London, the vibrant capital of England, offers a plethora of cultural and contemporary experiences for families to cherish. To make the most of your London journey, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the city's layout and efficient transportation system:
Discovering London's Layout
1. Understanding the Boroughs:
City of London: Main financial district, Tower of London, Tower Bridge
The West End (Theaterland): Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Soho, Covent Garden
East of Hyde Park: Oxford Street, Madame Tussaud's, Mayfair, Regent's Park
South of Hyde Park: Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Kensington, South Kensington
Westminster: Big Ben, 10 Downing Street, Buckingham Palace
2. Mastering London Transport:
London Buses: Cashless system; use a credit card or Oyster card. 700+ routes and 8000+ buses ensure minimal waiting time.
London Tube: Fastest way to explore; each traveler should have a contactless payment card (US credit card work great). Plan your routes using saved Google or Apple Maps as there is no internet underground
Pro Tip: Swipe your payment card at tube stations for seamless travel. After three trips, additional rides are free.
Top Family-Friendly Attractions
Many of these attractions below can be seen aboard a double decker bus. You can choose between 24 hour - 48 hour option tickets and design your own personal itinerary. There are many tour operators, but Big Bus is by far the biggest player. Some of tickets include river cruise tickets as well.
1. Trafalgar Square:
Marvel at grand fountains reminiscent of Rome and snap a photo at Nelson Tower.
2. London Eye:
Experience breathtaking city views from the iconic London Eye. Buy standard tickets (rotations last 30 minutes) or a Fast Track Ticket which includes admission to the London Eye 4D Experience!
Alternatively, take the London Eye River Cruise where you can see several attractions aboard a Thames River cruise in just 40 minutes!
3. Tower of London:
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site, admire Crown Jewels, and delve into its intriguing history. If you are looking for a deeper dive, visit the tower with an expert local guide!
4. The Shard:
Ascend Europe's tallest skyscraper for panoramic city views. You need to buy tickets to Shard's viewing gallery. This combo ticket includes a Westminster walking tour with an entrance ticket in a single booking.
5. Piccadilly Circus:
Explore the buzzing hub; shop, dine on international cuisines, and visit Whole Foods to buy some interesting food brands.
6. South Bank of the Thames:
Enjoy a leisurely walk with picturesque views of London landmarks such as The London Eye, London bridges, House of Parliament, Tower of London, Globe Theater, etc. Consider a boat trip or explore Gabriel's Wharf for boutique shopping!
The London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River is a popular thing to do!
OR you can combine the River Sightseeing Cruise with Afternoon Tea - So British :)
OR if you are an adventure thrill seeker, get on a speed boat, honey!
Magical Adventures
1. Harry Potter Magic:
Visit King's Cross Station's Platform 9¾ for a little Harry Potter experience. Looking for an adventure, instead? Embark on the Warner Bros Studio Tour. Explore Harry Potter-themed attractions across London. You can also go on an Original Harry Potter Location Tour which takes you through Trafalgar Square, Coven Garden and filming sights.
2. West End Theatres:
Book theatre tickets online for world-class plays. Advance reservations are recommended. If you are visiting in summer, check HERE for discounted shows.
After the show, savor Iranian-Bombay cuisine at Dishoom Carnaby. Experience Shakespeare's timeless plays at the Globe Theatre.
Find your tickets at TicketMaster UK.
Serene Escapes
1. Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park:
Enjoy a relaxing stroll; visit the café near the palace. Explore Italian Gardens and Diana's former residence. If you are interested in flowers, plants and gardens, you should consider a ''lifetime access" self-guided audio tour of London's Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
If you do not want to walk but bike instead, you could join the London Royal Parks Bike Tour that includes several parks as well as cruising by the House of Parliament, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace!
Plan to spend time boating in Hyde Park!
2. Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard:
Witness the iconic ceremony; exercise caution due to crowds, especially with little ones. The Royal Westminster and Changing of the Guard Tour is a great option to watch the parade, hear royal anecdotes and capture the best photos!
3. Covent Garden and Neal's Yard:
Explore street performers, boutiques, and restaurants. Beauty enthusiasts can find "The Ordinary" products. Make reservations at The Barbary for intimate dining; expect bar-like seating.
Cultural Delights
1. Museums in London:
Explore Tate Modern, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and Natural History Museum. Enjoy free entry and interactive exhibits for families. If you want to skip longer lines and focus on museum highlights, you could sign up for a guided tour.
2. Knightsbridge Luxury:
Indulge in luxury shopping at Harrods; stroll Sloane Street and admire high-end cars. Dine at the Prada Pop-Up and relish Lebanese cuisine at Beirut. Experience Egyptian flavors at Al Basha.
London's Unique Offerings
1. Classic Afternoon Tea:
Indulge in the British tradition at elegant tearooms like The Ritz or Claridge's.
Royal Afternoon Tea at the Kensington Palace is definitely a popular tourist activity!
2. Camden Market:
Explore the vibrant area known for alternative fashion, street food, and live music venues. Boating too!
3. Royal Observatory in Greenwich:
Visit the Prime Meridian line and straddle two hemispheres at the Royal Observatory. Buy your tickets here.
4. Soho Nightlife:
Explore Soho after sunset, but consider Fatt Pundit for Indian-Chinese cuisine and Flat White for exceptional coffee. Not the best family outing at night but great for young couples - Full of life!
If you are looking for interesting British pubs, sign up for the Soho Music and Historic Pubs Tour! Find out which famous musicians, artists, playwrights and actors have visited the pubs and discover interesting stories!
5. Oxford Street Shopping:
Shop 'til you drop at Oxford Street, home to high-street and designer stores.
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