Tot 'n Tow

Big Ben

London is one of my favorite places with or without a tot in tow!  So, naturally, I was thrilled to hear that we were going to spend a week in this fabulous city.

Charles and I always look forward to spending time here, hitting up our favorite child-friendly spots; the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Aquarium, London Transport Museum and the beautiful parks.  We are used to visiting empty playgrounds and quiet museums while the children of London are learning their ABC’s, but this particular trip we found ourselves surrounded by British families off on Spring Break.  London was alive with active, anxious families tackling child-friendly venues during their holiday.  The sun was out, the jackets and scarfs were left at home and the streets were lined with queuing Londoners!

Harrod's Toy Department

At first, we were not bashful and jumped right into the seemingly endless queues.  We hit the London Zoo the first day, the Science Center the next and visited our favorite playground (click HERE to read more about this Pirate Ship Playground), but after a few days of crowds, we got creative and found new things to do: a Chinese Circus, exploring the entire 4th floor of Harrods, visiting Alexandra Palace, and shopping through street markets.  We even joined the tourists on a shiny red double-decker tour bus and boat cruise along the Thames.  We usually see London from the backseat of a car, but sitting on the top tier of the front of a bus was really exciting for Charles.  He saw London from a new perspective and was all smiles.

Statue in the Queen Mary's Garden

It seems every time we visit London, it is raining.  This trip’s weather theme was sunshine!  Happily, we spent oodles of time wandering through parks, feeding the ducks, smelling the spring flowers, and licking popsicles after running around a kid-filled playground.

For a week, we called the Dorchester Hotel our ‘home.’  The hotel has two amazing reasons for our return next trip; it’s location and Afternoon Tea.  The Dorchester is located directly across from Hyde Park.  Before breakfast, I would zip over to the park to take my morning run.  After breakfast, Charles and I would feed the ducks our leftovers.  But the true reason to return to this hotel is its extravagant tea time experience.  Charles fell in love with their scones and I am a sucker for a blow-out tea time moment.  Yum!

A lot can happen in one week…we learned patience in British queue, experienced new London attractions, frolicked in London’s finest parks, and returned to our beloved hotel knackered each evening.

Tower of London (View from Boat Cruise)

Queen Mary's Garden