Taking Your Family on Holiday to London
London is one of the top cities to visit in the entire world and each year millions of tourists flock there to see the sites and experience the culture. It is a wonderful place to go for a family vacation as there is so much for children to see and do.
London is easy to reach from the rest of the world. It is served by five separate airports – Heathrow, Gatwick, Standstead, Luton and London City. There is a direct train from Paris into the heart of London and direct rail links to the rest of the UK. Once you get to London it is easy to get around on public transport, so there is no need to hire a car.
Your children will undoubtedly want to see all the big landmarks, such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. The good news is that most can be reached on foot in a leisurely afternoon, so there is no need to spend any money on transport. Start in Trafalgar Square and let your children climb on the statues of lions, you can then go down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace. St James Park is on the left if you want to stop for a sit down. See if you can spot the two pesky pelicans that live here. If you time it right you may be able to catch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, or the 4 o’clock parade. This will delight your children, as they get to watch the palace guards marching. From Buckingham Palace head down to the river Thames and the Houses of Parliament.
There are endless family-friendly attractions in London; even many of the museums are excellent fun for children and parents alike. All the main London museums are free to enter, making this option even more attractive for parents. Try the Natural History Museum for excellent displays of dinosaurs and a life size model of a blue whale. The Science Museum has interactive exhibits suitable for all ages that explain the fundamentals of science in fun and exciting ways.
If you go along Southbank you will find several attractions, such as the London Eye, the London Dungeons and Sea Life London. Although these attractions are more costly to visit you can guarantee that your kids will love them. London Zoo is also worth a visit. Take a look at their website before you go, as often there can be special events on for kids where they can have close encounters with the animals. You may also want to plan which animals you want to see before you go, so no favourites are missed out.
For those times when the parents are exhausted but the children are still full of energy go to Kensington Gardens, situated next to Hyde Park. Here you will find the Princess Diana Memorial Playground, which is widely acclaimed for being the best playground in London. It is modelled on a pirate ship and has activities for all ages and abilities. Your kids can play while you sit, relax and enjoy the beautiful setting of Kensington Gardens.
The whole family will enjoy seeing a show in London’s West End. There are plenty of options perfect for children such as The Lion King or Matilda. Currently the Scoff and Banter is holding a special Matilda-themed afternoon tea, so you can go and experience one of London’s finest traditions followed by watching the musical in the Cambridge Theatre opposite.
When it comes to choosing your accommodation you will find yourself faced with many different options. Try investigating holiday apartments in London. This way you get to all be under one roof and have the space to relax together. Having your own kitchen will also save you time and money as eating out for your entire holiday will soon get expensive in London.
London is an all-year-round destination. It does not matter when you visit, but you can be sure that a family holiday to London will be a memorable and rewarding experience.