11 Things to Do in London – My London Family Bucket List

20th March 2018

We love visiting London as a family. There is so much to do and see there, and we always have a brilliant time. I really love going for a couple of nights, booking a cheap hotel to use as a base, and exploring places and areas we have never been before.

A Trip to London

We have been a few times with Ava over the last couple of years with our Merlin Annual Passes and enjoyed a fun couple of days away in a hotel there, which I really love doing. It’s so easy for us to get the train to London and it only takes a couple of hours, and if we book it early enough then the train doesn’t have to cost too much either. I’m really hoping we can visit again this summer – we’ve done all of the Merlin attractions there now, so I’d really love to explore some different areas as well as try out some other attractions and experiences.

So I thought I would share my bucket list of things we’d love to do in London. There’s so much to do in the big city, both for free and paid, but these are the things that I really want to do and see with my family.

london eye

KidZania

I think KidZania looks brilliant and I’m sure Ava would love it. It is designed for children aged 4-14, and blends learning and reality with entertainment. I’ve heard great things about it and it sounds like something I would have loved as a child – we always like playing at grown-ups when we’re little don’t we? Children get to choose from over 60 real-life activities and test their skills in a variety of professions, such as playing at being a doctor or a firefighter. It is an expensive day out, but I’d really like to take Ava just once.

Thames River Cruise

I think a Thames River Cruise would be a fantastic way of seeing London from a different perspective, and with all the amazing views. It would be lovely to be able to hop on and off at different piers, and see different areas of London, without the rush and stress of travelling on the tube. I think Ava would really like it too, and it would be a great family day out when the weather is a bit warmer.

Buckingham Palace and Changing the Guard

I love visiting Buckingham Palace, and I still remember seeing the Changing of the Guard when I was little. It’s such a fun thing to watch, and to me it is the epitome of British tradition and culture. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is the ceremony where the Old Guard hands over responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace to the New Guard. I really want to take Ava to see it, and then have a wander around the gardens.

Warner Brothers Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter

I have wanted to do the Warner Brothers Tour for years now, particularly now as I am a big fan of Harry Potter. I’m desperate to start reading the books with Ava, but I think she’s probably a little young yet – there are some scary bits in there!

On the tour you get to see the sets, costumes, and props and I think it would be so much fun and really magical, and I think Ava would love it once we have read the books together. Have a look at Sarah from ‘Kippers and Curtains’ review of it here.

Borough Market

We’ve been to Borough Market before, and I really love wandering around there, checking out all the amazing food, and eating as much as we can afford! It’s a great place to head to for lunch and I’m always so spoilt for choice! You can also wander round with a glass of Prosecco, whilst you lust over the wonderful breads and cured meats, which is lovely to do in the warmer months.

ten things I'm loving

Science Museum

The Science Museum is a free experience and sounds like a great place to head to on a rainy day. There are 7 floors with different interactive exhibits and lots of different events and experiences going on, including lots for kids.

Hyde Park

I’d love to spend an afternoon at Hyde Park, taking a wander around in summer or take a picnic, and then take Ava boating on the lake, or have a splash about in the Joy of Life fountain and then a play on the playground. I love all the parks in London, especially on a hot summers day when everyone seems happy and without a care in the world.

Tate Modern

I don’t think I’ve ever actually been to the Tate Modern (if I have I was really young!), but I’d really like to go and visit the free permanent collection, and then have a drink in the cafe upstairs and check out the great views.

The View from The Shard

I haven’t been up The Shard (the capital’s tallest tower) before but I really want to. The View from The Shard is set across three floors, with floor-to-ceiling windows and an open-air terrace and I’d love to see so much of London from so high up. You can apparently see as far as 40 miles away on a good day!

Go to the Theatre

I am so desperate to go and see a show in London – I have never been and would love to experience something amazing. I’m not the biggest fan of musicals (except for Moulin Rouge!) but I have been told that I would still love to see one at the Theatre, and I’m definitely open to absolutely loving it! I’d particularly love to go with my family to see The Lion King – I think it would be amazing and I so hope I get to go soon.

London Zoo

We haven’t been to a zoo in ages, and the London Zoo would be a great way to spend some time in London and would make Ava very happy. I love that the zoo now ensures animal welfare and supports conservation worldwide, as it is always something I’m thinking about whilst enjoying looking the animals. The Tiger Territory houses two critically endangered Sumatran tigers who have gone on to have some cubs too. The settings that each type of animal live in all sound brilliantly designed and it sounds like a brilliant zoo. You can also become a keeper for the day, or stay overnight next to the Lion enclosure! I’d love to do that one day! Have a look at The Willow Tree’s post for a full review of London Zoo.

Check out this post by Sam from ‘Travelling With Our Kids’ blog for a really useful 4-day itinerary for London with kids.

Are there any particular places you love in London, particularly for families? I’d love to hear about them!

This is a collaborative post.

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