I actually caught myself with my mouth wide open during it and tugging on my 5-year-old's sleeve and pointing things out like an excited child. Youll be served plenty of food and drink by friendly staff. Kids travel for free at any time on the Tube, the Docklands Light Railway, all buses and trams, and the London Overground. Regular family events take place at Kew Gardens, particularly during the school holidays. MadeForMums Consumer and Commerce Editor, and mum of 1, Gemma Cartwright, says: ""The London Transport Museum is one of my favourite places as it offers so much for different ages. 894646. Jonathan Brady - PA Images // Getty Images. Fun events and activities take place on weekends and during school holidays. There are plenty of places to eat: avoid the overpriced Royal Native Oyster Stores and head instead to JoJos, just down the road in Tankerton, for mackerel fillets and Med-inspired small plates. Read the full MFM Madame Tussauds review. to the present day and how communication has changed over the years. Its approximately a 15 minutes walk from the Jubilee Gardens to St. James Park passing on the Golden Jubilee Bridges, a nice pedestrian walking bridge. 2023 Cond Nast. Scudamores is the oldest chauffeur company and offers a more traditional tour, but board a boat from the Garret Hostel Bridge for a younger, more humorous experience (ask your punter why the GHB is also known as Orgasm Bridge). You could spend the day taking in the towns thriving art galleries, with plenty of opportunities for refueling stops along the way (our favorite is the stripped-back-trendy Nelson Coffee Co opposite the station) but the real draw here is enjoying the great outdoors at Beachy Head, where youll find the famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs. Its an affordable Italian restaurant with an extensive kids menu. The Kings Cross Platforms 9 is a must-see spot for any Harry Potter fans. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. In fact, the whole up-and-coming area of Cliftonville is worth exploring. By Cond Nast Traveller and Anna Prendergast. Family reviews on TripAdvisor rate the attraction highly, with ones saying: A really amazing place for young children. As MFM reviewer Elizabeth says: This is not the kind of museum where youre barred from touching anything or simply browse boring wall-hangings. Its not the easiest spot to find, so look out for a shop called Artemis on Kensington Gardens, which overflows with sheepskin rugs and pelts the caf is on the left; follow the smell of bacon up the stairs. You can watch the street performers, browse the interesting shops and markets There are other stores you may want to add to the list such as the LEGO Store in Leicester Square or the M&Ms World London, situated halfway between Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus. It's hard to believe that you're just 4 miles from Central London when standing in the middle of the London Wetland Centre. They would be the equivalent of the Junior Ranger Booklets found in US National Parks. Finish your day with the choral evensong at Kings College Chapel around 5.30pm: goosebumps guaranteed. This is the famous platform where students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry catch the Hogwarts Express. Founder of Smugglers Records Will Greenham (ex singer and guitarist of the band Cocos Lovers, whove supported Mumford & Sons on tour) is at the heart of the towns music scene, and in terms of art, Linden Hall Studio is a contemporary gallery in a converted chapel that wouldnt look out of place in Mayfair.Tabitha Joyce. The best day trip from London for: nature enthusiastsHow to get there from London: The drive to Romney Marsh via the A20 and M20 takes 2 hours. Start with a gander around Clifton Arcade in the heart of Clifton Village, where the 17 boutiques are filled with knick-knacks and intriguing antiques. Some 75% of almost 9,000 reviews on TripAdvisor rate it very good or excellent, with one saying: We recently visited with our adult children, our 3-year-old granddaughter and long-time friends. London also has an excellent public transportation system. The best day trip from London for: welly-wielding outdoorsy typesHow to get there from London: The train from London Victoria takes 1 hour to East Grinstead (a 15-minute drive from Forest Row). Put aside a full day, however, and you will certainly enjoy Kews main highlights. Instead, antiques, thick carpets and mahogany furniture keep this 18th-century manor house sure of its identity save a few fun treehouse bedrooms, should privacy or the 21st century fall into your criteria. At Henry VIIIs home Hampton Court Palace, there are family-friendly events such as beast quests and ghost tours, as well as the famous giant hedge maze, where adventurous kids can lead the troops. There is plenty to see and to do in London, from worldwide renowned tourist places to small hidden kids playgrounds, to keep the entire family busy for 4 full days. Youll wander in the garden and see the pond with birds, squirrels running around and green parakeets flying across the park. MFM reviewer Anna says: My kids love running around, so the wide open spaces and differently arranged gardens were heaven for them. TripAdvisor users rated it the no.2 museum for kids in London, with one saying they spent almost 4 hours in the museum and loved the many displays of dinosaurs, mammals, birds, Darwin and more. The eight best family days out in the southeast of England. But our favorite pastime is picking up a pot of cockles and whelks from the quayside, or fish and chips and oysters from The Forge shack, and devouring them in the shade of a wooden groyne on the beach, preferably with a bottle of English fizz to hand.Rick Jordan. If you decide to stay over: Hertford House Hotel took over the former local newspapers offices in pretty Parliament Square in 2006 and hasnt stopped evolving since, with its latest restaurant and bar renovation completed in autumn 2020. Get out of the house on a Saturday, leave the others and the mess, and go out to the nearest tube station for a mystery destination. There was so much to see and so many wow moments.. Enter a wonderful world of stories and make believe at the Discover Children's Story centre. Other must-sees include the historic Palm House with its exotic rainforest; Kew Palace, the former summer residence of King George III, and The Hive, a multi-sensory experience designed to highlight the extraordinary life of bees. If you booked a babysitter, however, grab a drink at the brilliant Freud bar in Jerichoa stained-glass church-turned-cool-cocktail-bar that is grown-up enough to feel sophisticated but student-y enough to have plenty of atmosphere and frivolity in the air (or perhaps its something in the drinks). Plus, the artsy Dog and Whistle, once a pop-up caf, has blossomed into a hipster foodie pub and music venue with rooms. Ad Choices. Dont miss the fresh salads and fish lunches once youve been pummeled in the spa or worked up an appetite in the Grecian-style pool. GoPlaces, on TripAdvisor, says: The WWT London is a brilliant day out for all the family. But the closest three (3) ones are: London City (LCY), London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW). Youll find few zeitgeisty design details or next-gen touches here. With its purple carpets of heather, ancient woodland and England-of-yore villages, the New Forest has long been a release valve for Londoners eager to clear the cobwebs and the cortisol. We recommend going on self-guided tour walks. And its not just people either, Madame Tussauds is even home to a waxwork figure of Internet sensation, Grumpy Cat. After exploring the place, you may want to stop at the palace cafe to grab a sandwich, hot drink and even ice cream. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Lunch leads into a cider tasting, made on-site using apples grown in local orchards, where youll undoubtedly be swayed into picking up a bottle or two to take home. If youre not in a hurry to get home, head to Lintons car parklocally known as the viewpointfor sunset. The museum first opened its doors in 1881 and while the history might be lost on kids, they might recognise the iconic building from the original Paddington movie. It was designed back in 1830 to commemorate the British victory in the Battle of Trafalgar. Lewes: the market town in the South Downs that sits against a backdrop of chalk hills and green peaks. You can compare airfare on Skyscanner or Google Flights. Read the full MFM WWT London Wetland Centre review. Youll want to plan for at least 2 to 3 hours to really visit the museum. Sonya Barber. Plus, youll learn about Londons main attractions. You can admire the Palace from the gates the rest of the year and participate in the Changing of the Guards ceremonies. This colourful aquatic world sits on the capitals attractive South Bank, near the London Eye, and is home to all manner of wonderful sea creatures including sand eels, green sea turtles and clownfish. If you're looking for accommodation in London, check out our round up of the best family hotels in London. Pros: A fascinating historical insight; great activities for 6+ up to teens. Other highlights include the Exploring Space exhibit, home to a full-scale Apollo 11 Eagle model and Flight, which charts the most important aeroplanes in history. There are 300 varieties of butterfly, 20 types of dragonfly and four species of bat, as well as grass snakes, water voles, otters and more. Trafalgar Square is a famous public square. Dont miss out on brunch in the secret garden, a locally sourced roast in the restaurant and a pint in smart sister pub The Quiet Man. And thats exactly its appeal. The Tate has fun workshops where kids can create wonderful collages and use recycled materials to create their own work of art. If youre planning on visiting more of the United Kingdom after your stay in London and do a UK road trip, I would recommend renting your car on the last day of your London itinerary. Its a lovely family activity. London; Madame Tussauds; SEA LIFE London Aquarium; Monopoly Lifesized; KidZania London The best day trip from London for:old-school seaside charmHow to get there from London:The fast train from London St Pancras International takes 1 hour 32 minutes with a change at Ashford International, Theres almost too much to fit into a one-day visit to Hastings, especially if you want to pop over to the neighbouring town of St Leonards. As soon as your taxi turns onto the long entry drive, its easy to see elegant birds such as egrets, lapwings and redshank happily frolicking on the flat marshlands and thats before youve even started exploring. At the bottom of The Old High Street is Bounce Vintage, an open space with rails full of retro sportswear, French chore jackets and Aloha shirts. Undoubtedly one of Londons best museums for kids, the Science Museum is full of scientific discoveries from across the ages - there are over 250,000 objects to explore, including the space suit belonging to Helen Sharman, the first Briton in space. Cons: Can get busy during school holidays. The city is home to one of the UKs most spectacular cathedrals. For a brilliant and budget-friendly day out in London, head south of the River to the Horniman Museum. King Charles and Queen Camilla led the procession for a third day in a row! Visit the William Morris Gallery. Theres not a whole lot to do here but theres so much to see, and so much to pique your curiosity that youll spend the journey back Googling the area. The Saturday Market stalls are worth a rummage, but its the food that brings the locals back each weekend. TripAdvisor users rate it as Londons top attraction, with family visitors calling it an absolute must and great for all ages. The summer months are the warmest and driest, but its also the peak season. A hike with seriously impressive views out to sea runs across the top. There is plenty to see here and you can easily spend an entire day exploring - just make sure to head to the Crown Jewels in the morning to avoid the huge crowds that appear later in the day. If Puss in Boots is your little ones favourite, visit before 4 September to enjoy the new interactive trail, where they can complete an activity sheet and collect stamps in a rustic taverna before meeting the adorably feisty cat. With trains running every half hour, its possible to find yourself marching around its 15th-century castle grounds (check ahead for cinema screenings, talks and events), net fishing from a sandy cove in Hartham Common or wandering about its dinky museum within the hour. The best way to get around London with kids is by using public transport. Read more about the best things to do in Bath, Somerset, The best day trip from London for: woodland walks and long pub lunchesHow to get there from London: The train from London Waterloo usually takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. Deal is less shouty than Margate, but theres still an exciting slew of shops, cafs and galleries that have arrived over the past few years. Are you planning a family vacation in London? In the autumn, the leaf-covered colleges are particularly picturesque as they turn red and rust, and in spring, Parkers Piece is a scenic stretch of greenery from which to navigate (spot the lamppost that supposedly inspired the post in CS Lewis Narnia). And it has spectacular views of the Thames River, the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. Alex Pantling // Tickets from the Horniman Museum and Picniq, Family ticket from 41.50 I Best for all ages I Best on a sunny day I Free onsite parking I Barnes station 0.8 miles. The seaside town of Folkestone is mid-makeover, which is the ideal time to visit before everything gets priced up and the places quirks glossed over. A new experience, the Cutty Sark Rig Climb, invites visitors aged 10 years and older to climb up the ship's rigging, just as hundreds of sailors did during the Cutty Sark's time at sea. If you decide to stay over: Parts of The Falstaff Hotel date to the 13th century, and original features such as fireplaces and oak beams are a nod to the citys medieval history. By this point, the kids little legs are probably pretty tired. After breakfast at Whitehouse Ryeorder the halloumi hashpick up a new read at The Tiny Book Store (the clues in the name) and window shop for that fantasy mansion at striking antiques shop Strand House Interiors. We just wish the whole attraction lasted a little longer - the whole experience takes only around two hours so worth combining with a trip to the nearby Sea Life, or London Eye for a full day out. If youre planning a campervan trip in Europe, you may enjoy reading those articles: If you enjoyed this article, you might want to read the following articles: other hings to do in london with the family, Best Destinations for Visiting Spain With Toddlers, Spain Itinerary: A 14 Days Family Adventure, Our 12 Best European Road Trips For Families, 13 Best Places to Go Camping in Canada with Kids, Where to Stay in Zion National Park That Are Family Friendly, Imperial War Museums and the Churchill War Rooms, the Warner Bros Studio Tour London for Harry Potter fans. If your kids (or even yourself) are fans of Harry Potter, youll get to discover some of the places showcased in the movies. If you decide to stay over: Should you choose to forego the train ride home in favor of waking up somewhere new, The Newt is a Jane Austen dream, whether you choose a room in the Georgian house or the converted outbuildings, barns and stables. The blustery dunes and invigorating waters of Camber Sands, one of the best beach near London, are a 15 minute ride away on the local bus, but head back in time for a rustic supper at Tuscan Rye, where fresh pasta (ricotta ravioli with brown-butter sauce, potato and thyme tortellini in a rich ragu) draws loyal locals.Sarah James. By Jordan Hoffman. Today she's the world's only surviving extreme clipper and a fun morning out with older children aged 6+. However, advertised tickets at 23.50 are rare, making it an expensive family trip so best for a special occasion the whole family will remember. Once upon a time the Cutty Sark was one of the fastest tea clippers in the world, carrying everything from tea to over 10,000 tons of coal across the high seas at maximum speed. Weve rounded up our favourite museums, sights and attractions for a range of budgets, guaranteed to keep the kids happy London is a fantastic city for children of all ages, jam-packed with famous sights, brilliant museums, award-winning theatre, leafy parks with large playgrounds and much more. The best day trip from London for: an under-the-radar getawayHow to get there from London: The fast train from St Pancras International takes 1 hour 22 minutes, This hillside scribble of Georgian streets tucked behind the Kent coast really hit our radar in 2018. Pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables from the local greengrocers and head to Clifton bridge for fabulous views across the River Avon. If youre not the planning type, The Newt in Somersets Great Garden Escape is a fun-filled organized day trip that shows off the best of the British countryside and its charming traditions. The best day trip from London for:getting fully immersed in natureHow to get there from London:The train from London St Pancras International to Swale takes 1 hour 50 minutes and then its a short taxi ride to Elmley Nature Reserve, Think of day trips toKentand youll probably skip straight over theIsle of Sheppey. The best day trip from London for: history buffs and vintage huntersHow to get there from London: The train from London Victoria takes just over 1 hour.
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