Packed full of child-friendly attractions, London is the perfect place to enjoy a fun family holiday. To help ensure you’re able to make the most of your stay in the English capital, it’s a good idea to choose accommodation in a central location. For example, if you stay at The Landmark London on Marylebone Road, you’ll find you are ideally situated to enjoy a host of visitor attractions.
To help you plan great days out for your children in the city, take a look at these visitor favourites.
London Zoo
Kids are fascinated by animals, and so your youngsters are not likely to get bored at London Zoo. Located in Regents Park, this attraction is home to more than 760 different species of animal, including penguins, gorillas, Sumatran tigers, sloths, giraffes, zebras and pygmy hippos.
If you really want to treat your little ones to a day they won’t forget, book them a special ‘Meet the Animals’ experience. These sessions allow you and your family to meet an animal under the guidance of one of the zoo’s expert keepers. You’ll get to learn about how the creatures are cared for and find out about the important conservation work that the zoo is engaged in around the world.
Sea Life London Aquarium
Sticking to the animal theme, the Sea Life London Aquarium is another attraction not to miss when you’re in the city with your tots. Situated on the South Bank, it contains a vast array of aquatic creatures, including sharks, piranhas, stingrays and sea scorpions.
If your youngsters are feeling brave, they can experience the delights of Shark Walk. Here, they can take a stroll over a glass platform with sharks swimming just below their feet. Another standout feature at the aquarium is a tunnel that has been crafted from a 25-metre whale skeleton.
London Eye
Right next to the aquarium you’ll find the impressive London Eye. At 394 feet tall, this structure is not for those who fear heights, but if your kids love an aerial view, it’s well worth stepping into one of the 32 pods and taking a spin. You’ll get to check out some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Palace of Westminster and St Paul’s Cathedral. If you’re lucky and the weather’s clear, you can also see Windsor Castle 25 miles away.
The circuits take 30 minutes to complete and they’re ideal if you have some time to spare.
Science Museum
Children have a tendency to roll their eyes at the mention of the word ‘museum’, but the Science Museum in South Kensington could change their minds. It features seven floors of fascinating exhibits that are bound to fire kids’ imaginations. For example, while at the attraction, youngsters can see the Apollo 10 command module and experience the thrills and spills of a flight simulator. There is also a Launch Pad hands-on gallery where children can explore basic scientific principles.
This summer, the museum is hosting The Energy Show too. Described as “explosive family theatre for curious minds”, it features fireballs, exploding balloons, rockets and much more besides.
V&A Museum of Childhood
Another great option is the V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. This is home to one of the world’s most impressive collections of children’s toys, games and costumes. There are also plenty of interactive exhibits on offer to keep young minds engaged.
In addition, the museum runs a series of daily arts, crafts and storytelling sessions, as well as tours. For example, in ‘Art Smarts’, children can make their very own piece of art to take home. The best thing is, all of these activities are free and they are suitable for kids aged three to 12, unless otherwise specified.