The director of the Finnish Institute Pauliina Ståhlberg is also a mother of four. These are her tips for visiting London with teenagers.
1. ArcelorMittal Orbit slide. Sculptor Anish Kapoor created a the UK’s largest sculpture for London Olympics in 2012. This year, a slide by artist Carsten Höller was added to its structures. The view of East London from the viewing platform is spectacular. The slide brings an exhilarating addition to the experience – it takes 40 thrilling seconds to slide down.Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 5 Thornton Street, London E20 2AD. http://arcelormittalorbit.com/whats-on/the-slide/ Children £10,50, adults £16,50.
2. Leake Tunnel, also known as the Banksy Tunnel, is 300 meters long and covered with graffiti. The pieces are constantly changing and you can often spot the artists at work. Banksy made the tunnel famous by making many pieces in 2008. Since then they have been painted over many times, but as no-one knows what Banksy looks like, he might be one of those artists currently spraying the tunnel walls. Leake St, Lambeth, London SE1 7NN
3. Camden Market and Portobello Market are full of tourists. Instead, Brick Lane and its surroundings in Shoreditch are “in”. The area is full of good vintage stores and boutiques selling unique fashion. Brick Lane, London E1 6RL
4. Camden Market and Portobello Market are full of tourists. Instead, Brick Lane and its surroundings in Shoreditch are “in”. The area is full of good vintage stores and boutiques selling unique fashion. Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 7PB.
5. London Dungeon in Westminster Bridge Road near London Eye presents the most horrible events in British history in the goriest ways possible. A fun, scary and interactive experience! Ariel Way, White City, London W12 7GF. https://www.thedungeons.com/london/en/ Tickets from £25
6. The gigantic Westfields shopping mall caters for any taste when it comes to shopping, food or films to watch. Ariel Way, White City, London W12 7GF. https://uk.westfield.com/london
7. The musical The Book of Mormon is crazy and funny. It features strong language and wild subject matters. The team included scriptwriters of South Park. The show is very popular, so it’s worth it to book tickets before flying to London. Coventry St, London W1D 6AS. https://www.bookofmormonlondon.com/. Ticket costs vary.
Text: Pauliina Ståhlberg Photo: Istvan / Visualhunt.com