of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill. It is open from April to September from 9.30 to 6pm and from October to March from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

More by Robert on London:

 

Dr Johnson's House

The Churchill War Rooms