Visiting London with a child

Iconic monuments

Start your visit with London’s must-see sites. Admire the imposing Buckingham Palace, official residence of the British royal family. Watch the changing of the guard, it’s a fascinating spectacle for children. Personally, we managed to climb onto a perch to tower over the heads of all the tourists.

Then head to Big Ben and Parliament, symbols of British democracy. Their impressive Gothic architecture will captivate young and old. They both look very beautiful from the Thames. Moreover, for your information, at the time of writing these lines (2024), Big Ben is finally free of his canvas which he kept during years of work…

Continue your discovery with Westminster Abbey, the coronation place of British monarchs for nearly 1000 years. It’s located right next door so no excuses. Well, I say that but after more than 10 stays, I still haven’t set foot in it. There is always a crazy queue and honestly my son is not that much of a fan of religious buildings. Regardless, its history and grandiose architecture make it an unmissable stop, even to see from the street.

Cruise on the Thames

Treat yourself to a relaxing break by taking a cruise on the Thames. It’s a great way to see London from a different perspective and rest tired legs. You can admire many monuments from the river, such as Tower Bridge or Saint Paul’s Cathedral. We had shot as far as the Greenwich meridian.

It is also a good way to discover the banks which were used for a long time as a landing stage for freight boats on the southern part of the river. We were also able to see the Tower of London from a different angle. Frankly, you have about 2 hours round trip and that’s great because the children can live their lives (under supervision anyway).

The Tower of London

Since we are talking about the Tower of London? It’s a must-see for families. This medieval castle is full of fascinating stories of kings, queens and famous prisoners. Don’t miss the Crown Jewels, which will dazzle children.

Go say hello to the guards while they are on shift. Climb the ramparts and fight to repel the attackers with your children. Draw pictures in the armor room and run around the inner courtyard.

Parks and green spaces

London is full of beautiful parks in which to relax and observe nature. In Hyde Park, rent a pedal boat or bike to explore the Serpentine Lake. Watch for squirrels in St James’s Park and Regent’s Park.

These are great places to let the children have fun, to chill on a deck chair, to relax on the grass, to play on the console (yes yes, we did it), to simply have a picnic.

Shopping and lively neighborhoods

For a livelier atmosphere, stroll the streets of Soho. This trendy neighborhood is full of original boutiques and varied restaurants. Covent Garden is also an excellent choice for its festive atmosphere, its shops and the street musicians who liven up the halls.

Well, on the other hand, avoid Soho at night because the atmosphere changes completely… Even Chinatown loses its charm after dark when revelers hang out in the streets. In short, not places for children.

Exciting museums to visit while in London with a child

London has some excellent free museums, perfect for families. The Natural History Museum fascinates with its dinosaurs and interactive exhibitions. Next door, the Science Museum offers fun and educational experiences. And that’s without counting the art museum in Trafalgar (National Gallery) or the British Museum.

In a different genre, and for the bravest, the London Dungeon offers an immersive experience into the dark history of London. It’s clearly not an official museum but it allows you to reconnect with the history of the city (and in particular its most memorable stories like Jack the Ripper…). I don’t recommend going with a child under 10, unless they love the scary genre.

You can also visit Madame Tussaud’s wax museum which is located south of Regent’s Park. The children love it. The adults perhaps a little less because some of the statues are quite poorly made in my opinion. But I repeat, the children love it.

Public transport

Take the famous London Underground, an adventure in itself for children. Stop at Paddington Station to see statues of Paddington Bear, a beloved character from British children’s literature. I admit that I hadn’t thought about it but when we took the metro to get around, we saw the station and there, I lost my son because he was so happy.

Varied gastronomy

London is a multicultural culinary paradise. Taste Italian, Spanish or Indian cuisine in the city’s many restaurants. Don’t forget to try the quintessential British dish: fish and chips.
Here, at lunchtime, we tend to shop in cafes and eat in the parks. Same for breakfast, it’s takeaway to enjoy, not in a hotel. I ended up getting my son used to buying in stores

Original activities to do in London with a child

For a truly British experience, visit the garage sales that are held regularly in different neighborhoods, such as Camden Town. It’s an opportunity to unearth treasures and immerse yourself in the local culture.

• Climb to the top of the London eye. Impossible for us to do because my son is afraid of heights but in reality it must be very nice.
• There are also nighttime guided tours following in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper. But this is something to do with teenagers.
• Climb to the top of Tower Bridge. We went under it in a boat (rather dizzy).
• Head to Picadilly Circus at night to see the giant screens.
• Visit the Shakespeare Globe theater on the south bank (this is if your child likes these more adult types of visits)

Finally, the must is to visit London at Christmas. The atmosphere in Great Britain is magical. There are decorations everywhere, the weather is cool so synonymous with Christmas, musicians play in Covent Garden, Oxford Street is adorned with thousands of fairy lights…

Oh and if you want to experience something crazy, hop on a bus that takes you to Stonehenge. Fascinating for adults and liberating for children. Indeed, the place is located in the countryside. Children can run as they please around the site, as long as they do not pass the safety barriers that protect the stones. Enjoy you holidays in London with a child. If you need further information, contact us.

Psttttt : here is the article about the Harry Potter studios in London.