London with kids: All you need to know

London is the capital we know best after Paris. On the blog (French side 🙂 ), I have already written around twenty articles about London with children to tell you about our many visits to the city. It was time to bring all this information together in one complete guide to help you plan your next trip to London with kids. We love London! Papa Voyage studied there at university, and then we went back several times a year, for a long weekend or a week’s holiday. We also have family there, which helped us discover London in a different way, without limiting ourselves to the most touristy spots. And of course, since we have been living in England, just an hour and a half from London, we have the opportunity to go even more often, for a weekend or even just a day.

Whether you are visiting London for the first time or for the umpteenth time, this guide is for you! I have tried above all to keep it concise. For more detailed information, I have included links each time to my other articles. You will find the must-sees, our favourite places in London, and ideas for visits off the beaten track. I also share all the practical information you need to visit London as a family: booking tips, transport advice, restaurants, accommodation and ideas for day trips from London.

Ready for a big family visit to London?

All our favourites are marked with a little heart.

London in 10 walks:

Walks right in the heart of London, walks along the Thames or the canals, walks through the parks of the English capital: so many ways to discover London as a family and on foot! The first walks will take you to London’s must-see sights, while the last three are off the beaten track.

• Walk 1: Along the Thames. This is a walk along the south bank of the Thames (South Bank). We start at Tower Bridge and head west via the Queen’s Walk, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tate Modern, etc., all the way to the London Eye. We then cross the river to finish at Big Ben. An east-to-west walk.
• Walk 2: Central London to discover Covent Garden, Neal’s Yard, Carnaby Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly, Chinatown, Soho, etc. A central walk.
• Walk 3: A mix of walks 1 and 2: follow the beginning of the walk along the Thames, then cross the river near St Paul’s Cathedral / the City, and continue towards the centre to see the stops from walk 2.
• Walk 4: Discover Notting Hill, including Portobello Road, then finish in Little Venice and Holland Park. A walk in the north-west of central London.
• Walk 5: Visit the French quarter of South Kensington for its museums, then stroll through Hyde Park and possibly as far as Regent’s Park. A walk in the south-west of the centre.
• Walk 6: Visit Camden and walk along Regent’s Canal. A walk north of the centre.
• Walk 7: Visit the City and Shoreditch. A walk in the east of the centre.
• Walk 8: Hampstead Heath and its surroundings: this walk includes a visit to Freud’s house, a walk through the residential area of Hampstead and its huge park, and a visit to Highgate Cemetery.
• Walk 9: Hackney in north-east London: a small farm, a children’s museum, a park and markets are all on the programme!
• Walk 10: Off the beaten track: a very pleasant walk along the Thames, in a non-touristy area, between Putney Bridge and Hammersmith Bridge.

London from above:

• Primrose Hill ❤ : I love this view! Walk up to the top of the hill in Primrose Hill park, sit down and admire.

• The Sky Garden (FREE with booking): I really enjoyed this green space and the views from the 38th floor (160 metres). However, you need to be very organised and book the free tickets several weeks in advance.

• Garden at 120 (FREE): right next to the Sky Garden. It is much lower (15th floor), but the advantage is that the terrace garden is outdoors and the space is larger.
• 10th floor of the Tate Modern (FREE): a beautiful free view towards the north bank of the Thames. There is also a café on site.

• The rooftop terrace of the One New Change shopping centre, just steps from St Paul’s Cathedral (FREE), or the rooftops of St Paul’s Cathedral (PAID, included in the cathedral visit).

• Horizon 22: a new place to admire London from the top of a skyscraper (FREE. Booking required on Mondays at 10am for the following two weeks). It is on the 58th floor and offers the highest free viewpoint in London (278 metres).

• The London Eye as a family (PAID): it is a big budget, so I would only consider it in good weather. With very young children it is more affordable, as under-4s go free.
• The Shard (PAID). Since Horizon 22 opened, it is less worth paying for this view, even though The Shard remains the tallest building in London (310 metres).

Museums for a family stay in London:

All our favourite museums are FREE! Note that most of them also offer paid temporary exhibitions, but there is already plenty to see with the free permanent collections!

• The Natural History Museum: a must-see, but very crowded during school holidays! Tourists often love it for the dinosaur section, but it is my least favourite part as there is not enough space or distance to properly view the skeletons. For dinosaurs, Paris does it better! At the Natural History Museum, I love the monumental main hall with the whale skeleton. At the very least, go inside to see this room! I also enjoy the mineral, bird and fossil sections. The museum shop is great for buying lovely gifts!

• Victoria & Albert Museum ❤ : probably my favourite museum in London. It is opposite the Natural History Museum. You’ll find a very varied collection, originally made up of gifts received by Queen Victoria and Albert. The sections I recommend: the jewellery (the best!), the Roman section, the mosaics and the theatre section. The architecture of this museum is superb! Don’t miss the inner courtyard. The tearoom is very British too! If you’re short on time, just go and see the jewellery and take a moment to admire the courtyard.

The tearoom of the Victoria & Albert Museum

• The Science Museum : the neighbouring museum to the Natural History Museum. Very interesting. We particularly like the sections on medicine, steam engines and clocks.
• The British Museum : a must-see, but also very busy. The Egypt section and the Rosetta Stone are the highlights. We also really like the Japanese section.

• Sir John Soane’s Museum ❤ : a magnificent townhouse with an original private collection. Well worth a visit!
• The London Museum : the museum of the city of London through history. It is really designed for children. You move from set to set while travelling through time. The museum is currently being renovated and will reopen in late 2026, but in the meantime the collection can be seen at the docks.
• The Tate Modern : if you enjoy modern art, this museum is for you! It is a former power station. At the very least, I recommend going into the main hall (the Turbine Hall), where there is often a monumental installation. Then head to the 10th floor for the view (see above).
• Tate Britain : the more classical side of the Tate collection. This museum is often very quiet, yet you’ll find many well-known and beautiful works. I also find its size very pleasant: it’s not too big, offering a great condensed overview of art. It houses the largest permanent collection of Turner paintings.
• The National Gallery : a great classic on Trafalgar Square. Here too you’ll find famous paintings by Turner.
• The Portrait Gallery ❤ : I really like this collection of portraits through the centuries. It’s right next to the National Gallery and much less crowded. Our children enjoyed it!
• The Young V&A : a museum for young children, located in north-east London. We used to go when our children were under 5. You’ll find toy collections there. It’s very popular with London families at weekends, so it can be quite noisy (walk 9).
• Barbican Conservatory : a beautiful plant conservatory.

• The Wallace Collection : a spacious and pleasant museum in central London. You’ll find tableware, weapons collections, and more. The architecture is lovely. It’s a great way to avoid the crowds and admire a beautiful English interior.

Then there are paid and expensive museums that tourists tend to enjoy, but honestly, there is plenty to do with the free ones I’ve just mentioned. I don’t particularly recommend opening your wallet. That said, The London Transport Museum is popular with families with young children. The Postal Museum is original, with the option of taking a small train on certain days. Finally, Madame Tussauds is very well known, but personally I’m not a fan and it’s extremely expensive. I also visited the London Dungeon a few years ago and wasn’t impressed. As for the Sea Life aquarium, I don’t recommend it (small and very expensive).

London landmarks to discover with children:

• Big Ben : what a beautiful symbol of London! Admire it from every angle.
• Westminster Abbey : it’s best to go during a concert, otherwise it’s quite a budget. At Christmas, choirs perform there, allowing free access and a wonderful atmosphere.
• Parliament : the visit is very interesting, but I’d say it’s more suitable for secondary school pupils who are keen on civics and history. Stunning architecture. An expensive visit.
• Tower Bridge : once again, it’s a budget if you want to visit the inside and the mechanisms. Otherwise, it’s simply magnificent to admire from the outside!

• The Tower of London : interesting for history lovers. Not a favourite for us, due to the crowds and the price. Yes, the Crown Jewels are impressive, but I prefer admiring the diamonds calmly at the Victoria & Albert Museum. Still, it’s a must for its historical significance.
• Trafalgar Square : an iconic square not to be missed, with its lions, Nelson’s Column and museums.
• Royal buildings : Buckingham Palace if you have the courage to face the crowds at 11am for the Changing of the Guard, or opt instead for the shorter and less crowded version on Whitehall (Horse Guards / see walk 2).

Off-the-beaten-track London:

• A walk along Regent’s Canal ❤ : a very peaceful walk that combines well with a visit to Camden (walk 6).

• Neal’s Yard passage ❤ in central London: colourful and picturesque (walk 2).

• Battersea Power Station : a former power plant converted into a shopping centre (this is the building featured on the cover of Pink Floyd’s album “Animals”).

• The Graffiti Tunnel just steps from the London Eye:

• The wall paying tribute to Covid victims, along the Thames, after the London Eye:

• The Hackney neighbourhood (see walk 9)
• Hampstead Heath and the Freud Museum: a lovely residential area with a large park for picnics on sunny days (walk 8).
  

Family-friendly shows

• London is well known for outstanding musical productions, most of which are well adapted for families.
• As for cinemas, there is the oldest cinema in London: The Electric Cinema in Notting Hill, or if you want to watch films in French, head to Ciné Lumière in South Kensington.

London markets

First of all, it’s worth noting that London markets are mainly food markets where you can buy lunch:

• Borough Market : the most famous one, so expect crowds! Still worth seeing for its urban vibe. Walk 1.

• Maltby Street Market : a less touristy version of Borough Market, located nearby (Saturday and Sunday lunchtime only).
• Brick Lane Market : you can grab a bite while visiting Shoreditch in east London (Saturday and Sunday lunchtime only). Walk 7.
• Spitalfields Market : a pleasant covered market that has been completely renovated. You’ll pass through it on walk 7.
• Columbia Road Market ❤ : a beautiful flower market along Columbia Road. Saturdays only (north-east). Walk 9.
• Mercato Mayfair : a food court set inside a church. It’s pretty but noisy and expensive. Stop by just for a look if you’re strolling through the very chic Mayfair area.

• Broadway Market : a lovely food market in the Hackney area (Saturday and Sunday). Walk 9.
  
• Victoria Park Market : south of Hackney in a beautiful park. There are only a few stalls at this small weekend market, but people mainly go to enjoy the park as a family (worth considering if your accommodation is nearby). Walk 9.

Parks in London:

• Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens : the most famous and most central. You’ll almost certainly walk through it. You’ll find the Diana Memorial, where children love to paddle on sunny days. There are also two small free art galleries (the Serpentine Galleries).
• Regent’s Park : also central, and I find it more charming. In October, there are art exhibitions during the Frieze London event.

• St James’s Park : romantic, with its swans and views of Buckingham Palace.
• Primrose Hill : perfect for views over London on a clear day (see above).
• Holland Park ❤ : very charming, especially the Japanese garden.

• Victoria Park : a large family-friendly park in south Hackney.

London by the water:

• The Thames : to really enjoy it, see walk 1. There are also river cruises, but I didn’t enjoy them that much. Fancy walking along the Thames away from the tourists? I recommend starting from Putney Bridge, walking along the landscaped riverbanks of Bishops’ Park, and continuing to Hammersmith Bridge, where you can have a beer at The Blue Anchor pub. Walk 10.

• Little Venice : small but charming canal junction, with pretty houseboats.
• Regent’s Canal : for a long walk off the beaten track (see walk 6).
• The canals around Victoria Park : worth seeing if you’re visiting the Hackney area, but not essential otherwise.
• By canal boat to Oxford : I did this once with Ticoeur. Very pleasant, but you need time! Ideal if you’re planning to visit Oxford.

London and the cinema:

• In the footsteps of Harry Potter in London: don’t miss the Harry Potter statue in Leicester Square, the entrance to the Palace Theatre where “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is playing, Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross station, the MinaLima shop (see the shopping section below) and the beautiful Leadenhall Market in the City.

• In the footsteps of Paddington: head to Paddington Station (the station that gave its name to the bear). You’ll see sculptures of the little bear and a shop.
• In the Notting Hill neighbourhood ❤: mums will enjoy revisiting filming locations from Notting Hill and Love Actually, especially the small street St Luke’s Mews.

• Other films shot in London to watch or rewatch as a family: Fantastic Beasts, Mary Poppins Returns, 101 Dalmatians (the film), and quite a few James Bond movies.
• There are also many series set in London: I recommend The Split (divorce lawyers); for something lighter, Ted Lasso (which humorously depicts everyday life at the Richmond football club in the suburbs of London); and of course Doctor Who.

Shopping in London

• Liberty ❤ : the most beautiful of London’s department stores!

• Fortnum & Mason for tea. I recommend the “Wedding Breakfast” blend.
• The Harry Potter shop at Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross.
• House of MinaLima ❤ : to discover all the illustrations created for the Harry Potter films.

• Harrods : mainly for the Food Hall and the exterior architecture; otherwise, I’m not a big fan.
• Hamleys : I only like the ground floor (soft toys and London souvenirs). The other floors are quite ordinary (typical plastic toys). Unless you’re looking for something specific, stick to the ground floor.

Transport information in London:

• Apps: we use the Citymapper app or Google Maps to find the best route on foot, by public transport or by car.
• Underground: you can top up an Oyster Card or simply tap your bank card (if you don’t have high foreign transaction fees). Good to know: the Tube is free up to and including age 10, then half price up to and including age 18. To get the child fare, you need to ask a member of staff at a station to set up your child’s Oyster Card. Tube maps are available for free in all stations. There’s no need to buy a Day Travelcard, as once you reach its price with single journeys, you won’t be charged any more for additional trips that day.
• Buses: free up to and including age 15, and cheaper than the Tube in all cases.
• Taxis: they’re pretty :-).
• River boat on the Thames: you can use your Oyster Card. It’s more expensive than the Tube, but it’s a nice way to see London differently.
• Driving in London: yes, it’s possible to come to London by car if your vehicle isn’t too polluting! If your car is not registered in the UK, you need to register online to check that your car is allowed in the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone), which includes some great London neighbourhoods: South Kensington, Camden, Chelsea, Fulham, etc. To register, you need to fill in a form to avoid receiving a fine. I recommend doing this about a month before your trip. Once registered, be careful with the Congestion Zone: this is the very centre, which I don’t recommend driving into, as you have to pay during the day and it’s really not practical. So park within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, but not inside the Congestion Zone.

• Car parking: we use the website “JustPark” to book parking at a private individual’s home at very reasonable prices. Note that street parking is free on Sundays! That’s why we mostly go to London on Sundays from the south of England.
• Arriving by train: with Eurostar, you arrive at St Pancras station. Very beautiful! You can then take the Tube after, like Ticoeur, playing a little piano 🙂

• Arriving by plane: the airports are far from the centre but well connected. You just need to allow enough time. From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly Line (around 1 hour) or the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station (faster but more expensive). From Gatwick, take the Gatwick Express (trains run to Victoria, London Bridge or Blackfriars – around 30 minutes). Stansted, used by some low-cost airlines, is further away (50 minutes by train from Liverpool Street station). Luton is about 40 minutes from St Pancras.

London with family: where to stay?

Staying in central London is convenient but even more expensive, as London is already a very costly city for accommodation. We recommend the neighbourhoods of South Kensington, Notting Hill and Tower Bridge, which we find well suited for a family stay. In all cases, you need to book well in advance to get the best prices.

Read my article about family accommodation options in London.

London with family: where to eat?

There is a huge choice of restaurants in London, and you can eat very well! Budgets vary greatly too. Here are some relatively affordable options:

• At the markets mentioned above.
• In pubs. Be careful: in the evening, children are rarely allowed, except in more residential, family-friendly areas. In any case, a pub that doesn’t serve food won’t allow children. Examples of pubs where you can eat as a family: The Barrowboy and Banker near London Bridge, The Mitre next to Hyde Park, The Churchill Arms near Notting Hill, and many others!
• In cafés, for an English breakfast or a light lunch. Among chains, I quite like Gail’s cafés.
• On the go at Pret A Manger to save money, with a fairly healthy selection.
• Quick Asian food: Itsu, considered the best sushi chain by Ticoeur and Titpuce, or Marugame Udon for good, affordable soups (there’s one just steps from Trafalgar Square, very handy!).
• The Asian restaurants in Chinatown often offer good value for money, and the area is very picturesque (for example, the Vietnamese restaurant Viet Food).

• Indian restaurants: in London, you have to eat Indian food! It’s a very prominent cuisine due to the importance of this culture in England. Indian restaurants are often affordable, though there are also more upmarket options such as the famous Dishoom.
• Fancy an afternoon tea as a family? I’m often asked for good places for afternoon tea. It’s true that it’s an English tradition, but it’s often expensive, and for me there’s simply too much food, not always to my taste, as it’s usually a mix of savoury and sweet treats. And sweet isn’t really my cup of tea :-). That said, here are some addresses that have been recommended to me: Brigit’s Bakery near Covent Garden, the brasserie The Wolseley near Piccadilly, and of course all the grand hotels (but that gets very expensive!).
• I’m also often asked about brunch spots in London. Brunch is an American tradition, not an English one. So yes, you can find brunch in London, but it’s not typical here. Instead, go for the English Breakfast experience. I like the one at the small Café de Provence.

Family excursions around London:

• Visit the Harry Potter Studios ❤ : The two most important points: 1/ book several months in advance, 2/ book on the official website to avoid the exorbitant prices charged by agencies and resellers.

• Kew Gardens : a huge botanical garden, located west of London (accessible by public transport).
• Visit Windsor Castle : the castle is beautiful, and so is the small town!
• Visit Hampton Court, the palace of the famous Henry VIII (yes, the one with six wives and tragic destinies).

City trips less than 2 hours from London

• A day in Cambridge ❤ : Cambridge was a real favourite!

• A day in Oxford : I preferred Cambridge, but Oxford has some lovely museums, and the Cotswolds are not far away!
• Discover the New Forest ❤, the largest forest in England, with thousands of free-roaming ponies! I love this forest, which is right next to where we live! Don’t hesitate to come and have a cup of tea with me :-).
• A day in Brighton: I’m not a big fan of this seaside resort, but I know many people want to go, so it’s still an idea (accessible by train).

 

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Who’s going to London as a family soon? Any other questions?