A guide to London for families with children

   Image: Sally Anscombe

With intricate architecture, a varied menu and entertainment galore, it's easy to spend a busy week or more in London .

But what is London like with kids? Will they be happy here? Our answer is a resounding yes! Here's everything you need to know to have a stress-free family holiday, especially if you have little ones with you.

Best Family Hotels in London

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There are plenty of family-friendly areas in London . Paddington is a theatre-goer's dream, while areas such as St James's, South Bank and South Kensington are close to many of the city's favourite attractions for children.

Park Plaza County Hall London is one of the best places to stay in London, in our opinion. It won the HRS Hotel Excellence Awards for Best Family Hotel. It offers spacious family rooms with a kitchenette, gift sets with educational children's books and crayons, and a special children's menu. The hotel is also within walking distance of many attractions that welcome little guests, and offers 2-for-1 tickets to such interesting places as the London Eye , Shrek's Adventures in London , Madame Tussauds , etc.

Another great option is the St. James Court, A Taj Hotel with its Kids@Taj program . Little ones will receive a special gift pack, including a sketchbook, crayons, and cards to send home to their loved ones. Your kids will love the special kids' menu with personalized bedtime snacks. The hotel is centrally located, with easy access to all parts of the city.

London's Best Family Restaurants

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If you're looking for a family dinner, Poppies is a great choice. They have a kids' menu, such as fish and chips and chicken pie. Franco Manca is also a fun place for kids, where you can watch the chefs make pizzas and see the whole process, from kneading the dough to serving.

The Garden Café opens onto a courtyard where children can run around to their heart's content, while Gordon Ramsay's Heddon Street Kitchen has a superb selection of ice creams for younger guests to enjoy.

If you're looking for a day out that your loved ones will remember with pleasure, take the kids to All Stars Lane , where there's bowling, food and drink. The chain's four London locations offer something for the whole family, offering fun and affordable fun for both kids and adults.

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Homeslice offers giant 50cm pizzas for the whole family. Afternoon tea in London is the perfect excuse to take a break in the middle of the day. Choose from cute little scalloped sandwiches at The Langham , a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed party at One Aldwych or a fantastical Alice in Wonderland adventure at Sanderson London .

Alternatively, dine in a glass igloo at The Coppa Club or let the little ones unleash their creative side at Masala Zone Covent Garden , where there's an endless supply of colouring books and crayons.

The best family fun in London

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Put yourself in the shoes of lovable Paddington Bear on a walking tour and take a photo with the famous Paddington statue . And Harry Potter fans simply can't miss the chance to take a tour of Warner Bros. Studios before arriving at King's Cross station and trying to get onto platform 9¾ . Take a ride on the London Eye , discover London's Museum Quarter or visit SEA LIFE London Aquarium , Shrek's Adventure London or the Golden Hind .

Battersea Park even has a Go Ape tree walk , which includes a zip line and challenging tricks. The West End offers plenty of family-friendly musicals , including Aladdin , Stomp , Matilda and School of Rock . And don't miss the huge Hamleys toy store on Regent Street - it's a real-life Wonderland for kids.

Take the whole family on a tour of London on a vintage bus and a Thames river cruise , or experience the adrenaline rush of a speedboat ride on the Thames . If you're short on time, the Tootbus Kids tour is a great way to get to know the city. Both kids and adults will love the entertaining commentary.

Tips for visiting London with kids

Can't wait to get going? Tips and advice to help you avoid the hassle of visiting London.

1. Buy season tickets to save money

For the ultimate London experience, take advantage of the London Pass , which gives you access to over 80 popular attractions. You can choose from 1- to 5-day passes, with an electronic pass that makes entry easy. If you’re planning to visit several Merlin Entertainment Group attractions, such as the London Eye, Madame Tussauds or London Dungeon, you can save big by purchasing passes for two to five attractions at once.

2. Free Entertainment for Kids in London

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The best of London is free . Let your kids play in the famous red telephone boxes that line every London street, or take them to see the exciting Changing of the Guard ceremony . Spend the day at the Tate Modern for free family fun. The British Film Institute also runs free screenings and filmmaking workshops .

If your family enjoys the great outdoors, have a picnic or go boating in Hyde Park . Mudchute Farm & Park offers children the chance to feed a variety of animals and enjoy a day of fun. Children enjoy free entry to many of London's museums , including the Science Museum , the Natural History Museum , the Museum of Childhood (part of the Victoria and Albert Museum) and many more.

3. Free dinner in restaurants

Gordon Ramsay's London restaurant chain allows children under 12 to eat for free when accompanied by a paying adult. Other restaurants that offer this option include Sea Containers and Bodean's BBQ .

4. Be prepared for any weather conditions

Unpredictable weather is probably London's most famous feature. It's always best to be prepared. Make sure you pack windbreakers, ponchos and an umbrella or two. It's also a good idea to have a list of rainy day activities to hand.

5. Around London - by underground

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The London Underground, also known as the Tube or Underground by locals, is a great experience in itself. Plus, there are discounts on tickets for children aged 11 to 15, and children under 11 travel for free.

6. Come to London during Children's Week

Children's Week is held in August. During this period, many theatres offer families one free ticket for a child under 16 with the purchase of an adult ticket. In addition, two additional children can get tickets at half price.