London Attractions

[sophie_1003]

Can anyone advise how long should be allowed for visiting the following (including queue times where appropriate)--
1. V&A Museum
2. V&A Museum of Childhood
3. Natural History Museum
4. Science Museum
5. London Dungeon
6. Madame Tussauds

[redcrx]

well i have managed to spend an entire day just doing the Natural history and the science. No queues apart from to see the dinosaur part of NHM, and thats on a saturday

[thetruthhurts]

For Madame Tussauds allow about 4 hours just to queue, seriously.

[bobjugs12]

Dunno about the others, but you could easily spend all day in the Natural History Museum, and the same with the Science Museum as well. However, last time I took my clan there we had the morning in th NHM, follwed by a picnic lunch, then onto the SM in the afternoon (they're next door to each other, so it's easily done)

[sophie_1003]

Yeah thought we could probably spend the whole day in Nat.Hist. and Sci Museums! Was more wondering about The V&A museums (especially the childhood one) and London Dungeon (have been told queue for this wasn't as bad as Madame Tussauds?)

[sophie_1003]

Ah, thanks wyzard, your answer wasn't there when I started typing! How long does it take once you're actually in?

[thetruthhurts]

Dungeon isn't as bad as Tussauds but it is bad!

[sophie_1003]

cool, thank you one and all! We may not even go as trying to keep it to a cheap day out but will have it on the list as an option!

[sophie_1003]

okie doke! Was thinking might go to Covent Garden for a wander round in the morning, go for lunch (already know where we're going for that) then maybe quick look round the Science Museum or one of the V&A museums in the afternoon.

[sophie_1003]

Oh right, am mostly interested in the Museum of Childhood but think I'll leave that till I can go with someone else who will be interested and can go round in a more relaxed way! Went to the Nat.Hist museum last year (think it was last year anyway!) so Sci Museum is looking ever more likely, of course could just be really touristy and go and look at the Houses of Paliament, Big Ben and Tower Bridge! Will consult with the others!

[jb190281]

hi sophie. I must admit, I particularly enjoyed the Tower of London, and spent hours there (mustve been about 6 hours!). Tussauds and Dungeon are places you could see quickly, couple of hours each, but try to get vouchers as I personally didnt think they were worth full admit price. Enjoy!

[jno]

I'm told Tussaud's is terrible but you can jump the queue

http://www.londonthea...Tussauds-tickets.aspx

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

I've caught a bus outside the London Dungeon several times recently and there have always been massive queues for the LD. (I'd guess at an hour long, as a minimum). However there's a separate, shorter queue for visitors with pre-booked tickets. (Even so, you'll still queue for quite some time - perhaps 20 minutes). Once inside, allow about 1½ hours for your visit (although it's easy to go round in far less if you don't take time to study each exhibit).

You simply walk straight in at the Science Museum. There might be a very quick security check (where you're asked to open your bags) but it only delays you for a minute or two at the most. Once you're inside, a quick look round will take you an hour or two. To get the best from the place you need to allow at least 3 hours, but 5 hours would probably be better.

The Natural History Museum is similar to the Science Museum with regards to queues. If you just want to look at the moving dinosaurs and a few other highlights, allow a couple of hours. But you can easily spend 3 or 4 interesting hours there.

Again, you just walk straight in at the V&A. If you're looking at a few selected exhibits (such as the 'Fashion' section and some of the ceramics) allow a couple of hours, but you could easily spend all day in the V&A.

I've not been to the V&A Museum of Childhood. (Indeed, until I read you post and then Googled it, I was unaware that this formerly independent museum now comes under the V&A's umbrella). But I'd expect that you would be able to walk straight in.

[Buenchico]

I've not been along Baker Street recently but there always used to be really long queues for Madame Tussaud's. However I always had pre-booked tickets and got in with a wait of between 10 and 20 minutes. Allow an hour and a bit to go round.

I've never really enjoyed Madame Tussaud's and I'd certainly not include it on a shortlist of recommended places to visit. (It's also VERY expensive). While I've enjoyed the London Dungeon, the long queues and ridiculous admission price (£23) also mean that I can't actually recommend it. (It can also get very hot and oppressive inside. I've had a youngster pass out on me in there).

Part of the reason that I've never visited the Museum of Childhood is because it's outside the main tourist areas of London, but I'm sure that it would be worth a visit. (And it's free as well!)

The South Kensington Museums (Science, Natural History and V&A) are all free (other than for certain special exhibitions). For a day trip, fitting just two of them in is about as much as realistically possible because there's so much to see and do. So my advice is simply to head to South Kensington and enjoy everything that's on offer there.

Chris

[sophie_1003]

Thanks for all the answers! I would like to go on the London Eye but we're a bit limited by one member of the party's funds, another reason why I'm a bit hesitant about Madame Tussauds and the Dungeon! We also have to go to the Arsenal shop whilst we're there so it'll probably just be the afternoon when we've got a fair bit of time. I'm making a plan with several options and am just sticking to the free stuff so that if we do run out of time it doesn't matter. So far I've got- Morning: Trafalgar Square (can pop in to National Gallery if there's time) OR a walk around Hyde Park OR have a look at Tower Bridge (and possibly the exhibition if there's time) Lunchtime then
Afternoon: South Kensington as Chris suggests OR Take in the sights of Houses of Parliament/Big Ben (then if we've got time left do something from morning options)