It wasn’t way back that the very considered travelling to London with children was just about my concept of hell. I knew there have been a great deal of issues to do in London with children however I nonetheless considered it as an ‘adult only kind of place’.
I lived in London for 3 years and my time there revolved round bars and nightclubs and I couldn’t think about my little boys slotting into London life!
Just final 12 months and my children have been each toddlers and the considered negotiating the Underground, getting by the crowds and avoiding toddler tantrums at epic landmarks was an excessive amount of.
‘No chance,’ I believed to myself. ‘I would never put myself through that kind of torture!’
But when my eldest son turned 4, one thing miraculous occurred. He stopped being exhausting work and was an absolute pleasure to spend the day with.
He holds my hand in crowds, he goes out for dinner and sits properly by a meal, he doesn’t shout or scream when issues don’t go his manner and he’s stopped exhibiting his underpants to strangers (he has some notably fetching Paw Patrol pants he likes to indicate folks!)
Around this time (the time he stopped appearing extra like a human and fewer like a demon) I acquired an e mail asking me if I’d like media tickets to take my household to observe Peter Rabbit on the theatre. A day later I had one other e mail asking if I’d be obtainable to assessment a brand new house fashion resort in London. And the day after that I had an e mail from an previous good friend asking if I fancied catching up in London. That final e mail was the ultimate push I have to go forward and e-book a visit to London with a 4 12 months previous.
So at this time I’d prefer to let you know about my journey to London with a younger little one, a few of the enjoyable issues to do in London with children and a wonderful ‘hometel’ excellent for households. If you aren’t positive what a hometel is, don’t fear, I’ll get to that!
What is one of the best age to take a baby to London?
I feel any age from 4 is nice. George was younger sufficient to be amazed by the whole lot however not so younger something was tough. My youthful son is 2 and I left him at house for a cause! He would have been a ache and it’s additionally tougher when you should think about nap instances and the very fact toddlers get bored so rapidly.
If you’re planning to take a pushchair to London
I didn’t take a pushchair to London however I seen them for the primary time and realised it’s truly a simple metropolis to barter with a pushchair.
As lengthy as you will have a small, light-weight pushchair you’ll be wonderful.
It’s even simpler in case your little one is definitely sufficiently big to get out and stroll up any steps whilst you carry the pushchair – however somebody will normally assist you to if you happen to want it. I like to recommend the BabyZen YOYO+ for cities as a result of it folds up so small and folds away rapidly and simply. You may fold it away, throw it over your shoulder after which carry your little one up the steps too if you happen to wanted to.
If you’re on the lookout for a light-weight journey stroller, learn extra right here: What’s one of the best journey stroller?
What are one of the best issues to do in London with younger children?
Here have been a few of our favourites issues to do in London.
You’ll discover there aren’t many museums on the record and that’s as a result of George was nearly saved entertained on the Natural History Museum however was prepared to depart after an hour. I don’t assume he’s fairly sufficiently old for the others (and tbh, there are heaps extra enjoyable issues to do than have a look at stuff in glass cupboards!)
I additionally haven’t included any excursions just like the Harry Potter Warner Bros studios as a result of they’re actually costly and I don’t assume you’d be there lengthy with a youthful little one (you positively wouldn’t get your cash’s value!) I additionally haven’t included the zoo or aquarium as a result of there are zoos and aquariums everywhere in the nation, so save these for whilst you’re at house.
- Ride on public transport – a necessity however don’t overlook this shall be thrilling for youths who don’t usually take the bus or practice. Even the large escalators on the tube and the buskers within the stations have been thrilling!
- Ride the Thames Clipper
- Go to the Natural History Museum
- Ride on the London Eye
- Walk alongside The South Bank (numerous entertainers and pop-ups and also you’ll see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament)
- Visit Covent Garden (numerous road entertainers)
- Ride the Emirates Cable Car
- Possibly the Changing of the Guard – I’ve put ‘possibly’ as a result of that is enjoyable for about 4-5 minutes after which will get boring so solely do it if you happen to’re close by. It normally occurs at 11am however verify this information for instances.
- Visit the park (any park – there are such a lot of – Hyde’s Park and Regent’s Park are two of my faves)
- Dine on the Jungle Cave Restaurant (It was the Rainforest Cafe)
- Visit Piccadilly Circus and purchase them a deal with at M&M World (I do know, I do know! But children find it irresistible!)
- Visit the LEGO retailer (additionally in Piccadilly Circus – it’s the largest on the earth)
- The London Transport Museum
- Go to the theatre (if you happen to’re children are younger, do a little bit of analysis to search out one for his or her age group)
Peter Rabbit Live on the Theatre
While we have been in London we had media tickets to observe Where is Peter Rabbit?
George was the proper age for this manufacturing as he was enchanted with the characters and the music. There have been youthful kids within the viewers who didn’t sit nonetheless and older kids who have been clearly bored, so I’d say ages 4-7 are nearly proper.
A visit to the theatre was a much-needed break for us within the afternoon too and gave us a superb excuse to take a seat nonetheless for a number of hours, so I extremely suggest breaking apart day with a visit to the theatre because of this alone!
Where is Peter Rabbit? was a beautiful manufacturing that George and I each cherished. The solely draw back was that Peter Rabbit wasn’t in it a lot. As the title suggests, it’s about discovering Peter Rabbit so he doesn’t come into the present till the top (spoiler alert: they do discover him ultimately!) But for me, it was a present with out the primary character as a result of they spent the play on the lookout for him. It was a bit like watching Harry Potter with out Harry.
Where to remain in London with children?
George trying out the dishwasher!
I stayed at room2 and it rapidly grew to become one among my favorite locations to remain in London. It has precisely what I search for in a London resort and a lot greater than I didn’t even know different inns have been lacking.
I stayed at room2 in Hammersmith which is at present their solely property in London. I actually hope they open extra concerning the metropolis! room2 isn’t particularly a family-friendly resort nevertheless it was excellent for visiting London with children.
room2 is a ‘hometel’, so it’s just like an aparthotel however with a friendlier, casual and homey vibe. It’s a bit like a modern-day mattress and breakfast for millenials.
The property felt like a really, very massive city home with particular person rooms inside. The rooms all have kitchenettes with the whole lot you’d have to make a correct meal. There isn’t a reception desk or employees round so that you’re emailed a pin code to enter the constructing and a pin on your room. If you will have an issue you may e mail them however the whole lot appeared very well organised and I had no issues.
Our room at room2 was spacious and fashionable and comfortable. It had a surprisingly large rest room and I cherished the little touches that made this a ‘hometel’. The welcome word was hand-written, there have been balloons for George and the data sheets had that bit additional equivalent to native restaurant and bar suggestions and a map for native facilities like supermarkets and there was a reduction voucher for the eating places throughout the highway.
There have been enjoyable quotes and postcards round and sufficient to make it really feel homey with out feeling cluttered.
An additional single mattress was positioned in our room for George and my mattress was tremendous comfortable.
The resort is lower than 10 minutes from Hammersmith tube station, which is good as a result of Hammersmith is on the Piccadilly Line, the Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line and the District Line so it’s straightforward to get round London from right here.
room2 Hammersmith is in a residential space so was quiet however not quiet you’d really feel unsafe!
What to pack when visiting London with kids
My predominant tip is to verify the climate and, if mandatory, you’ll want to pack clothes you may put on within the rain. You’ll spend a variety of time outside travelling from place to position and it virtually at all times rains. There are a variety of indoor actions in London however you’ll get moist travelling between them so be sure you’re ready.
On that word, be sure you have an Uber account arrange so you may rapidly order an Uber if you happen to get caught within the rain or your infant will get actually drained.
Pack as gentle as you presumably can, particularly if you happen to’ll be taking public transport to and out of your lodging. If you’re unfamiliar with the tube it may be just a little traumatic, particularly at rush hour. Add a younger little one into the combo and it’s worse. Add a heavy suitcase into issues and also you’ve received a journey from hell! I travelled with a backpack so I had each arms free and will simply negotiate steps.
All of those child-friendly actions are casual so your children will be capable to put on comfortable trainers, denims and jumpers so simply pack no matter you’d usually put on at house.
Don’t overlook that irrespective of the place you’re staying you received’t be removed from comfort outlets so that you’ll be capable to choose up the whole lot you want whenever you arrive.
Travel Hack Tip
If you’re going to be taking the practice into London along with your children, don’t overlook to verify costs for a household practice ticket. Children underneath 5 journey at no cost so I didn’t want to purchase a ticket for George however I discovered it was cheaper to purchase a return household ticket then it was to purchase an grownup single. With an grownup single I used to be restricted to off-peak instances (which wouldn’t have labored for us) however the household ticket didn’t have any time restrictions!
Massive due to Room2 for offering one evening of complimentary lodging and to Peter Rabbit Live for the theatre tickets.
Read extra
The East London Hotel assessment – Another nice and funds pleasant resort
Harry Potter in London: Unmissable sights and scenes
London’s finest eating places with a view
clueQuest escape room – nice for older children!
How to plan an ideal weekend in London
Pregnancy journey suggestions: travelling round London with a bump!
10 truths concerning the London underground and the best way to survive the tube