LONDON WITH CHILDREN - London 2015 - page 680

See the National Gallery Tour chapter.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields
Next to the church on Trafalgar Square is a glass pavilion with a brass-rubbing center be-
low that's fun for kids who'd like a souvenir to show for their efforts ( £ 4.50 and up, Mon-
Wed 10:00-18:00, Thu-Sat 10:00-20:00, Sun 11:30-17:00, tel. [phone]; for details
on the church, see here ) . The affordable Café in the Crypt has just the right spooky tables-
on-gravestones ambience (see here ) .
London Eye
The grand observation wheel is a delight for the whole family (for specifics, including
crowd-avoidance tips, see here ) .
Sealife Aquarium
Part of the London Eye complex and run by the same company as Madame Tussauds, this
small, pricey, but entertaining aquarium resembles an overpriced theme park. Even though
there are far better aquariums elsewhere, this place packs in school groups and families
looking for a break from museums (daily, check for discounts online, Tube: Waterloo or
Westminster, www.visitsealife.com ).
Changing of the Guard
Kids enjoy the bands and pageantry of the Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guard, but
little ones get a better view at the inspection; guards assemble daily May-July (every oth-
er day Aug-April) at 11:00 at Wellington Barracks, and march out at 11:30 for Bucking-
ham Palace (see here ) . The Horse Guards change daily at 11:00 (10:00 on Sun) and have
a colorful dismounting ceremony daily at 16:00 (on Whitehall, between Trafalgar Square
and #10 Downing Street, Tube: Westminster, www.royal.gov.uk —search “Changing the
Guard”—see here ) .
Piccadilly Circus
This titillating district has lots of schlocky amusements, such as the pricey Ripley's Be-
lieve It or Not. Be careful of fast-fingered riffraff. Hamleys toy store is just two blocks up
Regent Street at 188-196 (listed earlier).
Shopping
If your teenager wants to bring home a few chic and cheap London fashions, Oxford Street
(at the intersection of Regent Street) is a good place to start. Take the Tube to the Ox-
ford Circus stop, and you'll be surrounded by lots of shops selling inexpensive, trendy