Back to London, England with Kids
About Me
I'm Debbie, mother of two delicious kids,
and I write about traveling with little kids. That's
my 6-month old son in Paris on Halloween.
More About Me
Activities in London
Battersea Park Children's Zoo
Address Battersea Pk, London, SW11 4NJ, United Kingdom Map, Location Entrance is at Chelsea Gate on Queenstown Road. Near the Peace Pagoda close to the river, Cost £6.50 adults; £4.95 children, Hours 10am–5.30pm (4pm in winter), every day, Tube Sloane Square Website
I’m a big fan of London Zoo but I was really blown away by Battersea. It’s compact, all on one level (so easy for buggies and little legs) but the best thing about it is its originality. The cages are well laid out with interesting activities for the animals – it looks perfectly curated and has some interesting creatures, both cute and furry (rabbits, baby meerkats, a mouse house, etc) and the more reptilian. The farm section has a cute miniature pony, donkeys and pigs – all happy to be petted. more
Gambado Family Play Centre
Address 7 Station Ct, Townmead Rd, London, SW6 2PY, UK Map, Tel 0207 384 1635 Call, Cost Adults £2.50; 1-2yrs: £7.45; 3-10yrs: £9.45; Under-ones go free., Hours 9.30am – 6pm every day., Tube Fulham Broadway Website
If, like me, you have pocket-rocket children who need to burn off energy, then this indoor play centre complete with dodgems, climbing wall and ball pools will give them plenty of ways to blow off steam if it’s raining outside. Parents can relax in the lovely little café. more
London Duck Tours
Address Chicheley Street, London, SE1 7PJ, UK Map, Tel +44 (0)20 7928 3132 Call, Location Opposite All Bar One and the Slug & Lettuce and is approximately 100 yards to the rear of the London Eye, Cost Adults £20; Children £14 Website
The amphibious road/river vehicles used for this tour were originally built for war but now have a much more benign use. The tour departs from behind the London Eye, goes past Big Ben (by road) and then takes a dramatic turn straight into the River Thames – cue squeals of excitement from all the kids (and a few dads). It was great fun and, at just over an hour, isn’t too long for the children to be sitting down. more
Natural History Museum
Address Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK Map, Tel 44 (0)20 7942 5000 Call, Cost Free, Tube South Kensington Website
We went to the free Natural History Museum on a weekend and a weekday. We enjoyed the mid-week visit loads more. more
Princess Diana Memorial Playground
Address The Broad Walk, London, W2 4, UK? Map, Location Map placement is approximate, Cost Free, Open May–August: 10am–7.45pm; April & September: 10am–6.45pm; March & early October: 10am–5.45pm; February & late October: 10am–4.45pm; November –January: 10am–3.45pm, Tube Lancaster Gate, Queensway, Bayswater, High Street Kensington Website
A playground that has something for all ages, the Diana Memorial playground is a child’s fantasy come true – there’s a life size pirate ship complete with masts and sails as well as sand pits, swings and the ilk. A café and, of course, the rest of Hyde Park, including the Serpentine lake makes this a great day-trip. Picnicking on the grass in the summer under the trees, Tom and I really enjoyed this park. more
Tate Modern
Address 53 Bankside, London, SE1 9TG, United Kingdom Map, Tel 020 7887 8888 Call, Links Family Events at the Tate Modern Website
Visitors to the Tate Modern either love it or hate it. The extensive modern art collection, and the gallery's focus on challenging the status-quo may either delight or confuse you. Regardless of where you stand, though, we think this is a great museum for kids. While there aren't kid-specific areas, the fact that the main collection is free makes it easy to stop and start your visit as needed. There is a child friendly cafe, and the bookstore is packed with art books and art-related toys for kids. A park outside, and a large open entry area provide a great resting spot for parents or a place for cooped up kids to roam. more
The Science Museum
Address Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD Map, Location Placement on map is approximate, Hours 10am-6pm Daily (closed Dec 24 & 25), Cost Free Website
A great alternative to the Natural History Museum, especially if you have boys. It’s full of rockets, cars and airplanes suspended from the vast ceilings. The fantastic sensory exploration area on the ground floor that’s great for younger children. There’s a basement play area, but it can get a bit claustrophobic down there. more
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London Brass Rubbing Centre
Address Trafalgar Square, London, England Map, Hours Mon-Wed 10am-7pm; Thu-Sat 10am-10pm; Sun 12 noon - 7pm, Metro Charing Cross, Cost Starts at £4.50 Website
The London Brass Rubbing Center is located inside St Martin-in-the-Fields. Take in a lunchtime concert and then take your kids inside to discover brass rubbing. The staff will provide all the materials they need and help them create a brass rubbing to help them remember their visit. more
Victoria and Albert Museum
Address Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London, UK Map, Tel +44 (0)20 7942 2000 Call, Website
In the summer this is one of the best places on a hot day...The galleries are lovely and cool and interesting to kids of all ages. My daughter loves going here and has done since she was 6 months! It's free to go in, and the food in the cafe is healthy and child friendly and yummy for adults too. Best of all is the fountains in the central courtyard. A brilliant place to let the kids run free in the hot weather, splashing around and the adults can have a nice picnic knowing the area is fully enclosed and safe. more
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