It wasn’t way back that the very considered travelling to London with children was just about my thought of hell. I knew there have been a great deal of issues to do in London with children however I nonetheless considered it as an ‘grownup solely sort of place’.
I lived in London for 3 years and my time there revolved round bars and nightclubs and I couldn’t think about my little boys slotting into London life!
Simply final yr and my children had been each toddlers and the considered negotiating the Underground, getting via the crowds and avoiding toddler tantrums at epic landmarks was an excessive amount of.
‘No probability,’ I believed to myself. ‘I might by no means put myself via that sort of torture!’
However when my eldest son turned 4, one thing miraculous occurred. He stopped being onerous work and was an absolute pleasure to spend the day with.
He holds my hand in crowds, he goes out for dinner and sits properly via a meal, he doesn’t shout or scream when issues don’t go his approach and he’s stopped displaying his underpants to strangers (he has some notably fetching Paw Patrol pants he likes to indicate folks!)
Round this time (the time he stopped appearing extra like a human and fewer like a demon) I acquired an e-mail asking me if I’d like media tickets to take my household to look at Peter Rabbit on the theatre. A day later I had one other e-mail asking if I’d be obtainable to evaluate a brand new house model resort in London. And the day after that I had an e-mail from an outdated buddy asking if I fancied catching up in London. That final e-mail was the ultimate push I have to go forward and ebook a visit to London with a 4 yr outdated.
So as we speak I’d prefer to let you know about my journey to London with a younger little one, among the enjoyable issues to do in London with children and a wonderful ‘hometel’ good for households. In case you aren’t certain what a hometel is, don’t fear, I’ll get to that!
What’s the finest age to take a toddler to London?
I believe any age from 4 is nice. George was younger sufficient to be amazed by all the things however not so younger something was troublesome. My youthful son is 2 and I left him at house for a motive! He would have been a ache and it’s additionally tougher when it’s essential think about nap instances and the very fact toddlers get bored so rapidly.
In case you’re planning to take a pushchair to London
I didn’t take a pushchair to London however I observed them for the primary time and realised it’s truly a simple metropolis to barter with a pushchair.
So long as you’ve gotten a small, light-weight pushchair you’ll be positive.
It’s even simpler in case your little one is definitely sufficiently big to get out and stroll up any steps whilst you carry the pushchair – however somebody will normally provide help to in the event you want it. I like to recommend the BabyZen YOYO+ for cities as a result of it folds up so small and folds away rapidly and simply. You might fold it away, throw it over your shoulder after which carry your little one up the steps too in the event you wanted to.
In case you’re in search of a light-weight journey stroller, learn extra right here: What’s the perfect journey stroller?
What are the perfect issues to do in London with younger children?
Right here had been a few of our favourites issues to do in London.
You’ll discover there aren’t many museums on the listing and that’s as a result of George was nearly saved entertained on the Pure Historical past Museum however was prepared to go away after an hour. I don’t assume he’s fairly sufficiently old for the others (and tbh, there are tons extra enjoyable issues to do than have a look at stuff in glass cupboards!)
I additionally haven’t included any excursions just like the Harry Potter Warner Bros studios as a result of they’re actually costly and I don’t assume you’d be there lengthy with a youthful little one (you undoubtedly wouldn’t get your cash’s price!) I additionally haven’t included the zoo or aquarium as a result of there are zoos and aquariums all around the nation, so save these for whilst you’re at house.
- Trip on public transport – a necessity however don’t overlook this will likely be thrilling for teenagers who don’t usually take the bus or practice. Even the big escalators on the tube and the buskers within the stations had been thrilling!
- Trip the Thames Clipper
- Go to the Pure Historical past Museum
- Trip on the London Eye
- Stroll alongside The South Financial institution (plenty of entertainers and pop-ups and also you’ll see Massive Ben and the Homes of Parliament)
- Go to Covent Backyard (plenty of avenue entertainers)
- Trip the Emirates Cable Automobile
- Probably the Altering of the Guard – I’ve put ‘probably’ as a result of that is enjoyable for about 4-5 minutes after which will get boring so solely do it in the event you’re close by. It normally occurs at 11am however examine this information for instances.
- Go to the park (any park – there are such a lot of – Hyde’s Park and Regent’s Park are two of my faves)
- Dine on the Jungle Cave Restaurant (It was the Rainforest Cafe)
- Go to Piccadilly Circus and purchase them a deal with at M&M World (I do know, I do know! However children like it!)
- Go to the LEGO retailer (additionally in Piccadilly Circus – it’s the most important on the earth)
- The London Transport Museum
- Go to the theatre (in the event you’re children are younger, do a little bit of analysis to seek out one for his or her age group)
Peter Rabbit Dwell on the Theatre
Whereas we had been in London we had media tickets to look at The place is Peter Rabbit?
George was the proper age for this manufacturing as he was enchanted with the characters and the music. There have been youthful kids within the viewers who didn’t sit nonetheless and older kids who had been clearly bored, so I’d say ages 4-7 are nearly proper.
A visit to the theatre was a much-needed break for us within the afternoon too and gave us an excellent excuse to take a seat nonetheless for a couple of hours, so I extremely suggest breaking apart day with a visit to the theatre for that reason alone!
The place is Peter Rabbit? was a stunning manufacturing that George and I each beloved. The one draw back was that Peter Rabbit wasn’t in it a lot. Because the identify suggests, it’s about discovering Peter Rabbit so he doesn’t come into the present till the top (spoiler alert: they do discover him finally!) However for me, it was a present with out the primary character as a result of they spent the play in search of him. It was a bit like watching Harry Potter with out Harry.
The place to remain in London with children?
I stayed at room2 and it rapidly grew to become one in every of my favorite locations to remain in London. It has precisely what I search for in a London resort and a lot greater than I didn’t even know different resorts had been lacking.
I stayed at room2 in Hammersmith which is at present their solely property in London. I actually hope they open extra in regards to the metropolis! room2 isn’t particularly a family-friendly resort nevertheless it was good for visiting London with children.
room2 is a ‘hometel’, so it’s much like an aparthotel however with a friendlier, casual and homey vibe. It’s a bit like a modern-day mattress and breakfast for millenials.
The property felt like a really, very giant city home with particular person rooms inside. The rooms all have kitchenettes with all the things you’d have to make a correct meal. There isn’t a reception desk or employees round so that you’re emailed a pin code to enter the constructing and a pin to your room. In case you have an issue you’ll be able to e-mail them however all the things appeared very well organised and I had no issues.
Our room at room2 was spacious and fashionable and cozy. It had a surprisingly huge lavatory and I beloved the little touches that made this a ‘hometel’. The welcome be aware was hand-written, there have been balloons for George and the data sheets had that bit further corresponding to native restaurant and bar suggestions and a map for native facilities like supermarkets and there was a reduction voucher for the eating places throughout the street.
There have been enjoyable quotes and postcards round and sufficient to make it really feel homey with out feeling cluttered.
An additional single mattress was positioned in our room for George and my mattress was tremendous comfortable.
The resort is lower than 10 minutes from Hammersmith tube station, which is good as a result of Hammersmith is on the Piccadilly Line, the Circle Line, Hammersmith & Metropolis Line and the District Line so it’s simple to get round London from right here.
room2 Hammersmith is in a residential space so was quiet however not quiet you’d really feel unsafe!
What to pack when visiting London with kids
My predominant tip is to examine the climate and, if crucial, make sure you pack clothes you’ll be able to put on within the rain. You’ll spend lots of time outside travelling from place to put and it virtually all the time rains. There are lots of indoor actions in London however you’ll get moist travelling between them so be sure to’re ready.
On that be aware, be sure to have an Uber account arrange so you’ll be able to rapidly order an Uber in the event you get caught within the rain or your infant will get actually drained.
Pack as gentle as you probably can, particularly in the event you’ll be taking public transport to and out of your lodging. In case you’re unfamiliar with the tube it may be a little bit aggravating, particularly at rush hour. Add a younger little one into the combination and it’s worse. Add a heavy suitcase into issues and also you’ve bought a journey from hell! I travelled with a backpack so I had each fingers free and will simply negotiate steps.
All of those child-friendly actions are casual so your children will be capable to put on comfortable trainers, denims and jumpers so simply pack no matter you’d usually put on at house.
Don’t overlook that regardless of the place you’re staying you gained’t be removed from comfort outlets so that you’ll be capable to decide up all the things you want once you arrive.
Journey Hack Tip
In case you’re going to be taking the practice into London along with your children, don’t overlook to examine costs for a household practice ticket. Kids below 5 journey without spending a dime so I didn’t want to purchase a ticket for George however I discovered it was cheaper to purchase a return household ticket then it was to purchase an grownup single. With an grownup single I used to be restricted to off-peak instances (which wouldn’t have labored for us) however the household ticket didn’t have any time restrictions!
Huge because of Room2 for offering one evening of complimentary lodging and to Peter Rabbit Dwell for the theatre tickets.
Learn extra
The East London Lodge evaluate – One other nice and price range pleasant resort
Harry Potter in London: Unmissable sights and scenes
London’s finest eating places with a view
clueQuest escape room – nice for older children!
How you can plan an ideal weekend in London
Being pregnant journey suggestions: travelling round London with a bump!
10 truths in regards to the London underground and easy methods to survive the tube