London
London
London
London
London
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
London
London
London
London
London
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
IN A NUTSHELL
Visit London with Kids
We’re not going to lie, Visiting London in general let alone with kids can be tiring and can’t all be done in a hurry or even just a few days.
But with so many things to do for children of all ages, a well-structured plan and time will make a visit to the city worthwhile.
And pack a raincoat – the weather’s mild but can be wet!
LOCATION
Family-Friendly Areas & Hotels in London
There are plenty of family-friendly hotels around the city. In London the issue tends to be travelling around, so the trick is to look for hotels that are close to attractions you’d like to visit, or close to buggy-friendly (lifts and escalators) underground stations to get there.
Look for hotels close to stations with many connections and attractions, like Earl’s Court (Science & Natural History museums), Waterloo (London Eye, London Aquarium, Big Ben).
Clapham/Clapham South
A suburban space that’s not central though close to a huge park, family friendly and residential. Lots of restaurants/cafés. Various underground stops and well connected on the bus route.
Family-Friendly Hotels in Clapham London
South Kensington
More central and well connected in terms of transport. You are spoilt for choice in terms of museums, parks (including Hyde Park) in almost walking distance. The high street provides a good shopping break if you have time and certainly many eating options.
London’s Museum Quarter, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum all have children areas and are close by.
Family-Friendly Hotels in South Kensington London
Bankside & Waterloo
A busy spot, very central and well connected in terms of buses, over & undergrounds. You also have some great walking tours to take across the bridge. Lots of kid friendly attractions as well as restaurants that open at all sides including Borough Market.
Family-Friendly Hotels in Waterloo
PLAY
Activities for children ages 0-5
Tiring our babies and toddlers whilst they absorb all that is around them.
PLAY
Activities for older kids
Keeping the older kids happy, entertained, and reducing the amount of times they ask for a screen or complain about being bored.
PLAY
Parks & Playgrounds
Diana Memorial Playground
Kew Gardens – (with a huge 10,000 sqm children’s garden) (paid attraction)
Central:
Hyde Park & Serpentine Lido
St James’ Park and its pelicans
Holland Park for its flowers;
Battersea Park with its zoo, playgrounds and Go Ape
Coram’s Fields
Regents Park with the London Zoo
South London:
Crystal Palace park with its Victorian dinosaurs
Brockwell Park with its children’s railway and playground
West London:
Richmond Park with its herds of deer and the lovely Thames path
East London:
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Greenwich Park with its views and gardens
North London:
Hampstead Heath
Primrose Hill – stunning views
FOOD
Family-friendly cafés & restaurants in London
Lots of chain restaurants that accommodate families with high chairs, family friendly hours and kid menus. During the weekend, most gastro pubs are friendly to have kids if they are eating.
Pret A Manger – ready made, good & healthy food. Found all around London and open at all times of day to satisfy most hunger needs.
Kingly Court – lots of restaurant all under one roof.
Borough Market– enough food options through all the market stalls to satisfy everyone in the family.
Gordon Ramsay’s London – kids under 12 eat free!
Wahaca – (Mexican)
All Star Lanes – (American diner)
TRANSPORTATION
How to Get Around in London
The Tube can be hard with a pram because of the steps. A bus or normal trains and black cabs that you can jump in with a buggy are more ideal.
Buses
Better option when still using buggies/prams.
Cabs
Modern taxi cabs have car seat options and black cabs have space for a buggy at the back.
Overground & underground
The underground is hard to navigate with a pram but overground has more space.
It may be easy to also carry a baby carrier whilst navigating transport around London.
HEALTH
Health & Medical
Pharmacies
Boots is a popular pharmacy that you’ll find across the UK. Some locations have a pharmacist on site who may guide you should you need.
Insider Tips
Swings & Playgrounds
You'll find more playground and play parks around you by using the Playground Buddy App
Toy Shops
Hamleys is a famous children a toy shop in central as is Selfridges Toy Department (though you may have to find a kind way to say they can't buy anything but it's a fun place.)
Seasonality
From winter to spring, the weather can vary from warm and sunny to cold and rainy. Take the short trip to one of many green areas for a countryside walk or picnic in the sun.
Baby Rental Items
If you need to rent any baby/child paraphernalia, check out:
Tiny Tot Rentals & The Baby Loft UK