A Family Guide for: London

10 mins read

By: Roshni Khemlani | June 4, 2025

London - the city I experienced all my formative years, and still call home till this day. This Travel Guide is extra meaningful, as it is pretty much my yearly blueprint, which I update here and there and share with so many close friends. Whether you're visiting London for the first time or returning with toddlers, teens, or grandparents, we've rounded up the best experiences for a joyful family trip - with something for everyone, including a few treats just for parents. Every heading is linked, taking you directly to the spot. Safe travels and enjoy!

Tiny Explorers (Ages 1–5)

Diana Memorial Playground, Kensington Gardens (FREE)
Inspired by Peter Pan, this dreamy playground features a pirate ship, teepees, and sensory play. Completely fenced with sand underfoot = peace of mind. Side note, like any London public space it is not the cleanest, especially if going bare-foot - come prepared with lots of wipes and maybe an extra change of clothes and socks.

Battersea Children’s Zoo (£)
A smaller, more manageable zoo perfect for toddlers. It is somewhat of a hidden gem, as it is not heavily marketed and offers up close and personal animal experiences. Spot lemurs, pigs, otters, and more, plus there is a little playground and cafe. Located within Battersea park, it is a beautiful area for a picnic - don't miss the Asian gardens.

Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour (££)
Hop on a Peppa-themed double-decker and enjoy themed treats with Peppa stories along the route. It’s every preschooler’s dream come true. Pro-tip, go hungry - they serve you a lot of food on the tour, which luckily they are able to pack in a takeaway package if you don't finish.

Willows Activity Farm (£)
Located just outside London, this farm is truly one of my favourite activities. It has tractor rides, animal feeding, a soft play, character meet-and-greets, even a real-life maze through a cornfield. Plan in advance and aim to spend at least 3-5 hours there.

Hyde Park Boat Ride (£)
Gentle pedalo rides or rowing boats available near the Serpentine. A cute activity, perfect for preschoolers and toddlers.

Paddington Bear Experience (££)
A charming, immersive experience that brings Paddington’s world to life, best suited for younger children aged 3–8, with interactive storytelling and gentle adventure throughout.

Curious Kids (Ages 5–10)

Go Ape Battersea Zip Line (££)
A thrilling adventure for slightly older kids - tree top rope courses and a zip line across the park (min height applies).

Legoland (££)
Located in Windsor, this is a place that any LEGO and non LEGO fan will enjoy.

Natural History Museum (FREE)
A dino-lovers paradise. Don’t miss the earthquake simulator and blue whale skeleton. Bonus: It’s walking distance to...

The Science Museum & IMAX (£ for IMAX only)
Hands-on galleries, interactive zones, and one of the best kid-focused IMAX experiences in the country. The Wonderlab is a must.

Hobbledown Heath (£)
Located in Hounslow, this has something for everuone. There is an adventure park and zoo across 46 acres of woodland and meadow. Four themed outdoor villages with towers to climb, underground tunnels, aerial walkways, and water play, plus one of the largest indoor play barns in London for rainy days. The animal side is genuinely impressive - capybaras, meerkats, lemurs, highland cows, giant tortoises, and birds of prey. Book online in advance. Allow a full day.

Bonton Ceramic Pottery Studio (££)
A cute little spot in Notting Hill that’s worth having on your radar for when the weather just isn’t on your side.

MinaLima Bookshop (FREE)
No words can describe the maghic of a MinaLima book - it has to be experienced. And if your child is a Harry Potter fan, do not miss going here! Tucked behind Carnaby Street, this Harry Potter design house has prints, original artworks, and illustrated classics including the first four of the Harry Potter books. It is pure magic for any bookworm, and located in the heart of upbeat Soho, filled with interesting stores, incredible bakeries and some of my favourite restaurants in the city (Bone Daddies, Hoppers, Wingmans, Venchi - to name a few).

Garsons Farm or Bocketts (£ by weight)
You cannot go to England in the summer without going strawberry picking. Not only is it a fun activity, but nothing quite beats a British strawberry in season. Garsons has a wide range of vegetables and fruits for pickings, whilst Bocketts is more geared towards animals.

Hamleys (FREE entry)
Still magical at any age, this seven-floor toy wonderland has retro games, puzzles, collectibles, and magic shows. Pro-tip, go prepared with the knowing that your child will want something - it is pricey and to avoid tantrums, consider setting a budget with a child before going in!!

Pixar World (££)
An engaging, interactive experience for children aged 5+, bringing favourite Pixar stories to life through play, visuals and hands-on moments.

Matilda Musical (££)
If you're building a day around the West End, Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre is worth the booking, it's loud, funny, and just over two hours, manageable for most school-age children without losing the adults in the audience

🧢 For Tweens & Teens (10+)

Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter (£££)
A must-do for any Potterhead. From Diagon Alley to the Hogwarts Express, this is a full-day experience just outside London. Book well in advance - tickets are hard to find for groups, especially during peak seasons like summer and Christmas. Pro-tip, don't miss trying the butter-beer! To really get your money's worth, you do need 4-5 hours here minimum, as there is so much to explore, so plan accordingly.

Camden Market (FREE entry)
A vibrant spot full of street food, vintage finds, music, and pop-culture treasures. Teens will love the stalls, the vibe, and the selfies. Combine with the Camden Virtual Reality Experience for a techy twist. Pro-tip, this is a very touritsy area and muggings are known to be rife here - be vigilant!

Frameless Immersive Art (££)
Not just for little ones - older kids will appreciate the digital drama and surreal scenes. Interactive and very Instagrammable!

Flip Out, Battersea (££)
An indoor trampoline park with laser tag, inflatables, and obstacle courses - perfect to burn off that teen energy.

Puttshack (££)
Immersive mini-golf, where you can win prizes. A great family day out.

Science Museum: Wonderlab (£)
While general entry is free, Wonderlab is ticketed and ideal for older kids who want to dive deeper into hands-on science.

Ravenscourt Park Skate Bowl (FREE)
Got a skater in the family? This west London spot is teen-approved and completely free.

Space Explorers: The ISS Experience, Camden (£)
A free-roaming 40-minute VR session at Eclipso that puts you inside the International Space Station, filmed using real NASA footage. It's a short walk from Camden Town tube and recommended for ages 8 and up.

Cleopatra: The Immersive Experience, ExCel (£)
A 90-minute immersive exhibition tracing Cleopatra's life through real artefacts, hologram, metaverse and VR across nine rooms. All ages are welcome, with VR elements recommended from age 5, though the show is currently scheduled to close on 12 July 2026.

Family Days Out

Frameless Immersive Art Experience (££)
Located near Marble Arch, this digital art show mesmerises all ages with motion, sound, and colour. Perfect for a rainy afternoon.

The Camden VR Experience (££)
London’s latest immersive gaming centre. Just be mindful of age/height limits - the starting age is around 6+

The Notting Hill Stroll (FREE)
Explore pastel houses, indie toy shops, and Portobello Market. Stop at Biscuiteers to ice your own biscuit - perfect for a rainy day activity. Plus, a few stores down is the infamous Notting Hill Book Shop, one of my favourite places to get a children's book. Plus the romantic feel of the store never gets old.

The Regent's Park Road Stroll (FREE)
Walk down the primary high street in Primrose Hill just parallel to the park and stumble across some of the cutest and most delicious eateries the area has to offer. Two favourites are: It's Bagels and Sourdough Sophia. Pick up breakfast and head across the road to the playground in Primrose Hill.

A Day out in Windsor
Start the day at Windsor Great Park (Free), a vast 4,800-acre area of royal parkland. Then head to Adventure Play (paid entry) a handcrafted woodland playground with rope bridges, treehouses and tunnels built through existing trees, plus a separate toddler courtyard. Whilst in Windsor, it is worth booking the The Windsor Duck Tour, which takes you through town past the castle and Eton before driving straight into the Thames. The splashdown is the moment every child talks about afterwards. One hour from Thames Street. Book both ahead - they sell out.

Cobham Adventure Park (£)
This indoor/outdoor activity centre has sensory rooms, climbing zones and interactive storytelling. Ideal for kids of all needs and abilities.

Marlyebone Farmers Market(£)
Open every Sunday, this is a foodie's paradise with local produce from all over the country. Do not miss it! If you have small kids it is located right next to a local favourite park - Paddington Park. It also runs parallel to Marylebone high street, filled with cute boutiques and restaurants.

🍽️ For Parents: A Foodie's Dream List

For Lunch / Dinner (book ahead):

Dinings SW7 – arguably one of the best Japanese meals in London
Straker’s – Modern British with a buzzy crowd and incredible produce
The Barbary (Notting Hill) – Mediterranean small plates, a great buzz and unbelievable food
Zephyr – A beautiful Greek spot in Notting Hill with phenomenal food
Gymkhana – Michelin-starred Indian, date-night worthy
Wild Tavern – Italian gastropub, a local favourite
China Tang - located in The Dorchester hotel, this is a favourite of many Londoners, offering great Chinese in a relaxed but beautiful setting
Royal China (Baker Street) – for the best dim sum lunch, you won't find me anywhere else on a Sunday
Birley Bakery - get your bread, croissants, ice-cream and chocolates in the heart of Chelsea, a local's favourite and truly some of the yummiest pastries around
Egg Slut - one of the best breakfast spots in town, for the greatest cheat meal
The Fat Badger - live music, and a British pub vibe you can’t beat - be prepared for a very fun night. It sits above another great gem, Canteen restaurant. Go on a Thursday / Friday / Saturday for the complete live band experience
Maza - a phenomenal Greek restaurant with the freshest food, great vibes and beautiful interiors, one of my personal favourites
Sushi Anamoto - only go if you’re a serious Omakase aficionado or else the price tag and the duration won’t make sense. A very fresh take on a omakase with contemporary additions that make it feel fun without trying to hard
Dover Street Counter - a great date night spot, excellent food, great vibes and a menu you will crave to come back for
Bar Des Pres - recently revamped and worth it, a must if your in London this summer

🛌 Staycation Gems (for long weekends or family getaways)

Soho Farmhouse, Oxfordshire (£££) – rustic chic with family cabins and bikes, an on-site farm and a brilliant kids club for resident hotel guests only
Beaverbrook, Surrey (£££) – Indoor cinema, Japanese bathhouse, and a storybook treehouse are a few highlights of this perfect country escape
Chewton Glen, Hampshire (£££) – magical treehouse suites and a huge kids’ club makes this a family favourite
The Lakes by Yoo, Cotswolds (££) – private homes located around a lake, paddle boarding, and nature trails - limited dining options, great if your looking for something remote, and want to cook yourself
The Newt (£££) – a working country estate in England's West Country, offering garden-to-table dining, a lavish spa and acres of woodland and gardens just 30 minutes from Bath
Estelle Manor (£££) - a chic countryside escape, with exceptional wellness and dining options

🧳 Our Travel Must-Haves from Little IA

Make the journey easier (and cuter) with our travel favourites:

The Munch & Mist Bottle – Sip, snack, and spray. One bottle. Three functions.
Personalised Travel Pouches – Keep snacks, crayons, wipes, and toys sorted.
Swim Bag – Ideal for park days, pool stops, and everything in between.
Customisable Travel Journal – Document all your adventures in the most creative way.