Looking for a walking street map of London attractions for you and the kids on vacation? We found some great options for families.
Whether you’re touring London for a single day or have a week or two to explore, an interactive walking street map is a great way to spend your time. They allow you to walk through the city at your own pace while exploring some of the biggest London attractions. They also may point out some of the hidden secrets of London that many visitors pass by without even noticing.
The problem for many families is finding an interactive walking map of London that covers attractions of interest to kids. There are ways to make virtually any walking route interesting for kids of all ages, but you shouldn’t have to work so hard on vacation. A walking map of London designed for younger kids will make your job easier while giving your little ones an experience to remember.
So, what is the best interactive walking map of London attractions for kids? We have our favorite, and it’s the City of London Children’s Trail. There are good reasons we recommend this one for families with younger children:
- It’s part of a larger trail created by the City of London and Open City. This lends a lot of credibility so you know that it’s well designed for visitors.
- It’s free.
- The children’s route is guided by Draco the Dragon. It’s interactive and perfectly themed to grab the attention of younger kids immediately.
- There are three route options, each passing different London attractions for kids. You can complete them at your own pace, covering one or all three.
What is the City Visitor Trail?
The City Visitor Trail is a 90-minute walking route through London that covers the city’s biggest attractions plus some hidden gems. You can pick up a paper map that includes the route at the City Information Centre, or you can download an app that delivers instant access to the full trail in interactive format.
The app maps your progress through the walking street map of London, using your GPS to make sure you don’t get off track. It’s easy to follow, and the Children’s Trail is a separate map contained within the app. You can go back and do the full 90-minute trail intended for everyone if your little one is still up for a walking adventure later on.
How to Access the City Visitor Trail
The fastest way is to download the app online. There are versions for Android and iOS devices. Once inside the app, look for the Children’s Trail to meet Draco the Dragon.
If you prefer a paper map, pick up a copy once you’re in London by going here:
St Paul’s Churchyard
London
EC4M 8BX
The Best City Visitor Trail for Exploring London with Kids
Draco the Dragon is just one of the main reasons we consider the City of London Children’s Trail the best walking street map of London attractions for kids. The adorable dragon makes the perfect tour guide for young children, but the stops along the way are also well chosen for little explorers.
We also like that there are three children’s routes through the city. If you only have time for one route, you can pick the one that is most likely to entertain your family. If you want to go on several walks over the course of a longer London vacation, then you have three routes within one interactive map plus the larger city map if you’re up to a 90-minute adventure with a wider reach.
Let’s take a quick look at the three routes to give you an idea of what to expect once you download the app or pick up your paper map.
City Stories
This is the Yellow Trail within the City Visitor Trail app. The trail explores interesting stories of the city while stopping at three main points of interest:
- Paul’s Cathedral
- Guildhall Yard
- Museum of London
The route also points out several hidden secrets of London, including a garden and Roman ampitheatre.
Skyscraper Sketching
This is the Blue Trail walking street map of London within the app. It focuses on sculpture and skyscrapers in London, pointing out a church and sculpture as hidden gems within the city. The three main stopping points are:
- The Gherkin
- Leadenhall Market
- Lloyd’s of London
Towers of the Thames
This is the app’s Green Trail. It covers a couple hidden gems while stopping at three points of interest:
- Tower of London
- The Monument
- Tower Bridge
Exploring the City with the Walking Street Map of London
The City of London Children’s Trail includes three routes that are quite short. They’re perfect for young explorers who don’t have the leg strength or patience to enjoy the full 90-minute route included in the app and paper map. That doesn’t mean you can’t pull out smaller pieces of the larger route to enjoy with your kids as well.