Traveling with family is sometimes tricky. This is because your interests and those of your little ones differ a lot. For instance, you may be interested in history and culture, culinary adventures, or relaxing and enjoying the new Lottoland Casino games in your holiday, while on the other hand, your little humans may be interested in more interactive activities like exploring museums, zoos, and play areas.
Fortunately, the best places in London for family visits are endless. London hosts some of the most beautiful locations in the world ideal for both adults and kids. In fact, you might require more time to visit all your planned destinations in London.
In that case, we have put together a list of the best places in London for family visits to make it easier for you to plan an unforgettable traveling experience for the whole family. Let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
1. London Eye
Let’s begin with London’s most popular paid attraction. A ride on Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel is a thing almost all kids would love to do. And this is evident by the fact that this site receives about 3.5 million visitors yearly. This giant wheel has 32 glass pods and a capacity of 800 passengers at one time.
You will enjoy a panoramic view of this English city, spotting iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Big Pen. A full rotation will take 30 minutes, and you can also watch a 4D movie or buy souvenirs from the gift shop on-site.
Due to its popularity, you should expect a lot of people at this landmark. As such, if you buy tickets on-site, you might have to queue for more than an hour, which could make your little ones agitated. Instead, buy tickets online in advance.
2. Sealife London
If you or your kids love marine life, then the sea life aquarium is a must-attend. Sealife London is among the best places in London for family visits. It’s ideal for both adults and kids. Imagine being a glass away from a shark or the joy of spotting an octopus with its exceptional camouflaging skills.
Sealife London is home to thousands of sea creatures, including 500 species of sharks, Green Sea Turtles, clownfish, rays, Beluga whales, and Penguins.
You’ll need an hour to an hour and a half to enjoy the whole experience. Also, you must book tickets in advance. The place is usually fully packed during weekends and peak hours.
3. London Zoo
While still on the topic of animals, let’s add the London Zoo to this list. Kids love watching animals outside cartoons as they give life to their imagination.
The London Zoo is home to over 14,000 animals and offers plenty of activities for kids. They can feed the birds and penguins, watch live demonstrations of animals showing off their skills, or visit the butterfly paradise to play with colourful butterflies.
4. Shrek’s Adventure
Shrek’s Adventure is a walk-and-ride attraction by Merlin Entertainment inspired by the film Shrek. Travel to a land far, far away, and come face-to-face with characters like Donkey, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Fiona, Puss in Boots, and Shrek.
The adventure features ten shows, a breathtaking 4D virtual tour of London and DreamWorks animation, and plenty of kids’ activities like cracking codes to help Shrek return to the swamp.
Shrek’s Adventure is among the most fun, interactive, and immersive attractions for kids visiting London. It typically lasts about 75 minutes.
5. Madame Tussauds
How would your kids love seeing the Avengers, Spiderman, or their favourite footballer? This wax museum features over 400 life-like replicas of famous people, from historical icons and the royal family to superstars.
You can get close and take selfies, and you might actually fool people you met the actual star — that is, if the real star is still alive. But that’s not all; you also get to watch a Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie and a tax ride through historical tales of London.
6. Hop on and off Bus Tour
How better to see all London’s iconic landmarks up close than to take the hop-on and off bus tour? The best part of this tour is you have a 24-hour ticket, which allows you to ride around the city and get off at any site of your choice, then hop on any bus you find and resume your adventure.
This is particularly the best ride to save money on transport, yet you still get to see the best of London. The highlights of this bus tour are Buckingham Palace (Changing of Guard), St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and Tower of London, the Ritz Hotel, Big Pen, the London Eye, and London museums. You also get a Thames River sightseeing cruise to see London from the waters.
7. Warner Bros Studio
Are you and your children fans of Harry Potter? Then, a Harry Potter studio tour is a must while in London. Visit the actual set for the movie, see costumes and props, and learn about the people involved in making the film.
The tour includes visiting the Great Hall, Gryffindor standard room, potion classroom, Hogwarts Express, Knight bus, and Forbidden Forest. You can even ride the broomstick over London like the casts did via green screen technology.
8. The London Dungeon
The London Dungeon is particularly not the best place in London for family visits. However, if your kids are brave enough, take them to the London Dungeon to experience a 90-minute walkthrough of London’s gruesome history. You will hear, see, smell, and feel the whole experience.
While the London Dungeon is generally scary, many light-hearted and funny scenes exist. Jack the Ripper, Drop Dead Drop Ride, and the Tyrant Boat Ride are the highlights of the experience.
Make sure your kids can handle scary scenes before booking your ticket. This place is unsuitable if they fear loud voices or darkness. The management recommends children over eight years old visit this attraction, but even younger ones are allowed.
9. KidZania London
KidZania is a mini city built on the idea of working, earning, and having fun. Kids get to dress up and play the role of different jobs. They learn about these careers in fun ways, making them appreciate others in society.
Each child is allocated about 4 hours to explore the city, with activities taking 5 to 20 minutes. However, it’s very crowded so you’d have to spend a lot of time in queues.
10. The Hampton Court Palace
This palace has existed for close to 5 centuries. You can learn about its ancient history and fascinating architecture during your visit.
The areas you may want to explore include the Tudor kitchens, which, during King Henry VIII, used to employ over 200 cooks and make over 800 meals daily. You might also be interested in the Great Hall, the magic garden, and the famous maze. Moreover, there are many seasonal events that your kids are bound to love.
The Hampton Palace is about 14 miles from London, and you can get there by train. Alternatively, during summer, you can take a guided tour and experience a cruise on the River Thames before heading to the palace.
FAQ
Which are the best places in London for family visits?
The best places for family visits in London include the London Eye, Sealife London, Shrek’s Adventure, Madame Tussauds, Warner Bros Studio, The London Dungeon, KidZania London, and The Hampton Court Palace.
Is London ideal for family visits?
Yes! London is packed with fun, educational, amazing cultural heritage, and historic attractions ideal for both kids and adults.
Final Thought
Those are just a few of the best places in London for family visits. There are more! London is a great place to visit with or without kids. If you have more time, you can even arrange to see sites outside London like Legoland Windsor and Chessington World of Adventure. Our pro tip is to always book tickets online in advance. This will save you a lot of time and avoid disappointments.
