The capital of England and the United Kingdom, London is a city with a unique identity comprising a rich history and a large, multicultural population. With so much to see and do, a trip to London can be a little overwhelming, but here are 10 things not to be missed.
The Coca Cola-sponsored London Eye is the most popular paid-for visitor attraction in the UK, and a favourite with kids. Looking like a giant fairground ride, it’s actually the largest observation wheel in the world, taking in over 55 of London’s most famous landmarks in just 30 minutes!
Visit the Tower of London for an amazing hands-on history lesson, complete with tales of intrigue, scandal, robbery and murder. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, the tower’s 900-year history has seen it used as a royal palace, a prison, a place of execution and a jewel house.
You can see the Crown Jewels here, as well as the famous black ravens, and don’t forget to take a free Beefeater tour.
The London Dungeon is super scary, so older kids will love it, but youngsters should probably save it for a later visit. Buried beneath the paving stones of historic Southwark, the London Dungeon presents more than 2,000 years of grim and bloody history in the most interactive and terrifying way possible. Step aboard the scariest boat ride in the world … darkness surrounds you, lights flicker … and your kids will think it’s fully sick!
You simply can’t take the kids to London without visiting the Queen. You might not see Her Royal Highness in person, but everyone can experience the famous Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. The event occurs every second day, or daily during summer months.
Be sure to visit one of Europe’s largest displays of aquatic life. SEA LIFE London Aquarium is home to hundreds of species in more than 50 displays, from two-metre sharks, to stingrays, moray eels, clownfish and flesh-eating piranhas. Don’t miss feeding time in the Atlantic Tank, where a team of divers handfeed rays and native British sharks. It’s the perfect all-weather attraction for the whole family.
Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace just outside of central London on the River Thames. Originally built in 1515 for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (and a favourite of King Henry VIII), the palace is now open for fascinating tours including ghost tours for the older kids and family events such as the ‘Magic Garden’ and ice skating in winter.
London’s Natural History Museum is home to a vast array of extraordinary objects, artefacts and curiosities from around the world. From dinosaur skeletons and chunks of moon rock to exotic plants and ancient pieces of pottery, you never know what treasures you might find here.
Kew Gardens house the largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world. Get lost amongst the greenery and learn something new about plants and fungi.
Take a trip back through history to the time of the Bard with a visit to Shakespeare’s Globe. The original Globe Theatre was destroyed by fire in 1613, but the modern reconstruction closely replicates it and you can even take in one of Shakespeare’s classic plays.
Leave the Muggle world behind as you step through the doors of Warner Bros. Studios and into the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Visit the sets and see authentic props and original costumes from the movies on this award-winning tour. Make sure to book well in advance, though – it’s extremely popular.
With over 760 different animal species on display and plenty of fun activities to keep kids of all ages happy, London Zoo is a wonderful family day out. ‘Be a Keeper for a Day’ or stay back after hours for a unique up-close experience.
When it comes to tourist destinations, Madame Tussauds is an institution, and with 14 zones, over 300 wax figures, the Spirit of London ride and the 4D Marvel Super Heroes movie, the London destination is arguably the best in the world. Children will love getting up-close and personal with Shrek, Spiderman, David Beckham, Miley Cyrus and the Duchess of Cambridge.
Experience London’s sporting spirit with a tour of Chelsea’s home stadium. Entry to the players dressing rooms, press rooms, the dug outs and the player’s tunnel will make your children feel like VIPs. Touch screens and audio visual shows as well as the official museum make this activity one for the whole family.
Pack your marmalade sandwiches and follow in his paw prints on a Paddington Bear tour of London. Stop at Paddington Station for a photo with the Paddington Bear statue; visit various filming locations from the movies; drop in to Mr Gruber’s antique shop and adopt a Paddington of your own at Hamleys.
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