London Top Ten With Kids

London has so many wonderful family friendly places so I thought I’d write up our London top ten with kids. These are our favorite places to go. We lived in London for almost two years before moving to Zürich. The girls were only one and three years old when we moved from Seattle to London and began this dream adventure abroad. We have so many wonderful memories of the girls being so tiny as we pushed them in the stroller through the bustling, crowded, narrow high streets of London. We have serious favorite things we can’t wait to see.

We lived right behind St. Paul’s Cathedral in a place called the King’s Wardrobe and then off Northcote Road. We met so many amazing friends while we lived there and hope to return a few times each year to visit. In London, there is always something to see, and something to eat! I sure miss all the amazing food choices!

The best things about London are the parks, museums, and the food. The first two are free and the third one is always good. Just thinking of this makes me so incredibly excited for our flight! London is incredibly child friendly and I would highly recommend visiting to anyone. Everything is easily at your fingertips from playgrounds to food to shelter (museums) on rainy days. Here are our absolute favorite places in London.

1. St. Jame’s Park

We used to spend entire days at St. Jame’s Park. There is a small playground from which we watched the Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace, horses, and ate ice cream. What more could you ask for? The swing set has a perfect view of Buckingham Palace.

2. Museums in South Kensington

We could spend days and days exploring the gorgeous museums in South Kensington. London has the most incredibly beautiful, gigantic, free museums, all on one street, Exhibition Road. Besides the fantastic cafes in the museums, especially the gorgeous Victoria and Albert Museum Cafe, two of our favorite places to eat are Muriel’s Kitchen and Carluccio’s which are right next to the South Kensington Tube Station.

We absolutely love the Natural History Museum the best. We love to walk up to the large tree at the top and look down and take in the wonder of this amazing, gorgeous building. Our favorite stops are the Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, The Victoria and Albert Museum, Royal Albert Hall and the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens. Once we get to the Albert Memorial, we either head to Kensington Palace or towards High Street Kensington for a shop at Whole Foods and my favorite gorgeous tree-lined quiet street of Kensington Palace Gardens with all the embassies and ambassador residences.

3. Westminster Bridge (London Eye, Aquarium, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament)

From this bridge you can see every serious tourist attraction at once from the London Eye (the Champagne Experience is a must! We did it twice with family in town and it was a fabulous highlight), Aquarium, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, etc. I love taking pictures on this bridge, especially when the bag piper is playing as we cross the bridge and take a gorgeous picture of the London Eye. Somehow this view never gets old.

4. Princess of Wales Playground in Hyde Park

This playground is absolutely incredible. Another all day excursion as we could wander around Hyde Park, Serpentine Bar and Kitchen, Lido Bar and Cafe, Boating on the Serpentine, Kensington Palace, The Orangery, High Street Kensington, and Kensington Palace Gardens.

5. Chelsea, King’s Road

I love wandering King’s Road in Chelsea. Full of yummy restaurants (Gail’s, Le Pain Quotidian, and Bluebird were my favorites with the girls) and shops. My favorite place to take a picture is on the beautiful little pastel Bywater Street. I never went to King’s Road without a quick pic of this little nook.

6. Covent Garden/Transportation Museum

Covent Garden always has some street performer to watch and some event happening. Plus, there’s a Laduree and a Monmouth Coffee. We loved to go downstairs inside Covent Garden to listen to the musicians and singers while eating lunch. The London Transportation Museum is an incredible place for kids. They have a fun stamp as you go paper to keep the kids excited.

7. Mews houses

There is nothing more romantic and peaceful than wandering through the beautiful mews streets in London. Just off the crazy busy main high streets are the most quiet little places you will ever see. My favorites are Kynance Mews, Stanhope Mews, Queen’s Gate Mews. Here is a great blog post from A Lady In London about the beautiful mews houses.

8. Tate Modern, Millenium Bridge, and St. Paul’s Cathedral

When we lived behind St. Paul’s Cathedral, we loved going into the Cathedral first thing in the morning, lighting candles, then heading out for the day. We would stop for a snack at the M&S next to the Cathedral, then have a nice breakfast at Le Pain Quotidian, then walk over the Millenium Bridge to the Tate Modern. The 6th floor of the Tate Modern has an amazing view. My girls loved racing up and down the ground floor of the Tate Modern.

9. Battersea Park Playground

We lived in Battersea just off Northcote Road. Our local parks were Clapham Common, Wandsworth Common and Battersea Park. By far the largest is Battersea Park. We are very excited to visit again as the girl’s babysitter Harriet used to work at the Battersea Park Zoo. Also, my girlfriend said that Battersea Park playground had a great remodel and has a lovely pizza restaurant (with wine!). The Battersea Park Go Ape Treetop Adventure looks fantastic. Northcote Road is such a wonderful shopping street with plenty of children’s shops and fabulous food.

10. Kew Gardens

One of our favorite places to go is Kew Gardens. Well worth the visit, yearly membership and a full day excursion. We loved eating at the Orangery, playing at the playground, and exploring. There is an indoor and outdoor playground so rain or shine this place is amazing.

Time to leave for the airport! My Little Nomads has a very comprehensive list of favorite London activities with children. What are your favorite places in London?