The Brilliant Guide To London For Families
Are you thinking about planning a trip to London with the kids in tow? Well, we’re pleased to say that London is a wonderful place to visit for the whole family. There’s so much to see and do so you’ll never be bored but you will be spoilt for choice on how to spend your days.
1. The Eye
First, you might want to think about visiting the London Eye. Located on the riverbank, this provides an inspiring view of the city, high above the rooftops. There’s plenty of possibilities in terms of a photo op including a camera that will take your photo from inside the eye. There’s extra too including a 3D soaring entertainment possibility just at the foot of the eye. While this is quite expensive, it’s fair to say it’s well worth the price of entry and will provide a memory that you won’t soon forget. During the New Year, sparks fly as fireworks are set off around the eye itself.
2. South Bank
The Southbank is an amazing thing to experience if you are visiting London, it has everything you can possibly imagine. At Christmas time they have an Ice rink as well as a lovely German market. If you are a fan of skateboarding then be sure to take your board along as enjoy some of the best skating the world has to offer, in fact soutbank skateboarding is rather famous. If you enjoy watching shows such as the ballet or more unique performances then make sure you get tickets for the National Theatre, also located on the Southbank. Sometimes, the Southbank simply offers a lovely spring time walk, where you don’t have any destination in mind.
3. Aquarium
Located just past the Southbank you have the London aquarium. This is not a huge aquarium, like Birmingham or Chester but there are some lovely sealife creatures to see and even touch. If you are a fan of sharks then you won’t be disappointed as there are some ginormous tiger sharks to behold. If you are lucky enough you may even be able to pay to go in the tank with them, an up close and personal experience that you will never forget.
4. West End
Another option worth thinking about is the West End. The West End has some truly showstopping shows whether you want to enjoy a musical or something a little more dramatic. There’s lots for the kids to enjoy here too. For instance, you might want to think about booking tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. For another who wants to loves the Wizarding World this is an absolute must. Don’t forget the Harry Potter studio tour is also only a stone throw away from the city so you can always book tickets for this too. Don’t forget, that it does sell out quite early though.
6. Dining
Another reason to visit London is for the great dining possibilities. There are plenty of wonderful restaurants and eateries that are sure to delight your tastebuds. This includes places for the best Sunday roasts in London as well as areas where you can get a full English breakfast. In all honesty, London is sure a tremendous melting pot of different cultures that you’ll find every type of cuisine imaginable in the heart of the city. So, it’s just a matter of finding the options that suit the diet preferences of your family.
7. Accommodation
If you don’t have anywhere to stay on your trip to London then you better get in quick. While there are plenty of Air BnBs and hotels, these tend to book up way in advance with all the visitors that London gets. If you know you are going and have dates in mind then check out local hotels to where you are staying. If you want to be able to chill and do your own thing then renting an apartment might be better.
8. Shopping
Something else that London is great for, is the shopping areas. Although true Londoners will disagree with this, there is nothing worse than being stuck behind tourists walking down Oxford Street trying to get to where they are going. If you love shopping then some of the best places can be accessed by the underground system. As mentioned, there is Oxford Street, Westfield in both Stratford and Shepherd’s Bush. if you want a more upmarket shopping experience head over to Knightbridge and Mayfair.
9. The Dungeons
If you’re visiting London with the kids, then you must think about heading down to the London Dungeons. This will tell an enchanting tale of the past and explore the dark history of the city, complete with some wonderful character actors that throw their full weight behind the roles.
There are lots of different ticket options so make sure that you look for the best one that will fit the needs of your family as you continue to explore everything that London has to offer.
10. Thorpe Park
Lastly, if you are a lover of theme parks and adore that adrenaline rush as you fly up and down a coaster then head to thorpe park. This is London’s closest theme park, while being around an hour away by train, it is totally worth it. Thorpe park isn’t the biggest theme park by any stretch of the imagination but it is better for adult groups than Chessington. It is far better to book Thorpe Park in advance as it is cheaper than paying on the gate prices. It can be a pain to bring your own snacks and food along but if you don’t want to pay theme park prices then this is a good idea.
We hope this helps you understand some of the key possibilities that you should explore if you are planning on visiting London in the future. There’s so much to see and do that it’s worth planning an itinerary before you go and that way you won’t miss out anything that waiting for you in the city.
