Encore Episode: Simple Ways to Have the Best Time in London with Kids

London makes a fantastic vacation destination for families! Our episode all about exploring London with Kids has been one of our most popular episodes of the podcast. Today for our 150th episode, we are bringing this freshly episode back for an encore presentation. Today Lisa has a guest, Mandie Bowen joining her to share all of the things she loved to do with her kids in London while they lived there.

London with Kids

Outdoors

Lots of parks and green spaces

Hyde Park  - Kensington, playgroup pis themed off of Peter Pan Palace is located there. Huge playgoer (Diana Memorial), splash pad, fenced in with one entrance manned by security. 

Borough Market - near London Bridge. Lots of food and treat stalls

Camdentown Market - Mandie’s favorite. Food stall with food from all over the world. 

Museums

British Museum: beautiful building, suggested highlights route on the map that covers the top 10 things to see. Takes about an hour to hit the top 10. Ask for an activity backpack. Free checkout filled with activities to use in the museum.

Free family trails - download and print ahead of time. Maps that lead kids through the museum. (This is at several museums.)

Most museums are free

Natural History Museum - beautiful building. Fun for all ages. Animals, dinosaurs

V & A - not a geared to kids but still fun. Art museum. They have the activity backpacks that you can use while there.

Science Museum - area in the basement called the garden with lots of hands-on activities.  

Look for kids’ audio tours at most of the many of the main attractions.

Afternoon Tea. There are children’s themed teas. Probably best for ages 5+ Googles “children’s tea” to see the current options.

Hamley’s on Regent’s street. Oldest toy store in the world. The toy store is older than America! 5 floors filled with toys. Very friendly and lots of toy demonstrations. Great place for London-themed souvenirs.

Lego store - huge lego store

Favorite Food

Huge Food scene. Everywhere that Mandie has eaten has been very accommodating for young children. Highchair San d kids’ menus.

Homeslice Pizza. Simple, large pizzas. 

Nando’s - chicken chain around the city. Easy with kids. Signatures peri peri sauce. Order at the counter and then sit and eat. 

Dishoom - Amazing Indian food. Make a reservation. 

Pubs are very accommodating for children.  

Prêt - Healthy grab and go, affordable 

Treats

Udderlicious Ice Cream

Gretahead Doughnuts

Gails (a bakery)

Ben’s Cookies

Tips for getting around:

Use a small umbrella stroller

Kids use scooters to get around

Use Underground - some have elevators but most do not. Plan on carrying the stroller up and downstairs. 

The bus is a great way to get around

Buy an Oyster card  (5 pounds) and put money on it to use on public transportation. You can sell the card back when you leave London for the 5-pound refund.

Kids up to age 12 ride on public transportation for free.

Uber and taxis are great options. Taxi app (my taxi) large taxis fit a big double stroller

Consider walking as a great option too!

Don’t be afraid of traveling to London with young kids. It’s a very family-friendly place.

Download the Citymapper app to use to navigate around town.

Windsor, Stonehenge, Cambridge, Oxford, Harry Potter Experiences, Cotswolds are all easy day trips from London

International Travel, LondonLisa AndrewsComment