Planning a family trip to London can be very overwhelming… but as a London mum of two boys (aged 7 and 3) I’ve spent years exploring the city with babies, toddlers and now school aged children. I’ve navigated the tube with a buggy for years, found the best family restaurants, explored many different neighbourhoods and know all about the best free attractions, hidden playgrounds and paid for experiences. You trust me that these are the best tips for visiting London with children!
I’ve really learnt what works best for coming to London as a family. This guide includes all the practical tips you’ll need so that you can spend less time feeling stressed about your trip and more time enjoying it.
If you’re looking for the best tips for visiting London with children then you’ve come to the right place!
1. Public Transport
Probably the most important thing to know about when visiting London with kids is how to use public transport. London is a brilliant city for transport and there’s loads of options that are easy to use and quick.
The easiest way to pay is to use a contactless card and you can pay as you go on bus, Tube and London overground. An alternative is an Oyster card (though most Londoner don’t use these) but they are preloaded smart cards. You must alway tap in and tap out with your card (except on the bus you don’t need to tap out) in order to pay the correct fare.
Tube or London Underground is one of the most popular, quickest and easier ways of getting around London and is the option favoured by many Londoners. I use the TFL app to plan my journey and also to check the (frequent!) tube strikes which cause lots of disruption. You can also use it to manage your travel costs.
It’s good to know that children under 11 are free of charge on the tube and a fare-paying adult can travel with up to 4 children under 11 free of charge. Children just need to walk through the wider barriers which stay open longer with an adult. Children aged 11-15 can get free and discounted travel on all our transport services with a Zip Oyster photocard.
For me the only issue with the Tube is it operates with a lot of stairs and escalators and not every station has a lift which can be awkward with a buggy or wheelchair. You can check to see if you tube stop has a disabled logo which indicates that there is a lift. The TFL app always gives a step free option too. When you get on the train there is a dedicated buggy space.
It’s a ‘rule’ to stand on the right of escalator, leaving the left clear for people walking. Also be aware that the tube can get very busy (and hot) and try and avoid rush hours before and after work.
Which leads me on buses which are a very easy option and very affordable (cheaper than the tube) bus stops are everywhere and there’s no worry about stairs and escalators when using the bus. There is a large space in the front of the bus and while wheelchairs are prioritised, the space can also be used for buggies. Buses are also great for sightseeing – you don’t need to necessarily book a pricey tour just hop on the number 11!
All 5-10 year olds travel free on buses and trams and don’t need a Zip Oyster photocard.
London Overground – Often an option if you’re going a bit further out of London and is a group of 6 routes serving many areas of the capital.
The Elizabeth line (formerly known as Crossrail) is a high-frequency railway stretching across London and the surrounding counties. It has air con!
The DLR (Docklands Light Railway) is automated, driverless metro that serves east and south-east London
Uber Boat by Thames Clipper – Is the river bus service. This is a lovely scenic way to travel and the boats are easily accessible with a bar on board. I do find they are more expensive and can be a faff as they aren’t as regular as the train.
Taxi – Travelling in a iconic London black cab is a lovely easy yet more expensive option. It’s very easy with a buggy (stroller), you can push them straight on to a taxi and put the break on and you’re set. I like using apps such as Gett and FreeNow to pick up a taxi though be warned there is often a surcharge or fare increase at certain times. Taxi drivers have ‘the knowledge’ which means they basically know where absolutely everything is!
You can also get a ‘mini cab’ via uber, however I’m not a fan of this as they often don’t drive as nicely, you can’t get a buggy in and they don’t have ‘the knowledge’ it can work out cheaper than a black cab though.
If you choose to drive (not advisable!) you may need to pay the congestion charge depending on the route. This operates Monday – Friday 7am – 6pm.
I like City Mapper and TFL Go app for journey planning.
2. Airports
London is served by several airports, here’s a quick summary:
- Heathrow Airport is widely regarded as London’s ‘main airport’. It’s the largest in the UK and one of the world’s busiest. With five terminals it has huge choice of destinations. If you’re flying in Heathrow you can get the Heathrow Express into London Paddington or the tube. It’s served by the Piccadilly Line or the Elizabeth Line. If you want to get a cab there’s no need to prebook, there’s plenty waiting outside the airport
- Gatwick Airport (near Crawley) is London’s second airport. It’s also very big and busy! There are good connections to Gatwick via the Gatwick express from Victoria – only half an hour. Or via the overground train on Southern Trains or Thameslink.
- London City Airport – is easily commutable and the closest airport to central London.
- Stansted – A major base for low-cost airlines like Ryanair, serving short-haul European destinations. It’s 50 minutes to Liverpool Street Station using the Stansted Express. It’s a smallish airport which helps when running late!
- Luton Airport is 35 miles north of Central London and is home to mostly low-cost and charter airlines (such as EasyJet and Wizz Air). You can get there from London St Pancras using the East Midlands Railway.
Most of the airports in London offer family security lanes, baby changing facilities, play areas and priority boarding for families.
3. Where to Stay in London
As someone who has lived in Westminster for 20 years, I wholehearted recommend my home borough as a great place to stay. London Victoria has easy access to some of London’s top attractions such as Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey. It’s close to St James Park, The Southbank Centre and some of London’s top theatre shows. The transport connections are great with there being a National Rail station, underground, Uber dock, millions of buses, coach station and the major museums and shopping hubs are easily walkable. If you choose not to stay in Victoria here are other ideas for places to stay :
- Covent Garden – Great shops, Transport Museum, many of the theatres, the famous Covent Garden has a great vibe.
- Notting Hill – It’s not quite as central but it has a lovely neighbourhood and is very picturesque. It’s known for it’s rows of pastel coloured houses, great shopping and Portobello Road Market.
- Greenwich – While not in Central London, its very easy to get there from Greenwich and you’ll find lots going on such as the Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark and Old Naval College.
- Mayfair – If you want to push the boat out staying in Mayfair will have you right in the heart of London’s fanciest neighbourhood surrounded by high end designer shops and with an easy commute to Exhibition road where the museums are.
- Kensington and Chelsea -Home to the Natural History museum, Science Museum and V & A; Kensington is a bit more relaxed than staying in the West End, and is near Kensington Palace, Hyde Park and the Royal Albert Hall. There’s also plenty of lovely shops, cafes and restaurants.
- Marylebone – If I didn’t live where I do, I’d choose to live in Marylebone as it has a lovely village charm to it. It’s also near to Regents Park and London Zoo.
- Bankside – The river location is great from families with lots of places to eat and attractions to enjoy such as Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe and the Tate Modern. The Southbank is home to the London Eye and the Paddington and Shrek Experiences.
Here’s a list of luxury child-friendly hotels in London.
4. London Parks and playgrounds
London is full of free parks and playgrounds. The eight Royal Parks include:
Hyde Park – London’s most famous park has huge open spaces, the Serpentine lake for boating and playgrounds. The park is host to Winter Wonderland every year.
Kensington Gardens – A pretty park that’s home to Princess Diana Memorial Playground (temporarily closed)
Green Park – the small near Buckingham Palace. There’s no playground but it’s very quiet and good for picnics.
St James’s Park – London’s oldest park, you can see the palace, play with pelicans and enjoy the adventure playground.
Regent’s Park – Beautiful rose gardens and boating lake. It’s close to London Zoo and home to the open air theatre.
Greenwich Park – Home to deer, the Royal observatory and various playgronuds
Richmond Park – the largest Royal Park. Great for wildlife spotting.
Bushy Park – Home to fountains, waterfalls and a playground
We also suggest:
Battersea Park – A spacious park near Battersea Power Station. Home to Battersea Children’s Zoo, some lovely cafes, Go Ape and a few playgrounds.
Coram’s Fields & Playground – home to a huge outdoor play zone
Hampstead Heath Ponds & Playgrounds – One of London’s Iconic green spaces
Paddington Recreation Ground – West London Park with children’s playground and sport’s facilities.
You can also check out a farm such as Vauxhall City Farm or Mudchute which are both free entry.
5. Free Museums
A huge perk of visiting London is the number of free museums. Even though entry is free it still advisable to book. I also suggest arriving earlier as that is when it will be quieter, the really famous museums (Natural History, Science, British and V & A) are always busy. The smaller, more niche ones are often quieter. We also love a museum cafe (and shop) which most London museums have.
Young V & A – An incredible museum which features interactive galleries, called Design, Imagine and Play all of which feature an extensive collection of objects relating to childhood including over 2000 toys.
Science Museum – London’s famous museum dedicated to all things science also caters so well for children. The Garden (open Tues – Sunday) is an interactive space where children can discover construction, water, light and sound through play. We love the Pattern Pod for more sensory and interactive fun and we love the science themed afternoon tea.
Natural History Museum – The museum takes you through 4.6 billion years of the planet’s history. Brave little ones can get up close and personal with dinosaurs as well as exploring the museums gardens. Noah and I loved the Adventure Babies classes – perfect for under 1s.
Science Museum, Natural History Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum are next to each other on Exhibition road and can be done together but be aware they are big!
The Musuem of London Docklands is one of my top choices for a family-friendly museum. Based around the story of London as a great port charting history from Roman times until now; the museum is packed with fascinating history but it is also incredibly child-friendly too.
A free museum with one of the world’s largest maritime collection telling stories about sea travel, exploration, trade and navel history. There are hands on interactive galleries with lots of opportunities for role play. The AHOY! Children’s gallery for age 0 – 7 is an immersive soft play space with a maritime theme. There’s also the Cove playground which is free entry.
Museum of the Home – The museum explores homes, gardens and home life from 1600 to the present day – there’s even a futuristic home! It’s great for nostalgia such as showing the kids old phones, tvs and computers and how vaccuum cleaners have evolved through time. Personally I also loved that there was a room set up for a Jewish Friday night supper.
The Army Museum – The central museum for the British Army explores the life of a soldier, the role of the army, battles and conflicts and the army in relation to society. There’s plenty of interactive exhibitions and a family trail. Play Base is an immersive soft play for age 0 – 8 with an assault course, cook house, quarter master’s store and more.
The Horniman Museum and Gardens – The Horniman Museum in London is known for its eclectic mix of anthropology, natural history, musical instrument collections and a small aquarium. The surrounding gardens are stunning and there’s a butterfly house, and plenty of space for families to explore. It’s a quirky museum that combines education, culture, and outdoor fun. Kusuma Nature Play Area! is a playground that includes a wooden jetty with a slide, climbing webs and lookout points. Play equipment is themed around species local to the area.
British Museum – An epic museum dedicated to human history, art and culture. Highlights being Egyptian mummies, Parthenon Sculptures and the Rosetta Stone. Admittedly its pretty serious in tone and there’s no much for small children but they offer activity backpacks and explorer trails.
British Library – The UK’s national library is free to visit. There are also free work shops for families throughout the year.
The Royal Air Force Museum – A brilliant free museum with six aircraft hangars containing the history of the RAF from its creation in 2018 until today. There’s over 100 historic aircraft (including Spitfires, Lancaster bombers and helicopters) and children will be blown away by the sheer size of them plus the opportunity to actually go inside. There’s lots of interactive opportunities throughout the museum such as flight simulators, 4D theatre and cockpit experiences. It’s somewhere you can just spend the whole day with lots of space for children to run around safely. The museum is also home to Aeroplay, an aviation-themed soft play area that children can climb, slide and spin around in! There’s even a dedicated baby and toddler area.
Check out this post for a full list museums both free and paid.
And this post for a full list of musuems and attractions with soft play.
6. Where to Eat
Of course there are so so many places to eat in London it’s hard to know where to begin.
This post gives you the best child-friendly restaurants in London.
Check here for the best child-friendly afternoon teas
And this for the best child-friendly brunches.
Be aware that most London restaurants add 12.5% to the bill as a tip but this is optional and can be removed.
Many restaurants have a kids menu and many also have a cheaper set menu and often and early pre-theatre menu. Dress codes are pretty relaxed and the majority of restaurants accept jeans and trainers. Only very high end places (like the Ritz) are very strict on dress code.
If you’re on a budget, there are plenty of chain restaurants which are easy, quick and casual.
- Five Guys Burgers and Fries – American burgers and fries.
- Shake Shack – Popular US-style burgers and shakes.
- Pret A Manger – Sandwiches, salads, coffee and quick meals (these are everywhere in London)
- Wagamama – Asian noodle and bowl dishes at multiple sites around the city
- Pizza Express – Italian-style pizzas with many London branches
- Nando’s – Portuguese-style peri-peri chicken chain found across London
- Zizzi – Italian casual restaurant with pizza, pasta and more.
- Yo! Sushi – Conveyor-belt sushi chain with locations in central London.
- Giraffe – Family-friendly casual chain with branches such as Southbank Giraffe
- Bill’s London Bridge Restaurant – Popular British chain café/restaurant.
- Hard Rock Cafe – Iconic American-style chain restaurant.
- Côte (Côte Brasserie) – French-style brasserie with many UK restaurants including in London.
- Caffè Concerto – European café/restaurant chain with numerous London locations.
- Wahaca – Mexican street-food-style chain with multiple restaurants
Something I often see celebrated about the UK is the ‘supermarket meal deals’ at places like Tesco, Sainbury’s a Watirose where you can buy a sandwich, snack and drink for a really good price.
7. Shopping
The number one shop kids will want to visit is Hamley’s which is London’s (and the world’s) biggest toy shop. Harrods and Selfridge’s are two of the most iconic department stores and both have brilliant toy departments to browse, there are always fun demonstrations and even shows. Also well worth a visit is the giant Lego store in Leicester Square. Other well known luxury department stores are Fortnum and Mason and Liberty.
I love visiting Battersea Power Station, it’s more than a shopping centre, it’s a London icon and often has free activities in the grounds.
London’s markets are unmissable and not only can you pick up bargains, it’s worth going just to soak up the atmosphere. Of course, Borough Market is London’s most famous food market and also the largest and oldest. There’s absolutely loads to see in Covent Garden and kids will love the street performers and artisan craft stands. The colourful courtyard at Neals Yard is Instagram famous and is home to healthy restaurants and cafes.
Camden Market is great fun for a more edgy scene as it has it’s roots in punk culture and here you’ll find lots of vintage fashion and jewellery. Portobello Market is a bit more posh and feel like walking into a movie!
I also love browsing in some of London’s beautiful bookshops. Some of the most beautiful are Daunts, Hatchards and the Notting Hill Bookshop. I also love Waterstone’s in Piccadilly for it’s sheer size.
China Town is another brilliant place for an atmospheric walk and browse and there lots of food stands and supermarkets to browse through.
8. Safety
London is generally very safe but like all major cities there are things to be mindful of. A common tourist crime is phone snatching – most commonly via someone on a bike grabbing from someone’s hand. Be careful where you use your phone especially in busy areas. Keep bag and valuables secure and be aware on public transport.
Use only licensed taxis, black cabs, UBer etc. Avoid the ‘rick shaws’ which will charge the earth for a bumpy ride!
Know the number 999 for emergencies.
9.Weather
Weather in London (and the UK) is extremely unpredictable. Summer can be very hot and uncomfortable and obviously rain is common. Plan accordingly!
There’s really no best time to visit as this isn’t a place to enjoy the weather! I do love London in Spring though and Christmas is absolutely magical!
10. Book in Advance
Some London attractions are incredibly popular and definitely worth booking in advance. Here are some of London’s top attractions all of which are worth booking in advance:
1. Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter – often sells out months in advance particularly during school holidays. This is one that you absolutely must prebook. Also be aware this attraction is not in Central London but can easily be accessed by train or coach.
2. Buckingham Palace – the state rooms of Buckingham Palace are only open for a short season. The Royal Palace is one of the most popular attractions in London and should definitely be prebooked.
3. The London Eye – popular slots can sell out. It’s also worth considering fast track tickets.
4. Tower of London – One of the city’s most popular attractions, book ahead to guarantee entry.
5. Sky Garden – this free to visit London viewpoint should be booked in advance.
6. The View from the Shard – booking ahead guarantees you get the entry time you want.
7. Tower Bridge – A really popular attraction (the glass floor is very cool).
8. SEALIFE (London aquarium) – Book ahead especially as prebooking is usually cheaper.
9. Hampton Court Palace – The famous maze and Magic Garden can get booked up during the holidays.
10. Kew Gardens – Usually had spots for regular days but Halloween and Christmas spectaculars get booked quickly.
11. The Paddington Bear experience – Extremely popular and gets booked up.
12. The Houses of Parliament – Has limited slots.
13. Shrek’s Adventure London – Another top attraction and offers flexible ticket options when booking in advance.
14. Peppa Pig Afternoon tea bus (and in fact all the afternoon tea buses) – Really popular experiences and some of our faves! Book in advance.
It’s also advisable to book theatre shows in advance. Currently popular for kids are:
Matilda
Lion King
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Wicked
Paddington The Musical
Those are my top tips for exploring London with kids, I hope they’re useful for you!
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