London is no stranger to tourism. In 2015 London saw 36.1 million visits and forecasted 36.7 million visits in 2016, according to VisitBritan.
Because of this established and increasing tourism, London has invested in making sure that tourists feel safe, can travel around the city easily and have more than enough items on their “to -see” list. Due to these reasons, London has been named #1 on The best European cities for a family holiday list produced by the Telegraph.
Our entire team agrees that there are ample things to see, do and experience in London with a family. Here are our top 5:
1. Tours
London has a variety of walk, fly or drive tours. We all know, that when traveling with little ones it’s sometimes best to keep moving and for that exact reason, the hop on and hop off bus is our top choice.
The hop on and hop off bus of London is unlike any other city. It spans every corner of the city, giving you a chance to get off and experience whatever catches your eye. Speaking of eye.. The London Eye is another iconic tour. Located on the bank of the River Thames, this giant Ferris Wheel takes you up to 443 feet above sea level to an amazing panoramic view of the city.
If walking is more your thing, be sure to pick up a free city map at any tourism information post or download the Visit London App, which provides an official city guide and offline maps.
2. Shows
There are many family-friendly theaters around London. Currently, the Cambridge theater is featuring Matilda the musical and over at the Lyceum Theater the legendary Lion King is running.
London’s official tourism guide keeps an updated list of kid-friendly shows that are worth checking out before your travels. If you are on a smaller budget, not a problem! London has some of the most impressive and unique street performers in the world. A popular location is Covent Gardens, where local street artists are often performing.
3. Family-friendly restaurants
London is home to many interactive restaurants. Included on the list, is our personal favourite Charlie & the Chocolate Factory where you can enjoy a sweet treat afternoon tea.
The Rainforest Cafe and Children’s Afternoon Tea with Hamleys at the Langham are also a memorable experience.
4. Attractions
There are lots of stunning attractions in London, but, I wanted to put this one on the list to spotlight the amount of educational attractions in London for kids.
The Tate Modern’s has a dedicated family zone featuring modern and contemporary art. The Discover Children’s Story Centre is an amazing place to get lost in imagination and create story plots or help current story characters create solutions.
5. Green Space
The City of London has over 40% green space. That is a spectacular statistic for the capital and most populous city of England.
Strategically placed garden squares and royal parks make up some of the 40%. These green spaces are a great place for some family time. Renting bikes, roller blades or simply walking around some of London’s parks can prove to be a memorable, relaxing experience in the middle of the metropolitan city. If you are looking for some outdoor adventure check out the Hampton Court Palace’s maze.
By choosing to travel to London with your family you can ensure that your experience will be full of interactive, cultural and educational experiences.