Visiting London with the kids this year? From museums to theatre shows, there are plenty of things to see and do as a family in the capital. Best of all, many of London’s attractions are totally free, so you won’t need to splash the cash to plan an unforgettable day out.
Some of the best places to visit in London with the little ones include:
Read on as we take you through our complete guide to visiting London with the kids. If your looking for hotels situated more in the city centre then take a look at some of our hotels near the London Eye.
Opening times: General opening times are 10:00-16:00 Monday to Friday, and 10:00 to 17:00 Saturday and Sunday.
Witness all the wonders of the underwater world at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium. Come and see all kinds of fascinating creatures, such as penguins, jellyfish and crocodiles. Walk underneath the wonderful glass Ocean Tunnel or check out the UK’s largest living coral reef and learn about life under the sea. The Aquarium offers a great day out for kids and adults alike.
You can find out about ticket prices and book your tickets here.
Opening times: 10:00 to 15:00 daily.
See all your favourite celebrities in spectacular wax form at Madame Tussauds London. Madame Tussauds is located in the City of Westminster and is easily accessible by Tube.
From Taylor Swift to Tinkerbell, Darth Vader to Brad Pitt, there are all kinds of intricately sculpted figures to discover. You can also enjoy exciting interactive activities, such as the Star Wars Experience and the Spirit of London Ride. And if you get peckish during your visit, you can pick up food at one of the museum’s grab-and-go kiosks.
You can find out about ticket prices and book your tickets here.
Is your little one a huge fan of the Harry Potter films? Treat them to a tour of the Warner Bros. studios. The Making of Harry Potter tour offers the chance to learn all about the special effects used in the films and step onto iconic sets such as the Great Hall and Diagon Alley. You can also view a collection of props and costumes, including Quidditch kits and Yule Ball costumes.
You can find out about ticket prices and book your tickets here. Find out about opening times and tour schedules here.
Opening times: General opening times are 10:00 to 15:00 Tuesday to Friday, and 10:00 to 16:00 Saturday, Sunday and Mondays.
Shrek’s Adventure! London is an indoor walk-and-ride attraction located on London’s South Bank, close to the London Eye and SEA LIFE London. Here, you can meet favourite Shrek characters and enjoy a mirror maze and a DreamWorks Game Show, among other fantastic surprises.
Hop on the Flying Magic Bus ride or step inside the Poison Apple Pub. Shrek’s Adventure! London guarantees lots of fun for all the family.
You can find out about ticket prices and book your tickets here.
Opening times: 10:00 to 17:50 daily (last entry is 17:30).
Learn more about planet Earth at the National History Museum. Located in South Kensington, this magnificent museum is packed with unmissable exhibitions and galleries. Some of the museum’s family-favourite areas include the Dinosaurs gallery, the Mammals gallery, and the Volcanoes and Earthquakes gallery. There’s also a gift shop to buy souvenirs at the end of your visit.
The National History Museum is free to visit, although it is recommended to book a ticket for guaranteed entry. Some exhibitions may require a fee and a pre-booked ticket.
Opening times: 10:00 to 17:00 daily (Fridays 20:30). You can find full opening times here.
The British Museum promises a memorable experience for children of all ages. There’s plenty to discover here, from an Egyptian Mummies exhibition to an Ancient Greeks exhibition. There are several activities for little ones to get involved in, such as a Museum Mission and a Museum explorer trail.
The British Museum is free to visit, although some special exhibitions may require a fee. It is recommended to book a ticket for guaranteed entry into the museum.
London is one of the best places to enjoy a mesmerising theatre performance. Book tickets to see The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre and watch the award-winning Disney film brought to life. Directed by Julie Taymor, The Lion King follows the journey of a young lion cub as he becomes king of the Pridelands.
Expect an incredible cast of actors and puppets, as well as much-loved songs from the film, including ‘I Just Can’t Wait to Be King’ and ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’.
You can find out about ticket prices and book your tickets here.
For something extra-special this year, head to Cambridge Theatre to watch Matilda The Musical. If your kids love Roald Dahl’s classic novel, they’ll certainly love this spectacular theatre production. Featuring music from award-winning comedian and musician Tim Minchin, Matilda The Musical tells the story of an extraordinarily intelligent little girl with a big imagination. It’s a theatre show not to be missed.
Find out about ticket prices and book your tickets here.
Looking for hotels in London? With their central locations and brilliant facilities, our Leonardo London Royal Hotels offer the perfect home away from home during a trip to the capital. Our Tower Bridge Hotel, London City Hotel and St Paul’s Hotelall boast spacious rooms and fantastic restaurants with extensive kids’ menus. If you need somewhere to put your feet up after a busy day, look no further than our London hotels.
