London is packed to the brim with amazing activities; it’s home to some of the most iconic tourist attractions on earth; Big Ben, The London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, the list goes on.
But what many don’t realise is that there is a hidden, magical side to London that keeps revealing itself the more it is explored. It’s a city exploding with life, hidden gems, stunning architecture, and unique family friendly activities.
All you have to do is take a step off that well trodden path.
We are going to take a look at the hidden world of unique things to do in London with kids, that will keep you and the kids entertained, take you to the most amazing spots, and let you discover the city in a whole new way.
Whether it’s your very first time in the capital, or you’re a local looking for something new in a place you already know, these are the most exciting ways to explore London’s path less walked with your family.
1. Turn the City into a Live-Action Game Show
Instead of visiting London, let your family play it.
We’ve all heard of the exciting TV show, and now your family can live the experience. The incredible Race Across the World Experience has landed in London, and it’s one of the very best ways to see the city in a thrilling, puzzle solving, clue tracking, race against the clock.
This experience transforms the city centre into a challenge that will enthral the whole family, with a set of clues that will require navigation, teamwork, problem solving, and real world decision making to complete.
Parents will get to enjoy the major sights in the city, kids will get to practice map reading and a good dose of practical problem solving, and everyone will be pleasantly surprised with the educational aspect as you traverse the city. See the sights, visit London’s icons, race the clock and strengthen family bonds.
This is truly one of the most exciting things you can do in the heart of London, whilst getting to actually experience London’s heart first hand.
2. Explore London’s Secret Underground History
Despite being a mode of transport used for 4 million journeys per day, the Tube is also one of London’s true icons, and it is built upon the world’s very first underground commuter rail system.
When we ride the tube, we squeeze into the available gaps and hold our breath until we can get off, without ever thinking about what is in those tunnels.
Well, if you have wondered, you’re not alone and the answer is as exciting as you might hope.
The city’s tunnels are packed with secrets that are begging to be unraveled, so why not take your family below the bustling streets to explore subterranean London?
The London Transport Museum offers some truly fantastic tours that take you around disused stations, through old tunnels and shed some light on the deep, dark underground.
If you have slightly younger kids you can also check out the Postal Museum for an absolute, unexpected blast. With extraordinary unfairness, the Postal Museum often gets a scoff and an eye roll from people, but it’s truly one of London’s hidden gems. Did you know, for example, you can actually ride the old underground postal train through the disused tunnels beneath the city?
Both options are incredible days out, offer some great learning, and allow parents and children alike to experience the wonders that lie beneath the city. Truly one of the ultimate family days out in London, particularly if the weather is being British.
3. See London From the Water (or the Top Deck)
London’s walkability is one of the many reasons people flock to its streets, but all that walking does mean that energy levels can dip, feet can drag and legs can threaten mutiny, particularly when there are kids involved.
So why not change things up, get a new perspective on the city and make the most of one of the capital’s main features; the mighty River Thames.
The Romans actually founded London around 49CE on the spot we now call the City of London, due to its strategic significance on the riverbank; since then the city has grown outwards but its strength has always flowed from the river.
Fast forward to today’s world and from the very waters that an invading Roman army deemed special, we can see some of the city’s most magical sites, from a perspective otherwise unseen.
Even a simple river taxi between Westminster and Greenwich can feel more like an adventure as you sail past The London Eye, The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard, The Tower of London and Tower Bridge, and this is just a tiny section of the river.
You can enjoy cruises down to Canary Wharf, sail to the 02 Arena (A.K.A the Millennium Dome), explore canals and relax along the tree-lined shores of the river. If the weather behaves you can even enjoy the city sights from the top deck for an unlimited, 360° view of the city centre.
It’s the ultimate family day out, and offers parents the rare chance to do an activity and see the sights whilst seated!
The river leads to elite-tier family days out in London’s very heart.
4. Discover London’s Wild Side
It’s not something that most people know, but London is made up of almost 20% green space; from parks to nature corridors, it is one of the very best capitals in the world for getting in touch with nature.
The city overflows with gorgeous parks, wooded areas and stunning public spaces, and you might be amazed to find out that there is a farm within the very heart of the city that’s open to visitors.
Mudchute Farm is surely one of the most unique petting zoos in the world, after all where else can you watch sheep and goats grazing with the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf in the background?
If you don’t fancy visiting a petting zoo then you can choose from any one of London’s hundreds of city centre parks and explore to your heart’s content. Go rowing on the Serpentine in Hyde Park, explore the secrets of the massive Richmond Park, visit the Japanese peace gardens in Holland Park, and see the city’s glorious skyline from atop Greenwich Park’s hill.
5. Kew Gardens: London’s Most Underrated Attraction?
Sticking with the nature theme, we can’t make a list of family days out in London without talking about the stunning Kew Gardens. Not only is it one of London’s most underrated attractions, but it’s also a Unesco World Heritage Site.
It’s home to some of the world’s most beautiful Victorian glasshouses, most of which contain the world’s most extraordinary plantlife. You can experience life within a forest canopy with the fantastic treetop walkway, climb the great pagoda for views of the park, hop continents in the bamboo garden, and explore the stunning ‘Hive’ art installation that mimics the inside of an active beehive.
Kids and adults alike will be blown away by the stunning depth of nature that surrounds them, with a staggering 50,000 plant species on display. Kew Gardens is truly one of the finest things you can do in London with your whole family.
Experience London, Don’t Just Visit It
London will reward anyone who is willing to step off the beaten track with treasures that equate to lifelong memories, and this is doubly true for families.
By choosing experiences that involve movement, decision making, adventure, exploration, learning, and a bit of wildlife, you’ll be able to unlock the very best secrets London has to offer; and maybe avoid a crowd or two along the way.
Transform time off school from doing a time-filling activity to keep the kids busy, into something richer, into something you will all look back with great fondness, and the kids can return to school with a story or two.
The city can become a playground, a classroom, an exotic wilderness, or an underground adventure for families brave enough to explore outside the usual, so make the most of your next trip to our capital, and get off that beaten track.
