Fun and Family-Friendly Tips for Visiting London with Kids
Planning a trip to London with young kids? Look no further! Southwest London, particularly the charming neighbourhoods of Kensington and Chelsea, offers a wealth of family-friendly activities and attractions. From interactive museums to picturesque parks, this area is perfect for creating unforgettable memories with your little ones. Whether you're seeking educational adventures, playful outings, or simply a delightful day out, my comprehensive guide is packed with tips and recommendations to ensure your family enjoys the very best of Kensington and Chelsea.
Overall, London’s openness to children in restaurants reflects a combination of cultural attitudes, practical amenities, and the city’s diverse and family-oriented dining landscape. This approach makes dining out with children in London both enjoyable and convenient. Some places I have recommended below have a children’s menu or have activity packs on hand but it’s never a bad idea to bring your own paper and coloured pencils, just in case! Tip! Tell the restaurant beforehand that you will have a pram/stroller near your table, or ask if they can store it for you while you dine.
Getting Around
First and foremost, set up Apple Pay on your iWatch or phone, or bring a contactless card, as London is largely cashless. You can tap to pay for everything, from the Tube, buses, and trains to your coffee and shopping on Regent Street! Forget about buying tickets in advance - it's as easy as a tap!
Lucky for you, I’ve created this Google Map for you to open on your phone to find everything I’ve listed below in this post (which is why I haven’t hyperlinked everything written).
Top Attractions & Itinerary Tips!
Changing of the Guards - Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays @ 11am (arrive no later than 10am for a great spot to view!)
Pop by Gail’s Bakery Buckingham Palace Road beforehand for great coffee, pastries and a small menu of breakfast dishes
Afterwards, walk through St. James’s Park Playground and head to lunch at The Ivy Victoria (needs a reservation), The Albert (pub) or Market Hall Victoria for casual dining with many cuisine options.
Hyde Park Playground in Knightsbridge
Head to Harrods while your partner stays with the kiddos for a quick shopping spree, or enjoy a cup of coffee at the on-site café before your children need an ice cream break! Afterwards, head to the Serpentine, see the royal swans, and enjoy a meal at The Serpentine Bar & Kitchen or if you’re craving Italian, head to Osteria Romana if there are seats outside and the weather is clear as inside may be too crammed with little children (especially if they want to run around!) For a nice pub nearby, walk 10 minutes to The Grenadier.
Chelsea St. Luke’s Playground (on Sydney Street)
For coffee and pastries, head to either St. George’s Coffee on Kings Road, or Birleys or Amar Cafe on Cale Street.
Dinner anywhere on Kings Road or Cale Street (our favorite Italian in the area is Cinquecento) otherwise The Builder Arms for a cozy pub meal - food is great!
For shopping, check out the boutiques on Walton Street or on/off Kings Road and for adorable children’s clothing, go to Trotter’s and Il Porticciolo on Kings Road, Pepa London on Elizabeth Street or Amaia on Cale Street (where Princess Catherine would shop for Charlotte!)
Kensington Palace & Princess Diana Playground
After seeing the palace and taking your family selfies in front, walk 10 minutes to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground - a a delightful and imaginative play space located in Kensington Gardens, near Kensington Palace in London. It is one of the most popular playgrounds in the city, especially for families with young children. There’s a cafe where you can get coffee, snacks, pizza and ice cream, or you can walk 15 minutes to Notting Hill and enjoy the afternoon shopping or having a meal there.
For the BEST Aperol Spritz, delicious pizzas and extremely friendly Italian staff, go to Da Mario’s Kensington and sit outside (on a nice day). Their kids piccolo pizzas and pastas are perfect for little ones, and everything else on their menu is divine! Highly recommend for an early dinner after Kensington Gardens.
Borough Market & Tower Bridge
HIGHLY recommend visiting The Sky Garden while you are here for the best views of London, but the caveat is you MUST book one month in advance, on a Monday.
After Sky Garden, cross the bridge and head down to Borough Market for a casual lunch, then walk up through Tower Bridge
Notting Hill - Walk around
Favorite restaurant in London: Gold Notting Hill (but you must ensure you get a table in the covered garden area!) - Reservations recommended. If you go on a Saturday, you can enjoy the Portobello Road market afterwards.
Covent Garden Area
The London Transport Museum explores the history of London's transport system, from the 19th century to the present day. It's situated in a beautiful Victorian iron and glass building that was originally a flower market.
Meal at Dishoom (great Indian food in a chic atmosphere with great options for kids too)
Peloton Studios - If you fancy a workout on holiday, or just love Leanne Hainsby as much as I do! Unfortunately, they don’t have childcare here, though.
See a West End musical! The West End is renowned for its top-notch productions, featuring high production values, talented performers, and impressive sets. Many shows are of a caliber found only in London. Tip! Although the “rules” say children under 4 aren’t allowed, they don’t check.
Shop!
V&A Museum Fountains on a Hot Day
Followed by ice cream on Exhibition Road
Regents Park & Marylebone High Street
The Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea London Sightseeing Bus Tour was AMAZING. I recommend it for little girls under the age of 5 as it’s a wonderfully decorated sightseeing bus tour, specially designed for the ultimate Peppa Pig experience with a tasty afternoon tea onboard! Tip! On a hot day, sit downstairs.
Holland Park Adventure Playground
Followed by a meal at Belvedere Restaurant
The Fairy House in Battersea
The Fairy House in London is a whimsical and enchanting spot that captures the imagination of both children and adults. I’ve never heard of, or seen anything like it anywhere, and if you have “extra” time to kill in London it’s definitely worth a booking/visit for your little girl(s)!
What do you think of my tips? If you found anything in this post helpful, please share! If you're a Londoner, are there any tips or places you think should be added? Share your thoughts in the comments below!