So there is literally loads of stuff to do for families with kids in London, so I’ll be giving some ideas on my blog over the next few weeks…months… forever. Here are my first five top tips of family friendly activities in the Big Smoke!
The London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum. This place is great for all ages. It tells the history of transport in London from the late 1700s to today, and is incredibly interactive. There are old omnibuses to climb into, buttons to press and drawers to pull out, a London underground train you can drive and it also has a lovely café and tempting shop! And it is right on the corner of Covent Garden (see below). If you have toddlers then this museum is perfect, but as I said, good for any age! (tickets required).
A Tower of London Raven
The Tower of London. If your kids want some blood and guts then the Tower of London is a pretty safe place to hear about it! The site of execution for two of Henry VIIIs wives, it was also a prison and a place of torture. But there is loads more – it is a medieval castle, it was a royal palace, you can walk the walls, see armour as well as the Crown Jewels and (my favourite) make sure you don't miss the Ravens. You can take one of our tours, or if you are on a budget then follow an entertaining Beefeater tour! (tickets required)
Changing of the Guard. This is a must for all ages and to be honest, a tour with Tours For My Kids will help you see the best bits and avoid the crowds as much as possible. This is a spectacle of army discipline, fancy military outfits, very shiny shoes and some great marching music, it always makes me smile and I have seen it a lot!
St James's Park for some down time
Parks and Playgrounds. One of the wonderful things about London is that it has so many green spaces which means you don’t always feel like you are in a big city. So if you’ve been walking the streets and hitting the museums why not have some downtime (so important for young people) - grab a sandwich, pick up a cheap football and spend some time relaxing with nature. There are loads of great parks in London, but a good central one is St James’s Park, which has a lake with loads of ducks and even massive Pelicans, two playgrounds (one at each end), beautiful views of Buckingham Palace and you might even catch Changing of the Guard (see our tour here)
St Pancras Station - a Harry Potter film location and next door to Platform 9 3/4
Platform 9 ¾ . If you are a Potter fan then a visit to Platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station is essential, if it is high season be prepared to queue but the photos will be worth it! There is a souvenir shop there too if you need your Potter memorabilia and take a minute to have a look at the station next door, St Pancras, which is a beautiful Victorian Gothic building, and it also appears in The Chamber of Secrets, when Ron Weasley and Harry Potter pick up the Ford Anglia to fly to Hogwarts.