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WalesOur capital can be such an exciting place for children, with the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus, the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden – even just getting there on the clipper ferry is a thrill in itself! There’s so much on offer in London that caters for kids, so here’s a run down of some of my family favourites. And there are a good choice of lodges with hot tubs near London.
Majestic Buckingham Palace
Firstly, you can’t visit London without at least going to see one of the most famous houses in London. You know the one, where the Queen lives! Buckingham Palace is a majestic site and is the official London residence of Her Majesty The Queen. You can book to take a tour inside the Palace, where you can see sites such as magnificent state rooms, exhibitions in The Queen’s Gallery and even take a look at the working stables. If you don’t fancy going inside, be sure to witness the Changing of the Guard outside.
This is a sight to behold and kids and adults alike will love watching the soldiers march up and down! Make sure you make a note of the times and dates that this occurs before going. Then head over to St James’ Park which is opposite the Palace, to feed the ducks and squirrels. There’s a play park for the kids and a place to grab a coffee and have a sit down for any weary parents.
Read more about visiting Buckingham Palace here »
World Famous Toy Shop for Kids
Hamleys, the world’s oldest and largest toy shop, is another must see for children! Located on Regent Street and set over 5 floors, this spectacular toy shop is known for its magical atmosphere and exciting window displays. Where else would you find a daily parade featuring a Ringmaster, Ragdoll and Toy Soldier? The store often has numerous activities on for children during the school holidays, as well as interactive opportunities to play with certain toys throughout the store. If you make it up to the 5th floor, you will be rewarded with a cafe to grab a coffee and cake and a sit down, before making your way downstairs again.
Museums Fun for Kids in London
There are museums a plenty in London, a lot of them free to enter, so they make a great addition to a day out in London with the kids. My favourite is The British Museum. Here you can see real life Mummies up close in their Ancient Egypt exhibition! There is over 2 millions years of history at the British Museum, from the Americas, to China and Africa. It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours learning about the history of the world and exploring the exciting artefacts.
If your kids love all things trains and transport, then the London Transport Museum is going to have to be on your list of things to do. Situated in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden, this is one museum you do have to pay for. But inside the kids can discover an ‘abandoned’ tube station and see what secrets lie beneath the busy street of London in the Hidden London exhibition. From horse drawn vehicles to the first motor buses, you can unearth how the transport of London has progressed throughout the course of history, with plenty of buses and trains to see along the way!
Be sure to then spend some time in Covent Garden and watch a show from one of the street entertainers that you will see there. Grab some lunch in one of the many restaurants there and then hit the shops!
The National History Museum is another fantastic option.
Take a Treasure Hunt
A great way to see some more of the London sights for kids is with the Trafalgar Square Treasure Hunt Trail. It’s a fun way to explore Trafalgar Square and an ideal way of discovering more about the place. The trail is approximately 1.5 miles long and takes about an hour and a half to complete and one trail pack is suitable for 4-5 people. The trail can be downloaded and printed out, so you can hunt high and low on buildings and monuments for clues around London in search for that ‘treasure’. Starting outside Charing Cross station and finishing in Trafalgar Square, it is a fun way to discover more about the streets of London.
https://www.treasuretrails.co.uk/things-to-do/london/trafalgar-square