Now, I can understand your eyebrow raising at my suggestion to take the kids to a densely populated capital city with expensive tourist attractions, busy public transport system and the worst traffic of any UK city. You could also be forgiven for questioning why anyone would want to take a family trip to a city where you can never guarantee the weather.
However, London is actually a great place to take kids; it has countless family-friendly restaurants, loads of child-orientated activities, and even the odd free event for your little ones. Once you’ve mastered the capital’s public transport system, it is actually very easy to get around. Plus, kids under five can travel totally free!
Here are some days out I know all the family will enjoy, along with some top tips for coping with kids in the UK’s buzzing capital, and most importantly, keeping them safe.
Step back through time
London has one of the densest collections of mind broadening museums and galleries, however, a sure-fire option to keep curious minds occupied is the Natural History Museum. With dinosaurs, wildlife and even a 1000 square-meter ice rink come winter, it’s a great day out for all the family. I wonder if you could get any little kids believing the exhibitions come alive at night.
See some heroes
Fancy standing shoulder to shoulder with the Queen? How about an A-list celebrity or one of the Marvel superheroes? Madame Tussauds have a waxwork to please every member of the family, and if anyone has a teenage daughter screwing up her face at the idea, the new One Direction waxworks are sure to change her mind.
Spot of tea
Fairy cakes, little sandwiches, jam and scones – what kid, or big kid for that matter, wouldn’t enjoy that? There are countless hotels and bakeries that offer up a very British afternoon tea option, all ranging in price. A must when in England’s historical capital.
Holiday in style, and comfort
A key element to any family holiday is accommodation. Kids can become bored in cramped hotel rooms, especially if there is no TV, and central hotels can be extremely pricey for a family room. If you’d rather have your own space at a cheaper price, why not consider these short stay apartments in London, where your little ones can make loads of mess, and no one will know!
There is simply so much on offer in London, I could go on for hours, but those are my top recommendations. One last thing however is making sure the kids have a safe, and enjoyable trip. A good option for any parent is to create a little pack for them, including any accommodation details, your phone number and a little bit cash should they get separated from you or lost. This simply means they can easily phone you should you lose sight of one another. I’m sure it won’t happen but better to be safe than sorry. ]
Now go and enjoy ....
