I grew up in the UK. We've spent 2 weeks in the past 2 summers ('22 and '23) in London with our daughter (who was 21 months old on the last trip). Here are some of our favorite places and things to do. Check out the Map view as well as the list!
Map
Sections
6
Playgrounds
Museums
Attractions
Restaurants
Transport
Books
Playgrounds
epic playground in northwest corner of Hyde Park.
Diana Memorial Playground
we didn't go to this one but have heard great things. southeast corner, next to Hyde Park Corner.
Hyde Park Playground
incredible location, with views of the houses of parliament and Big Ben.
Horseferry Playground
another lovely playground in a splendid location.
St James's Park Playground
definitely go visit the Kyoto Garden nearby as well.
Holland Park Toddlers Playground
not a playground, but a lovely little garden within Kensington Gardens.
Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Garden
Museums
my favorite place as a kid. dinosaurs! even though it's free, get a timed ticket online so that you can skip the queue!
Natural History Museum
even though it's free, get a timed ticket online so that you can skip the queue!
Science Museum
when we went last summer, the main atrium had a kids play area with coloring stations and play boxes to climb on and move.
Tate Modern
we have yet to go but have heard it is great, with a train you can ride too!
The Postal Museum
we have yet to go but have heard it is fun - buses, trains, trams!
London Transport Museum
yet to take our daughter but it's an epic museum. only issue is how crowded it often is.
The British Museum
recommended by a good friend. “a little gem in the south east. Incredibly child friendly. It has an aquarium and their famous butterfly house”
Horniman Museum and Gardens
Attractions
yet to take our daughter but definitely will in the future!
Tower of London
yet to take our daughter but will in the future!
lastminute.com London Eye
a classic place to take kids where they can climb around the lions and see performers doing their thing. pop into the National Gallery or National Portrait Gallery nearby.
Trafalgar Square
The Home of Cricket. if a match is on, don't think twice - just get a ticket and go. i took my daughter in a baby carrier to a test match.
Lord's Cricket Ground
great for toddlers, and also has a great playground + ZFL for older kids
Battersea Park Children's Zoo
there's a petting zoo!
Vauxhall City Farm
yet to go with our daughter but will one day!
Westminster Abbey
yet to go with our daughter but will one day!
St. Paul's Cathedral
for all fellow Harry Potter fans.
Platform 9¾
incredible view of london. get timed entry tickets ahead of time.
Sky Garden
flowers and food on sundays.
Columbia Road Flower Market
hard to imagine going to London and not snapping a photo outside the gates!
Buckingham Palace
Restaurants
we absolutely love breakfast at all the Dishoom locations, though have gone to this one the most. easy to get a reservation or even walk-in, in our experience. lunch + dinner good too, but breakfast is best meal.
Dishoom Covent Garden
good eating option near the Tate Modern, our daughter *loved* the halloumi popcorn.
The Real Greek
awesome place to walk around and eat wherever you fancy.
Borough Market
phenomenal pasta in Borough Market, we went early to put our name on the waitlist for a table
Padella
incredible vegan food.
Mallow Borough Market
go for tea time - scones and clotted cream, and lots of other yummy food.
Fortnum & Mason
great sit-down Greek meal after Holland Park (we also saw Hugh Jackman walk by!)
Vori
hole-in-the-wall, tucked into a market, incredible Malaysian food. nice place to go before/after Diana Memorial Playground.
Normah's
one of London's best Indian restaurants, 2 Michelin Stars, great date night (don't think they let kids in).
Gymkhana
just to tag one of the other Dishoom locations - there are 7!
Dishoom Kensington
this is a great Dishoom location if you're going by train somewhere or checking out Platform 9 ¾.
Dishoom King's Cross
newest Dishoom location, right next to Battersea Power Station and Battersea Park.
Dishoom Battersea
Transport
it is so easy to tap on/tap off to take the bus everywhere (just use Apple / Google Pay!). this is the best transportation method with kids.
Bus - Transport for London
we took the UberBoat and just stayed on it to get a ride up and down the Thames, though you can also ride it to many of the main areas with things to do (e.g. Tate Modern, Big Ben).
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
it is fun to ride the underground - but beware, not many stations have elevators! stairs are rough with strollers.
Tube - Transport for London
Books
Waterstones are all over London and great places to take kids.
Waterstones
our all-time favorite book about London. great to read before and after a trip there.
