is there anything to do around Stansted area?

[Elwood]

Hi guys, i'm taking my little brother (5 year old) to london for the day as he wanted to go on a plane, and Ryanair where doing 2p flights

Now its flying to Stansted, which is obviously not central london. Is there anything to do with a kid in that area, or should I be looking to head into central london?

I'm from scotland so have no idea of what there is in those areas!

thanks in advance

[Fresh]

CLICK ME FOR MAP OF STANSTED

Id go to london centre, doesn't look like there's much round Stansted! There are trains regularly, takes about 45 mins to get to liverpool street. Buy a travel card for underground travel and have some fun in the centre...

[Elwood]

Cheers, just checked thetrainline.com and you're spot on with times:

Timetable result: Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street Duration 0:48

Tried looking at some maps, but they dont really show what there is to do in the areas.

Once I'm at Liverpool St is that me in the centre? I've only got one day so I dont want too waste too much time on travelling on the trains if possible!

thanks

[Lee Macro]

Nothing to do round Stansted at all. Nearest place for shopping is Freeport Village at Braintree but its not much cop really.

Definately better off going to London. Have a look at www.onerailway.com and see what train/travel offers they do for London

Also go to www.tfl.gov.uk and download a Tube map. It'll save you standing at each station looking to where you wanna go. Liverpool Street is on the Central and Circle lines so you're pretty much in the centre of London. Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden aren't too far away if you fancy a bit of shopping (Oxford Street is bigger but personally I avoid it like the plague)

EDIT: and I just read the time yours was posted so guessing you're in the air so I'll stop being such a retard and learn to read

[gunner]

Liverpool street is in the city area of London. About 15/20 minutes via tube to places like Leicester square and Oxford street.

The Trocadero (www.londontrocadero.com/) is worth a visit (in Leicester square) as it has amusments and a few things to do. From there you can go up Oxford Street, Bond Street etc.

What do you fancy doing?

The London Eye, the London Aquarium are both worth a visit, and not far to from the center. Get a travelcard and you can get around all day using the buses and underground.

[Elwood]

EDIT: and I just read the time yours was posted so guessing you're in the air so I'll stop being such a retard and learn to read

cheers guys. no I'm not in the air, not going till 3rd Feb.

Cant complain at all with the prices with ryanair:

Total for 2 Passengers
Fare Price 0.04 GBP
Credit card fee 7.00 GBP
GBP Web Baggage Fe 7.00 GBP
Taxes, Fees & Charges 0.00 GBP
Insurance
Total Price 14.04 GBP

Would have been £7 less if I didnt accidently select that I wanted to check a bag in, could have only took hand luggage for 1 day !

Gunner, the London Aquarium sounds good, thats something my brother would enjoy. I guess London Eye too if the queues arent too big.

How much is a travel card? does a 5 year old need one or are they free like here in scotland?

cheers guys, total London newbie here lol

[Lee Macro]

1 Day Travelcard for Zones 1 and 2 is about £5 as Sat is off peak and children under 5 (I believe) can travel on Tube, DLR (Docklands Light Railway), buses and trams for free at anytime provided a a valid ticket holding adult is accompanying him.

There was a 2 For 1 admission for the London Eye on the one railway website in my previous post but I'm not sure of the qualifying criteria

[gunner]

cheers guys. no I'm not in the air, not going till 3rd Feb.

Cant complain at all with the prices with ryanair:



Would have been £7 less if I didnt accidently select that I wanted to check a bag in, could have only took hand luggage for 1 day !

Gunner, the London Aquarium sounds good, thats something my brother would enjoy. I guess London Eye too if the queues arent too big.

How much is a travel card? does a 5 year old need one or are they free like here in scotland?

cheers guys, total London newbie here lol

A childs travelcard will only be a couple of quid.

I quite liked the Aquarium, think you and your bro will enjoy that. The eye's queues are not as bad as they used to be, so you should be ok. Also worth considerig is the London dungeon, but might be a bit too much for a 5 y/o.

[flipper321]

Science museum and Natural history museum are great for kids - both free entry...

[Elwood]

Science museum and Natural history museum are great for kids - both free entry...

cheers, I dont think the history one would be good for him but the science would be great

[BBK]

natural history museum is ACE for kids! They love it, just like I did when I was 5! Its got dinosaurs and all that!

But I would also recommend the eye and the aquarium, they are right next to one another, and very easy to get to (tube to Waterloo).

[-G-Man-]

natural history museum is ACE for kids! They love it, just like I did when I was 5! Its got dinosaurs and all that!

But I would also recommend the eye and the aquarium, they are right next to one another, and very easy to get to (tube to Waterloo).

The Science Museum is right next to that and is great too.

[Over Carl]

I remember enjoying a few trips to the science museum when I was young, they have (or at least they used to when I went) stuff for the kids as well as adults. I think I liked the trips to the history museum, but twas long time ago. They're next door to each other, so if you get bored, could easily cut visit short.

[partyman]

I'll give a vote for the Science Museum too, great fun for a young'un.

Also if you're thinking about going on the London Eye, you can get 2 for 1 with an Oyster card. You should be able to buy one from Liverpool Street tube, and return it for your deposit at the end of the day. (You're day travelcard will be a bit cheaper too)

And if you're looking for somewhere to eat, Giraffe on the southbank (near the London Eye) is very kid friendly.

[wonkyfox]

There`s this in Stansted...http://www.mountfitchetcastle.com/
But its closed till March.....I`d go to London if i were you...some great advice above, you should have a good time..

[Elwood]

cheers guys, help much appreciated. K+ to everyone that replied! Going to try both museums, and the Aquarium. That should fill the day, then travel back to Stansted

[Nikki]

i would of said the aquarian part from that other than a mackiedonalds im outta suggestions. hope you have a good time

[Lee Macro]

Make sure you by some Krispy Kreme donuts while you're down there. Always get at least a couple of boxes when I'm down there..............Mmmmm donuts!! Link below is where the stalls are. There's on at pretty much every London station. Nearest on to Liverpool Street is Holborn but there is a new one opened at Stansted

There's also a shop in Covent Garden called Cybercandy. Thay stock sweets, drinks, cakes etc from all over the world. Might be one for your bro to get some unusual sweets.

Links to websites and maps below

http://www.krispykreme.co.uk/Store-Locator

http://www.cybercandy.co.uk/aaasmt/

[Elwood]

cheers mate, havent had krispy creme since I went to USA! dont think they do them anywhere up here, havent seen them. links below if anyone else is interested:

Just been looking on London Aquarium Website, £13 for adult and £9 for a kid, not too bad at all.

Also had a look at science museum

And the Natural History Museum

Should have time to fit all that in I reckon, I'm going to give the shopping a miss as a 5 year old wont appreciate getting dragged around the shops.

thanks for all replies.

[gunner]

The Science and natural history are close to each other, so no problem there. But they are pretty massive, so you might need to pick one or the other.