Intricate architecture, a varied menu and an abundance of entertainment. It is very easy to spend a week full of impressions in London, and even more.
But what is it like in London with children? Will they be happy here? Our answer is an emphatic “yes”! Here is everything you need to know in order to spend a relaxing and worry-free vacation with your family, especially if the kids are traveling with you.
The best family hotels in London
There are many areas in London that are suitable for living with a family. Paddington is a theater lover’s dream, and areas such as St. James, South Bank and South Kensington are located close to many of the children’s favorite attractions.
Park Plaza County Hall London is, in our opinion, one of the best housing options. He received the HRS Hotel Excellence Awards in the “Best Family Hotel” category. It offers spacious family rooms with a kitchenette, gift sets with educational children’s books and crayons, as well as a special children’s menu. In addition, the hotel is located within walking distance of many attractions where younger guests are welcomed and offers 2-in-1 tickets. You can visit such interesting places as The London Eye, Shrek’s Adventures in London, Madame Tussauds Museum, etc.
Another great option is St. James Court, A Taj Hotel with Kids@Taj program. Kids will receive a special gift set, including a sketchbook, crayons and postcards that can be sent home to their relatives. Your children will love the special children’s menu with personalized bedtime snacks. The hotel is located in the center, and it is easy to get anywhere in the city from it.
The best family restaurants in London
If you are looking for a place for a family dinner, Poppies is a great choice. There is a children’s menu, such as fish and chips and chicken pie. At Franco Manca, children can also have fun: here you can watch the chefs prepare pizza and see the whole process, from kneading the dough to serving it on the table.
The Garden Café has access to the patio, where children can run around, and Gordon Ramsay’s Heddon Street Kitchen restaurant has an excellent assortment of ice cream that young guests can enjoy.
If you want to spend the day in such a way that all your loved ones remember it with pleasure, take the children to All Stars Lane, where there is bowling, food and drinks. Four establishments of this chain in London have offers for the whole family: This is an exciting and affordable vacation for both kids and adults.
Homeslice offers giant pizzas for the whole family with a diameter of 50 cm. Afternoon tea in London is a great excuse to relax a little in the middle of the day. Choose from cute little scalloped sandwiches at The Langham, a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed party at One Aldwych, or a fantastic Alice in Wonderland adventure at Sanderson London.
In addition, you can have dinner in the glass igloo at The Coppa Club or give kids the opportunity to vent their creative energy in the Masala Zone Covent Garden, where there are inexhaustible reserves of coloring books and colored crayons.
The best entertainment for the whole family in London
Imagine yourself in the place of the cute Paddington bear during a walking tour and take a picture with the famous Paddington statue. And Harry Potter fans just can’t miss the opportunity to go on a tour of Warner Bros. Studio, before arriving at King’s Cross Station and trying to get onto Platform 911.
Take a ride on the London Eye Ferris Wheel, discover the London Museum Quarter or go to the London SEA LIFE Aquarium, Shrek’s Adventures in London or the Golden Hind ship.
In Battersea Park, you can even go on a Go Ape tree walk, which includes a downhill rope ride and elements of increased difficulty. The West End offers a variety of family musicals, including “Aladdin”, “Stomp”, “Matilda” and “School of Rock”. Be sure to check out the huge Hamleys toy store on Regent Street: This is a real Wonderland for children.
Take a vintage bus tour of London and a river cruise along the Thames with the whole family, or experience an adrenaline rush during a trip along the Thames on a high-speed inflatable boat. If you don’t have much time, the Tootbus Kids tour is a great way to explore the city. Entertaining comments will appeal to both children and adults.
Tips for visiting London with children
Can’t wait to go on a trip? Tips and tricks to help you avoid unnecessary hassle during your trip to London.
Purchase season tickets to save money
To get the most out of your experience, use the London Pass, which allows you to visit more than 80 popular attractions. You can choose a subscription for a period of 1 to 5 days with an electronic pass, which simplifies entry. If you plan to visit several attractions from Merlin Entertainment Group, such as the London Eye, Madame Tussauds Museum or the Dungeons of London, then you can seriously save money by purchasing subscriptions to visit from two to five attractions at once.
Free entertainment for children in London
All the best things in London are free. Let your children play in the famous red telephone booths that stand on every London street, or take them to watch an exciting changing of the guard ceremony. Spend the whole day at the Tate Modern for free family entertainment. The British Film Institute also holds free film screenings and workshops on filming.
If your family likes to relax outdoors, have a picnic or go boating in Hyde Park. Mudchute Farm & Park offers children the opportunity to feed a wide variety of animals and spend a day full of entertainment. Children enjoy free admission to many London museums, in particular, the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Childhood (a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum) and many others.
Free dinner in restaurants
Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant chain in London provides children under 12 with the opportunity to eat for free accompanied by an adult who pays for their order. This option is also available in other restaurants, such as Sea Containers and Bodean’s BBQ.
Be prepared for any weather conditions
Unpredictable weather is perhaps the most famous feature of London. It’s always better to prepare. Be sure to bring windbreakers, ponchos and one or two umbrellas. It will also be very useful to have a list of activities at hand in case of rainy weather.
In London — by metro
The London Underground, which locals also call the Tube or Underground, is a great entertainment in itself. In addition, discounted tickets are available for children between the ages of 11 and 15, and children under the age of 11 enjoy free travel.
Come to London during the Children’s Week
Children’s Week is held in August. During this period, many theaters offer families one free ticket for a child under the age of 16 when buying a ticket for an adult. In addition, two more children can get half-price tickets.