A family city guide to London

History feels very much alive in the art, architecture and crackling atmosphere of the UK’s capital. From the Tower of London and contemporary Sky Garden to tales of the Houses of Parliament’s Gunpowder Plot and Harry Potter filming locations — there are enough famous, infamous and fantastical attractions in London to keep kids entertained for weeks. And many of the city’s most celebrated names can be explored through a raft of innovative tours and experiences aimed squarely at families.

Home to countless galleries and world-class cultural institutions — many free — it’s also a place where edutainment can be easily woven into a day of sight-seeing. But if you’ve got kids in tow, the tric­­k is to pace yourself. Pick key attractions that appeal to your family’s individual interests, because this sprawling city is too big to cover a lot of ground in one trip.

What to do in London with kids

Toddlers: At the London Transport Museum in central London, toddlers can captain their own ferry, The Thames’ Nipper in its All Aboard section for small kids. And its location in Covent Garden — populated by troupes of talented street performers, such as acrobats and magicians — is an entertaining spot for a stroll. Don’t miss The Moomin Shop in Covent Garden and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych hotel. On the eastern edge of central London in Bethnal Green, a £13m refurbishment transformed the V&A Museum of Childhood into the Young V&A in 2023, home to an archive of kid’s toys spanning centuries, plus new displays, many interactive, and free to enjoy. Or head west, and ride the river ferry from central London to Kew Gardens for its treetop walk and huge children’s gardens.

Children under 10: Egyptian mummies, the Rosetta Stone and treasures from the Sutton Hoo Saxon burial ship will all thrill young historians at the British Museum. A 15-minute walk away, The British Library hosts literary events and exhibitions that are brilliantly family friendly and often free. Across the city, Science Museum is popular for its interactive space and airplane displays, and free interactive play area for kids three to seven. Families could also head to the river for expertly told tales of London’s more revolting past with Horrible Histories’ Terrible Thames cruise. Finishing at Tower Bridge Quay, tours leave you in the perfect spot to explore The Tower of London's Crown Jewels, Bloody Tower, Beefeaters and all.

Tweens and teenagers: On the Southbank, London Dungeon is a perennial crowd pleaser, with a gory interactive tour invoking sinister characters from the capital’s past, such as Jack the Ripper. Or, hop on the London Eye for a bird’s-eye view of Big Ben and Westminster before wandering Southbank checking out the graffiti and skaters at South Bank Skate Space. Follow the river east and you’ll arrive at the Tate Modern — a cavernous modern art gallery inside a former power station with a blockbuster permanent collection including works by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and Anish Kapoor. It’s close to the ‘wobbly’ Millennium Bridge, which you can cross to reach St Paul’s Cathedral. Done the Crown Jewels? In vaults next to the Tower of London, The Gunpowder Plot is a standout among London’s many immersive theatre experiences, featuring real and VR action led by Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, as Guy Fawkes. 

Where to eat in London with kids

Toddlers: In central London, take a break from the buzz with good-value kids’ portions of hand-made pasta dishes at Pastaio Carnaby, near Oxford Circus. Covent Garden’s Milk Train has seasonal ice cream flavours, many in Crayola colours, with candyfloss-wrapped cones and booth seating with subtle railway carriage decor. Or try Borough Market, close to the now-iconic splintering tower of the Shard, for relaxed street food stalls that parents can hop between to cater for all manner of fussy eaters.

Children under 10: Close to Harry Potter’s Platform 9¾ and fan shop inside King’s Cross station, The Lighterman is a three-storey glass box-style modernist pub with terraces overlooking the canal. Its good-value kids’ menu of British classics — including a tasty sausage and mash — comes printed with puzzles to entertain. Or try bowling with burgers and shakes at American diner-style All Star Lanes, which has four locations in London including Holborn near Oxford Street. For something interactive, take the kids to cook their own Japanese barbecue followed by fruit gyoza with ice cream, at Kintan, on Oxford Street.

Tweens and teenagers: Eat around the world at Camden Food Market with Thai noodles, boba tea, fried chicken, burritos and so much more. Camden Market’s teen-tempting stalls are next door, along with Europe’s first liquid nitrogen ice cream outlet, Chin Chin Labs, and Dr Martins’ flagship store. In Notting Hill, The Electric Diner is a hip spot for French-American fare, with its adjacent squashy armchair-populated cinema. It’s also right next to Portobello Market, open Friday to Sunday — one of London’s best spots for vintage and indie shopping. Any branch of Dishoom, with its accessible, contemporary Indian fare and vintage Bombay style decor will appeal to teens — just avoid peak lunch and dinner times, or be prepared to queue for a table.

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Where to stay in London with kids

Toddlers: Near leafy Hyde Park, Ampersand offers a luxe stay for families with young kids. Cots and extra beds can be added in standard rooms, while the plush suites come with kitchenettes. Child-size bathrobes, slippers, children’s toiletries and activity packs are also available on request. Or try an apartment stay in an Edwardian Townhouse at The Resident in Kensington. The larger rooms sleep up to four and include mini kitchens with a pantry and fridge, which can be pre-stocked if you order 24 hours before your stay.

Children under 10: Aloft London Excel has Thames views, a swimming pool and affordable family rooms sleeping up to eight. There’s also a welcome programme for children ages two to 12 that includes snacks and a sticker map. Set in the Royal Docks near City Airport, it’s a 30-minute ride into the city centre on the new Elizabeth Line or a short hop to the IFS Cloud Cable Car for rides 300ft above the river. Alternatively, you could try the Staycity Aparthotel in Greenwich, which has useful amenities such as a laundry room and cafe, plus there’s a discount for stays longer than seven nights.

Tweens and teenagers: Shoreditch offers oodles of cool budget boutique stays, from ZHotel and CitizenM to Mama Shelter and Point A Hotel — all with good nightlife options on the doorstep for older kids. The Hoxton is a stand-out — set in a former telephone exchange. There’s a hangout lobby and all-day American grill and its myriad room types range from affordable ‘shoe box’ to family-sized ‘biggy’.

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