How to get there
If you like a million miles from London like I do the easiest option for travel is the train, we have a great local service from the center of Durham with offers now and again for cheap journeys. It is worth following the train lines on Facebook and via their website newsletters so that you are notified when the offers go live as they really do sell out quickly.
If you are going for a weekend or more than a day or so I would recommend coach too, I was pleasantly surprised to see that coach fair was only £30 from Durham to London which is more than a quarter of the price of train tickets!
Where to stay
As you can imagine, staying in London can be pretty expensive so do take your time to work out where your budget can allow you to stay. You need to work out too whether it is better to stay in the heart and have less mileage to do or stay further afield and spend money on taxis etc. One place I would recommend is Park International Hotel which is situated in the heart of Kensington and close enough to be within walking distance of all the major attractions and suitable for families too.
Air BnB is also another option depending on how much you are willing to spend and how long you wish to stay. The major hotel chains are generally on the outskirts and having visited London a couple of months ago and seeing where one of my friends was being put up I would do some serious research into where you would feel comfortable walking with your family on a night time.
What to do
Sam from North East Family Fun recommends visiting one of London’s playgrounds. London can feel overwhelming and the chance of freedom for children is much needed. The Princess Diana Memorial Playground or Southbank are their favourites.
Debbie from My Boys Club wrote a post after visiting London with her children. She says “mine were 7 & 9 in this post – the boat trip and bus ride were both brill – kept them entertained, they loved the history and gave them a chance to rest their legs without getting bored. And we ate lunch on them too to save time going to a cafe/restaurant”.
After using the sightseeing bus when I visited with a friend I can highly recommend the tours and Beth from Twinderelmo says the same – A bus tour is a great way to see all the sights of London without tiring little legs. You can hop on and off as and when so if there’s something you really want to see then you can easily get off. The tickets are usually valid for a 24 hour period and a great way to travel and see so much without being shattered.
Coram Fields is a great park to burn off some energy, adults are only allowed in with a child so it’s a super safe place to hang out as recommended by Jenny from The Gingerbread House
Where to eat
Instead of the usual restaurants and fast food places why not try something different. The Natural history museum is incredible. Lovely cafe there too, or take a picnic to eat. Incredible place for parents and children alike! This was recommended by Nicky from Spinnin Plates
Mary from Over 40 Mum to One suggests Bella Italia in her post about her visit to London with her son here. The natural history museum and science museum are always a winner too and both are free – to visit not the food unfortunately! The Emirates Airline cable car across the Thames is fun and could be tied in with a boat trip down the Thames and loads of places to eat close by in O2.
What would you recommend for visiting London with little ones? We are heading back again in October and will be hitting all the spots we missed last time!
XOXO
Debbie
This is a collaborative post. Images courtesy of North East Family Fun and My Boys Club
