The largest drawback a couple of journey to London is narrowing down what you wish to do – with its improbable vary of household points of interest, there’s by no means sufficient time to slot in all the things so I really like the thought of theming your time round your youngsters’ pursuits, resembling spending at some point in London with youngsters who love animals.
accommodates affiliate hyperlinks*
As a result of after spending virtually all the final 25 years in London, and visiting as a baby to stick with my grandparents who lived right here, I nonetheless haven’t run out of sights to discover myself.
I’m planning extra posts that includes among the capital’s highlights, all centered round a theme – youngsters who love animals will begin it off, adopted by issues to do in London with youngsters who love historical past.
For every, I’ll pick one of the best concepts for those who solely have at some point in London, with recommendations of how lengthy you’ll want – and the way a lot else you may slot in round them with out an excessive amount of frantic journey.
The bulk will likely be within the centre, however there are concepts for those who’re staying or exploring exterior zones one and two as properly, together with recommendations for various budgets.
For extra concepts on how to save cash on days out in London with youngsters, take a look at my high suggestions
In the future in London with youngsters who love animals
Don’t miss – London Zoo
The world’s third oldest zoo – after Vienna and Paris – London Zoo is probably not a hidden gem, however it’s no much less tempting for youths who love animals.
With greater than 750 completely different species and 1000’s of animals to find, there are particular areas for various habitats, from rainforest to penguin seaside, in addition to the land of the lions, gorilla kingdom, the prospect to stroll with lemurs plus reptiles and bugs.
How lengthy: At the very least half a day. The zoo covers 15 hectares, there are talks and feeding occasions, to not point out additional animal experiences to guide, relying on the age of your youngsters. You possibly can even keep in a single day on the Gir Lion Lodges on sure household nights.
There’s no re-entry, so plan forward for lunch (you’ll be able to take meals in, however no alcohol or glass bottles) – or take a look at The Waterside Cafe by Regent’s Park’s boating lake for drinks and ice cream.
Do: Verify what’s taking place when on the day you go to, as there are sometimes additional occasions. And permit time to stroll from the closest tube station – Camden City and Regent’s Park are closest however nonetheless 15-20 minutes away. Or the 274 bus will take you to the doorstep from Baker Road and Marble Arch.
Take a look at extra recommendations on visiting London Zoo with youngsters right here
Funds? Grownup tickets value from £31.80 and little one tickets (age three to fifteen) from £22.20 and have to be prebooked. There are additionally discounted tickets for £3 for those who obtain Common Credit score. Entry can be included within the London move.
For youthful youngsters – Battersea Park Youngsters’s Zoo
This little zoo is nice for youthful youngsters – much less overwhelming, much less far to stroll and loads of animals to please (plus it’ll value lower than half as a lot as London Zoo).
Don’t count on greater creatures however there are monkeys and lemurs, wallabies, livestock, birds, reptiles and diverse small furry issues. There’s additionally an journey playground to entertain – in addition to the park itself, which is free.
How lengthy? A few hours is lots.
Do: Consider additional time to get there. You may get trains from Victoria to Battersea Park Station close to the south aspect of the park (the zoo is in the direction of the northern edge), or decide up a bus from the north financial institution of the Thames at Sloane Sq..
Funds? Tickets value £15.95 for adults, £12.95 for youngsters (age two to fifteen), with a household move for £50.
For a wet day – the Pure Historical past Museum
Though not one of the animals you’ll see listed here are alive, there’s extra than simply dinosaurs to identify within the Pure Historical past Museum.
The present occupant of the primary Hintze Corridor is the museum’s skeleton of a blue whale and the common exhibitions cowl completely different facets of the pure world, to not point out the spectacular mammals room, and strange creatures within the marine assortment.
How lengthy? A few hours, though relying how a lot of the museum you’re planning to see, you possibly can spend the entire day.
It’s a simple half day go to although with a few different museums virtually subsequent door and Kensington Gardens close by – look out for the birds on the lake, in addition to the statue of Peter Pan.
Do: Take a look at my suggestions for visiting the Pure Historical past Museum with youngsters, in addition to extra concepts of issues to do in South Kensington with youngsters.
Funds? Free to enter, though there’s a separate cost for the exhibitions.
For my full set of recommendations on visiting London’s museums with toddlers and children, take a look at my final information
For mini marine biologists – Sea Life London Aquarium
If it’s underwater creatures which fascinate your youngsters, London’s Sea Life aquarium has one among Europe’s largest collections of worldwide marine life.
Three flooring are dwelling to over 500 species in 14 themed zones, together with a piece devoted to jellyfish, a shark stroll, penguins, coral reefs and much more, together with the Rainforest Journey space.
How lengthy? A go to takes round 90 minutes to 2 hours, though there are additional experiences together with behind-the-scenes excursions and assembly the penguins, feeding the turtles and even snorkelling with sharks (that have is for youths over 1.3m tall solely).
Do: Flip up early… As guests are funnelled alongside the identical route, and because it’s a well-liked choice throughout holidays, that is one place the place it’s value getting there vivid and early. There’s a reduction for those who prebook too.
Funds: Grownup tickets value from £28 on-line, £25 for youths (age three to fifteen) plus there’s an Anytime Entry ticket if you wish to assure a day somewhat than a selected time, costing round an additional £5. You’ll get a reduction reserving on-line prematurely, saving as a lot as £11 on an grownup ticket.
For a little bit of all the things – Horniman Museum
If you happen to can’t fairly determine what your loved ones will get pleasure from most, it’s value trying exterior central London to the Horniman Museum.
With its personal little aquarium, plus a pure historical past part that’s dwelling to its well-known over stuffed walrus (briefly closed), butterfly home and animal stroll – dwelling to alpacas, goats, sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens, it’s one other beautiful one for youthful youngsters particularly.
How lengthy? Though the museum itself, and every space is comparatively small, you’ll be able to fortunately whereas away a couple of hours – we managed to spend 5… Because it’s exterior the centre, it’s not likely value visiting for lower than a few hours until you’re close by for an additional purpose.
Do: Take a look at public transport hyperlinks. There are trains to Forest Hill station from London Bridge and Victoria, which take 20-Half-hour, in addition to overground trains.
Buses cease even nearer however few from central London – and plan for a for much longer journey. You possibly can decide up a number of buses from the museum to Crystal Palace Park with its dinosaur statues for a bonus animal encounter.
Funds: Entry to the museum is free, however it’s important to pay for the aquarium (from £6.50 adults/£3.25 youngsters) and butterfly home (from £9.75 for adults/£6.50 for youngsters) in addition to any particular exhibitions.
Better of the remaining – London with youngsters who love animals
- London’s Metropolis Farms: there are metropolis farms dotted throughout the capital, together with Spitalfields, Vauxhall and Islington. Take a look at among the greatest right here, amongst my high free issues to do in London with youngsters
- WWT London Wetland Centre is dwelling to 2 very cute otters in addition to birds galore. It’s a bit means from the centre although: take the bus from Hammersmith to Barnes. See our assessment.
- The Chelsea Physic Backyard has animal-themed household actions together with attempting to find mini beasts. It’s a simple one to staff with the Battersea Park Youngsters’s Zoo or the Pure Historical past Museum.
- Spot 67,000 completely different specimens at Britain’s oldest pure historical past museum, The Grant Museum of Zoology – get palms on at family-friendly periods on chosen Saturdays and through faculty holidays, so you possibly can do something from discovering how sharp a shark’s tooth feels to how heavy an elephant’s tusk is. In any other case, with its jar of moles and mind assortment, it’s higher for older youngsters than squeamish pre-schoolers.
*First printed 2018, final up to date 2025*
PIN FOR LATER: ONE DAY IN LONDON WITH KIDS WHO LOVE ANIMALS
Disclosure: This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Major picture and lemur courtesy of Depositphotos, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels