Child-friendly London

Top attractions and easy locations for families travelling in the UK capital

London is a choice attraction for most tourists. With its combination of history, excellent museums and galleries, ever-changing culture and festivals, as well as big exhibits and parks, a visit there can be a whirlwind of attractions and quick stops.

With kids, this kind of city travelling can be even more testing. Yet London is a good choice for families looking to distract the parents and the youngsters alike.

Making a choice about where you stay is crucial. We recommend placing yourself in close proximity to the major museums and galleries in South Kensington, by selecting a hotel or B&B near Hyde Park.

You can choose from a selection of Knightsbridge and Kensington hotels with Millennium Hotels group, European hoteliers who specialize in 4 star quality hotels for shorter breaks in some of the UK and Europe’s most visited cities. These hoteliers will often offer special deals for kids and discounts for longer stays – with anything over 3 days incurring a reduced rate.

When it comes to entertaining the kids this year, don’t hesitate to delve into the day-long catalogue of interactive features and exhibits at the Natural History Museum (pictured). It’s long been a favourite with families because it combines a really exciting hands-on delivery with ageless facts and fascination. Who isn’t captured by 40-foot whales – and a free entry?

For an evening pursuit, this year it seems the biggest new hit on the West End is the RSC’s musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda. With high praise from critics and kids alike, it is worth booking ahead.

In fact, we’d advise booking for it as you book your flights and hotel. There’s best availability mid-week so if you’re booking for a family of four, look for Tuesday to Thursday seats. What is more, this might fit quite nicely with a reduced 4-night stay at one of SW1 or SW7’s hotels, perhaps Sunday to Wednesday.