London with Kids…Rain or Shine!

By: Bridgette Shima, Travel Mamas Guest Blogger
July 15th, 2010

London is a child-friendly, historical city with plenty to discover both indoors and out. As an American expat living in London, I’ll share with you some of my favorite spots as well as a few key points for visiting England’s capital.

London’s Tate Modern Art Museum 

Budding artists will be inspired!
London is home to some of the most amazing art museums in the world. On the top of my list is the popular Tate Modern, located on the Southbank. It houses beautiful pieces of art, impressive sculptures and media, and it is located in one of the most prime areas of London, making it a convenient stop before or after a stroll along the Thames River. Kids enjoy visiting the museum’s open spaces and its Family Zone, suitable for kids aged five and older. In front of the building is a huge lawn on which you can have a picnic on a, sunny day. If it’s raining, there is a café and a restaurant inside the museum that offers a complimentary kid’s meal with a paying adult. What a treat! 

Sunday Roast at The Paradise Pub

Pubs are family-friendly!
Wherever you go in London rest assured that there’s a pub within walking distance and nearly all pubs welcome children of all ages. Pubs are used to catering to families since pub life is a huge part of London culture. While not all pubs have changing tables, most tend to have highchairs. Occasionally they’ll have a kid-friendly menu too. 

Ciao Baby Cucina’s Mummy Mornings

Shopping is easy and fun!
London is filled with an array of shops, from high-end boutiques to stores like H&M and Harrod’s all located within Central and Greater London. Take a walk along Regent Street and visit the famous Hamley’s toy store, a seven-floor megastore that retails toys for kids of all ages and features a café.

If you’re looking for a one-stop shopping experience, then I highly suggest a trip to Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherd’s Bush. Inside you’ll find a cinema, food court, numerous cafes, restaurants, and stores selling anything from clothing to housewares and of course all things for kids! Check out the centre’s three family rooms where you can change diapers, nurse in a private room, and warm up food using their microwave. There’s even a miniature play area on the ground floor!  If you’re there on a Monday, why not see if Ciao Baby Cucina is hosting their Mummy Mornings coffee club?

Marylebone Station

Public Transportation is plentiful!
All buses have a designated area for you to park your stroller and most cars on the train have them too. Children under age five travel for free when riding with a valid adult ticket holder. Travelling by tube is quick and convenient but bear in mind that not all stations have elevators or escalators. Most of the major stations now have restrooms and baby changing facilities but remember to always carry change for entry. You may check the Transport for London website for further information on fares, directions, maps and other transport news.  

Hyde Park

Beautiful green spaces abound!
Be sure to visit the children’s playground at Hyde Park. It is especially stunning at Christmastime when they host Winter Wonderland, which consists of an outdoor German market, rides such as a huge Ferris wheel and a haunted fun house, food stalls, and vendors selling a variety of gift options. Be sure to try a cup of mulled cider – an English winter season tradition! 

My other favorite parks in or near Central London include: Regent’s Park (which offers the London Zoo and a puppet theatre), Coram’s Fields (in Bloomsbury with its pet’s corner, picnic area, and more), St. James’s Park (with a delightful playground), and Battersea Park (for its children’s zoo and adventure playground).

Bridgette Shima lives in Southwest London with her husband and one-year-old son. She is a stay-at-home mom who writes about where to go with kids in Greater London as well as her personal experience as a new mom, an American expat, and a traveller on her blog Eat. Drink. Potty. Play.

What is your favorite family-friendly London attraction or activity? Leave a comment below!

 

You might also like:

• Paris with Kids – C’est Magnifique!

• The Best & Worst of Barcelona with Kids

• The Travel Mama’s Top 3 Hidden Gem Destinations

• Top 5 Tips for Traveling Through Ireland with Kids

Tags: Hyde Park, London, pubs, shopping, Tate Modern

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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 15th, 2010 at 4:26 pm and is filed under Family Vacations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.