Traveling to London with kids? Here's an insider guide for what to do and where to go, tested by us and proven to be kid-friendly and cool.
Vacation Rentals — VRBO
Travel takes on a whole new meaning once you have kids. Hotels, no matter how fancy or impressive, are just not good enough unless they have all the family-friendly features like mini-bars, refrigerators, bath tubs, cots, space, etc. And if you have more than a couple kids, you might as well forget hotels altogether, unless you’re willing to pay for the penthouse suite! Nowadays, whenever we travel we try to find self-contained units or holiday apartment rentals, simply because it’s so nice to have your own kitchen and to have the extra space. I’ve used VRBO many times before and have always been really pleased. I’ve also had family members rent apartments in London through VRBO and they too gave positive feedback.
VRBO provides an online space to homeowners to advertise their rental properties, and in turn makes it easy for travelers to find holiday rentals in more than 100 different countries. The site allows you to choose by location, view loads of different photos, read other traveler reviews, view all amenities and info, and even get in touch with the property’s owner. Have a look at their site and check out all the options for London!
Blossom Mother and Child
I remember the first thing I did when I found out I was pregnant with my first baby was head to Blossom Mother and Child for some maternity jeans. Blossom’s large range of designer maternity jeans is probably the best in town, and their well-trained staff will help you find the best pair (I feel like it’s essential to try jeans on before buying them, especially because a pregnant body has a mind of its own)!
Blossom is also great for staples like maternity lingerie, nursing bras and other feeding tops (their feeding camisole is my favorite — I own three!), as well as for fancier pieces like dresses and other evening wear items.
They now have three locations in London as well as a comprehensive website. Though I really do suggest trying on jeans before you buy… (more…)
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Orangery Restaurant | Inn the Park! | Paddington Street Gardens and Playground |
Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre
In the reception area of the Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, you’ll spot every type of person… from the 20-something fitness buff to the old man with his badminton racket, mums with their buggies, teenagers with their swimming gear, toddlers running out of the Little Rascals soft-play area, etc. This council-run leisure centre offers something for everybody.
It was voted the best leisure centre in London by TimeOut guide in 2008, and for good reason. But it also deserves a mention for its incredibly kid-friendly atmosphere and programs… ranging from swimming lessons, ballet, basketball, etc. Toddler’s World classes are offered twice a week, and the soft-play area is opened all week long. On a rainy day in London the Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre can be a savior. (more…)
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Kentish Town City Farm | Melrose & Morgan | Huggle — A shop, café and playspace in one! |
No tantrums here…
My experience with kiddie hair salons has always been the same: the place looks cool, my kids love it and sit still and happy in their seat, BUT they still manage to walk out with a less-than-stellar haircut. Too much glitz, not enough guts.
Thankfully, this is NOT the case at the new children’s hair salon, Tantrum, on the King’s Road, where I took my youngest son for his first real haircut last week. (I’ve been dreading the risk of cutting off his baby curls, so I was delaying the inevitable!)
He got a great cut, and we both left happy… curls in tact! (more…)
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| River Café | The Polka Theatre | Hope for your feet… |
Bobo Kids
Whether you’re starting from scratch with your baby’s nursery, or you just want to spruce up your kids’ bedroom or playroom with a few new accessories, Bobo Kids is the place. This darling little shop in London’s Chelsea Green neighborhood stocks an eclectic mix of modern, vintage and designer products for kids and babies. Think contemporary European furniture, original art, wall stickers and vintage posters, beautiful bed linens and cushions, etc. Or how about the less obvious… a floor-to-ceiling canvas of a London phone booth, beautiful Petit Pan hanging fish lanterns, vintage kid’s desks and chairs, lovely wallpapers, etc. It is truly an inspiring collection of interior design pieces.
They also have a small (but tasteful) selection of children’s clothes, shoes and toys. And, if it’s all too much to choose from, they offer an interior design service which will help you meet any design project or challenge. Makes me want to start from scratch all over again… (more…)
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Battersea Park | The Polka Theatre | Bushy Park |
Kidsen
I sometimes joke that I must have been Scandinavian in a previous life. I just feel so at home whenever I visit the northern countries and I love the simplicity, the practicality, and the design of their products.
So, when I heard about the new Scandinavian kid’s store in Kensal Rise, I knew I would love it. Kidsen is London’s first Scandinavian children’s store, founded by ex MTV producer and resident Swede, Corina Papadopoulou, who hand-picks the products with a very clever eye for design. Kidsen stocks exclusive brands including Brio, Klippan, CelaVi, Elodie Details, Our Childrens Gorilla, En Gry & Sif, Holly, Norlie, Plastisock and Mini a ture. You can literally buy anything from nappies, to buggies, to cots (a cool, bright yellow cot from Brio!), to cool toys and clothes. A delightful smorgasbord of Scandinavian style! (more…)
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Petersham Nurseries | Daunt Books | Couverture |
Kenwood House
Kenwood House is located at the top of London’s Hampstead Heath park and is one of my favorite places to go for brunch on a weekend. Not only does Kenwood House boast sumptuous interiors and important paintings by many great artists (Rembrandt, Turner, Vermeer, etc.), it also has an impressive café/restaurant with one of the best ‘English Breakfasts’ in London. They also make, in my opinion, the best hot chocolate in the city — it’s worth the walk up there just for a sip!
In nice weather you can sit outside at one of the many picnic tables set in their beautiful garden and enjoy some of the best views of London. They also have plenty of highchairs and changing tables in the bathrooms, and kids can run freely around the garden area, or join the queue of other children waiting to buy an ice cream from the café!
Hampstead Heath is truly worth a visit if you’re in town, and a walk finishing at Kenwood House will be the icing on the cake of the whole experience!
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Blue Daisy | Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre | Primrose Bakery — our favourite cupcakes in London |
Coram’s Fields
One of the best things about raising kids in London is the abundant green space and spacious playgrounds. Unlike the many small, paved playground lots you find in most cities, the playgrounds and parks in London are often set inside a beautiful grassy surrounding, removed from the ‘hustle and bustle’ of busy London.
Coram’s Fields is exactly this kind of place. This unique 7-acre park located in the heart of central London, close to the British Museum, is home to grassy lawns (perfect for a picnic), sandpits, a few different playgrounds, a paddling pool (opened in the summer time), a kid-friendly café, and even a little city farm (sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, etc.)! The gated lot provides a safe place for children to run freely and play; adults without children are not allowed to enter.
An entire city block devoted just to kids. Now this is why I love London…
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Brunch at The Wolseley | Belgo — for mussels and frites! | Orangery Restaurant |
Belgo — for mussels and frites!
Twenty years ago London had a reputation for having bad food (let’s be honest, ‘bangers and mash’ are not the most innovative of foods). Now however, thanks to an influx of new British chefs, even traditional English food can be tasty. But, what truly makes London’s food so interesting in my opinion, is the growing number of international restaurants in this city. You can now find some of the world’s best French, Italian, Spanish, Indian, Middle Eastern and Chinese restaurants across London. (My only complaint is the lack of good Mexican restaurants!) Seriously, if you’re craving it chances are you can find it!
Belgo is one such restaurant… where you can walk from the rainy streets of London straight into a Belgian world of traditional (and tasty) mussels, frites and hundreds of Belgium’s best beers.
There’s nothing really fancy about it, but the food is good and the atmosphere is authentic. And what’s more? It’s extremely kid-friendly with loads of highchairs and a kid’s menu which includes a mini pot of mussels and an activity kit. And, want the best news? Kids eat completely free!
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Kenwood House | Huggle — A shop, café and playspace in one! | Elias & Grace |
Daylesford Organic
When Notting Hill organic grocery store Fresh & Wild closed down last year, it left an empty void in its coveted location on Westbourne Grove. The once buzzing street felt empty without the little tables outside and the beautiful window displays of organic fruit and veg. Finally, however, the street is once again alive and thriving with the recent opening of Daylesford Organic!
The stylish restaurant/café/shop took over the big Westbourne Grove location with gusto, and offers up something even Fresh & Wild never did: highchairs for kids! (Up until now mums were forced to choose style over comfort if they brought their kids with them to Westbourne Grove!)
The decor is simple and chic, with it’s sleek, white, organic interior (fresh grass growing in the middle of the table!). And the food is good, specializing in what is organic, seasonal, local and fresh.
It offers the perfect pit-stop for all that shopping in Notting Hill!
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Kew Gardens | Carluccio’s | Gracelands Café |
Princess Diana Memorial Playground
One of the most well-known of London’s many playgrounds is the Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens. Known to local mums as the “pirate ship” because of the giant wooden pirate ship in the center, this playground is certainly worth the hype.
There’s a ‘beach’ of sand surrounding the pirate ship, as well as various toys, play structures, swings, and a ’sensory trail’ where kids can experiment with different sounds. There’s also a separate section for younger babies, where they can play in the sand without worrying about being trampled by the older kids.
The playground opened in June 2000 in memory of the late princess, and is located next to her Kensington Palace home. Check the website for opening times, as they change depending on the time of year. And I must warn you: on a sunny day it gets very crowded — so crowded you might have to queue to get in!
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Benjamin Pollocks | Villandry | Blossom Mother and Child |
Bugs, Frogs and Fish at the London Zoo…
The ZSL London Zoo is not largest zoo I’ve ever seen, nor does it have a very impressive range of large animals (no elephants or rhinos, etc.). But, for a zoo in the middle of such a dense city like London, the zoo does exactly as it should: it places emphasis on the smaller creatures in this world, like bugs of all sorts, butterflies, fish, reptiles and amphibians, and birds of the jungle. All of these different exhibits, each in their own separate building, are located indoors, which means even on a rainy day you can still enjoy a long day at the zoo!
In fact, I have to say, that I think my kids actually prefer these indoor exhibits. My son, with a particular fondness of sea creatures, could spend hours inside the small but extensive aquarium. He also really loves the reptiles and amphibians, with loads of large snakes, lizards, turtles and frogs. And if you arrive in the later part of the afternoon, as we usually do, you may even get to see these animals at feeding time, which is great fun! (We once spent a good 20 minutes watching a lizard chase around all the crickets in his cage!) (more…)
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| London’s Transport Museum | Rossopomodoro Pizza | Villandry |
Hampstead Heath
We lived in London for nearly two years before we discovered the Hampstead Heath, which is a huge shame as it is one of London’s finest gems, and is, in my opinion, the most liberating outdoor activity in London. The fact that you can feel so far removed from the ‘hustle and bustle’ of London and yet be smack in the middle of it is a treat which is unusual for such a big city.
Hampstead Heath is London’s largest historic parkland, and arguably the most beautiful. Unlike the more manicured and planned Royal Parks of London, the Heath is more wild in nature, offering 3.2 sq km of roaming meadows, fishing and swimming ponds, dark and lush woodlands, hiking and biking trails, and some of London’s best playgrounds. (more…)
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Elias & Grace | Melrose & Morgan | Daunt Books |
Duchy!
Nearly 20 years ago, long before this huge wave of organic foods began arriving at our local foodshops, HRH The Prince of Wales believed we needed to think about the long-term future of our environment and our rural communities. It was this thought that launched the idea of Duchy Originals, and in 1992 the company began with its first product, the oaten biscuit.
Duchy Originals is now a rather booming company with more than 200 quintessentially British food products. It also has made and given over £6 million to The Prince’s Charity Foundation in support of local farmers and with the intention of tackling climate change.
Aside from the interesting history (and the fact that its founded by a Prince!!), Duchy Originals food products are delicious and unique. In fact, I’ve never bought a Duchy product that didn’t impress! (more…)
Petersham Nurseries
Take the train from central London to Richmond Station and follow the high street through town toward the river. Turn left and walk along the river past the cafés and kayak sheds. Cross the pasture filled with buttercups and cowpies, and venture toward Petersham Nurseries. Set within this lovely garden center is a restaurant that will impress on many levels with delicious food and beautiful décor.
Award-winning head chef, Skye Gyngell, uses the highest quality ingredients in respect of the season, and with support of small farmers and producers across England. The food is amazing, and don’t even get me started about the desserts…
Petersham Nurseries Restaurant is one of my favorite restaurants in London. It’s a beautiful setting (a garden – it doesn’t get prettier than that!), and it just has a very special feeling to it. It’s also the experience of heading to Richmond for the day, which is a lovely little village. (more…)
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Carluccio’s | Kew Bridge Steam Museum | Kew Gardens |
