Child-friendly tea time, Harry Potter experiences and free museum visits await you
London is one of the most visited cities in the world for good reason. This vibrant city is packed with history, culture and countless unique neighbourhoods ready to be explored. It's also very family-friendly and easy to get around.
This guide contains all the information you'll need about London, including money-saving tips, the best ways to discover British traditions like tea in a way that kids will love, and where to stay to access everything the city has to offer. From stunning playgrounds to where to find London's most unique ice cream, we've got tips, trips and tricks to make your visit to London the best ever.
Choosing the right place to stay can drastically enhance your London experience. A well-located hotel can put you at the heart of the action, close to attractions and amenities. For a curated list of options, you can check some of the best hotels in London http://www.hotels-of-london.com/en/type/hotels-12/.
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Getting around London with children
No trip to London is complete without a ride on a double-decker bus and a hop on the Tube to hear the iconic 'Mind the Gap' announcement. Because public transport in London is so easy to use, the journeys aren't just for novelty. We took the tube and bus all over London using the TfL Go App to plan our journey. The easiest way to pay is to use the technology on tap. Passengers simply use a credit card or an app like ApplePay to get on and off the Tube.
The best news for families is that taking the metro is very affordable. Children under the age of 11 travel free and children aged 11 and over can have their own Young Visitor Discount Card which allows them to travel on the metro at half price and on the bus for free. The Citymapper app can also help you explore the city on foot if you prefer.
The best things to do in London with children
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Free museums in London
When planning a trip to London with kids, you'll definitely want to visit some of the incredible museums like the Natural History Museum for dinosaurs, the English Museum see Egyptian antiquities, and the hands on Science Museum. Other favourites include the Victoria & Albert Museum, Tate Modernetand the National Portrait Gallery. The best news is that many of these museums are free.
Many museums offer child-friendly self-guided tours, so be sure to ask for guides at the information desk. Visiting these world-class free museums can free up hundreds of pounds in your budget for other activities. London has over 170 museums, so everyone should be able to find one (or 10) that interests them.
Some museums, such as the London Transport Museum, charge admission for adults but are well worth a visit. Most free museums allow visitors to book times in advance so you can make sure they have availability when you visit.
Tips for visiting the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels
The Tower of London has a dark past as the site of many beheadings and a prison. However, today it is a must-see attraction to learn more about royal history, knighthood and life in Tower since the 11th Century. The Tower is the most complete example of an ancient fortress still standing in Europe. Kings and queens lived in the Tower for hundreds of years and it was last used as a prison in the 1950s.
Despite its chequered history, the Tower of London is very family-friendly with several interactive exhibits, including knight's helmets for children to try on and a superb exhibition on the many animals that have lived in the Tower over the centuries. A recent highlight was a very entertaining tour given by a Beefeater, which is included with admission. The Tower is also a great place to watch a small Changing of the Guard ceremony for those who can't make it to Buckingham Palace. Insider tip: The Tower is also home to the Crown Jewels and you'll want to go and see the jewels straight away as the queue tends to get longer as the day goes on.
West End success for less
London's own Broadway has an almost endless number of shows to see. Check out what's playing at London's Theatres and pick a show or two. Then get the best deals on same day tickets from TKTS London. Tickets are released at 00:01 London time every day. If you're flexible about where you're prepared to sit, this is a great way to get tickets to some incredible shows for less. On a recent visit, we were able to get three Hamilton tickets for about the same price as a ticket in the US. However, tickets are not guaranteed, so it's a good idea to have a back-up plan in case you can't make it to your first choice show.
Also look out for other special offers such as Children's Week, Theatre Week and occasional discounts on children's tickets during school holidays in the UK. As a special treat, many West End theatres serve ice creams during the interval which children love. TKTS also has a stand in Leicester Square manned by West End experts. It's a great place to go for discounted tickets and expert advice on shows your kids will love. Most theatres have two shows a day, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, so you can see a production and still get your kids to bed at a decent hour.
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Tips for visiting Buckingham Palace
Most visitors to London stop off at Buckingham Palace to admire its grandeur and imagine what it would be like to be Queen or King for a day. It is also possible to go inside, if you time your visit correctly. The palace is open to visitors in summer, only when the queen (or king) is not in residence. You may be able to visit the state rooms where the royal family receive official visitors, entertain and dine. Along the way, visitors will discover an astonishing art collection that rivals world-class art museums.
Other favourite children of a visit to Buckingham Palace see some of the Queen's jewels, including her many tiaras. We highly recommend child-friendly audio to complement your visit. Even if you can't visit the palace, watch the Changing of the Guard outside every day at 11am. This is a very popular free event so make sure you arrive early for a good view.
Princess Diana Playground and Memorial Fountain
Princess Diana loved children and there is now a huge play area near Kensington Palace where she lived with Prince Charles. The Diana Memorial Playground has several great attractions, including a huge pirate ship and teepees. There is a concession stand at the edge of the play area serving child-friendly food such as pizzas and ice creams, so it's a good place to have lunch.
Diana's Memorial Fountain is about 20 minutes' walk away and is a great place to cool off on a hot London day. You are welcome to splash about in the fountain in street clothes or come in a swimming costume if you prefer.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey This is where members of the royal family have held coronations and weddings for centuries. It is also the final resting place of notable figures in English history, from kings to playwrights. A fantastic audio tour with a family option, led by a royal lion, is included with admission. Children will love going on the tour and investigating the whole magnificent cathedral. Westminster Abbey is opposite Parliament and Big Ben, so be sure to combine all three on the same outing to save time.
The best things to do in London for Harry Potter Fans
Harry Potter fans flock to London to see where the young wizard lives.
If you have time, you can get tickets to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a two-part play. The play is receiving rave reviews, but be warned that seeing both parts is an all-day affair that takes over five hours.
Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition in Covent Garden features not only iconic photos from the films, but also larger-than-life props perfect for selfies. It's also the only place in London with its own Butterbeer bar.
A visit to Warner Brothers Studios: the home of Harry Potter is the place to discover Harry Potter. The studio is a short drive from London and includes sets, props, costumes and more from the making of the films. Look out for special events, such as dark arts demonstrations around Halloween and Hogwarts in the Snow during the winter holidays.
Best Ice Cream in London
Milk Train, in the heart of Covent Garden, has the best ice cream in London. They have a huge selection of sundae, or you can create your own. Be sure to ask for candyfloss with your order. It's the British way of ensuring that a huge floating cloud of cotton candy is served with your cone or shake.
Must visit: Wagamama
This iconic London restaurant has locations all over London. A trip to Wagamama, inspired by Japanese ramen bars, is a must. It's a casual restaurant with a great children's menu, making it a perfect choice for families.
Child-friendly teas
It wouldn't be a visit to London without tea time! If your kids don't want to sit through a stuffy, formal tea, don't worry as London has plenty of tea times with friends. Check out Science Afternoon Tea, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea orthe Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour.
Where to stay in London with children
London is huge and it's essential to stay in an ideal location close to a tube station, otherwise you risk spending precious holiday hours getting where you want to go. Auvent by Hilton London City is an excellent choice with a vibrant East London vibe. It is ideally located within walking distance of must-see sights such as the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. It is also directly opposite an underground station with two main lines. It has 2 restaurants, both of which are family-friendly. Breakfast is hearty with everything from full English breakfasts to American staples like cereals and toast, and unlimited lattes for tired parents. Canopy offers a variety of room options, including a family suite. The hotel also offers great perks, including free bikes to explore and a rooftop lounge with fantastic views of the city.
Eurostar to Europe
A trip to London is a fantastic holiday in itself. Thanks to Eurostar, it's also the perfect base from which to explore the rest of Europe. A Eurostar journey to Paris will take you just over two hours. The high-speed train also serves other destinations in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Tickets start at around €39 and go up as more tickets are sold. For the best deals, book as soon as you know you want to travel, as ticket prices rise quickly. Eurostar also offers great deals on package train and hotel bookings. Sometimes the cost of adding a hotel to your ticket is minimal, so it's worth exploring this option.