London
Things to do in London with kids, and the hotels closest to each
A blue whale suspended from the ceiling, a pirate ship in the park and a train ride to Hogwarts. London is one of the easiest big cities for a family trip, provided your hotel sits where the day is spent.
The queue on Exhibition Road moves faster than the one on Cromwell Road, and every parent who has done the Natural History Museum twice knows it. Inside, Hope the blue whale dives from the ceiling of Hintze Hall, and even the teenagers look up.
London is kind to families. The national museums are free, under-11s ride the Tube at no charge with a paying adult, and every district seems to have a park for burning off energy. The real cost is the hotel, so we have grouped the city's best family days by area, with somewhere to stay in each.
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In short
The best things to do in London with kids are the free South Kensington museums, the pirate ship in Kensington Gardens, the London Eye and the Tower of London. Base yourself in one area per day. Four nights covers the essentials, plus one more for the Harry Potter studio.
Our first choice: The Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington. The Natural History Museum and Science Museum are five minutes' walk away, and the Tube station has direct trains to Piccadilly Circus.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Ampersand Hotel (Paid link)
South Kensington: three museums, one street
Natural History Museum and Science Museum
Dinosaurs, an earthquake room that actually shakes and the whale in the entrance hall make the Natural History Museum the obvious first stop. Next door, the Science Museum's Wonderlab gallery lets children run their own experiments. Wonderlab is ticketed, while the rest of both museums is free.
Arrive before opening in school holidays. The V&A is a few doors along if anyone still has energy after lunch.
Where to stay: The Ampersand Hotel
Botanical drawings and old maps line the corridors at The Ampersand, a wink to the museums around the corner. The hotel has family rooms, and the walk from breakfast to the dinosaurs takes about five minutes on small legs.
The smallest room categories feel tight for four, so book a family room or two interconnecting rooms instead.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Ampersand Hotel (Paid link)
The Ampersand, South Kensington
Bold colours in the lounge, five minutes from the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens: pirates and pedalos
Diana Memorial Playground
A full-sized wooden pirate ship sits in a sandy beach in Kensington Gardens, ringed by teepees and sensory gardens. It is designed for children up to twelve, and adults can only enter with a child. Entry is free, though queues build during school holidays.
Walk on to the Serpentine for pedalo hire in summer. The Peter Pan statue stands by the water on the western side of the lake.
Where to stay: Royal Lancaster London
The Royal Lancaster faces Kensington Gardens across the road, with Lancaster Gate station at the door. Upper floors look over the treetops, and the pirate ship is a fifteen-minute stroll away.
It is a large hotel with plenty of room types, including family rooms. A practical choice if you are flying into Heathrow, since the Elizabeth line at Paddington is close by.
Book your stay: See rooms at Royal Lancaster London (Paid link)
South Bank: a big wheel, sharks and street performers
London Eye and Sea Life
A turn on the London Eye takes about half an hour, and from the top you look down on Big Ben. Sea Life London is next door in the old County Hall building, where sharks glide through a glass tunnel beneath your feet.
Buy timed tickets online for both. In the afternoon, the riverside walk is lined with buskers and performers, which costs nothing to enjoy.
Where to stay: Sea Containers London
Sea Containers sits on the Thames in a former shipping company's offices, and its lobby is shaped like a copper hull. The London Eye is a fifteen-minute walk along the river.
River rooms look across to St Paul's. Better suited to families with older children who enjoy walking than to those needing extra beds.
Book your stay: See rooms at Sea Containers London (Paid link)
The view from Cheval Three Quays
From the apartments you look across the Thames to The Shard. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
The Tower and Tower Bridge: jewels and ravens
Tower of London
The fortress has the Crown Jewels, life-sized suits of armour and the ravens who, legend says, must stay or the kingdom will fall. Tours led by the Yeoman Warders are included in the ticket and hold the attention of most children from about six.
Afterwards, cross Tower Bridge. Its high walkways have a glass floor 42 metres above the river, and that is where most children stop.
Where to stay: Cheval Three Quays at The Tower of London
These are serviced apartments with kitchens and sitting rooms, right on the river and looking out at Tower Bridge. A washing machine and space to eat in make four nights with children far more manageable.
There is no restaurant on site, but shops and cafés surround St Katharine Docks a few minutes away.
Book your stay: See rooms at Cheval Three Quays at The Tower of London (Paid link)
Harry Potter: studio, platform and train
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
The studio where the films were made is in Leavesden, northwest of the city. Take the train from Euston to Watford Junction, about 20 minutes, then the studio shuttle. You walk through the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and onto the Hogwarts Express. Tickets are timed and sell out in the holidays.
Back in town, Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross has a luggage trolley disappearing into the wall.
Where to stay: Pullman London St Pancras
The Pullman sits between Euston and King's Cross, so the morning of the studio trip starts close to the train. Family rooms are available, and St Pancras station with its shops is a block away.
The area is busy and short on green space. It works best as a base for rail days, including Cambridge or Paris.
Book your stay: See rooms at Pullman London St Pancras (Paid link)
Tips before you go
The Tube: Children under 11 travel free with a paying adult. Tap in with a contactless card and daily fare caps apply automatically.
Pacing: Plan one big sight in the morning and a park after lunch. It is the distances that tire children, not the sights.
Greenwich: Take an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers downriver. The trip is half the fun, and the Cutty Sark and the Prime Meridian wait at the other end.
Tickets: The London Eye, Sea Life, the Tower and the studio tour are cheaper and quicker when booked online.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to do in London with kids?
The best things to do in London with kids are the Natural History Museum, the pirate ship playground in Kensington Gardens, the London Eye and the Tower of London. The museums are free. For Harry Potter fans, the Warner Bros. studio tour is the highlight and needs booking well ahead.
Where should families stay in London?
South Kensington is the best area for families in London, with three free museums and Hyde Park within walking distance. The South Bank suits the London Eye and the aquarium. If you want a kitchen and more space, an apartment hotel near Tower Bridge is a good alternative.
Are London museums free for children?
Yes, London's national museums are free for everyone, including adults. That covers the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the British Museum and the V&A. Some exhibitions and activity spaces, such as Wonderlab, charge. Booking a free timed ticket online helps in the holidays.
How many days do you need in London with kids?
Four nights is enough for the main things to do in London with kids without overlong days. That covers the museums, a park day, the South Bank and the Tower of London. Add a day for the Harry Potter studio.
How do you get to the Harry Potter studio from London?
Take the train from Euston to Watford Junction, about 20 minutes, then the studio's own shuttle bus. Studio tickets must be bought in advance for a fixed time. Coach packages from central London that include entry are also available.