Want to see the best London attractions for families? Here are our favorites for your must-see list that require a little planning ahead because they are so popular.
London can feel never-ending because there’s so much to see. No matter how long you stay, you will leave wishing you had the time to make just one or two more stops. You may also leave wishing you had time to go back to some of the attractions you did get to visit.
To help you pack your itinerary with the most rewarding experiences, we put together a list of the best London attractions for families with kids. Use this list to explore some of your options, and then browse other pages of this website for even more ideas. The more time you have to put your itinerary together, the more adventures you will discover before even stepping foot in London.
8 Best London Attractions for Families
1. Battersea Park Children’s Zoo
Battersea Park is a small children’s zoo with animal exhibits and play areas suitable for kids of all ages. It’s the perfect place to explore nature with a blend of education and fun. It’s a great alternative to the London Zoo for young children who may not enjoy walking the grounds of a larger zoo.
2. Camley Street Natural Park
Head to King’s Cross to enjoy birds and butterflies while dipping into the pond to cool off at Camley Street Natural Park. Kids can hunt bugs while adults enjoy views of the water. It’s the perfect place to cool off and enjoy the natural views of London.
3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea
You shouldn’t visit London without enjoying a proper tea at least once. It’s a great way to get the family off their feet and fill up the little tummies with yummy treats. A bit of refreshing tea is a welcomed delight for most parents on fun-filled vacation days as well.
The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea experience is offered by One Aldwych, which is an upscale restaurant in London. The menu is filled macaroons and nutritious foods prepared by top chefs, but the names of those foods are right in line with the theme. Book your table online to ensure you enjoy one of the best culinary attractions in London.
4. Discover Children’s Story Centre
Allow your children to play their way through child-friendly story worlds that encourage imagination and creativity. The Discover Children’s Story Centre offers a garden and two storeys of magical play areas suitable for the younger members of your family.
You can select the story worlds your child will most enjoy when you book two-hour play sessions online. This is a great way to keep younger children engaged on a family vacation that is filled with educational and historical attractions.
5. Lee Valley White Water Centre
White water rafting. Hydrospeeding. Kayaking. Water wipeout. Canoeing. There’s no end to the water fun at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, which is a short drive from central London or close to the Waltham Cross and Cheshunt train stations.
This is one of the best London attractions for families with kids that offers something for kids and adults of all ages. From a gentle paddle around the lake to a thrilling rush of adrenaline on the white water rapids, children and teenagers alike will enjoy this centre.
6. Postal Museum
A museum dedicated to London’s postal service may not seem like a big hit for a family vacation, but it is when you discover some of the attractions featured at this innovative Postal Museum. For starters, you can ride through hidden underground tunnels on a miniature train. Then move on to the play area, where the littlest family members can blow off a bit of energy after that exciting train ride.
There are also exhibits that can easily grab the attention of youngsters, so the postal museum is one of the best London attractions for families with kids.
7. Rainforest Café
Enjoy a fun family meal immersed in sights and sounds of the Amazon jungle. This creative, family-friendly London restaurant is an interactive experience that offers something of interest for kids of all ages. Even adults tend to enjoy the excitement of the animals, the sounds, the aroma, and the excitement of animatronics and special effects.
You’ll find the Rainforest Café in the Piccadilly Circus area. It’s the perfect place to stop if that circle is on your itinerary.
8. Speedboat Tours
Thames Rockets offers speedboat tours of the River Thames. Board a red rocket boat and jet through the water at high speeds, feeling the splash on your face. You can buy adult and child tickets, so don’t assume that the little ones can’t get in on the action. You may just need to select a tour that is suitable for their age group.
Which family-friendly London attractions will make it to the top of your must-see list?
Perhaps some of the ideas presented here will make the list, but don’t worry if you still have open slots on your itinerary. Browse around this website for tons of London travel ideas and attraction recommendations. Our goal is to help you plan the best family trip to London possible.