I was nervous the first time bringing my kids into a pub because they’re a bit young and rowdy. We walked into the Brompton Cross early afternoon when only a sprinkling of older people were frequenting the bar and the tables. Within minutes, big smiles erupted throughout the pub as my husband announced, “It’s baby’s first pub!”
Seeing cute puppies and babies in pubs is something I really miss about London. During the day, you’ll see all kinds of families grabbing a bite and a pint in the sunshine, enjoying a multigenerational outing.
London with kids and London with two children under four are very different things. We did a few “grown-up” activities, but overall really focused on the time spent together in one of our favorite cities in the world. There were lessons learned and mistakes made, but overall I’m so glad we had the adventure together as a crew of four! If you want to skip the prep and get right into the itinerary suggestions, click here.
Prepping for a week in the UK with small kids
For this trip, my spouse and I, plus our 10-month-old and three-year-old went to the UK for a week. We spent five days in London and a few more days in South Wales visiting family. I packed one massive suitcase for myself and two kids, and my husband packed a carry-on size case. We also checked a bag with a car seat base (and extra room for snacks to bring back!) and gate-checked a stroller. I only packed clothes for the first half and washed them all for the second half. My Unbound Merino travel clothes were great for this—I didn’t have to wash them for myself!
Here’s the gear that proved essential for the trip:
- Doona combo car seat and stroller.
- Hiccapop portable high chair.
- Sound machines, iPad, sturdy water bottles, and international converters.
- So. Many. Snacks.
- Access to lounges at the airports through Priority Pass kept everyone calm (ish!).
Here are the things we didn’t bring/need:
- Car seat for three-year-old (rented there).
- Toddler blow-up mattress.
- Hiccapop blackout tent (whoops, mistake! See why at the bottom of the article!).
- Second stroller (another mistake).
The best areas to stay in London with small children
My husband is from Greenwich originally, and we lived in South London for a year together. We would have loved to stay in our old neighborhood of Clapham, but we wanted to do some of the classics this trip with the kids.
The South Bank area is where many people choose to stay, as it’s closest to “Big Ben” (and Parliament), the London Eye ferris wheel, and other iconic skyline spots. Cutesy, walkable areas include Notting Hill and Mayfair. Richmond is lovely, but a little farther out on the train. Some alternative neighborhoods are Camden in the North, Shoreditch, and even Brixton, but there’s not as much to do with the littles besides having a wander around.
If it’s your first trip or your first time with the children, location will be important. In the end, we picked a wonderful hotel right near Buckingham Palace and the Victoria tube station, so we could easily get around and have a great home base.
Finding our royal home away from home: The Resident Victoria
Located just minutes from Buckingham Palace, The Resident Victoria proved to be the perfect home base for our London experience. This upscale, yet affordable property offers spacious rooms ideal for families, complete with a lifesaver in any city: a kitchenette. Every room includes a fridge, microwave, sink, and even cutlery. That’s a rare find in a London hotel. Even more rare, my husband and I loved our king-size bed! We easily fit a cot/pack n’ play, my toddler on the pullout couch and ourselves in the room comfortably.
The location is also fantastic while playing tourist in a place we used to live. We were able to easily catch the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony and unwind in the nearby St. James’s Park playground, so the kids could get their wiggles out. There were cute coffee shops only steps away, and it only took a quick 7-minute walk to the large London Victoria train and tube station.
More activities to consider with small kids in London
My spouse and I didn’t desperately need to see anything while in the city and really just wanted to wander around. Playgrounds were helpful in both London and later in South Wales. As mentioned, St. Jame’s Park has a small, cute playground for the kids. The famous Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground is also a must-see for kiddos with a massive play pirate ship.
Most museums in London are free, so it can be tough to choose on your first trip (or even 50th!). We did try out the Natural History Museum, which had massive dinosaur fossils and lots of other curiosities. But I think it was a little too hot and crowded for our littles. There are more interactive play options at the fairly new Young V&A museum or the classic London Transport Museum.
If you’re also not familiar with the city, it’s well worth hopping on a bus to get a lay of the land. It might feel cliche but it truly is the best way to see a little of everything and note where you’d like to re-visit to see in more detail. There are classic red bus tours all the time, but you can book ahead through GetYourGuide to make things easier. GetYourGuide also has a tour bus option that’s specially made for kids. There’s also a Peppa Pig-themed one for littles that includes afternoon tea, but it’s not reccomended for babies.
The most success we had was a pasta-dinner night out and show in the West End, as well as a fun kid-friendly afternoon tea. Details on these big adventures are below!
West End adventures: Big dreams for little ones
My three-year-old and I ventured into the heart of the West End to experience a family-friendly musical: Matilda.
To prepare for the show, we watched the movie beforehand and discussed any scenes that might seem scary. I reassured my oldest daughter that while it might be loud and dark initially, there would be plenty of other kids around and lots of fun and dancing to enjoy.
We dressed up for the occasion. Having her favorite meal beforehand helped her feel comfortable in this new environment. However, halfway through the show, my daughter expressed a desire to leave. Instead of forcing her to stay, I supported her decision and offered to call it a night.
Here’s the surprising part: on her own, she decided she wanted to give it another try! This experience highlighted the importance of flexibility when dealing with young children. While she might not have enjoyed the entire show at this age, it planted a seed that might blossom into a lifelong love for theater in a few years.
There’s plenty of other performances available for young children in London as well. Frozen is live on stage currently, as well as The Lion King, of course!
If you want to plan out more shows for the grown-ups, don’t miss our guide to all the best options in London’s theater scene here.
A science experiment on your plate: The Ampersand Hotel’s afternoon tea
London boasts a variety of afternoon tea experiences, but for something truly unique, we ventured to The Ampersand Hotel across from the Natural History Museum. This hotel offers a science-themed afternoon tea that’s perfect for curious minds of all ages.
In this whimsical experience, servers bring out beakers and mixtures, allowing children to create their own blue concoctions. Meanwhile, the adults can enjoy their own selection of cocktails, cream teas, or full afternoon tea sets. The adult’s and children’s menus offer delicious options, with our little ones reveling in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hot dogs, and fantastical space cakes. To top it all off, my firstborn had a blast excavating dinosaur chocolates from a pile of cookie crumbs at the end of the experience.
The Ampersand Hotel’s afternoon tea is a fantastic way to splurge on a memorable experience. With exceptional food, attentive staff, and a truly unique theme, this adventure will stay with your family long after you leave London.
More London dining do’s and don’ts with children
If it’s before 5 p.m. or so, don’t be nervous about bringing your kids to a pub! The ones with food and outdoor seating are usually best, but no one will grumble if it’s time for a half pint break with your kids. This can be a fun way to snack on some potato chips, enjoy the scenery, and get out of the heat or rain.
Many tourists have food on-the-go at the famous Borough Market. Although the historic market was really fun, it was a little tricky to navigate with a stroller and a toddler. Visiting the viral Turnips Produce stand to get a cup of the chocolate covered strawberries was a big hit.
We then grabbed lunch at Brindisa. I loved this Spanish tapas place while living in London. Going early before a lunch rush was key with the kids: the baby slept and my toddler helped herself to a pile of garlic shrimp. I think choosing a spot with bigger tables and less chaos might have been better, but we did well overall mingling with the couples and groups of sangria drinkers.
For something fast and reliable, the Bill’s chain in the UK is great for kiddos. The main dishes and cocktails for adults are tasty as well. Sometimes there are specials, where kids eat free with an adult purchase. I’ve been to several locations are they are always cute, clean, and welcoming.
PS, if you get to go back without the kids, don’t miss Mollie’s article about Covent Garden date night ideas!
Capturing London’s magic: Hiring a professional photographer
Our experience with Flytographer
I love our annual holiday photos, but I want something different (and a little less Christmas-y) to adorn our walls at home. I used Flytographer for this family trip to London, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Despite having two young children, our photographer Emily managed to capture the fun and pandemonium of our trip in a way that we’ll cherish forever.
The process was incredibly easy, and the photos we received were of exceptional quality. We found the fees to be quite reasonable—much more wallet-friendly than shoots back home. And the 30-minute session we booked provided us with a variety of beautiful images. Next time, we might aim for something a little longer to give us more time.
Flytographer has photographers in more than 350 cities around the world. Feel free to use my link to save $25 on your first session on your next trip.
What would we have done differently on our trip to London with littles?
Not bringing two strollers was a misstep. I hate lugging gear through an airport, but just one set of wheels meant usually one of us was carrying a child at all times. Pretty big mistake. I’ll gate-check strollers all day to make sure we have two now on city getaways. Especially while they’re under five years old, at least!
We did sleep OK in the one room together. But again, I didn’t pack my Hiccapop tent, a special blackout tent that fits over a cot or pack n’ play to make it super dark and cozy. You can put a small fan and baby monitor inside, too. I thought I didn’t want to pack more gear, but this maybe would have helped settling the baby, so the rest of us could then do the routine with the older one. It works great for weekend trips near home… I don’t know why I didn’t pack it for London!
Read more on traveling to the UK:
